I'm trading in the processed sugar and dairy in the traditional Orange Julius for a smoothie version sweetened with fruit. It's honestly still a super sweet treat, yet my healthy Orange Julius smoothie fuels my body the right way.
Raise your hand if you remember walking by the shopping mall food court and seeing people lined up at Orange Julius? And who remembers recreating the creamy orange smoothie in 7th grade Home Ec?
How to Make a Healthy Orange Julius
I can't wait for you to try this sweet treat! It definitely hits the spot for my sweet tooth and has no weird ingredients.
- Blend spinach, oranges and almond milk until smooth (I'm talking no leafy chunks floating around).
- Add the banana and blend again until smooth. It helps to use frozen banana to get a chilled smoothie.
- Add in ½ teaspoon of vanilla to make this taste even more like a traditional Orange Julius.
My healthy smoothie version is loaded with goodness and doesn't mess around with the sweet factor either. No fake sweeteners are needed! Just make sure you use a ripe banana.
We all know oranges = vitamin C (80% of the recommended daily intake), but did you know that oranges are also full of fiber? Your digestive system will thank you for eating more oranges.
Tips for a Great Smoothie
If the sugar is a little much for you (even though it's 100% natural!), swap half of the banana for a quarter of an avocado. You'll still get the dream cream texture, but not as much sugar in this healthy Orange Julius smoothie.
You can also swap out the almond milk with the plant milk of your choice, coconut, cashew or oat. There are so many great options. Whichever milk you use, make sure it is unsweetened.
When blending this orange smoothie, blend it twice to help your blender chop up the spinach as much as possible.
Adding ice cubes to the glass when you pour out the smoothie will cool down the beverage if using all fresh ingredients.
Orange Julius Smoothie FAQs
The original Orange Julius consists of orange juice concentrate, milk, vanilla, sugar and ice. While it is sweeter than my version, I bet mine still tastes deliciously orange-y! My smoothie contains spinach, oranges, almond milk and banana.
It depends! Spinach is typically mild, and the orange and banana in this Orange Julius smoothie are definitely the dominant flavors. You might still get a slightly earthy taste if you've got a sensitive palate.
They can be! Make sure yours are loaded with only whole food ingredients (no added sweeteners). Use unsweetened, plant-based milk or water for the base. Boost your smoothies with protein and healthy fats to help your body break down the natural sugars.
When is the perfect time to drink a smoothie?
- For breakfast or even on the go with a Mason jar, cute lid and straw.
- As a nutrition-packed snack that helps you step away from the vending machine!
- Before or after a workout to add that protein after and MCT oil before to fuel your body during your workout.
Anytime you need a refreshing, fruity drink loaded with fiber, vitamins and minerals, consider blending up a smoothie. It's the healthiest fast food out there and can provide energy, fuel and promote health. Some smoothies like the Orange Julius smoothie recipe contain more natural sugar. Boost these smoothies with a plant-based protein powder to help your body process the sugar.
Orange Smoothie Recipes
Don't forget to leave a comment and review after blending the Orange Julius smoothie below. I'd love to know how yours turned out!
Orange Julius Smoothie
Rate this Recipe Print RecipeIngredients
- 1 cup spinach
- ¼ cup almond milk
- 2 oranges
- ½ banana (frozen)
- 1 serving Protein Smoothie Boost (optional)
Instructions
- Place spinach, oranges and almond milk in blender. Puree until smooth.
- Add banana and blend again.
Notes
- Use at least one frozen fruit to make the smoothie cold or serve over ice.
- Another non-dairy milk can be substituted for the almond milk, such as hemp, cashew or coconut milk.
- Swap ½ banana with ¼ an avocado to lower the natural sugar.
- Add ½ teaspoon vanilla to make this even more reminiscent of the original Orange Julius.
Nutrition (estimated)
A Daily Green Smoothie
This smoothie recipe is from my free Smoothie Challenge. If you loved the taste of the Orange Julius smoothie, then this challenge is for you! Sign up for the challenge, grab your blender, and get ready for a great new healthy habit.
Drink your smoothie as a quick breakfast or an afternoon pick-me-up; they are great any time of day!
Christa B.
Delicious, and definitely one of my favorite ones from the challenge! I used a frozen half banana, but still needed to add ice because it wasn't as cold and was not as thick as I'd like. I did add the vanilla and protein powder as well. Made this one after my walk this morning....yummy goodness!!
Laurie
Delicious! Love it
Ka
Great for when you want a cirtrus boost 🙂
I think adding a half cup of mango would be delicious, however I was out of mango, so I couldn’t try it.
Kelsey
This was my favorite so far. It's so refreshing! I love a good way to have some greens! I like adding collagen for a protein boost.
jabocko
Orange Julius - What can I say? it's perfection! One of my favorite flavors, smooth, thick, creamy, and delicious, this will stay on my repeat list.
Jabocko
Orange Julius - What can I say? it's perfection! One of my favorite flavors, smooth, thick, creamy, and delicious, this will stay on my repeat list.
Abbie
WOW!
Perfect for this “popsicle weather” heat wave!!!
Abbie
WOW! Soooo good!!!
Perfect for this “popsicle weather” heat wave!!!
April Madden
Wierd brain thing for me drinking a green colored orange smoothie
Beki
Such a creamy, smooth texture with subtle flavors. Very good.
Linda A
So refreshing and yummy!!
Patricia
This was not as good as the real Orange Julius but it was ok.
Patty
This one was very refreshing. not too sweet.
Stefanie
This smoothie is creamy and healthy and has a lot of great flavor. I like that this is easy to make and gives me a lot of energy until my next meal.
Sanet Coetzer
This smoothie is a burst of flavour!!! Will definitaly make it again. Fuel refresh!!!!!
Annie
Sometime the fewer the words the better the taste! I really like it! I'm cutting back on sugar also, this taste is just right!
Noreen
Not a fan of bananas in my smoothies but this one is nice tasting.
Kimberly Hassur
I got this one real creamy and thick. Added some collagen powder and 1/2 scoop of vanilla protein shake. Came out pretty yummy. I had bought a box of oranges at Costco and it's the first time I've had all of them be so flavorful and juicy so they work really well in this smoothie. I'll make this one again.
Kimberly Hassur
Forgot to add the rating to my first comment.
Kimberly Layton
This smoothy tasted fine, but for an Orange Julius it tasted mostly of banana.
Vanessa G
I really like this one! I enjoy the taste of orange and banana together. Add the creaminess of almond or oat milk and this is sooo good. We couldn’t taste the spinach. The kids loved this recipe.
Michele
This is a new favorite. Loving all of the recipes!
Theresa
Omg it was Soooooo good and tasted very much like the original. Made it for the fam too!
Tanya
Delicious! almost like a real orange julius, but maybe next time a little more orange.
Gina
This is such a light and refreshing green smoothie to add to your rotation. So Delicious!
Liz
Just like the ones we got when we went shopping years ago. A perfect treat for this Florida girl. Managed to blend the orange first to not have any pith chunks this time, so much better!
Esther
This one's okay. Peeled the oranges (3, since I doubled the recipe) but the bitter of the pith came through rather well, not so much the flavor of orange. The banana also came through loud and clear. I'll try it again with cutting the peels off the oranges to see if it cuts down the bitterness and perhaps use a little less banana. Added 1/4 c chia seeds for protein (again, I doubled the recipe since I was sharing). We're okay with chia seeds, so I don't think that was the issue. It has potential! (Plus, we get oranges from far away, so they might not be as sweet as they are in Florida.) >.<
Heather
Delicious!!! Favorite one so far! Made one this morning & one late afternoon!
Teresa
I wish I would have used 2 oranges instead of 1 1/2 because the orange flavor wasn’t very prominent. Maybe my oranges were two small. I will definitely try again. It was creamy and sweet like the Orange Julius’ of my youth. Just needed to have a stronger orange flavor
HB
Orange Julius was always a favorite growing up and I still enjoy that wonderful flavor.
Rosie
Thanks for the recipe! I thought the taste was okay, but not "Wow! I want to make this again!" It's a great way to get leafy greens, Vitamin C, and fiber, though. And, it is a nice, more nutritious alternative to sugary morning orange juice.
Mary Jo Roberts
Very good as I loved the orange Julius. I would add a bit more orange next time.
Gerald Lacy
I only had 1 orange & I used a whole banana. It had more of a banana taste. It was still good. I would like to try it with more orange!
Jenn S
One of my favorites, I usually sneak in an extra orange 🙂 and protein to have as a meal replacement.
Patti Householder
Love this combination. Very refreshing.
Sherry
this smoothie so reminds of growing up and spending time in the mall. Just had to get an orange Julius! Thanks for a trip down memory lane.
joan
pretty good, but I only used part of an orange, so made it smaller-my body doesn't like massive if citrus boost. Used mixed greens and cashew milk.
Sabrina Nugent
I love this recipe and the past 3days I have velt a difference a big one I'm not so tired and I can actually go for a walk and I started back excrising I ant belive in the difference already thanks u soo much
Evelyn
Enjoying the variety of smoothies … definitely gives me ideas to be able to change up my smoothies a bit. Thank you!!!!!
This has been very helpful!!! I have enjoyed this challenge very much!!!!
Orange Julius smoothie: Refreshing but a bit too acidic for me and my son… probably because I can’t do banana. Banana would have cut the acid a bit. I substituted avocado and mango. Fortunately my tongue did not break out this time from the orange… like the previous orange smoothie. Yay!
Ratings:
Daughter 4
Son 4 only due to acidity
Me 3 due to acidity … more mango might have helped?
Ann B
Very yummy smoothie- did sub coconut milk for almond milk and added a 1/2 tsp of vanilla- so good! I’m always amazed that spinach doesn’t affect the taste of the smoothie but I love that I get the vitamins and fiber from it!
LaNae Kirkham
Another favorite that I will eat again. Homegrown spinach with berries and bananas are a great combination.
Barbara
I used cashew milk instead of almond milk, added protein boost and 1/2 tsp vanilla. Before adding the banana it tasted more like an orange julius. The very ripe banana taste was dominant at the end. Next time I’ll leave out the banana.
Janice
This is a great smoothie!! I only had one orange so I substituted some mango for the second one. I was in a hurry when I made it before dashing out the door and didn’t get a picture. I REALLY enjoyed it and will make it again!!
Wendy Pegues
Today's Orange Julius Smoothie Hit The Spot On A Very Hot Day. I Froze My Oranges A Few Hours Before I Made My Smoothie, With My Frozen Banana This Made A Nice Thick Cold Smoothie, So Good 🙂 I Added Chia Seeds, Vanilla Protein Powder And A Dash Of Vanilla Extract. I Will Make This Smoothie Again With Strawberries Added.
Leslie
Was okay.
Jennifer A
I made this smoothie according to the blog post recipe, including a 1/2 tsp vanilla, a few ice cubes, and Protein Smoothie Boost. It was good but not a favorite. It’s an easy way to eat two full oranges and get a healthy dose of Vitamin C!
Jan
Knew this would not disappoint! Chia seeds were the best addition also!
Cynthia Cusick
Heavenly mixture and so refreshing! You can feel your body say 'Ahhh'
Jack Julius
Orange Julius smoothie! I think the whole point in leaving a review is reviewing the smoothie as is. Adding a few extra things may change the taste and our opinion of it. That being said, I did both… I made the smoothie as is and tasted it, it was fine! OK it was great! lol! But I like it greater-er! So I did add some extra Chia seeds. but that doesn’t alter the flavor as much. Because I’ve made an orange Julius smoothie many times and with many flavor combinations, a little bit of this and a little bit of that added makes it a much more appetizing smoothie. For example, some fresh ginger and mint leaves will definitely add a zing to it. And since it is an orange Julius smoothie, orange and strawberries go together, so a few strawberries and maybe a couple blueberries! I like this smoothie because it’s a great base for many things. When I normally make it I’ll use milk and add some oatmeal, Banana, strawberry, mint, ginger and make it as a breakfast with some protein added. And sometimes it just depends on what fruits I have lying around. I’ll even throw in a few handfuls of Protein/power greens. And when you have a vitamix blender… Well you can make what you want!
Erin F
One of my faves!
Brenda J
Flavor was good, but I prefer a thicker smoothie.
Jimmye Porter
The Orange Julius Smoothie is one of my favorites. I ❤️ The cool, refreshing taste of the orange, especially on high humidity days.
OJ is a Winner.
Darlene Foultz
I will blend it the way you said the next time.
I'm still not get all the emails about the smoothies.
Douglas
Very simple and refreshing drink
Charlene
Could taste the spinach, but overall, pretty good. Next time I will make without spinach
Susan
New favorite green drink!
Mickey
I've never had an Orange Julius so can't compare it to the smoothies namesake. But it was very refreshing. I did add the ice cubes to make it colder.
EJ
Fun to have a healthy version of a childhood memory
Candice
Maybe my oranges weren’t sweet enough, but it was still good.
Laura Jankowski
This was a refreshing bolt of goodness. Its not my favorite, but was still good bananas and oranges always were a favorite of mine. Even as a child I would pour orange juice in. a bowl and cut up bananas and let them soak while. I got ready for school, and then gulp them down because it tased so good. We didn't have electric blenders in those days. They may have had them but they were for the elite I am guessing. I could remember my mother saying how could you eat that, it was great. I put spinach in it. this time, but not back in the day.
Linda-Lee
This was good but not my favorite. Actually I think its because of The oranges. Lately a lot of produce I've bought has not been great. Watermelons are not quite ripe even though they look and sound it. Bananas are too green, (at least I can ripen them at home) etc. My oranges were not that great.
Kelley
I enjoyed this one too!
Mary
Yum! Thanks!
Merary
Very delicious and refreshing… I used orange juice instead of oranges and it was perfect!!!
Brie
I thought this was yummy but it wasn't very orangy next time might add more oranges to over power the banana. Also I doubled the recipe and it made about the amount I normally drink just for myself. My boys were not fans of those one.
Debra
Very creamy and refreshing
Ella
Loved this one!! Always have these ingredients on hand. So delicious!
Sherida
Love this smoothie. Very refreshing.
Stephanie
Used Kale instead of spinach, OJ 100% instead of oranges, oat milk instead of almond milk. It was really good! I think we all liked it.
Debey
Someone ate my oranges and banana.... so...
I'm sure it would have been yummy!!
Cheryl B.
This is a tasty and easy to make smoothie. I used 3/4 cup of oat milk, 1 orange, and 1/4 of a banana in addition to the cup of spinach. The banana flavor was more subtle this way, but I couldn’t detect that much of an orange flavor. This will be in my smoothie rotation.
Evee Greer
I love the tang of citrus in a smoothie. The banana flavor does overpower the orange a bit, but it’s a delicious combination. I used 1 T ground flax seed and 1 T raw hemp seed for some protein instead of protein powder.
Marguerite
Yummy. I replaced one orange with a kiwi and used 1/2 avocado as well as 1/2 banana. Too bland, so I added 1/2 c frozen green grapes.
Michelle Calvillo
So good, added chia seed and frozen spinach.
Kate
Another great smoothie! I expected to taste more orange, but instead I tasted banana and greens.
Robin
I loved Orange Julius at the mall when I was growing up and this smoothie made me happy
Wendy
Another favourite I made this one for lunch and needed nothing more