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Home » Recipes » Smoothies

Pineapple Protein Smoothie (with Quinoa)

Updated: Mar 11, 2025 · Published: Mar 9, 2023 by Danika Vanderpyl · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

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This pineapple protein smoothie is made with seven simple ingredients. Cooked quinoa, pineapple, turmeric, bananas, chia seeds, honey, and your favorite milk make this smoothie DELICIOUS.

For the last 7+ years, I've started almost all mornings with a smoothie! I am always testing out new flavors and adding different ingredients. I like adding cooked quinoa to my smoothies to increase the protein and support blood sugar levels. After this, try my banana tahini smoothie with quinoa!

Two orange yellow smoothie in jars.
Jump to:
  • Ingredients: nutrition insight and substitutions
  • My step-by-step photos
  • Recommended for smoothies
  • Other delicious recipes to try...
  • Pineapple Protein Smoothie with Cooked Quinoa
  • Danika Vanderpyl, C.H.N

Ingredients: nutrition insight and substitutions

I've always been fascinated with how food can be connected to our well-being. I did a two-year program to learn more about nutrition, so I always love to share some things I learned in the recipe I create. Below you will read why I chose these ingredients and how you can make swaps if you don't have the ingredients needed.

Pineapple, quinoa, turmeric, chia seeds, on a plate.
Not shown in the photo are milk and the optional honey.
  • Pineapple supports digestion and works to cleanse the body. Key nutrients are vitamin C, folate, iron, and fiber. For this recipe use frozen pineapple (just like my tropical smoothie). If you want to use fresh pineapple, I recommend adding 4-6 ice cubes to make this smoothie cold and thick. You can also swap the pineapple for frozen mango, frozen peaches, or a mixture of these.
  • Quinoa is known as a super grain as it has all essential amino acids, which classify it as a complete protein. This grain is high in iron, B3, B6, and phosphorus. In this recipe, we use cooked quinoa. Use between ¼ cup to ¾ cup of this grain for this smoothie - it's a perfect way to use leftover quinoa! I haven't tried using uncooked quinoa for this recipe, and I don't recommend using it unless you have a high-power blender.
  • Turmeric is a tonic for the whole body! It is well known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In this recipe, I either use ½ inch of the bright orange fresh turmeric root (found in the produce section, by the ginger, in the grocery store), or when they don't have it (small town life), I use ½ teaspoon of powdered turmeric. If you don't have turmeric, you can make the recipe without it, however, it is what gives the smoothie the bright color.
  • Chia seeds are an energy booster because they are a complex carbohydrate and high in protein. I used white chia seeds but black chia seeds work just the same and are easier to find in the grocery store.
  • Bananas are high in potassium, folate, vitamin C, B vitamins, and many other nutrients. For this recipe, I found using two unfrozen bananas creates a smooth, creamy texture.
  • Honey is optional, but I'll add it when I give this smoothie to my kids to sweeten it just a bit. I like to use raw honey as it contains some amount of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that will benefit the body. If you are staying away from sweeteners or feeding this to babies, you can skip the honey.
  • To complete the recipe we need 1 cup of milk. This can be cow's milk, or any dairy-free alternative like almond or coconut milk, or whatever you have in your fridge! I use almond milk in this recipe.

See the recipe card below for quantities.

My step-by-step photos

Banana, turmeric, pineapple, chia seeds in blender.

Step 1: Place the soft ingredients in the blender first: the banana, cooked quinoa, chia seeds, and turmeric.

Wet ingredients in the bottom of the blender.

Step 2: Add the liquid next, whatever milk you want to use!

Frozen pineapple and peaches in blender.

Step 3: Place the frozen fruit (pineapple and I used peaches too) on top of the other ingredients. I have found layering the ingredients like this supports the blade of the blender!

Yellow pineapple smoothies in jars.

Step 4: Blend for about 1 minute until creamy, then pour your smoothie into glasses! This will make 2 medium smoothies or 1 large smoothie.

Tip: Rinse and wash the blender right after you are done using it - this is a rule at our house! Doing this is the best way to make sure nothing dries onto that blade in the bottom of the blender container (which is hard to wash off because it is so sharp!).

Recommended for smoothies

Blenders have a big impact on how a smoothie recipe turns out. Texture honestly makes a smoothie delicious or yucky.

I have used a ninja blender and a Vitamix blender so I can speak to these. I found when I used a ninja blender (keep in mind this was in 2020 the quality may be different now) it didn't fully blend fruit seeds -like blackberry seeds.

When I blend frozen fruit, any tiny seeds, or raw nuts in my Vitamix it comes out perfectly smooth. Therefore I love and will always recommend Vitamix. I actually use it every single day.

High-power blenders can do amazing things, and if you are keen to make healthy food, this is one of the first things I recommend investing in!

Check Out Product
One quinoa smoothie with pineapple in a jar.

Other delicious recipes to try...

If you are a pineapple fan, try these oatmeal pineapple muffins! For other high-protein quinoa recipes, make these egg quinoa bites or this creamy banana quinoa smoothie.

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  • A brownish pink smoothie in a glass with tahini on top with raspberries.
    Luteal Phase Smoothie
  • A glass cup filled with light brown smoothie with pumpkin seeds on top, with leaves in the backgrounds.
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Did you make this pineapple turmeric protein smoothie? Would you take 5 seconds to give a star rating and review just below the recipe? That means a lot to me and helps the growth of Beside the Mountain blog. ❤️

Two pineapple quinoa smoothies in jars.

Pineapple Protein Smoothie with Cooked Quinoa

Danika Vanderpyl
High in protein, this turmeric pineapple smoothie with quinoa is a great way to start your morning, or have an energy boost halfway through the day. Simple ingredients and 5 minutes to make.
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins
Course Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 2 medium (4 cups)
Calories 445 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 blender

Ingredients
  

  • 2 ripe bananas
  • ½ cup cooked quinoa*
  • 2 tablespoons white or black chia seeds*
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder or ½ inch chunk of fresh turmeric
  • 1 cup any kind of milk
  • 4 cups loosely packed frozen pineapple (or frozen peaches or frozen mango)

Instructions
 

  • Place the banana, cooked quinoa, chia seeds, and turmeric in the blender with the milk on top. Place the yellow frozen fruit on top.
  • Blend for about 45 seconds to 1 minute until it's fully blended and creamy, then pour your smoothie into glasses!

Notes

The nutrition facts are calculated for two smoothies, if you have this as one serving, it contains 22 grams of protein. 
*For this recipe use cooked quinoa not raw. I just add my leftover quinoa (from dinner the night before), this is anywhere from ¼ cup to ¾ cup of cooked quinoa. If you are cooking quinoa to put in this smoothie, it will triple in size when cooking, so ¼ cup of dry quinoa will make ¾ cup of cooked quinoa. 
*Chia seeds: A high power blender will make these seeds unnoticeable, however, if you don't have a high power blender and don't like the texture of these little seeds, consider grinding them in a coffee grinder into a powder before using.
 
My other favorite turmeric smoothie is this golden latte like blend, try it! 

Nutrition

Calories: 445kcalCarbohydrates: 91gProtein: 11gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 65mgPotassium: 1088mgFiber: 13gSugar: 53gVitamin A: 396IUVitamin C: 169mgCalcium: 275mgIron: 3mg
Keyword High Protein, Smoothie
Did you love this recipe?Make sure to leave a comment below!
danika sitting in a chair

Danika Vanderpyl, C.H.N

I create snack recipes with healthy ingredients that are mostly already in your kitchen. I'm certified in Holistic Nutrition and I care about giving my kids real food. Let me share my nutrient-dense easy snacks with you.

Learn more about me →

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Comments

    5 from 2 votes

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Mariah says

    March 21, 2023 at 8:41 am

    5 stars
    Incredible flavour to it. Love how you can hide less common smoothie ingredients, and it still tastes amazing!! So thick and smooth 🙂

    Reply
    • danikavanderpyl says

      March 22, 2023 at 2:17 pm

      Thanks Mariah! Thick and smooth is defs important to me in a smoothie, so I am glad you like it too!

      Reply
      • Denise says

        March 28, 2023 at 3:56 pm

        5 stars
        Dee-licious! Just made this fresh smoothie with pineapple and peaches! Sooo yummy!

        Reply
        • danikavanderpyl says

          March 28, 2023 at 4:46 pm

          Glad to hear! I love that you tried it with peaches too!

          Reply
Danika-vanderpyl-hiking-with-mountains

Hey hey! I'm Danika.

I'm certified in holistic nutrition and I create snack recipes! Because unprocessed, wholesome, nutrient-dense snacks are hard to find but I want everyone to know they are easy to make!

About me

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