![\"9](\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/10041437\/9-Healthy-and-Creative-Dragon-Fruit-Recipes.jpg\" "\\"9")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Even if you can’t jet off to paradise this summer, you can still bring a touch of the exotic into your kitchen by way of the pitaya, or dragon fruit. This spiny-skinned orb is easy to cut and peel, and its white or pink flesh delivers a subtle flavor reminiscent of melons. Your taste buds are about to be tickled pink!<\/p>\n
RELATED:<\/strong> 9 Fruit Salads to Make Before Summer\u2019s Over<\/a><\/p>\n A member of the cactus family<\/a>, dragon fruit is packed with nutritional goodies like calcium<\/a>, which helps strengthen bones, and fiber<\/a>, which keeps hunger at bay. Beyond that, the tiny edible seeds inside are loaded with omega-6 and omega-3<\/a>, two essential fatty acids that your body can\u2019t produce on its own. One cup of dragon fruit also delivers a whopping 192 percent of your daily vitamin C, which helps support your immune system<\/a>.<\/p>\n Hit up a specialty grocery store or farmers’ market to get your hands on this pink fruit. Or, look for pitaya smoothie packs<\/a> in the freezer aisle, for a pre-blended option that\u2019s even easier to use. From puddings and salsas to parfaits and pancakes, these nine healthy recipes will make dragon fruit your new go-to produce pick.<\/p>\n 1.\u00a0<\/strong>Pitaya Parfait<\/strong> RELATED: <\/strong>10 Creative Fruit-Filled Salad Recipes<\/a><\/p>\n 2.\u00a0Pink Dragon Fruit Soda 3.\u00a0Coconut, Pineapple, and Pitaya Pancakes 4.\u00a0Dragon Fruit Smoothie RELATED: <\/strong>13 Quick and Easy Smoothie Hacks<\/a><\/p>\n 5.\u00a0Dragon Fruit Pudding 6.\u00a0Dragon Fruit Salsa 7.\u00a0<\/strong>Dragon Fruit Berry Bliss Chia Pudding<\/strong> RELATED: <\/strong>10 Delicious Chia Seed Pudding Recipes<\/a><\/p>\n 8.\u00a0Dragon Fruit, Pomegranate & Macadamia Salad with Creamy Mint & Lime Dressing 9.\u00a0<\/strong>Pitaya Breakfast Bowl<\/strong> Watch out, acai \u2014 there\u2019s a new super food on the block. We\u2019ve got nine healthy dragon fruit recipes that will get you hooked on this delicious (and pretty) produce.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":62,"featured_media":40935,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[27,9,426],"tags":[52,86,194,347,397],"class_list":["post-40885","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-healthy","category-recipes","category-smoothies","tag-fruit","tag-smoothie","tag-superfood","tag-tax1family","tag-tax2childhood-nutrition"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40885","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/62"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40885"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40885\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40935"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40885"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40885"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40885"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}9 Healthy Dragon Fruit Recipes<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"Dragon](\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/10041444\/Dragon-Fruit-Parfait.jpg\" "\\"Dragon")
<\/p>\n
\n<\/a>Finally, evidence that coughing up the dough for that food processor was worth it. For a guilt-free parfait, whip up a crumbled crust of dried mulberries, dates, and cinnamon. Next, layer the crust and pitaya mix in your favorite glass and top with an assortment of fruit. Mix and match berries to create your own edible food art. This recipe yields two to four parfaits, so invite your squad over for a drool-worthy bite. Photo and recipe: Jenna Davila \/ <\/em>Live Pure<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Dragon](\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/10041439\/Dragon-Fruit-Sodas.jpg\" "\\"Dragon")
<\/p>\n
\n<\/a><\/strong>Craving some carbonation? With this foolproof recipe you can get your fix, with none of the artificial ingredients<\/a> usually found in soda. This simple drink\u00a0marries dragon fruit with lime juice, soda water and a hint of sweetness. If you\u2019re keeping an eye on your sugar intake<\/a>, use stevia instead of simple syrup. Photo and recipe: Brandon Matzek \/ <\/em>Kitchen Konfidence<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Dragon](\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/10041445\/Dragon-Fruit-Pancakes.jpg\" "\\"Dragon")
<\/p>\n
\n<\/a><\/strong>Start sending out brunch invites \u2014 you\u2019re going to want an excuse to show off these picture-perfect<\/a> short stacks. Thanks to oat and coconut flour, this recipe is better for you than flapjacks made from the white or refined stuff. Best of all, the pink sauce doesn’t take a crazy amount of effort. Blend pitaya smoothie packs with pineapple juice and stevia drops and you’re good to go. Photo and recipe: Corina Nielsen \/ <\/em>Live Fit<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Dragon](\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/10041440\/Dragon-Fruit-Smoothie.jpg\" "\\"Dragon")
<\/p>\n
\n<\/a><\/strong>Mild enough to play well with other fruits but with a unique flavor all its own, dragon fruit is about to be the new star of your smoothie game. For this easy recipe, take your taste buds to the tropics by adding bananas, coconut water and pineapple to your pink fruit. The bright, punchy color is a feast for your eyes, too. Photo and recipe: Jennifer Chong \/ <\/em>JChong Studio<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Dragon](\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/10041447\/Dragon-Fruit-Chia-Pudding_2.jpg\" "\\"Dragon")
<\/p>\n
\n<\/a><\/strong>Store-bought pudding cups have nothing on these elegant snacks. Revamp the classic after-school treat with this version full of sophisticated flavors and zero preservatives. Combine dragon fruit with rambutan<\/a>, another exotic find, for a simple blend requiring just a few ingredients. Pro tip: Plan ahead. You’ll have to let this one chill for at least four hours. Photo and recipe: Nik Sharma \/ <\/em>A Brown Table<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Dragon](\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/10041442\/Dragon-Fruit-Salsa.jpg\" "\\"Dragon")
<\/p>\n
\n<\/a><\/strong>Planning a Mexican feast? Think outside the box by using pitaya to pump up your salsa. This savory mix of dragon fruit, onions, cilantro and lime juice will help enhance any meal. Enjoy it with chips, drizzle it on top of tacos, or pair it with your latest grilled masterpiece<\/a>. Photo and recipe: Valerie Mitchell \/ <\/em>Mama Likes to Cook<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Dragon](\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/10041446\/Dragon-Fruit-Chia-Pudding.jpg\" "\\"Dragon")
<\/p>\n
\n<\/a>Prepare this dessert-like breakfast the night before and you\u2019ll wake up to a morning meal that\u2019s more filling than your average bowl of cereal. As your chia seeds<\/a> absorb almond milk, they create a satiating gel that serves up omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, calcium and fiber. Mix up the pudding in individual containers, then top it off with berries and nuts for an energizing breakfast that you can toss in your bag as you\u2019re heading out the door. Photo and recipe: Breakfast Criminals \/ <\/em>Breakfast Criminals<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Dragon](\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/10041443\/Dragon-Fruit-Salad.jpg\" "\\"Dragon")
<\/p>\n
\n<\/a><\/strong>You don\u2019t need to drop cash on a specialty salad just to get out of your lunch rut. This inventive recipe introduces\u00a0dragon fruit to your typical mix of greens in\u00a0a nutrient-packed bowl that\u2019s bursting with color. Pomegranate seeds<\/a> add antioxidants while avocado and macadamia nuts offer heart-healthy fats. Bonus: The savory dressing gets its creaminess from avocado instead of dairy, so it\u2019s ideal for those with lactose intolerance<\/a>. Photo and recipe: Julie Cove \/ <\/em>Alkaline Sisters<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Dragon](\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/10041441\/Dragon-Fruit-Smoothie-Bowl.jpg\" "\\"Dragon")
<\/p>\n
\n<\/a>The best thing about this hot pink mix isn\u2019t its color, but its versatility. Eat it for breakfast to start your day off on the right foot, or add protein powder<\/a> to turn it into the ideal post-workout snack. Using a frozen pitaya smoothie pack as a base, sprinkle on the recipe’s recommended bee pollen, berries, and cacao nibs to turn your bowl into a nutritional powerhouse. Photo and recipe: Masha Davydova\/ <\/em>Golubka Kitchen<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"