Smoothies are a daily thing in our house, and this 4-ingredient cherry smoothie is one of my favorites. Sweet cherries, banana, and yogurt blend into a simple, delicious drink that's ready in minutes. While we love the OG Mixed Berry Smoothie, this one-fruit version is extra easy and just as tasty. With frozen cherries on hand, we can enjoy it year-round for quick breakfasts and on the go snacks.
TL;DR
- A 4-ingredient smoothie that's creamy, sweet, and ready in minutes.
- Frozen cherries make it a year-round favorite, no need to wait for sweet cherry season.
- Customize it with your favorite add-ins like protein powder, chia seeds, or a drizzle of honey.
- Great for busy mornings or quick snacks, right alongside my Mango Banana Smoothie and Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie.
Jump to:
Key Ingredients
- Frozen Cherries: I buy big bags of frozen cherries to make sure we never run out. They're available at most grocery stores and any leftovers are great in my cherry dump cake.
- Milk: Any milk will work in this recipe. I switch between regular milk and almond or coconut milk, depending on what we have and if I want to make the cherry smoothie dairy free.
- Greek Yogurt: Use whatever kind you like-plain, vanilla, or even flavored. Dairy-free options work just as well, too.
- Bananas: Frozen bananas are key to getting that smooth consistency. I always keep a stash of peeled, frozen bananas ready to go in the freezer.
Cherry Smoothie Variations
- Dairy-Free: Simply swap the yogurt and milk for dairy-free alternatives like almond milk and coconut yogurt.
- Add Veggies: Sneak in some veggies by adding a handful of frozen spinach or riced cauliflower. They blend in perfectly without affecting the taste.
- Avocado: Try adding a little frozen avocado for a richer texture and a subtle flavor twist.
- Add Almonds: A handful of almonds or a splash of almond extract really pair nicely with the cherry flavor.
- Add Chocolate: Chocolate and cherries are a classic combination. Add a bit of chocolate to this smoothie by tossing in a small handful of chocolate chips or a drizzle of homemade chocolate syrup.
How to Make a Cherry Smoothie
- Gather all of your ingredients from the freezer and fridge, and get your blender ready.
- Add the frozen cherries, banana, Greek yogurt, and milk to the blender.
- Start the blender on low speed and slowly increase to high as the ingredients break down. Let it blend for about a minute or until you have a smooth, thick consistency.
Blender Tip: If you're using a Vitamix, don't forget to use the tamper! It helps keep everything moving smoothly.
Once blended, pour the smoothie into your favorite glass, cup, or jar and enjoy!
Freezing Fresh Cherries for Smoothies
If you're lucky enough to have fresh cherries available, it's easy to freeze them so you can enjoy a cherry smoothie all year long.
- Wash the cherries and remove the pits and stems. This cherry pitter makes that an easy job.
- Lay the cherries on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid.
- Transfer the frozen cherries to a zip-top bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Now you'll have frozen cherries ready to use whenever you want.
Awesome smoothie cups
Keeping smoothies mess-free can be a challenge with kids, but I've found two cups that work wonders.
- Mason jars with silicone lids: These 8 oz mason jars are the perfect size for little ones, and the silicone lids fit snugly and last forever.
- Maars cups: These cups were a hit as party favors, and they're still going strong through countless dishwasher cycles. They're just the right size for me and my husband.
Freezing Leftover Cherry Smoothies
Leftovers? No problem. I like to freeze any extra smoothie in mason jars for later.
To Freeze: Just pour the smoothie into the jar, leaving a bit of space at the top, and pop it in the freezer.
To Defrost: When you're ready to enjoy, microwave the jar (without the metal lid) for about a minute, stir, and serve. Alternatively, you can let the smoothie thaw on the counter or pack it in a lunchbox to enjoy later.
Mom Hack: Freeze the leftover cherry smoothie in silicone ice cube trays and add the cubes to yogurt or vanilla overnight oats for an extra fruity kick.
Make-Ahead Tips
For even easier mornings, I love prepping smoothie "packs." Here's how:
- Freeze cubes of Greek yogurt in silicone trays.
- Add the yogurt cubes, frozen cherries or cherry puree, and frozen banana to a zip-top bag.
- Lay the bags flat in the freezer, and when you're ready to make a smoothie, just dump the contents into the blender, add milk, and blend!
It's a quick and simple way to have breakfast ready in minutes and I often throw them together when I'm prepping other breakfasts for the week. It's easy to do while a batch of All Bran Muffins or Carrot Zucchini Muffins are baking.
Did you try this recipe and and love it? 😍 Let me know by leaving a comment below or 5 ⭐ rating!
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More Amazing Smoothies
📖 Recipe
4-Ingredient Cherry Smoothie (Super Creamy)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups Frozen cherries
- 1 Frozen banana
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ½ cup Milk
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients into the blender container.
- Blend until you reach desired consistency. If the smoothie is too thick, add a little extra milk or yogurt.
- Pour and enjoy!
Marni Katz says
My kiddos love frozen cherries & fresh cherries so this smoothie is always a winner when I make it for a snack. Mom hack: keep the stain remover nearby!