Kale Banana Smoothie

Whenever I buy a big bag of kale, my goal is simple: use every last leaf. That’s when I start getting creative in the blender. This Kale Banana Smoothie recipe is a great way to turn leftover kale into something crave-worthy.

It blends a mix of fruits—almost like a fruit salad—to soften kale’s bold flavor while still delivering plenty of fiber. I also add collagen to boost protein and support my body at this stage of life, because nourishing well now matters more than ever

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Kale: This leafy green is the nutrient backbone of the smoothie. It adds fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, and antioxidants while blending smoothly when paired with enough liquid and fruit.
• Almond milk: A light, dairy-free liquid that helps everything blend easily without overpowering the flavors. It keeps the smoothie creamy while staying low in calories. Check out the best almond milk brands to buy.
• Banana: Adds natural sweetness and a creamy texture that balances kale’s slightly bitter edge. It also contributes potassium for muscle and hydration support. You can also use frozen bananas.
• Frozen pineapple: Brings bright, tropical sweetness and a touch of acidity to keep the flavor fresh. Using it frozen helps create a cold, thick smoothie without ice.
• Frozen strawberries: Add natural sweetness, vitamin C, and antioxidants, plus a subtle berry flavor that pairs well with pineapple and banana.
• Collagen peptides: Boost protein content to make the smoothie more filling and supportive of muscle recovery. Using an unflavored option keeps the fruit flavors front and center.

Kale Banana Smoothie Swaps

• Swap the kale with baby kale or spinach for a milder flavor that blends smoothly while still providing fiber and nutrients.
• Swap the almond milk with water, coconut water, or oat milk for a lighter texture or subtle sweetness.
• Swap the banana with ½ an avocado or frozen mango to keep the smoothie creamy with less natural sugar.
• Swap the collagen peptides with an unflavored protein powder to keep protein high without altering flavor.

Recipe Tips

Even though this smoothie is balanced and uses whole foods, the fruit can still be high in natural sugar. If you are sensitive to natural sugar, there are a variety of ways to help your body process those tasty sweet fruits:

• If you don’t have a high-speed blender, blend the kale and liquid first to fully break down the greens and create a smooth, grit-free base.
• Use frozen fruit instead of ice to keep the smoothie thick, cold, and naturally sweet without watering it down.
• Balance the flavors with enough fruit or a squeeze of citrus to soften kale’s bitterness and keep the smoothie refreshing.
• Decrease sugar by swapping half the banana for a quarter of an avocado (or 1 whole banana with 1/2 an avocado). Your smoothie will be less sweet, but also lower in sugar.

If you’ve got extra kale after making this smoothie, don’t let it go to waste. Try blending it into other favorites like an Tropical Kale Smoothie, Mango Kale Smoothie or a refreshing Coconut Water Smoothie for easy, flavorful ways to use it up.