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This fun Pink Pitaya Powder Parfait recipe features a pink dragon fruit smoothie with a parfait-style spin! With each thick and creamy spoonful, you also get a luxurious layer of super sweet cinnamon-y date crust and a medley of fresh fruit!
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Check out my Greek Yogurt Parfait with Homemade Granola and my Instant Pot Cold Start Yogurt for more delicious recipes!
Whether you call it a pitaya smoothie, a pitaya parfait, or a pitaya smoothie parfait, this recipe compacts succulent tropical flavors with complementary textures into a nutritious and delicious sweet treat!
The pitaya smoothie mixture acts as the yogurt element in this parfait. It’s made with a creamy blend of frozen banana, dragon fruit, mango, and non-dairy milk, plus a scoop of pitaya powder for an all-natural pop of pink!
From there, the pitaya smoothie is layered in a tall glass or mason jar with a cinnamon-spiced date paste “crust” and a fresh fruit topping. That being said, if you want to make this into a pitaya smoothie bowl instead, go for it!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Creative way to use pitaya powder. The powder is delicately sweet, so adding it to smoothies gives them a vibrant pink pigment while enhancing the final flavor.
- Great to grab on the go. These parfaits are perfect for enjoying straight from a mason jar with a spoon for breakfast, a snack, or a healthy dessert.
- It’s flexible. There’s plenty of room to modify the smoothie ingredients, parfait layers, and toppings with your preferences.
- It’s dairy-free and delicious. This recipe has everything you love about a layered parfait but with layers of pink dragonfruit smoothie instead of yogurt!
Ingredients You'll Need
For the crust and topping:
- Dates: I use pitted Medjool dates, but if you have deglet noor dates, that works too. Noor deglet dates just aren’t quite as soft and sweet as Medjool.
- Ground Cinnamon: The dates are pulverized with cinnamon to create a soft, sweet crust layer. This adds a delicious textural dimension to the parfait.
- Diced Fruit Topping: A layer of fresh fruit and berries is technically optional, but they bring a burst of flavor, texture, antioxidants, and fiber you don’t want to miss. Read on for more topping ideas.
For the smoothie:
- Frozen Dragon Fruit: Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya, is a low-calorie, nutrient-dense super fruit high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It’s often described as a cross between a kiwi and a pear speckled with tiny chia-like seeds.
- Frozen Mangoes: I love pureeing dragon fruit with mangoes in smoothies, but any type of frozen tropical fruit, berry, or all of the above is fantastic with dragon fruit.
- Frozen Banana: A perfectly ripened frozen banana binds the smoothie together, making it extra sweet and creamy.
- Pink Pitaya Powder: I highly recommend checking out the pink dragonfruit (aka pitaya) powder from NW Bulk Market. You can purchase it in bulk at a great price to make this smoothie parfait, dragon fruit popsicles, and dragon fruit mojito mocktails!
- Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk: I love using this as the liquid base in dairy-free smoothies. If you can’t find it, you can use any unflavored almond, cashew, oat, or soy milk and add just a touch of pure vanilla extract.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Make the parfait “crust.”
Add pitted dates and cinnamon to a food processor and pulverize until the dates break down into a sticky paste.
Step 2: Blend the smoothie.
The yogurt element of this parfait isn’t actually yogurt. It’s more of a creamy fruit puree made by blending frozen dragon fruit, frozen mango, frozen banana, pink pitaya powder, and milk.
Step 3: Assemble the parfait.
First, divide the date crust evenly in the bottom of two large glasses or mason jars, then pour the smoothie mixture over the top. For the top layer, arrange an assortment of fresh or frozen fruit and berries. I went with fresh mango, kiwi, and dragon fruit, but anything goes!
NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!
Expert Tips
- For a crisp and flaky date crust, simply process the dates with dried mulberries or oats, so it isn’t so sticky.
- You may only need part of the cup of almond milk. Start with less and gradually blend in more until your desired consistency is reached.
- If you want to layer the date crust, pitaya smoothie mixture, and fresh fruit in multiple tiers like a classic fruit and yogurt parfait, please do!
Variations
Adding these extra layers of fillings and toppings to parfaits is never a bad idea:
- Dried fruit: Top with dried fruit instead of frozen or fresh. Try dried dates, goji berries, pineapple, mango, raspberries, coconut, apricots, currants, and so on.
- Crunchy add-ins: If you feel like this parfait is missing crunch, layer in homemade granola, toasted coconut nuts, cacao nibs, chopped nuts, seeds, or chocolate chips.
- Fruit spread and nut butter: Add another layer of fruit flavor with your favorite jellies, jams, and fruit spreads. Add some peanut or almond butter for healthy fats and more flavor.
- Whipped topping: Take this smoothie parfait fusion over the top and add a layer of vegan whipped cream, whipped coconut cream, or Cool Whip (if dairy is okay).
Storing
These parfaits are best enjoyed immediately while the smoothie is still chilled. You can store leftovers in a covered container in the fridge for a few days. Just know that the consistency won’t be the same once the frozen fruit fibers in the smoothie completely thaw.
Recipe FAQ's
Suppose this parfait had more traditional layers like in this Greek Yogurt & Granola Parfait, for instance, I’d say yes -but because of the frozen fruit in the smoothie, this parfait is best prepared from start to finish immediately before serving.
I don’t suggest making that swap. I find the consistency comes out thin and watery with fresh fruit. On the other hand, if the fruit is frozen completely solid when blended, the texture is similar to frozen yogurt.
More Fruit Recipes You'll Love
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Pink Pitaya Powder Parfait
Ingredients
- 4 dates pitted
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 ½ cups cubed dragon fruit frozen
- 1 cup cubed mangoes frozen
- 1 medium banana frozen
- 2 tablespoons pitaya powder
- 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
Instructions
- Add pitted dates and cinnamon to a food processor and pulverize until the dates break down into a sticky paste.
- The yogurt element of this parfait isn’t actually yogurt. It’s more of a creamy fruit puree made by blending frozen dragon fruit, frozen mango, frozen banana, pink pitaya powder, and milk.
- First, divide the date crust evenly in the bottom of two large glasses or mason jars, then pour the smoothie mixture over the top. For the top layer, arrange an assortment of fresh or frozen fruit and berries. I went with fresh mango, kiwi, and dragon fruit, but anything goes!
Notes
- For a crisp and flaky date crust, simply process the dates with dried mulberries or oats, so it isn’t so sticky.
- You may only need part of the cup of almond milk. Start with less and gradually blend in more until your desired consistency is reached.
- If you want to layer the date crust, pitaya smoothie mixture, and fresh fruit in multiple tiers like a classic fruit and yogurt parfait, please do!
- Storing: These parfaits are best enjoyed immediately while the smoothie is still chilled. You can store leftovers in a covered container in the fridge for a few days. Just know that the consistency won’t be the same once the frozen fruit fibers in the smoothie completely thaw.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Jere Cassidy
I didn't know there was a pitaya powder. I need to find this. I use the frozen pitaya for smoothies and that is hard to keep all the time.
Jacqui Debono
I had never heard of pitaya before - it's a game-changer and I have been adding it to everything for the kids! This recipe is perfect for breakfast!
Stine Mari
I need to find that pitaya powder, it gives the smoothie such a beautiful color. I love the fruit combination in the smoothie as well.
Laura
What a gorgeous parfait! I've never tried pitaya powder before, but I'm going to find some. I love that this is sweetened with dates!
Geoffrey at Spoonabilities
Great color , great photo. Love the idea of cinnamon and dates as the crust at the bottom. My husband would love this.
Mikayla
Thank you for introducing me to pitaya powder, I'd never heard of it before but I love being able to use ingredients that are natural!
GUNJAN C Dudani
Pitaya fruit is absolutely new to me and have never tried it. I would love to make this parfait for my breakfast.
Emily
I love parfaits and that this one is so unique using pitaya powder! Love the vibrant color!
Renu
I was not aware of Pitaya powder, thanks for the info. The parfait looks so refreshing, I would love to have this as my lunch. Filling and healthy
Ramona
A great parfait recipe here, I’ve got to say I have never heard of pitaya powder before, but I’ll look it up. Great idea to use no sugar but dates instead to sweeten this up. Loving it!
katie
I've never heard of pitaya but i'll be looking out for it. That smoothie looks amazing!
Katie xoxo
Katie
Made this for the family and it was a hit!
Noelle
Such a fresh breakfast or treat! Love the flavors in this recipe
Krissy Allori
Yum! This parfait is so good. I love the colors too. P.S. Now I must have some of this pitaya powder on hand all the time.
Jamie
What a delicious and healthy recipe! I love the addition of pitaya in here!
Kelly Anthony
My daughter has been loving smoothies lately but they have to be purple so adding pitaya powder to any smoothie will make the perfect smoothie for her. Excited to try your pitaya parfait too.