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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?
Table of Contents
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 1/2 tsp 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 milk, cashew milk or oat milk. 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.
More Orange Smoothie Recipes
- Mango orange smoothie
- Superfood smoothie
- Ultimate orange smoothie
- Island green smoothie
- Orange cabbage smoothie
- Chia smoothie
- Kale smoothie
- Citrus kiwi smoothie
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
Ingredients
- 1 cup spinach
- ¼ cup almond milk
- 2 oranges
- ½ banana frozen
- 1 serving homemade protein powder 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 1/2 banana with 1/4 an avocado to lower the natural sugar.
- Add 1/2 tsp vanilla to make this even more reminiscent of the original Orange Julius.
This recipe wraps up the 7-day autumn
smoothie challenge with a bang!!! I loved this recipe and it def brings back the mall Orange Julius days… oh my!
Thanks Dani! We are so happy you loved this recipe!!!
This one was fantastic- way to end the challenge! I’m repeating them all next week
I have fond memories of Orange Julius from when I was a kid. This smoothie makes me feel like I’m drinking one again. Although if I really did drink an orange Julius today I’m sure I wouldn’t even like it anymore since I quit dairy and do t have the sweet tooth I once. This smoothie helps preserve the memory in my mind!
Great way to get some oranges in. I expected to be too sweet and it really wasn’t. It’s not my favorite recipe, but it was very tasty overall.
This was a nice finish to the week, I enjoyed trying all the different recipe, and there are some that I am planning to make a regular rotation!
Yummy – I love the healthier take on the Orange Julius and this one is SO much better!!! What s great way to end the 7 day Smoothie challenge!! Thank you for the encouragement, resources and delicious recipes!
Smoothie helps in weight loss
Loved this smoothie!
this was fantastic! Sweet memories of the mall! Good ol’ Judy’s and Miller’s Outpost ;0))
I loved, loved, loved this one! Mmmmmmmm such a yummy breakfast! 🙂
I LOVE this one!!! So refreshing and definitely sweet, but light!
Love!
Oh my, this IS better than the original! So citrusy, refreshing and delicious. It ended a great week of amazing healthy and simply green smoothies that kept me motivated and looking forward to the next one. You’re the best, thank you for supporting and inspiring me daily to succeed in my personal goals.
Anything smoothie with oranges is great. 5 star rating
Love Orange Julius recipe and all the Fall Smoothie recipes this week. I didn’t think I would enjoy the pumpkin or Almond milk, shockingly all including today’s last Fall one where delicious! Thank you for sharing with the world! France
I make these smoothies and my own tooloce them x
That is really awesome, Maree!!!