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Weโre big cherry lovers in my houseโjuicy, sweet, tartโฆ weโll 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 youโll love.
Why this Cherry Smoothie Recipe Rawks
This power cherry smoothie hits all the right notesโtart, creamy, nutrient-packed, and incredibly easy to whip up. With just five ingredients, itโs 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.
- Thereโs 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 lovesโyes, even the veggie-shy.
Ingredients Youโll Need
Hereโs what youโll 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.
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:
- Add tart cherry juice and frozen cauliflower to the blender and blend until smooth.
- 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.
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.
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
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.
Make sure your cherries are pitted before blending (no need to blend the pits!). You can use fresh or frozen cherries. If you donโt have a high powered blender, make sure the cherries are thawed a bit before blending. Cherries actually blend quite well!
I donโt recommend it. The cherry pits will probably harm your blender blades, and you donโt really want to eat them. Pit the cherries before blending or just buy frozen, already pitted cherries to save a bit of time.
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 fatsโmaking it great for muscle recovery, digestion, and overall wellness.
More Cherry Smoothies
If you loved this cherry smoothie recipe then youโll love these cherry smoothies as well:
If you make this Power Cherry Smoothie recipe, Iโd 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 youโre interested in more plant-based recipes (and exclusive content), sign up for my weekly recipe newsletter.
Power Cherry Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup tart cherry juice
- 1 banana
- 1 cup frozen sweet cherries
- ยฝ cup frozen cauliflower
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients until smooth.
- Pour into a tall glass and enjoy
It was good but not my fav.
This is probably my favorite so far! I used part coconut milk, part coconut water since the coconut milk was too strong last time.
Way to adjust the recipe to make it work for you. Thank you for sharing!!
This smoothie was nice and creamy, however not my favorite, but not bad.
LOve the cherry taste. I made an extra to put in the freezer for later in the week
Four stars-a bit to sweet for me yet refreshing
Hey Anita,
If it is too sweet for you, you can always swap the measurements for the fruits and veggies.
Hope that helps!
Major love from my whole family today. It tastes like a cherry cola float!! Definitely making this smoothie again.
I love how you described this one. You are exactly right!! ๐
I didn’t have cherries so used raspberry/blackberry combo. It was good but probably better with the cherries.
Hey Bonnie,
SO glad you were able to make this work with what you had on hand!
I liked it but I think I prefer spinach in my smoothies.
Really, Really enjoyed this one!
My favorite non-green smoothie so far.
It was good..still not sure how I feel about the kale! Might try it with spinach next time!
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!
This smoothie was good but not my
favorite.
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!
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.
Tastes great! Half way done! Feel great with this simple change of a green smoothie a day!
Coconut milk and cherries!! Loved this one !!
Love the smoothies it a winner in itself. Thanks