Skip the takeout—this Mango Boba Smoothie is creamy and luscious, with the natural flavors of mangoes and the perfect balance of chewy boba pearls—just like your favorite takeout version, only fresher, better.
Mango boba smoothies are my go-to treat because—let me be honest—running to a café every time I crave one isn’t practical. Making it at home is way more satisfying!
I especially enjoy watching the hard tapioca pearls transform into soft, chewy, sweet bites. Just cook the tapioca pearls, blend the ingredients until smooth, and enjoy.
Our secret ingredient, barista-style oat milk, makes this mango boba smoothie creamy, rich, yet light! Looking for substitutes? We’ll cover all the options later in this recipe(also this Avocado Bubble Tea and this Coconut Milk Banana Smoothie)!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
⭐️A fun homemade recipe for the summer!
⭐️Satisfying and BEST experience!
⭐️Customizable and family friendly!
Ingredients
- Boba Pearls: These are made from tapioca starch and called bubbles. I’ve used medium-sized black pearls, but they come in various sizes and colors, including black, white, and some flavored options. You can find them in Asian stores or online.
- Honey (for the boba): I soaked the boba pearls in honey, which added natural sweetness and prevented them from sticking together. You can substitute it with other sweeteners, like agave nectar or maple syrup.
- Frozen Mango Chunks: I highly recommend using frozen mangoes, which help achieve a creamy texture. You can use store-bought mango chunks or freeze fresh mangoes yourself.
- Fresh Mango: Optional; Fresh mango enhances the authentic mango flavor, taste, and texture. Ataulfo or Haden mangoes are best for their sweetness and juiciness.
- Oat Milk: For the best results, choose barista-style oat milk—it’s creamier and blends better, giving you a texture just like your favorite takeout smoothie. You can substitute it with condensed milk or half-and-half.
- Honey (for the smoothie): Optional; Since mangoes are naturally sweet, extra sweetener may not be necessary. However, you can add honey or substitute it with light brown sugar or agave nectar if needed.
How To Make Mango Boba Smoothie
- Boil 4 cups of water in a pot. Add ½ cup of tapioca pearls and stir. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let them rest covered for 10-15 minutes until soft.
- Rinse the cooked boba pearls under cold water to remove starch. Mix them with two tablespoons of honey and let them sit for at least five minutes to absorb the sweetness.
- Combine 1 cup frozen mango, ½ cup fresh mango, 1 cup oat milk, two tablespoons maple syrup or honey, and ½ cup ice in a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Spoon the sweetened boba into two glasses. Pour the mango smoothie over the boba. Serve immediately with a wide straw and enjoy your delicious drink!"
The Leftovers
- This mango boba smoothie is best enjoyed fresh within 3 hours, as the boba pearls can become too firm over time.
- If you need to store leftovers, remove the boba pearls and refrigerate the smoothie for up to 2 days or freeze it for up to 2 months.
- When ready to enjoy, give the refrigerated smoothie a good shake, stir (as it may have separated), or blend the frozen smoothie before adding freshly cooked boba for the best taste and texture.
FAQ
Boba(also known as bubbles), is a soft, chewy, pearl-shaped ingredient in Thai drinks. It is made from tapioca starch and originates from Taiwan. When boiled, boba transforms into gel-like, chewy pearls. It comes in black and white varieties, with black being the more popular choice.
Barista-style oat milk provides a rich, creamy texture and a slightly sweeter flavor than regular milk. It blends and complements this recipe well. However, you can substitute it with condensed, evaporated, or coconut milk if needed.
Yes, boba pearls should be soaked in a sweetener after cooking. This helps them achieve the best gel-like, chewy consistency and enhances flavor.
Indian sago (sabudana) is a great alternative, providing a similar chewy texture. You can also add chia seeds for a different but enjoyable texture.
Customize this mango boba smoothie with banana, pineapple, peach, or strawberries for extra flavor. Papaya, pineapple, or passion fruit add a tropical twist, while avocado makes it creamier and orange adds a refreshing touch!
Yes! Honey is only a sweetener; you can easily substitute it with agave nectar, maple syrup, light brown sugar, or any plant-based sweetener.
More Recipes To Try
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know your thoughts in the 📝 comments section below the recipe.
📖 Recipe
Mango Boba Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients
For the Boba Pearls
- ½ cup tapioca pearls /dried
- 4 cups water
- 2 tablespoon honey /brown sugar
For the Mango Smoothie
- 1 cup mango chunks /frozen
- ½ cup mango chunks fresh
- 1 cup oat milk barista-style
- 2 tablespoon honey maple syrup/adjust to taste
- ½ cup ice optional, for a thicker smoothie
Instructions
- In a medium pot, bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil.
- Add the tapioca pearls and stir them in and let them cook uncovered for 15 minutes on medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let the pearls sit in the hot water for another 15 minutes until they become soft and chewy.
- Rinse the cooked boba under cold water. Then mix them with 2 tablespoon of honey and let them sit for another 5 minutes. And set aside.
- In a blender, combine frozen mango, fresh mango, oat milk, honey, and ice. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Spoon the sweetened tapioca pearls into the bottom of two glasses.
- Gently pour the mango smoothie over the pearls.
- Serve with a wide boba straw and drink immediately for the best texture.
Notes
- Use barista-style oat milk for a rich, creamy texture. For a different flavor, substitute it with condensed milk, half-and-half, or coconut milk.
- After cooking, soak the boba pearls in honey(brown sugar or maple syrup) to enhance their chewy texture and prevent sticking.
- You can customize the smoothie by adding banana, pineapple, strawberries, or papaya for extra flavor. Avocado makes it creamier, while orange adds a refreshing twist.
- Storage & Reheating: This smoothie is best enjoyed fresh within 3 hours. If storing, remove the boba and refrigerate the smoothie for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Reblend if separated.
lostinapot2017 says
Oh, this looks so tasty! So is Boba the same as Black tapioca pearls or balls?
Sujatha Muralidhar says
Yeah, the same ingredient with different names 🙂
Anjali says
I made this for breakfast today and it was delicious!! Super refreshing, creamy and satisfying - I know I'll be making it again soon!
Charah says
Wow, I'm so glad I found this recipe! Looks yummy and easy to make. Thanks for sharing!
Paula says
This homemade mango boba smoothie was so delicious! It was extra fun to make boba at home too!