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When I'm racing through my day and need something that'll actually fill me up, this light cherry banana blend is my absolute favorite grab-and-go. It's got that punch of cherry flavor plus creamy banana, with a huge protein kick in just a couple minutes.
The first time I made this was after an early gym session and it surprised me—it kept me full way longer than my other smoothie tries. It’s now an easy breakfast win whenever we need something speedy and healthy around here.
Delicious Ingredients
- Frozen dark sweet cherries: bring a punch of fruit flavor and a gorgeous deep color Pick the really dark ones for the boldest taste
- Vanilla protein powder: gives you that extra staying power with a touch of mellow vanilla Hunt down a powder that’s naturally sweet and mixes in smooth
- Fat free milk: light but still blends to a creamy finish Cold milk helps your blender work better and keeps everything chilled
- Plain Greek yogurt: packs the protein and gives that tangy smoothness Grab the thick kind if you want extra creaminess
- Frozen banana: naturally sweet and makes the smoothie nice and thick Use a super ripe, spotty one for bonus flavor
Easy Steps
- Serve Up and Enjoy:
- Pour into a pair of glasses Drink it right away for the thickest, coldest treat
- Check the Taste:
- Take a sip and see if you like it Toss in more banana if you need it sweeter, or splash in milk if it’s super thick
- Blend Like Crazy:
- Turn your blender to high for a minute or so Stop to scrape the sides if you have to—no chunky fruit should be left
- Load Up Your Blender:
- Toss your frozen banana, cherries, milk, yogurt, and protein powder into the blender Start with the soft stuff on the bottom so it blends way easier
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Anytime I whip this up, those cherries' tartness and yogurt’s creaminess just click. My kid’s always sneaking cherries from the bag before I toss them in, and honestly, it just goes to show—fresh, simple stuff makes the best grab-and-go snacks.
Storing Your Smoothie
The creamiest sip is right after blending, so drink up fast. Leftovers? Pop them in a sealed jar, chill in the fridge, and shake hard before finishing them up within half a day.
Swaps and Substitutions
No cherries hanging around? Frozen mixed berries do the trick. Out of protein powder? A bit more Greek yogurt brings extra protein and creamy texture. Plant-based? Use your fave dairy-free yogurt or milk, it totally works.
Ways To Serve
Turn it into a bowl and pile on seeds, granola, extra cherries, or shredded coconut. For a super cool snack, freeze the mixture in popsicle molds.
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A Bit Of History
Blended fruit drinks started out in South America where folks have been enjoying them forever. I keep going back to banana with cherry—they just have the right combo of creamy and bright that works every time.
Common Recipe Questions
- → Can I use fresh cherries instead of frozen ones?
Yep, go for fresh cherries if that's what you've got, but toss some ice cubes in so it stays thick and chilled.
- → How do I make this without any dairy?
Totally doable. Just swap Greek yogurt and the milk for your favorite non-dairy stuff like almond or oat milk and plant yogurt.
- → Is the flavor weird if I add protein powder?
The vanilla protein gives a soft sweetness that goes with the cherry and banana, but you can skip it if you want.
- → What if I want this sweeter?
If you want it sweeter, squeeze in a little honey or pop in a medjool date before you blend. Taste and tweak if you need to.
- → Can I prep this in advance?
It's best straight from the blender, but storing it in the fridge for a few hours works. Give it a good shake before drinking.
- → Got any good topping ideas for this?
Toss on some extra cherries, banana coins, or scatter a little granola for some crunch on top.