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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.
Very tasty and yummy!!
I have to say this is one of my favorites. I love the freshness of it and the smoothness and the taste is awesome I added protein powder and Chia seeds
Probably one of my favs so far! I did the prep ahead method (used both jars and bags) and this one was hard to get out of a jar! Also, because EVERYTHING but almond milk was frozen, it was REALLY hard to blend….and I have a heavy duty blender! I ended up adding a little water, too, and it STILL came out really creamy….YUM! Next time I’ll either leave out much longer to thaw or use a mix of frozen and fresh ingredients. This one is a winner!! 🙂
Good…but not a wow! Added a splash of vanilla extract to mimic the Julius of youth Wanted more orange flavor. Maybe a splash of on juice next time too!
Def try a bit of orange juice or orange juice to increase that yummy orange flavor Jenn. We bet you’ll love it!
Very yummy!
Very yummy!
Loved the Orange Julius Smoothie! Very creamy and smooth from the banana. Used a large Cara Cara orange in season which was nice and sweet. I will definitely be making this again!
Yes,yes yes! This one is a winner! Soooo goood soooo creamy! Only thing I’d do different next time is freeze my oranges so that it may be extra cold, after blending it, it became a bit warm, none the less I think it’s my favorite smoothie thus far!
This is one of our faves too Valeria! Great thought about the oranges. If you forget, you can always drop an ice cube or two in the glass as well.
Not my favorite. For some reason it had a bitter after taste.
Can’t say I ever remember having an Orange Julius before. I got a little too much spinach in and used a fresh very ripe banana. I prefer greener bananas most of the time and would probably do this one again with a green banana. The ripe bananas have too much of a banana taste for me. Also since I used a full banana I didn’t get much of the orange flavor. I added ice cubes to the blender since I used all fresh ingredients. I will try again with half a frozen less ripe banana in the duture. Might also try to add some cinnamon to help regulate the sugar too. All in all, I would make this again with a few tweaks.
As someone who did work at Orange Julius, if you really want it to taste more like the original, it needs a dash of vanilla extract!
I agree, Ana! I also love adding a pinch of cinnamon. It’s one of my husband’s favorite green smoothies! 🙂
One of my fav it’s delicious! And it’s kids approved.
I was very skeptical with only using a 1/4 almond milk, but it was the perfect amount. I used two clementines and add 5 leafs of fresh basil. I loved the basil in this smoothie. My only complaint is it only made about 12oz. But I enjoyed it all!
Oranges are something I love to eat but never think to put into my smoothie.
Great idea and supper good. Thanks.
❤️Love!
Praying YOUR rest and healing Today!!!
Orange Julius Smoothie
This and Peach Banana smoothie are my favorite so far. I think the orange gave this a nice refreshing taste. I could serve this at a brunch in a nice mason jar or glass with fancy straw. Keeper
Really like this one. Super yummy. I have never tasted an unhealthy one from a shop or anything, so I cannot compare. Anyway delicious. Will add some vanilla next time. I added some kale to mine too.