Got 5 minutes for a quick breakfast that's healthy? Whip up this creamy cherry smoothie. Use fresh or frozen cherries, either sweet cherries or tart cherries. Cherry season is fleeting so take advantage of the season while you can and enjoy this cherry smoothie. Prep them ahead if needed, they hold well in the refrigerator.
You know it's summer when cherries show up at the market. Beyond using cherries for fabulous desserts like this easy cherry cake, a cherry smoothie is one of my favorite ways to enjoy cherries. While fresh cherries are the essence of summer, frozen cherries work year round for this terrific smoothie.
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Why You'll Like This Recipe
- Use fresh or frozen cherries.
- Works with tart cherries or sweet cherries.
- A simple smoothie recipe but customizable with great add-in options.
- High protein with Greek yogurt (if you do dairy).
Recipe Ingredients
- Milk: I use homemade unsweetened almond milk but use your milk of choice.
- Cherries: Both tart cherries and sweet dark cherries make a great smoothie, as well as both fresh and frozen.
- Yogurt: I recommend buying plain Greek yogurt for the thick creaminess and high protein that is adds to a cherry smoothie.
- Banana: Fresh banana or frozen banana are good. Frozen makes a thicker, colder smoothie.
- Flavoring: Just a little almond extract really adds complimentary flavor to the cherries, or use vanilla extract for a cherry vanilla smoothie.
- Sweetening: Choose a mild honey for sweetness. How much you use will depend on the natural sweetness of the cherries. Also try maple syrup, but it has a definite taste.
Chef's cherry tip: Fresh cherries or frozen cherries? I've used purchased frozen cherries, fresh pitted cherries, and fresh cherries that I pitted then froze for this cherry smoothie. They all work but my first choice is the fresh pitted then frozen cherries. Yes, it's a bit of work to pit and freeze your own fresh cherries but I find the flavor the best. Outside of cherry season, I'll go through my frozen stash and then use store-frozen cherries if available.
Ways to Customize a Cherry Smoothie
Want a healthy cherry smoothie recipe? Try some of these substitutions and variations.
- Milk variations: try homemade coconut milk, cashew milk, dairy milk, hemp seed milk, or oat milk, (each will change the flavor a little).
- Make it a vegan cherry smoothie with non-dairy milk and yogurt.
- Add protein powder for higher protein, either whey, almond, egg white, or a plant-based blend.
- For a black forest chocolate cherry smoothie add cocoa powder or use chocolate protein powder.
- For no-added sugar, use a monk fruit honey or simple syrup for sweetening.
- Skip the sweetening and instead use a vanilla Greek yogurt.
- For a boost of healthy fats, add a tablespoon of almond butter, peanut butter, cashew butter, coconut butter, or even MCT oil.
- For added fiber and protein add 1-2 tablespoons of flaxseed meal.
- One thing I add to my smoothies everyday is a supplement called creatine. It helps with building muscle, staying strong, and improving cognition and memory. Here's a great article on creatine. It's not just for body builders or men.
- One more add-in worth mentioning is tart cherry powder. Known to be great for joints, muscle soreness, and post workout recovery. Plus it tastes great in smoothies.
Be sure the check out my Ultimate Guide to Making Healthy Smoothies!
Smoothie Instructions
Making smoothies is best with a high-speed blender.
How to Store Cherries
Cherries like things cool and dry, making moisture is the enemy of cherries. I wash mine as soon as I get home with this produce wash, then allow them to dry completely on a clean kitchen towel. Do not put them away unless they are dry or you run the risk of moldy cherries.
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When cherries are totally dry, place them in a storage container with a layer of paper towels at the bottom to minimize condensation or moisture.
They will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Beyond that, freeze extra cherries.
Chef's tip on cherries: How can you tell tart cherries (sour cherries) from sweet cherries? By the color. Tart cherries are bright red while sweet cherries are the dark red ones. Read here about the health benefits of cherries.
How to Freeze Cherries
To freeze cherries, wash and dry first, then pit them with a cherry pitter tool and lay them in a single layer on a plastic or parchment line rimmed baking sheet tray that will fit in your freezer (I use quarter sheet size). Freeze for several hours until firm, then store them in a freezer safe container.
Frozen cherries are best up to 6 months but can last up to a year properly frozen and stored. So while it's cherry season, freeze as many as you can for the months ahead.
Here's another beautiful fruit smoothie and my other go-to recipe, this raspberry smoothie.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy a cherry smoothie right out of the blender or make it the night ahead and store it in an airtight container like a wide mouth ball jar with tight fitting lid. Refrigerate for a great grab-and-go breakfast or workout refuel.
Recipe FAQs
The best way to pit cherries for a smoothie or any other recipe is with an inexpensive tool called a cherry pitter. Find them online and where cooking tools are sold. Without a cherry pitter you can use a paring knife, but it's slower and messier.
For a creamy cherry smoothie, add yogurt. Use Greek yogurt as it is thicker than regular yogurt. Banana adds creaminess to smoothies, either fresh or frozen. Another creamy add-in is your favorite nut butter.
To make a thicker smoothie, try freezing your fruit if it's fresh. Add Greek yogurt or ground flaxseed, which also adds fiber and fat. If the smoothie does not have banana, it's a great thickener for a smoothie. Lastly, add a few ice cubes.
More Smoothie Recipes
Smoothies have been my go-to breakfast and post-workout preference for more than 25 years! For more healthy smoothie recipes, try the links below and check out the smoothie recipe page where I am adding more smoothie recipes.
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📖 Recipe
Cherry Smoothie
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk or your favorite milk
- 1 cup pitted cherries, fresh or frozen about 5 ounces or 13-14 cherries
- 2 teaspoons honey or other sweetener, optional
- 1 small banana fresh or frozen
- ¾ cup plain greek yogurt 5 ounces
- ½ teaspoon almond extract or vanilla extract optional
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Instructions
- Add milk to blender first, then yogurt, fruit, honey, and extract if using. Start low to grind the fruit together then increase speed and puree to desired consistency.Enjoy cherry smoothie right out of the blender or make it ahead and refrigerate for later enjoyment or overnight for a grab-and-go breakfast or post-workout refuel.
Notes
How to Customize a Cherry Smoothie
- Milk variations: try homemade coconut milk, cashew milk, dairy milk, hemp seed milk, or oat milk, (each will change the flavor a little).
- Make it vegan with non-dairy milk and yogurt.
- Add protein powder for higher protein, either whey, almond, egg white, or a plant-based blend.
- For a black forest chocolate cherry smoothie add cocoa powder or use chocolate protein powder.
- For reduced sugar, use a monk fruit honey or simple syrup for sweetening.
- Skip the sweetening and instead use a vanilla yogurt.
- For a boost of healthy fats, add a tablespoon of almond butter, peanut butter, coconut butter, or even MCT oil.
Porsche Guy says
This was so good and so fast to make. I love cherry anything. And thanks for all of the custom options and ideas.