Cherry Smoothie
A simply luscious cherry smoothie with dark sweet cherries and creamy yogurt. It’s easy to make and easy to customize! Naturally sweet and kid-friendly.
Why you’ll love it:
Dark sweet cherries are so great for smoothies! They have a gorgeous dark purple hue and intense sweetness. And since frozen cherries are readily accessible, it’s super easy to make a cherry smoothie!
This cherry smoothie recipe features only four ingredients – banana, frozen cherries, yogurt, and almond milk. It’s naturally sweet with no added or refined sugar.
It’s super easy to customize too! You could add greens, protein powder, flavoring, swap the milk with juice, or even add a variety of fruits. It’s your kitchen and you are the boss!
Key Ingredients:
You only need four ingredients for this frozen cherry smoothie.
Banana – You need one yellow, ripe banana to sweeten and thicken the smoothie! Underripe, green bananas aren’t great for smoothies because they’re chalky and slightly bitter.
Frozen cherries – I used frozen dark sweet cherries! I haven’t tried this smoothie with frozen tart cherries, but my gut says it wouldn’t be sweet enough. Feel free to try it if that’s what you have. You can always add a teaspoon or two of maple syrup to sweeten it up.
Yogurt – I used unsweetened Greek yogurt for a boost of protein and creaminess. The cherries are very sweet so there’s no need to use sweetened yogurt. If you can’t have dairy, you can swap it with vegan yogurt.
Almond milk – You can use any milk – regular or plant-based. Almond milk is my favorite liquid base! It’s mild in flavor, ultra-creamy, and low in calories. I keep it in the fridge at all times. You could use whole milk, cashew milk, or oat milk too.
Health Benefits of Cherries:
There are TOO many reasons to love cherries! On top of their gorgeous color and luscious flavor, they also provide tons of health benefits:
- Vitamin C – Cherries are a good source of vitamin C. This vitamin is crucial for a healthy immune system, blood pressure regulation, nerve function, and collagen formation!
- Fiber – One cup of pitted cherries contains 3 grams of fiber! Fiber is beneficial for your digestive system. It fuels good gut bacteria and helps you stay regular.
- Antioxidants – Cherries are known for their antioxidant-rich health benefits. The antioxidants in cherries may reduce inflammation, fight cell damage, and protect against heart disease and cancer.
How to Make a Cherry Smoothie:
This cherry smoothie is super simple!
Combine ingredients: In the pitcher of your blender, combine the banana, frozen cherries, yogurt, and almond milk.
Blend: Blend until smooth, thick, and creamy!
Adjust if necessary: Everyone has their own preference for consistency. I prefer mine on the thicker side. Check to see if you like the consistency. If you want it thinner, add a splash more almond milk and blend to incorporate.
Serve: Pour into glasses and enjoy!
Recipe Tips:
- Use frozen fruit, not ice! Smoothies don’t need ice to be frosty and cold. Frozen cherries thicken the smoothie without making it icy or gritty.
- Adjust the consistency as necessary. If your smoothie is too thick or isn’t blending up, add a splash more liquid. High-speed blenders blend frozen ingredients more effectively and thus require less liquid.
- If possible, use a high-speed blender. While a regular blender gets the job done, a high-speed blender will give you a smoother consistency. Cherries have skins and a powerful blender blitzes them up finer.
Variations & Add-ins:
Don’t be afraid to customize this smoothie! You can swap some ingredients or even add some. Here’s a few simple variations to try:
- Juice – You can swap the almond milk with cherry juice for an explosive punch of cherry flavor! Apple or cranberry juice work great too.
- Extracts – Cherry pairs well with almond! Try adding a 1/4 teaspoon of almond extract. A little goes a long way!
- Protein powder – Add a scoop of plain or vanilla protein powder or collagen peptides. You can use whey or plant-based protein powder.
- Greens – I prefer spinach for its mild flavor and delicate texture. Add a handful of spinach to the blender before you add the other ingredients.
- Chia seeds – For a boost of plant-based protein and added texture. Add one tablespoon of chia seeds.
- Rolled oats – I love oats in smoothies! Add 1/4 cup of rolled oats for a slight oatey flavor and chewy texture.
- Nut butter – Add a scoop of almond butter.
Storage:
Smoothies are best enjoyed fresh and frosty cold. They only take 5 minutes to make so I encourage you to make it right before you plan to drink it.
If you have leftovers, you can make cherry smoothie pops! Pour the cherry smoothie into a popsicle mold, add popsicle sticks, and freeze overnight.
This is by far the most success I’ve had at getting my kids to try all kinds of ingredients! They love smoothie pops, even with green smoothies.
FAQs:
Try mixing things up and swapping part of the frozen cherries with other fruit. Cherries pair well with raspberries, peaches, and pineapple!
Cherries are jam-packed with antioxidants and plant compounds that fight inflammation and prevent cell damage. They’re also a good source of fiber and vitamin C.
Yes, store-bought frozen cherries are already pitted. If your freeze your own cherries, be sure to pit them first! Cherry pits contain cyanide, which is poisonous! If you make a smoothie with cherries that contain the pits, it’s NOT safe to drink.
Smoothie Recipes:
- Strawberry Raspberry Smoothie
- Blueberry Raspberry Smoothie
- Chocolate Banana Smoothie
- Blueberry Cherry Smoothie
Cherry Smoothie
Equipment
- high-speed blender
Ingredients
- 1 banana peeled
- 2 cups frozen dark sweet cherries
- ⅓ cup Greek yogurt
- ⅔ cup unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice
Instructions
- In the pitcher of a high-speed blender, combine the banana, frozen cherries, Greek yogurt, and almond milk.
- Blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust the consistency as desired. If you like the smoothie thinner, add a splash more almond milk and blend for 5 more seconds.
- Pour into glasses and enjoy!
