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Coconut oil is creamy and rich and gives smoothies great texture—which is great if you need clean fuel while on the go. Coconut oil in smoothies is a quick + easy way to give your body these incredible benefits, and it also helps your body process the other whole food ingredients in smoothies as well.
Once I started adding coconut oil to my smoothies… I never turned back.
What's in this post
What is Coconut Oil?
Coconut oil is a natural fat made from the flesh of coconuts. In a smoothie, it’s used in small amounts to add healthy fats, create a creamier texture, and help keep you full longer while supporting absorption of nutrients from fruits and greens.
Adding 1 tablespoon of coconut oil to a smoothie can offer a few helpful benefits—especially when you want your smoothie to be more satisfying and energizing.
- Helps keep you full longer. Coconut oil contains healthy fats that keep you full. This can help your smoothie feel more like a meal, keeping hunger away and preventing a mid-morning crash.
- Provides quick, steady energy. It’s rich in MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides), which your body converts into fuel faster than many other fats. That makes it a nice add-in for busy mornings or before a workout.
- Supports nutrient absorption. Fat helps your body absorb fat-soluble vitamins from fruits and greens (like vitamins A, D, E, and K). A little coconut oil can help you get more benefit from the spinach, kale, or carrots in your smoothie.
- Makes smoothies creamier. Beyond nutrition, coconut oil adds a subtle richness and silky texture—especially helpful in fruit or green smoothies that might otherwise feel thin.
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Smoothie Challenge
I’d love for you to blend it up with me! For 5 days, I’ll send you a daily smoothie recipe along with a shopping list so you’re ready before day one.
More Smoothie Recipes
If you’re new to green smoothies and want to make the creamiest, most delicious smoothies at home, learn how to make a smoothie with my easy guide. Looking for a refreshing drink to start your day? Check out more of my tropical smoothies and kale smoothies:
- Pineapple Green Smoothie
- Island Green Smoothie
- Tropical Kale Smoothie
- Margarita Smoothie
- Piña Colada Green Smoothie
Common Questions
No, not when used correctly. One tablespoon blends smoothly into the fruit and greens, adding richness without an oily texture. When paired with pineapple and banana, the flavor stays light and tropical.
You can use solid coconut oil straight from the jar. Blending it with the liquid and greens first helps it emulsify evenly, especially if your blender is high powered.
Yes. Coconut oil adds richness and helps balance the natural sweetness of fruit. You can also swap part of the banana for avocado to lower sugar even more.
Yes. MCT oil blends easily and offers similar energy benefits, especially for workouts. Start with a small amount since MCT oil is more concentrated than coconut oil.
Recipe Card
Coconut Oil Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup kale fresh
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup pineapple frozen
- ½ banana
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil, unrefined
Instructions
- Pour the water into a blender. Add the kale and coconut oil and blend until smooth.
- Add the pineapple and banana and blend again until smooth. Pour into a glass and serve immediately.
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Recipe Notes
- Blender Tip: If your coconut oil is solid, melt it first and blend it with the water and kale before adding the frozen fruit, so it doesn’t harden into bits.
- Ingredient Swaps: Refined coconut oil or MCT oil blends more easily and has a more neutral flavor.
- Lower Sugar: Swap the 1/2 banana for 1/4 avocado for a creamier, less sweet smoothie.
- Make Ahead: Portion the kale and fruit into freezer smoothie packs, then blend with the water and coconut oil when you’re ready.
Nutrition
Saturated Fat: 12 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1 g | Sodium: 40 mg | Potassium: 720 mg | Sugar: 23 g | Vitamin A: 6827 IU | Vitamin C: 164 mg | Calcium: 132 mg | Iron: 2 mg
I loved adding coconut oil to my smoothie! So good!
How do I use Costcos organic coconut oil in a smoothie. I heated it up a bit & mixed it with water ,& some juices. But it clumped up in my bottle. What did I do wrong??
Hi Joe – I hear you. Coconut oil starts to firm back up when it’s in the super cold smoothie. Are you using frozen fruits or adding ice? I would recommend drinking it quickly and/or using room temperature or refrigerated fruits rather than frozen fruits. Good idea to melt it first! 🙂
Any tips on blending the coconut oil?
Coconut oil seems to blend better if it’s not been refrigerated. Storing your coconut oil in your pantry will help keep it at a better temp for blending or even baking so that it doesn’t clump up.
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