Cherry Almond Smoothie

This Cherry Almond Smoothie tastes just like a cherry bakewell tart! Packed with protein, fibre, healthy fats, and vegetables, this sugar free protein smoothie is the perfect healthy breakfast or post-work out snack.

Okay, I know I said that my Pina Colada Smoothie was my favourite summer smoothie a few weeks back, but I’m here to tell you I was wrong.

This Cherry Almond Smoothie is now my official favourite breakfast smoothie. Bar none.

And that’s saying a lot because I drink a heckuva lot of smoothies.

First of all, it tastes like dessert. If you love bakewell tarts and cherries, you are going to go absolutely mad for this smoothie. Like peanuts and chocolate, almonds and cherries were just made for each other!

Second of all, it’s extremely filling. Like, I don’t even think about food until about 1pm after eating this smoothie for breakfast, even if I’ve worked out. It’s seriously that satisfying.

I know you’re a fan of desserts (why else would you be here?!), so I know you’re going to love this Cherry Almond Smoothie! Give it a go and let me know what you think.

And also maybe let me know what other desserts you’d like me to turn into healthy breakfast smoothies because I think this is going to be a thing…

Why you’ll love this recipe

• This Cherry Almond Smoothie is a great beginner breakfast smoothie recipe. It’s for people new to veggie smoothies, because the taste of the cauliflower and spinach is completely hidden!
• It tastes like dessert! Trust me, you’ll never know a bunch of veggies were hiding in this smoothie – it tastes exactly like a cherry bakewell tart.
• This protein smoothie is hearty and filling. I don’t know about you, but I hate breakfast smoothie recipes that leave me hungry half an hour later. I won’t ever do that to you. This baby is seriously satisfying!
• This recipe is packed with good-for-you ingredients and is gluten-free, vegan, and naturally sweetened with fruit.

The best protein sources for filling smoothies

Adequate protein is essential to any smoothie you substitute for a meal. Please don’t fall for the “breakfast smoothie” label trap. Lots of these smoothies don’t contain an enough protein, fat, or fibre to keep you full and satisfied. Always make sure you add at least one of the following to your breakfast smoothies:

• Protein powder: I’m a protein powder girl all the way. I keep a big tub in my cupboard and add a ¼ cup measure to every smoothie I make. A little note: always check the ingredients list before purchasing a protein powder and make sure it doesn’t contain any chemicals, antibiotics, or heavy metals.
• Nut butters: Nuts are high in both protein and healthy fats. And like the almond butter in this Cherry Almond Smoothie, they also make it taste amazing!
• Greek yogurt: Not only does 1 serving of Greek yogurt provide 12 grams of protein, you also get the added benefits of probiotics, calcium, and textural creaminess.
• Rolled oats: Oats are higher in protein than most other grains and also provide a heap of fibre to keep your digestive system moving.
• Chia seeds: A great quality vegan protein source. My only personal issue with chia is that their gelling properties usually give the smoothie a weird texture.
• Hemp seeds: Super high in protein – over 25% of their calories are protein! – and also rich in healthy fats.
• Cooked quinoa: A little weird, I know, but trust me. Just ½ cup provides 4 grams of protein and once it’s blended up, you don’t even taste it! Plus, it’s a great way to use up any you have leftover from dinner.

Ingredients in this cherry bakewell protein smoothie

• Frozen cherries: Cherries are packed with vitamin C and potassium, can boost exercise recovery, and are rich in anti-inflammatory compounds.
• Frozen cauliflower: A great source of antioxidants, fibre, and vitamins C and K. You can buy the bagged frozen cauliflower or use up old stems by keeping them in a container in the freezer. No food waste!
• Frozen spinach: A heart-healthy powerhouse! Packed with fibre, vitamins, folic acid, iron, and calcium, this leafy veg also has an easy flavour to overpower, making it perfect for smoothies.
• Protein powder: Our main protein source for this smoothie. Choose whichever kind works for you. I like an unflavoured variety so that I can play with the other flavours in the recipe.
• Rolled oats: A handful of oats adds fibre to the smoothie and helps keep you full longer.
• Almond butter: For that classic bakewell flavour and also for a good hit of fat to keep you satisfied.
• Vanilla extract: Adding a hit of vanilla really makes this smoothie taste like dessert!
• Almond extract: To enhance the almond flavour in this Cherry Almond Smoothie. Don’t skip this bit!
• Almond milk: For extra creaminess and to loosen all of the frozen fruit and veg and help it blend.

How to make this Cherry Almond Smoothie

Making this Cherry Almond Smoothie couldn’t be easier. Grab yourself a decent blender and you’re good to go! Here’s how to make it:

1. Add all of the ingredients to a blender.
2. Blend until completely smooth. Remember to keep extra ice water on hand to loosen if it gets a bit thick and difficult to blend.
3. Optional: Add a few toppings to give your cherry smoothie some texture!

Tips for making this recipe perfectly

• I recommend using an unflavoured protein powder for this Cherry Almond Smoothie recipe. This will allow all the other ingredients to shine without being weighed down by other artificial flavours.
• Use frozen veggies and fruit for this recipe to make the smoothie really thick and cold. I find using room temperature or slightly chilled fruit and veg yields more of a thin juice. You can also add ice to thicken or chill the smoothie even more.
• Keep ice water on hand to loosen to the smoothie as it blends. Just add a splash at a time until it reaches your desired consistency. Depending on the strength of your blender, you may also have to remove the lid and stir the contents occasionally.
• Smoothies are better with a little texture! I like to top this protein smoothie with flaked almonds, but you can also use granola or hemp seeds. Go wild!

Looking for more healthy breakfast options?

Green Pina Colada Smoothie
Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal
Refined Sugar Free Strawberry Chia Jam
Sugar Free Chocolate Chunk Banana Muffins
Cranberry Almond Vegan Breakfast Cookies

If you make this recipe, let me know by snapping a picture and tagging me on Instagram @naturallysweet_kitchen. I love seeing your creations and sharing them in my Stories. Or let me know you love this Cherry Almond Smoothie recipe by leaving a comment and rating below!

5 from 1 vote

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Cherry Almond Smoothie

This Cherry Almond Smoothie tastes like a cherry bakewell tart and is packed with protein, fibre, healthy fats, fruit, and veggies.

Category Breakfast

Cuisine British

Keyword cherry almond smoothie, cherry bakewell smoothie, cherry smoothie, cherry smoothie recipe, cherry spinach smoothie, sugar free protein smoothie

Prep Time 5 minutes

Serves 1

Author Amanda | Naturally Sweet Kitchen

Ingredients

• 100 g frozen cherries
• 50 g frozen cauliflower
• 50 g frozen spinach
• 25 g protein powder
• 25 g rolled oats
• 2 tbsp almond butter
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp almond extract
• 120 ml almond milk
• Ice water to loosen as needed

Method

1. Add the cherries, cauliflower, spinach, protein powder, oats, almond butter, extracts, and milk to a blender.
2. Blend on high until completely smooth, adding water as needed to reach your desired consistency.
3. Top with your favourite toppings to add a little texture, such as flaked almonds or almond granola.

Recipe Video

Notes

• This recipe makes enough for 1 large breakfast smoothie or 2 small snack-sized smoothies.
• Feel free to add a tablespoon of hemp seeds or chia seeds for extra protein.
• You can mix up the veggies used in this smoothie to suit what you have on hand. In addition to cauliflower and spinach, I’ve also used broccoli stems and kale.