Cherry Vanilla Protein Smoothie (Printable Version)
Creamy blend of sweet cherries, banana, and vanilla protein—ready in minutes.
# Ingredient List:
→ Fruit
01 - 1 cup frozen pitted cherries
02 - 1 small ripe banana
→ Dairy & Dairy Alternatives
03 - 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice)
04 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (or non-dairy yogurt for vegan)
→ Protein
05 - 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (whey or plant-based)
→ Flavor
06 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
07 - 1-2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup (optional, to taste)
→ Ice
08 - 1/2 cup ice cubes (optional, for extra thickness)
# How to Make It:
01 - Add frozen cherries, banana, almond milk, Greek yogurt, vanilla protein powder, and vanilla extract to a blender.
02 - Add honey or maple syrup if desired for sweetness.
03 - Add ice cubes for a thicker smoothie, if desired.
04 - Blend on high speed until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides if necessary.
05 - Taste and adjust sweetness or thickness as needed. Pour into two glasses and serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The vanilla and cherry combo tastes like dessert but fuels your body with real nutrition.
- Comes together in five minutes which means no excuses on busy mornings.
02 -
- Frozen fruit works infinitely better than fresh here because it creates that thick, creamy texture without diluting the flavor.
- If your protein powder is already very sweet you probably will not need any added honey or maple syrup.
03 -
- Add a tablespoon of chia seeds for fiber and omega threes, but let the smoothie sit for a minute after blending so they can soften.
- Blend on low first to break up the frozen fruit, then crank to high for the smoothest texture possible.