What fruit is good to mix with bananas for smoothies? A complete guide

October 12, 2025 •

4 min read

Bananas are a universally loved smoothie base, offering a creamy texture and natural sweetness. The question of what fruit is good to mix with bananas for smoothies depends on your desired flavor profile and nutritional goals, from antioxidant-rich berries to vibrant tropical fruits.

Quick Summary

Explore the best fruit pairings for banana smoothies, including antioxidant-rich berries, refreshing tropical fruits, and creamy stone fruits. Find out how to achieve ideal texture and nutritional benefits in your blended creations.

Key Points

Berries: Pair bananas with strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries for an antioxidant-rich, sweet-tart smoothie that is high in vitamins and fiber.
Tropical Fruits: Create a refreshing, juicy blend with bananas and mango, pineapple, or papaya, which are excellent sources of vitamins A and C.
Avocado: Add a small amount of avocado for an extra creamy texture and a boost of healthy fats and fiber, without a strong flavor.
Frozen Fruit: Using frozen banana and other frozen fruits is key to achieving a thicker, colder smoothie texture without needing to dilute it with ice.
Customize: Enhance your smoothie with extra ingredients like Greek yogurt for protein, chia seeds for fiber, or spinach for added vitamins.
Natural Sweetness: Ripe bananas provide sufficient sweetness, allowing you to reduce or eliminate added sugars like honey or maple syrup.

Bananas serve as an exceptional foundation for smoothies, providing a thick, creamy consistency and a mellow, naturally sweet flavor. But a great smoothie is about more than just bananas; it's about the combination of fruits and other ingredients that create a perfect balance of taste and nutrition. While popular pairings like strawberry-banana are classic for a reason, exploring other fruits can elevate your smoothie game and introduce new health benefits.

The Best Fruit Families to Pair with Bananas

Berries: The Antioxidant Powerhouse

Berries are a fantastic choice for smoothies, providing a vibrant color, sweet-tart flavor, and a powerful dose of antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins.

Strawberries: A classic for a reason, strawberries and bananas create a sweet, nostalgic flavor profile. They are high in vitamin C and fiber.
Blueberries: For a rich purple hue and slightly sweeter flavor, blueberries are an excellent option. They are known for their high antioxidant content.
Raspberries: Offering a tart kick, raspberries are packed with fiber and vitamin C.
Mixed Berries: Use a blend of frozen berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries) for a complex flavor and nutrient profile.

Tropical Fruits: A Burst of Sunshine

For a getaway in a glass, tropical fruits add a juicy, tangy contrast to the banana's creaminess. They are often rich in vitamins A and C.

Mango: The lush, sweet flavor of mango pairs beautifully with banana, creating a silky-smooth and satisfying smoothie. Mangoes are high in fiber and vitamin A.
Pineapple: Tangy and sweet, pineapple cuts through the banana's richness for a refreshing taste. It's a great source of vitamin C.
Papaya: Another tropical delight, papaya has a creamy texture and a subtle sweetness that works well with banana. It's rich in antioxidants.
Kiwi: For a green smoothie with a tangy twist, kiwi and banana are a great pair. Kiwi is an excellent source of vitamin C.

Stone Fruits: Summer's Creamiest Blends

Stone fruits offer a delicate sweetness and velvety texture that blend seamlessly with bananas.

Peaches: For a mellow, sweet, and fragrant smoothie, ripe peaches and bananas are a perfect match. Peaches are packed with vitamins and nutrients.
Cherries: Sweet pitted cherries provide a rich, dessert-like flavor that pairs well with bananas, especially when frozen. Cherries are a good source of fiber and vitamin C.

Avocado: For an Extra Creamy Boost

While technically a fruit, avocado is worth mentioning for its ability to create a lusciously creamy texture without adding a strong flavor. It also provides a significant boost of healthy fats and fiber. A small amount of avocado can make a huge difference in the smoothie's richness and satiating power.

Comparison of Popular Banana Smoothie Fruit Pairings


Fruit Pairing	Flavor Profile	Texture	Nutritional Highlights	Ideal For	Notes
Strawberry & Banana	Sweet, classic, and familiar	Very creamy, smooth	Vitamin C, fiber	Quick breakfast, classic favorite	Can be made with fresh or frozen fruit.
Mango & Pineapple	Tropical, sweet, and tangy	Smooth, juicy	Vitamin A, Vitamin C	Energy boost, tropical flavor craving	Great with a coconut milk base.
Blueberry & Banana	Sweet, rich, and slightly tart	Smooth, thick	Antioxidants, fiber, Vitamin C	Immune support, antioxidant boost	Frozen blueberries work best for thickness.
Peach & Banana	Mildly sweet, delicate, floral	Velvety smooth	Vitamin A, C, Potassium	Summer treat, light dessert	Combines well with a touch of yogurt.
Avocado & Banana	Mellow, rich, and creamy	Ultra-creamy, thick	Healthy fats, fiber, Potassium	Gut health, meal replacement	Use a small amount of avocado to avoid overpowering the flavor.

Delicious Banana Smoothie Recipe Ideas

Here are some simple but effective banana smoothie recipes to get you started:

The Classic Berry-Banana: Blend 1 frozen banana, 1 cup frozen mixed berries, and 1 cup of almond milk. Add a tablespoon of Greek yogurt for extra protein and tang.
Tropical Paradise: Combine 1 frozen banana, 1 cup frozen mango, 1/2 cup fresh pineapple chunks, and 1/2 cup coconut water for a hydrating, fruity blend.
Creamy Peach Dream: Blend 1 frozen banana, 1 cup sliced peaches (frozen or fresh), and 1/2 cup milk of your choice. A pinch of ginger or cinnamon adds warmth.
Green Power Boost: Mix 1 frozen banana, a large handful of spinach, 1/2 cup pineapple, and 1 cup of coconut water for a vitamin-packed smoothie that doesn't taste 'green'.
Avocado & Honey Treat: For a nutrient-dense and creamy option, blend 1/2 a frozen banana, 1/4 avocado, 1 cup milk, and a teaspoon of honey.

Tips for the Perfect Banana Smoothie

Freeze Your Bananas: Using frozen banana slices adds thickness and a frosty texture, reducing the need for ice. Simply peel, slice, and freeze ripe bananas on a parchment-lined baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer bag.
Add Liquid First: For easier blending, especially with frozen fruit, add your liquid (milk, water, juice) to the blender first.
Enhance Nutrition: Boost your smoothie with other healthy ingredients. Greek yogurt and nut butters add protein. Chia seeds and flaxseed meal provide fiber and omega-3s. A handful of spinach or kale can add a powerful dose of vitamins without overpowering the flavor.
Adjust Sweetness: Ripe bananas provide natural sweetness. Taste your smoothie before adding sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.
Mind the Fiber: While fruit juice adds sweetness, whole fruits (especially with skins) add fiber, which is better for digestion and keeps you full longer.

Conclusion: Blending Your Way to a Healthier You

Bananas are the ideal canvas for creating a wide variety of delicious and nutritious smoothies. By pairing them with different fruits—from the sweet-tart punch of berries to the tropical sunshine of mangoes and pineapples—you can customize your drink to suit your taste, health goals, and even the seasons. Experiment with different combinations and add-ins to find your perfect blend. A well-crafted smoothie is a simple and effective way to pack essential vitamins, fiber, and energy into your daily diet, making healthy eating both easy and enjoyable. Learn more about the benefits of fresh fruits in smoothies.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best combinations include berries for a sweet-tart, antioxidant-rich smoothie; tropical fruits like mango and pineapple for a tangy, sunny flavor; and avocado for a creamy, nutrient-dense blend.

Using frozen fruit, especially bananas, is often better for creating a thicker, colder, and creamier smoothie texture. Frozen bananas can also replace ice cubes, which can water down the flavor.

Yes, adding a handful of greens like spinach or kale is a great way to boost the nutritional content without significantly altering the flavor, especially when paired with sweet fruits like banana and pineapple.

While most fruits pair well with bananas, a study suggests that the enzyme PPO in bananas can reduce the antioxidant levels of flavanol-rich fruits like berries. If maximizing antioxidants is your goal, consider pairing berries with a different base like mango, or blend the berries first.

To make your smoothie more filling, add sources of protein and healthy fats. Good options include a scoop of protein powder, a spoonful of nut butter, Greek yogurt, or a tablespoon of chia or flax seeds.

For weight loss, mix bananas with high-fiber fruits like berries or pineapple to promote fullness. Adding ingredients like leafy greens, chia seeds, or protein powder can also increase satiety and nutritional value.

It is often unnecessary to add extra sweetener to a smoothie with ripe bananas, as they provide plenty of natural sweetness. Taste your blend before adding honey, maple syrup, or other sugars.