Apple Banana Smoothie

If you're looking for a simple but delicious smoothie to start your day with, this apple banana smoothie is it! It packs in plenty of nutrients, plus flavors that will remind you of a cinnamon-sugar apple pie. It's a great way to use extra apples and bananas, and even picky kids will love it.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

If you're wondering which kind of apple is best for this recipe or what you can use instead of peanut butter, this is the section for you. If there's an ingredient-related question that's not addressed here, feel free to leave me a comment, and I'll respond as soon as I can!

apple: For the best texture, you'll want to peel and core the apple (although it's not harmful to eat the skin). Any medium-sized sweet apple will work, including Gala, Fuji, Golden Delicious, or Honeycrisp. You could also use a tart apple like Granny Smith or Pink Lady, but you'll want to skip the lemon juice and salt, then taste the smoothie and add those ingredients to taste, if needed.

banana: Make sure you use a ripe, frozen banana that's peeled and cut into large chunks. Using a frozen banana will chill the smoothie and give it a creamier texture. I usually freeze several bananas at once and keep them in a freezer bag for smoothies. To freeze your bananas, peel and cut them into large chunks, then add them to a freezer bag, arranged in a single layer. Freeze them for several hours or overnight.

unsweetened almond milk: You can use any non-dairy milk you'd like, as long as it's unsweetened and plain. For a thicker smoothie, try freezing half of the almond milk in an ice cube tray before adding it to the smoothie.

creamy peanut butter: This adds to the smoothie's creamy texture and enhances its flavor. You can also use almond butter, sunflower butter, or tahini.

lemon juice: Adding a bit of tangy lemon juice balances the sweetness of the apples and bananas. Use freshly squeezed juice for the best flavor.

cinnamon: This gives the smoothie a warm apple pie-like flavor.

salt: Just a tiny pinch of salt balances the sweetness of the apples. If you prefer not to add salt, you may wish to use a more tart apple such as Granny Smith or Pink Lady for the best flavor.

Add-Ins for Flavor and Nutrition

While this smoothie is simple and delicious on its own, you might want to add in other ingredients to boost its nutrition or flavor.

Here are some add-ins I recommend:

• a handful of spinach (adds nutrients)

• more nut butter (adds protein)

• vanilla extract (adds flavor complexity)

• 1 tablespoon chia seeds or hemp seeds (adds protein)

• 1/4 cup of rolled oats (will make the smoothie thicker)

• 1/4 cup of raw cashews (will make the smoothie thicker and creamier)

And here are some add-ins that you can add with caution:

• Sweeteners like pitted dates, maple syrup, agave, stevia: This smoothie is naturally sweet, so be sure to taste it before you add in extra sweeteners.

• Protein powder: You may notice the protein powder's gritty taste with this smoothie more than you will in other smoothies. If you're adding it, start with 1 tablespoon of unflavored protein powder or 2 tablespoons of flavored protein powder, then taste the smoothie before adding more. (If you want to add more protein powder, I recommend another smoothie, like my watermelon banana smoothie or strawberry açai smoothie.)

How to Store Leftovers

I recommend drinking this apple banana smoothie fresh, but if you have some left over, it can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a day or two. Its color might darken a bit due to oxidation, but it won't affect the flavor or make it unsafe to consume. To freeze, store the smoothie in an airtight freezer-safe container or bag. Defrost in the refrigerator and stir before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I make this smoothie thicker or thinner? To thicken it, you can add 1/4 cup of oats or cashews to the smoothie. You could also freeze half of the almond milk before blending it. (You can freeze it in ice cube trays for easier blending.) For a thinner smoothie, add more milk.

Can I add protein powder to this smoothie? You can, but you might taste your protein powder's grittiness more in this smoothie because of the texture of the apple. I recommend starting with 1 tablespoon of unflavored protein powder or 2 tablespoons of flavored protein powder and tasting your smoothie before adding more.

Can I add a sweetener? This smoothie is naturally sweet due to the sugars in the banana and apple. But for a slightly sweeter option, add pitted dates, maple syrup, agave, stevia, or other sweetener to taste.

Do I have to peel the apple? No, you don't have to peel the apple, but if you're leaving the skin on, I recommend buying an organic apple. Keep in mind that if you're including the skin in the smoothie, this could make the smoothie taste gritty.

More Vegan Smoothie Recipes

A smoothie is a great way to start your day off with lots of nutrients in a delicious treat. Here are some more smoothie recipes you might like:

• Pineapple açai smoothie

• Watermelon banana smoothie

• Strawberry açai smoothie

• Peanut butter açai smoothie

• Chocolate açai smoothie