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    Home » Recipes » Drinks

    Refreshing Kale Apple Smoothie

    Published: Feb 5, 2023 by Briana · This post may contain affiliate links where I may receive compensation. Please see my disclosure for details.

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    This is a refreshing kale apple smoothie that’s made with simple ingredients for an easy and healthy breakfast or snack. It’s naturally sweetened with dates and the pineapple helps give it a tropical flavor you’ll love.

    Two Apple and Kale Smoothies in clear glass cups with pineapple and kale ingredients next to it
    Jump to Recipe

    Whether you’re looking for a way to sneak in some extra fruit and veggies into your day or looking for a kale smoothie for weight loss, you’ll love this delicious healthy green smoothie recipe made with kale, green apple, and pineapple. 

    Just like my Island Green Smoothie, this is another delicious way to sneak in some greens. Kale is known to be intensely bitter but when combining the kale with the coconut water, pineapple and dates, it makes it a delicious tropical drink. 

    This simple green smoothie recipe is vegan and dairy free and will make the perfect breakfast on the go or as a refreshing snack.

    If you’re looking for more smoothie recipes, subscribe to my blog and receive 6 FREE homemade healthy smoothie recipes straight to your inbox. 

    Learn more about the Free Smoothie Recipes Here

    Benefits of Kale

    Kale is known to be loaded with micronutrients and antioxidants, such as beta-carotene and vitamin C, and is one of the most nutritious leafy greens around.  One cup of raw kale contains even more vitamin C than an orange!  It’s also a good source of fiber, calcium, vitamin K  and iron.

    Adding kale to your diet is pretty simple. You can add it into your salads, breakfast omelets or use it in smoothie recipes like this kale apple smoothie.

    One popular super healthy snack is kale chips. You drizzle the kale with oil, then season it with some salt, and then bake in an oven until it’s dry and crispy. 

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    Thanks to the pineapple and dates, this healthy breakfast smoothie is sweet and creamy, making the kale’s flavor mild and hardly noticeable. Here are other reasons why you’ll love this kale apple ginger smoothie:

    •  It has healthy and simple ingredients.
    • The tropical kale smoothie is naturally sweetened with pineapple and dates.
    • It's plant based, dairy free and packed with fruit and greens.
    • The unsweetened coconut water can help you stay hydrated

    Equipment You’ll Need

    • High Speed Blender – this is the blender I used to make this delicious kale smoothie. You can also use a compact blender to make this recipe. Just make sure to blend the kale and the liquid first before adding the other ingredients.
    • Measuring Equipment - 1 cup and 1 teaspoon
    Apple Greens Smoothie from the top with ginger, pineapple and kale ingredients around it

    Ingredients You’ll Need

    This kale green apple smoothie has 6 simple ingredients and it’s packed with fiber, vitamins, antioxidants, and nutrients. Here’s what you’ll need to make this healthy kale smoothie recipe:

    • Baby kale - the star of the smoothie. I used baby kale in this smoothie because it has a sweeter and mild flavor. You can find it sold at your local grocery store or at your local farmers market.
    • Green apple - cored and chopped. It brings a sweet tart flavor to the smoothie. I kept the skin on the apple for blending. As long as you have a good blender, it blends up nicely and adds some good fiber to your smoothie! You can opt to peel the skin if you like. 
    • Frozen pineapple - using frozen pineapple will help thicken the smoothie. The pineapple also adds a tropical flavor to the smoothie. You can also substitute with frozen mango or peach. 
    • Coconut water - make sure you buy unsweetened coconut water with no additives in it.
    • Ground ginger - helps with inflammation. It also pairs nicely with the kale and apple flavors.
    • Dates - this recipe uses 2 - 3 dates as a natural sweetener. Make sure the pits are removed. You can also chop the dates into smaller pieces for easier blending.
    Kale Apple Smoothie Ingredients with labels

     How to Make the Kale and Apple Smoothie

    1. Blend the coconut water and kale in a high speed blender until the kale breaks down completely. It should look like a smooth green liquid.
    2. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend until smooth.
    3. Taste and adjust. After blending the smoothie, taste it. You can add more coconut water, frozen pineapple or dates as needed to reach your desired taste or consistency. You can add more greens if you like an earthy taste, ice if you like it thicker, more coconut water if you like it thinner, or more dates for extra sweetness.
    Kale green smoothie Ingredients in a blender
    Kale Green smoothie blended in blender

    Storage Tips

     To store this green apple kale smoothie, make sure you place it in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. It will naturally separate as it is left to sit but you can simply stir it (or blend it) together before drinking.

    If you would like to freeze this smoothie, I suggest preparing the green smoothie first, then pour it into an ice cube tray. You can freeze the smoothie cubes for up to 1 month. To make the smoothie, add the frozen smoothie cubes to a blender with the coconut water and blend.

    Kale Apple Smoothie being poured from the blender into clear cup

    Substitutes and Variations

    One thing I love about this kale smoothie recipe is that it’s easy to substitute ingredients or make adjustments to fit your own taste. Here are some ways you can swap ingredients:

    • Change the greens - kale is used for this drink however spinach would be a great substitute to use
    • Swap the fruit - You can also use frozen peach or mango 
    • Switch the sweetener - you can also use honey, agave or date syrup.
    • Swap the liquid - you can also use water. Use dairy free milk, like oat milk, cashew milk or almond milk, for a creamier smoothie or orange juice if you prefer a more tropical taste. 
    • Add ice cubes- You can add in ice if you prefer a thicker and icy smoothie. Note this may water down the flavors in the drink.
    • Extras - you can always include your favorite add-ins like a protein powder. I would suggest using a vanilla based protein. 
    Two Apple and Kale Smoothies in clear glass cups with pineapple and kale ingredients next to it

    Recipe FAQ

    Is it ok to put raw kale in a smoothie?

    It’s absolutely okay to put raw kale into a smoothie. Make sure to wash the kale thoroughly and dry it before adding it to the smoothie. I prefer to buy the pre washed kale in a bag or container from the grocery store.

    Can you use kale stems in smoothies?

    I don't recommend putting the kale stems in smoothies. Remove the leaves off the stem and discard them. Then, chop up the kale leaves or if your blender is large enough, stick them right in the blender.

    How do you make kale smoothie smooth?

    For a smooth smoothie, make sure to blend the coconut water and the kale together first before adding in any other ingredients. By breaking down the greens first, this makes sure any chunks of kale is blended well. For the creamiest green smoothies try using dairy free milk instead of coconut water. You can also add in ½ of a banana to help add a creamy texture.

    What is healthy to add to a smoothie?

    They’re so many different add-in options available to throw into a smoothie. Try different ingredients and see what you like best. My go-to smoothie add-ins are ground flaxseeds, chia seeds or nut butter. You can even add your favorite protein powder. 

    More Recipes You May Like

    Carrot Banana Smoothie

    Island Green Smoothie

    6 Homemade Healthy Smoothies

    Lemon Ginger Turmeric Shots

    Watermelon Mint Lime Juice

    Apple Pie Smoothie

    Two Apple and Kale Smoothies in clear glass cups with pineapple and kale ingredients next to it
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    5 from 2 votes

    Refreshing Kale Apple Smoothie

    This is a refreshing kale apple smoothie that’s made with simple ingredients for an easy and healthy breakfast or snack. It’s naturally sweetened with dates and the pineapple helps give it a tropical flavor you’ll love.
    Prep Time5 minutes mins
    Total Time5 minutes mins
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: healthy drink, kale smoothie
    Servings: 2
    Author: Briana

    Ingredients

    • 1 1/2 cup kale lightly packed
    • 1 medium green apple cored and chopped
    • 1/2 cup frozen pineapple
    • 1 1/2 cup coconut water
    • 1/4 teaspoon ginger
    • 2 - 3 dates
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions

    • Blend the coconut water and kale in a high speed blender until the kale breaks down completely. It should look like a smooth green liquid.
    • Add the rest of the ingredients and blend until smooth.
    • Taste and adjust. You can add more coconut water, frozen pineapple or dates as needed to reach your desired taste or consistency. You can add more greens if you like an earthy taste, ice if you like it thicker, more coconut water if you like it thinner, or more dates for extra sweetness.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 170kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 217mg | Potassium: 885mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 5095IU | Vitamin C: 75mg | Calcium: 189mg | Iron: 2mg

    Disclaimer

    Although HalfPastHungry.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on which products you use, the brand that was purchased, or in other unforeseeable ways. HalfPastHungry.com will not be held liable for any reliance on given nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your physician first.

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    About Briana

    Briana is the blogger, recipe developer and food photographer behind HalfPastHungry. She's been blogging since 2017 sharing thyroid friendly and plant-based recipes that are easy to make, healthy and nutritious.

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    Briana About Me Photo

    Hi! My name is Briana. 
    After being diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer in my early 20's, I struggled with hypothyroidism and weight gain, which started me on my plant-based journey. HalfPastHungry is your source for beginner friendly plant-based recipes that are easy to make, healthy and nutritious and make eating plant-based easier for you.

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