Creamy Cherry Smoothie (with banana)

Smoothies are a staple in our house - I'm talking almost every morning, our blender is hard at work. And this cherry smoothie has become one of my go-to favorites. The sweet flavor of cherries pairs perfectly with bananas and yogurt.  And while we still love our mixed berry smoothies, using just one fruit is super easy and still so yummy!

As a busy mom of three, I always keep frozen cherries on hand so we can enjoy this smoothie year-round. While my kids love cherries when they are in season (their stained grubby little hands are proof), I love being able to blend this smoothie up all year long. Whether it's a quick breakfast or an afternoon snack, this recipe is always a win!

I’m lucky that my kids are just as smoothie-obsessed as I am. We’ve got a rotation of favorites that include chocolate peanut butter smoothies, mango smoothies, and this cherry smoothie, each one as easy to make as the next. 

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 I stock up at Costco since we go through so much frozen fruit.
• 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.

How to Make a Cherry Smoothie

1. Gather all of your ingredients from the freezer and fridge, and get your blender ready.
2. Add the frozen cherries, banana, Greek yogurt, and milk to the blender.
3. 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.

1. Wash the cherries and remove the pits and stems. This cherry pitter makes that an easy job.
2. Lay the cherries on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid.
3. 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.  

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.

Awesome Cups for Smoothies

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 Leftovers

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.

Another option is to 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:

1. Freeze cubes of Greek yogurt in silicone trays.
2. Add the yogurt cubes, frozen cherries or cherry puree, and frozen banana to a zip-top bag.
3. 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.

More Amazing Smoothies

📖 Recipe