Enjoy this filling, fruit-packed vegan strawberry coconut smoothie, made with chia seeds for an extra nutritional boost. A great morning wake up, this gorgeous refreshing smoothie will energise you for the day! Dairy free and delicious.
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Vegan Strawberry and Coconut Smoothie
Since the arrival of “the beast” – my power blender – my morning smoothies have become more and more adventurous. I usually like my smoothies dairy free and have slowly been upping the amount of raw vegetables in them too. Spinach with blackberry and apple, beetroot with berries, peas with cranberries – it’s all good.
Ensuring that my diet includes plenty of raw fruit and veg keeps me feeling healthy and energetic. When I am away and skip my raw smoothies for a day or two, I quickly notice an energy drop and tummy grumbles.
This dairy-free strawberry coconut smoothie is entirely fruit based, so any blender should be able to handle it (though the final result might not be as silky smooth as you would get from a power blender).
If you use chilled rather than frozen fruit, and grind your chia seeds in a spice grinder, a stick blender will be able to handle this one.
Strawberry Coconut Smoothie Ingredients
- Strawberries – Pick the best you can, red and properly ripe for the best flavour, if buying out of season a bag of frozen from the store is always better. If you have a power blender, you can use frozen. If not, use them chilled from the fridge.
- Grapes – It is important that these are seedless. Use either red or white. Again, frozen is great if you have a power blender, chilled if not.
- Chia seeds – These are a nutritional powerhouse. I prefer to grind them freshly every time I use them. If you have a power blender, it will be easily able to handle them. Failing that, grind them in a coffee or spice grinder. You can substitute flax or linseed if you don’t have chia.
Helen’s Top Tip – Health benefits of chia seeds
As well as being a good source of omega 3 oils, chia seeds are hydrophilic, able to absorb 10 times their weight in liquid, making you feel fuller for longer and slowing absorption of sugars. They have been attributed with various health-boosting properties and while the evidence is still unclear for some of these, their known good qualities are reason enough to try them.
Most supermarkets stock them now but you can also find them in the wholefoods store.
- Coconut Oil – Unrefined or virgin coconut oil has far more coconut flavour. It’s also healthier.
Helen’s Top Tip – Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has a higher melting point than many other oils, which is why it is usually solid and sold in jars. On a warm day, my coconut oil is liquid; on a cooler day it will be solid. This is completely normal and nothing to worry about.
It is important to add a little fat to a smoothie, as many nutrients and vitamins are fat soluble and it will help you absorb them. Although coconut oil is high in saturated fats, unrefined coconut oil is probably less of a problem than other saturated fats and a little is just fine.
- Banana – I often use frozen fruit in smoothies. Frozen banana is fine.
- Coconut Milk or Coconut Water Drink – For your strawberry coconut smoothie, you want the coconut milk drink that is sold in a carton. Avoid canned coconut milk ,which is far too rich for a smoothie. You can also use coconut water, or even plain water.
Recipe Step-by-Step
Grab the ingredients. Don’t worry too much about precise measurements.
Step One – Grind the chia seeds. Use a coffee grinder if you don’t have a power blender.
Step Two – Add the rest of the ingredients to the chia seeds in the blender jug.
Step Three – Whizz until smooth. It’s that easy!
Step Four – Enjoy your vegan strawberry and coconut smoothie immediately and start the day feeling fresh!
Dairy-Free Strawberry Coconut Smoothie – Hints and Tips
- Use the best quality ripest fruit you can for maximum flavour.
- With a power blender any or all of the fruit can be frozen.
- If using a regular blender, or food processor, you can use pre-ground chia seeds, chilled strawberries and grapes and a frozen banana.
- It is possible to make this with a stick blender, if the chia seeds are already ground and the fruit is not frozen.
- Make this thicker and go further by adding a spoon of rolled oats.
- Best drunk as soon as it is made.
Strawberry & Coconut Smoothie
Ingredients
- 2 tsp chia seeds (or flax / linseed)
- 1 banana
- 1 cup seedless grapes (200 g)
- 1 cup strawberries (200 g)
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- 1 cup coconut milk drink (240 ml)
- 1 tbs rolled oats (optional)
Instructions
- Grind the chia seeds in a spice grinder or your blender, depending on its power.2 tsp chia seeds
- Add the other ingredients (my strawberries and grapes were frozen) and blend until smooth.1 banana, 1 cup seedless grapes, 1 cup strawberries, 1 tsp coconut oil, 1 cup coconut milk drink, 1 tbs rolled oats
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- For a thicker, more substantial smoothie add some oats which you have soaked overnight in water or apple juice.
- If adding oats check they are certified gluten free it needed.
- This recipe is 10 Weight Watchers Smart points per portion
Video
Update Notes: Originally published Feb 2013. Updated with new photos and methods April 2021.
Caroline
What a beautiful smoothie!
Choclette
That looks like strawberry mousse it’s so thick. How delicious. I use chia seeds in my smoothies, but leave them to soak for a bit rather than grinding them first.
Jacqueline
It looks wonderful Helen. I love the first photo. Beautiful colours. Must try coconut oil.
Gemma
Such a delicious smoothie, and makes having the good foods far easier. I do love my power blender.
Denise
Lovely combination of tasty ingredients for that great nutritional start to the day. Quick and easy to make too.
Elaine Turner
A decent smoothie is always a good start to my day. I throw it all in while I’m chasing the morning mayhem about, and it is ready to take in the car with me. This is a great combination, Helen.
Mandy
This is delicious and full of absolute goodness. Packing in some good portions of my five plus a day.
Gillian W
Love the colour of this smoothie, and it tastes amazing. Such a good start to the day too.
Linda Holland
I always use frozen strawberries, they are so handy to keep in the freezer. Love the coconut with this one, gives a lovely flavor.
Vanessa Duncan
The coconut milk drink is a lovely base for a smoothie. Love this mix, and it a great start to the day.
Melissa
Wonderfully thick and tasty. This is such a good smoothie blend and really palatable. Perfect for early morning starts.
Erin
I do like my smoothies, and like them full of goodness and tasty too. This one certainly ticks the boxes.
Sophie
Hey Helen, Thanks for sharing this recipe that combines two of my most favourite things in summers- Strawberries and coconut. It seems quite refreshing. I would love to try it out!