Cherry Almond Smoothie

Cherries and almonds go together like peanut butter and jelly – they just make sense. Enjoy these complimentary flavors in my cherry almond smoothie recipe. Sweet and lightly tart, this protein-rich smoothie is the yummiest way to start your day. 

Cherry almond smoothie recipe

My formula for an ideal breakfast is simple: It includes protein-packed ingredients that satiate your hunger, is conveniently made, and tastes darn delicious. 

And my cherry almond smoothie recipe knocks every category out of the park!

I love coming up with fresh new smoothie ideas (i.e. my Coffee Protein Smoothie and Healthy Pumpkin Pie Smoothie) because I can pack lots of nutritious ingredients into them while experimenting with fun flavor combos. 

Today’s smoothie is made with fruity goodness, combining tart frozen cherries and frozen bananas for a silky texture. 

It includes creamy elements like plain Greek yogurt, almond butter, and vanilla protein powder that make this smoothie taste more like dessert! Especially with my secret ingredient – a touch of almond extract for extra indulgence.

Ingredients needed

Here’s a little bit about everything that I add to my cherry smoothie with almond to make it balanced and delightful!

• Frozen cherries: The base of this smoothie is 1 cup of frozen cherries. Opt for sweet, dark cherries for the best flavor. 
• Frozen banana: A smoothie staple, this recipe calls for 1 frozen banana. Pro tip – peel and chop your banana before freezing to streamline this recipe. 
• Ice cubes: I also include 6 ice cubes in this smoothie to make the texture extra frosty. You’ll need a high-powered blender to break them down. 
• Vanilla protein powder: I add 2 scoops of vanilla protein powder to this recipe for a boost of protein. It also gives the smoothie a yummy vanilla flavor that pairs perfectly with sweet cherry. 
• Plain Greek yogurt: ½ cup of plain Greek yogurt adds even more protein content and a lovely creaminess. 
• Almond milk: I use ¾ cup of almond milk to blend this recipe. You can use sweetened or unsweetened almond milk, depending on your preference. 
• Almond butter: 2 tablespoon of almond butter gives this smoothie a rich, nutty flavor that I can’t get enough of! 
• Pure almond extract: The secret ingredient in my cherry almond smoothie is ½ teaspoon of almond extra. This makes the smoothie smell (and taste) heavenly. It also enhances the cherry flavor for a truly scrumptious creation.

Kitchen tools required

You’ll need a high-speed blender to create this fruity smoothie recipe.

Also, gather measuring cups, including 1 cup, ½ cup, ¼ cup, 1 tbsp, and ½ tsp. 

How to make a cherry almond smoothie

Making this cherry smoothie with almond couldn’t be simpler.

Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender in this order: frozen cherries, frozen banana, ice cubes, vanilla, protein powder, plain Greek yogurt, almond milk, almond butter, and almond extract. 

Then, blend your ingredients until silky smooth. 

This recipe makes two tall glasses, so pour them up and enjoy!

Step-by-step Instructions on how to make a Cherry Almond Smoothie

Recipe tips

Below are some common cherry almond smoothie questions. Don’t see the answer you’re looking for? Leave a comment at the bottom of this post!

Can I substitute the almond milk?

If you dislike almond milk or simply have another milk on hand, you can easily swap it for the milk of your choice. This may affect the flavor and consistency slightly but won’t have a large impact on the main flavor profile. 

How do I make this recipe nut-allergy friendly?

Though almonds are a main ingredient in this smoothie, you can absolutely make a nut-free version with just a few substitutions:

• Almond milk – Swap for oat milk, soy milk, dairy milk, etc. 
• Almond butter – Swap for sunflower seed butter; it’s just as creamy!
• Pure almond extract – Omit or swap for a certified nut-free imitation almond extract.

Is this cherry almond smoothie vegan?

This recipe is almost vegan in its original form, with just the plain Greek yogurt containing animal products. You can easily make this smoothie vegan by choosing a dairy-free yogurt. 

This Kite Hill Greek-Style Yogurt would make an excellent choice; it has a bonus of  17g of protein per serving!

How do I make this recipe sweeter?

If you’re a certified sweet tooth, there are a few simple ways to make this smoothie just a touch sweeter. I recommend just choosing one method to avoid an overly sweet mixture. 

First, investigate your ingredients. Choose an ultra-ripe banana for the sweetest base possible. 

You can also choose to add either sweetened almond milk, almond butter, or Greek yogurt to the smoothie for a sweet boost. 

Finally, you could always add a touch of maple syrup, stevia, or agave to your smoothie. 

How nutritious is this cherry almond smoothie?

While it may taste like dessert, this almond cherry smoothie is surprisingly nutritious. 

Cherries are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, while almonds are a great source of fiber, magnesium, and vitamin E. 

For macronutrients, you get a lot of protein (28 grams!) from added protein powder, almond butter, almond milk, and Greek yogurt. 

Plus, you get bonus healthy fats from the Greek yogurt and almond butter. 

Can I add greens to this cherry almond smoothie?

Absolutely! Throw in a handful of fresh baby spinach to your smoothie base for even more nutritional value. I promise it won’t make your smoothie taste like a salad. 

Storing leftovers

Fruit smoothies are best enjoyed right after blending. After your smoothie sits, ingredients begin to separate, frozen fruit melts, and flavors begin to dull. 

If you’d like to store your smoothie for later, add it to an airtight container, filling it to the very top to eliminate as much air as possible. Refrigerate and enjoy within 24 hours. 

Can I meal prep this recipe?

My hack for meal-prepping smoothies is to add my frozen ingredients to baggies or mason jars for easy blending.

In this case, add pre-measured frozen cherries, bananas, and ice cubes to individual containers for a quick smoothie. 

If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!

Start your day off right with any of these delicious (and nutritious) smoothie recipes.

• Key Lime Smoothie
• Blueberry Muffin Smoothie
• Banana Date Smoothie
• Orange Creamsicle Smoothie
• Apple Pie Smoothie Recipe

Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by The Mindful Hapa