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Weโ€™re big cherry lovers in my houseโ€”juicy, sweet, tartโ€ฆ weโ€™ll take them any way we can get them. While nothing beats a bowl of fresh cherries in the summer, frozen cherries are our secret weapon for enjoying that bold flavor all year long, especially in smoothies. This healthy cherry smoothie is a refreshing twist with a hidden veggie boost and a creamy texture youโ€™ll love.

Cherry smoothie in a glass with a straw, surrounded by red cherries.

Why this Cherry Smoothie Recipe Rawks

This power cherry smoothie hits all the right notesโ€”tart, creamy, nutrient-packed, and incredibly easy to whip up. With just five ingredients, itโ€™s a simple yet powerful blend of bold flavor and feel-good nutrition. Whether you need a quick breakfast, a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, or a recovery boost post-workout, this smoothie has your back.

  • Bold flavor meets creamy texture in a perfectly balanced blend of tart and sweet with a rich, velvety finish that feels indulgent but fuels you forward.
  • Packed with feel-good nutrients, this smoothie delivers antioxidants, fiber, omega-3s, and natural sugars that come together to support recovery, digestion, and lasting energy.
  • Thereโ€™s no added sugar and no nonsense, just real, whole foods that nourish your body without any fillers or artificial sweeteners.
  • Quick, easy, and kid-approved, it requires minimal prep, uses simple ingredients, and has a taste everyone lovesโ€”yes, even the veggie-shy.
A glass of cherry smoothie topped with a whole cherry and chia seeds.

Ingredients Youโ€™ll Need

Hereโ€™s what youโ€™ll need to make this delicious and nutrient-packed cherry smoothie. Each ingredient brings unique flavor, texture, and health benefits to the blend:

  • Tart cherry juice: Brings a bold, tangy base that gives the smoothie its signature flavor. Look for 100% pure juice labeled “not from concentrate,” typically found at health food stores and natural grocers.
  • Frozen sweet cherries: Adds juicy, vibrant sweetness that balances the tartness. Choose pitted, unsweetened cherries from the freezer aisle for easy prep and a rich cherry flavor.
  • Banana: Provides natural sweetness and a creamy texture that ties everything together. For the best taste and smoothest blend, use a ripe banana with plenty of brown spots.
  • Frozen cauliflower: Helps thicken the smoothie while keeping the flavor light and neutral. Frozen organic florets work especially well and can be found in most grocery freezer sections.
  • Chia seeds: Add a subtle nutty flavor and help create a thicker, more satisfying texture. You can find them in the bulk section or health food aisle.
A glass of power cherry smoothie on countertop, surrounded by fresh cherries for garnish.

How to Make a Cherry Smoothie

This simple five-ingredient cherry smoothie is quick to make, refreshing, and packed with nutrients. Here’s how I’m blending it up:

  1. Add tart cherry juice and frozen cauliflower to the blender and blend until smooth.
  2. Toss in banana, frozen sweet cherries, and chia seeds, then blend again until fully combined.

Tip for Blending Cherries

If you’re using fresh cherries, be sure to pit them before tossing them in the blender. I usually go with frozen cherries to skip that step and keep things easy. Just make sure at least one of your fruits is frozen to keep the smoothie refreshingly cool.

A glass of healthy cherry smoothie, placed on a counter and surrounded by cherries.

Easy Swaps and Add-Ins

Customize your cherry smoothie with these easy swaps and add-ins to suit your taste, dietary needs, or whatever ingredients you have on hand.

  • Swap banana: Skip the banana and use ยฝ cup of unsweetened yogurt for a creamy protein-rich swap.
  • Swap cherries: All kinds of berries are low in sugar and have antioxidants, so you can use mixed berries or any other berry combo you want.
  • Add protein powder: Blend in a scoop of your favorite protein powder for an extra boost. Try my homemade protein powder if you want a super clean option made with just three ingredients.
A bowl filled with fresh red cherries.

Powerful Benefits of Cherries

Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage our cells over time. While our bodies have natural defenses to fight them, we also depend on antioxidants from food to lend extra support. Instead of relying on supplements that make big claims, I prefer to get antioxidants from real, whole foods like kale, berries, and especially cherries.

Many of the low sugar fruits for smoothies are both low on the glycemic index and high in antioxidants. That means they deliver powerful nutrients without spiking your blood sugar. Here are some more fruits that are naturally lower in sugar, high in fiber, and packed with protective plant compounds:

  • Cherries
  • Grapefruit
  • Apricots
  • Limes
  • Lemons
  • Nectarines
  • Peaches
  • Strawberries
  • Dates
  • Pears
  • Apples
  • Oranges
  • Plums
  • Blueberries
  • Grapes
  • Kiwi
  • Prunes
  • Blackberries

Fun fact: Bananas are often thought of as high on the glycemic index, but they are actually considered low glycemic with an index score of 55. (Anything 55 and under is considered low glycemic.)

Common Questions

What goes well with cherries in a smoothie?

Cherries pair well with a variety of fruits that complement their sweet-tart flavor. Some of the best fruits to mix with cherries include bananas, strawberries, blueberries, peaches, pineapple, and oranges. These combinations work great in smoothies, salads, or desserts, adding layers of flavor and boosting the nutritional value.

How do you blend cherries?

Make sure your cherries are pitted before blending (no need to blend the pits!). You can use fresh or frozen cherries. If you donโ€™t have a high powered blender, make sure the cherries are thawed a bit before blending. Cherries actually blend quite well!

Can I put whole cherries into a blender?

I donโ€™t recommend it. The cherry pits will probably harm your blender blades, and you donโ€™t really want to eat them. Pit the cherries before blending or just buy frozen, already pitted cherries to save a bit of time.

Is a cherry smoothie good for you?

Yes, a cherry smoothie is a nutritious choice! Tart cherries are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, while ingredients like banana, chia seeds, and cauliflower add fiber, potassium, and healthy fatsโ€”making it great for muscle recovery, digestion, and overall wellness.

Two glasses of power cherry smoothie with straws on serving plates.

More Cherry Smoothies

If you loved this cherry smoothie recipe then youโ€™ll love these cherry smoothies as well:

If you make this Power Cherry Smoothie recipe, Iโ€™d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your feedback helps me and all the readers in this community. And if youโ€™re interested in more plant-based recipes (and exclusive content), sign up for my weekly recipe newsletter.

Power Cherry Smoothie Recipe

This healthy cherry smoothie blends tart cherry juice, frozen cherries, banana, and cauliflower for a creamy, antioxidant-rich drink. With chia seeds for added fiber and healthy fats, it's a refreshing and nourishing boost in every sip!
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Author: Jen Hansard
Course: Beverage, Smoothie
Cuisine: Plant-Based
Serves: 2

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • Blend all ingredients until smooth.
  • Pour into a tall glass and enjoy
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Notes

If using a flavored protein powder, leave out the banana so it’s not sickly sweet.

Nutrition

Calories: 224kcal, Carbohydrates: 47g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.3g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Sodium: 20mg, Potassium: 690mg, Fiber: 8g, Sugar: 28g, Vitamin A: 88IU, Vitamin C: 22mg, Calcium: 103mg, Iron: 2mg
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Rating





Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This is probably my favorite so far! I used part coconut milk, part coconut water since the coconut milk was too strong last time.

    1. Way to adjust the recipe to make it work for you. Thank you for sharing!!

    1. Hey Anita,

      If it is too sweet for you, you can always swap the measurements for the fruits and veggies.

      Hope that helps!

  2. 5 stars
    Major love from my whole family today. It tastes like a cherry cola float!! Definitely making this smoothie again.

  3. 4 stars
    I didn’t have cherries so used raspberry/blackberry combo. It was good but probably better with the cherries.

    1. Hey Bonnie,

      SO glad you were able to make this work with what you had on hand!

  4. 3 stars
    It was good..still not sure how I feel about the kale! Might try it with spinach next time!

    1. Hey Cory,

      Make sure you are pick the stems off the kale leaves to avoid that bitter taste. If you prefer to not use the kale spinach is perfectly fine!

  5. 5 stars
    Love the smoothies, today mine is a combo of blueberries raspberries and blackberries though since I didn’t have cherries. Definitely loving this daily habit!

  6. 3 stars
    Not bad, I love cherries, just not sure if I’m a fan of them in smoothies. This one seemed to lack the creaminess others have.

  7. 5 stars
    Tastes great! Half way done! Feel great with this simple change of a green smoothie a day!