Apple Cranberry Smoothie
Celebrate the flavors of the season with my vibrant Apple Cranberry Smoothie recipe! Packed full of fall flavors, like crisp apple, tart fresh cranberries, creamy Greek yogurt, rich almond butter, and a dash of warm spices, this smoothie is truly a seasonal delight that you’ll want to make all year round. Sweetened with a hint of vanilla and a touch of honey (or agave), this delicious breakfast smoothie will literally make your taste buds dance!
This wonderful smoothie can easily be made vegan. To learn how to make this delicious breakfast smoothie recipe, see the printable recipe card below or take a look at the recipe video. For other recipe variations (including vegan), and to learn about the health benefits of cranberries, visit the Pimp My Recipe section in my Blog Comments & Tips below.
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RECIPE
(Printable recipe card below.)
APPLE CRANBERRY SMOOTHIE
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cut a cold, unpeeled apple (small) into large chunks, and discard the core.
- To a high speed blender cup (see Note #3), add ice cubes, frozen cranberries, chopped apple, Greek yogurt, almond butter, vanilla, honey, cinnamon, allspice, and water.
- Cover, secure lid, and blend until smooth (about 45 to 60 seconds). Pour into a tall 16 ounce glass, garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon. Serve immediately, and enjoy!
Notes
- It’s best to use a very cold apple (refrigerate the apple overnight). Any variety of apple will do in this smoothie, but Lucy Glo apples have a deliciously sweet and tart flavor and a beautiful pink flesh, which results in a smoothie with a lovely pink color. My second favorite apple to use in this recipe is a Honey Crisp apple (since they are larger, use only half an apple).
- Rinse, drain, and dry fresh cranberries. Then add them to a freezer bag, and freeze (overnight). I like to rinse and freeze the whole bag to have them on hand for other recipes.
- Both the NutriBullet high speed blender and the Vitamix high-speed blender work extremely well for this recipe.
- For recipe variations including non-dairy and vegan, visit the Pimp My Recipe section in my Blog Comments & Tips for this recipe on the website.
- Makes one 16 ounce serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
228.75Fat (grams)
3.49 gSat. Fat (grams)
0.37 gCarbs (grams)
40.46 gFiber (grams)
6.22 gNet carbs
34.26 gSugar (grams)
29.88 gProtein (grams)
12.03 gSodium (milligrams)
51.38 mgCholesterol (grams)
5 mgNutritional information provided is strictly an estimate and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods.
SERVING
Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon, serve immediately with a reusable straw or without, and enjoy!
VIDEO
How to Make this Delicious Apple Cranberry Smoothie Recipe!
Blog Comments & Tips
An addictive and delicious fall smoothie recipe!
This Apple Cranberry Smoothie recipe may be packed full of fall flavors, but it’s so delicious and addictive that you’ll want to make it all year round! This breakfast smoothie’s beautifully vibrant color comes from Lucy Glo apples and tart fresh cranberries. To add some protein and healthy fats, I used creamy Greek yogurt and rich almond butter. Rounding out the seasonal flavors in this smoothie recipe are some warm spices, vanilla, and a touch of honey. Agave or pure maple syrup are a great option if you don’t want to use honey. Whichever way you decide to sweeten this smoothie, I’m fairly sure you are going to love it!
Cranberries are not only delicious but they are packed with numerous health benefits. Here are just a few:
Vitamins: Cranberries are a good source of vitamin C, which is essential for a healthy immune system and beautiful skin. They also contain vitamin A, important for vision, immune function, and skin health.
Nutrients: Cranberries are a good source of essential nutrients such as manganese, vitamin K, and many other vitamins and minerals that contribute to overall health.
Anti-Inflammatory: The compounds in cranberries have anti-inflammatory effects, which may be beneficial in managing chronic inflammatory conditions.
Antioxidants: Cranberries are loaded with antioxidants, including flavonoids and polyphenols, which help combat oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.
Heart Health: The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties in cranberries may contribute to heart health by reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. They may even help lower blood pressure and might improve cholesterol levels.
Urinary Tract Health: Cranberries are well-known for their role in promoting urinary tract health. They contain compounds that may help prevent and alleviate urinary tract infections by inhibiting the adhesion of bacteria to the urinary tract walls.
Fiber: The fiber content in cranberries supports digestive health.
Cancer Prevention: Some studies suggest that the antioxidants in cranberries may have anti-cancer properties, particularly in reducing the risk of certain types of cancers.
How do you ensure the best results from this recipe?
My 5 tips to making this delicious Apple Cranberry Smoothie:
For best results, use high quality, organic ingredients in this smoothie recipe. Lucy Glo apples are not only deliciously tart and sweet, but they give this breakfast smoothie the most gorgeous pink color. If you cannot find Lucy Glo apples, then Honey Crisp apples are a great substitute.
Organic cranberries are also a must. Although you can use store bought frozen cranberries, I like to buy a bag of organic fresh cranberries, then rinse, drain, and freeze them in a Ziploc freezer bag. They last for months in the freezer, making them convenient for whenever you want to make this breakfast smoothie.
Although you can use a room temperature apple, to give this smoothie a slightly thicker texture, it’s important that your apple is cold. I suggest washing and refrigerating it overnight so it will be nice and cold when it’s time to make your smoothie.
For best results, use a high speed blender. Both the NutriBullet high speed blender and the Vitamix high-speed blender work extremely well for this recipe.
Since everyone’s palate is a little different, adjust the sweetness according to your taste. Most of the natural sweetness in this recipe comes from the apple. I found that adding only ½ tablespoon of honey (or agave, or pure maple syrup) is perfect for this smoothie.
It’s time to customize and Pimp My Recipe.
Pimp My Recipe:
Make it Dairy Free & Vegan: Replace the Greek yogurt with your favorite non-dairy yogurt. For a vegan version, I like using Kite Hill Greek-style plain yogurt for this recipe. Then replace the honey with agave nectar or pure maple syrup.
Use a Different Apple: If you cannot find Lucy Glo apples, then Honey Crisp apples are a great substitute. If you prefer, you can use your favorite red apple. Just make sure you rinse and refrigerate it so it’s nice and cold.
Adjust the Sweetness: As mentioned in the Tips above, everyone’s palate is a little different.
Sweeter Option: Use 1 tablespoon of honey with agave nectar or pure maple syrup instead (or to taste).
Less Sweet: Keep in mind that the cranberries are very tart and you may need to add some sweetness, even if you don’t normally use added sugars. Just adjust the sweetness according to your taste. Since most of the natural sweetness in this recipe comes from the apple, you can try using 1 teaspoon of honey (or agave, or pure maple syrup), or you can use no added sweetener for a very tart smoothie.
Make it Even Creamier: Add ¼ frozen banana to this recipe. It will add a banana flavor, but it will make it even smoother and creamier!
Enjoy and let me know what you think by commenting below, rating my recipes, subscribing, following, and liking Prep My Recipe on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok! Don’t forget to subscribe to get updates on new recipes and tips & tricks.
Santé!
Mich
Footnote: Remember to rinse, drain, and freeze your cranberries and refrigerate your apple overnight. That will ensure you end up with a slightly thicker and colder smoothie, without thinning it out with more ice.
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