Bright, fresh, tart, and sweet, this cherry smoothie is the perfect refresher to start your day off right or for your afternoon pick-me-up.

Overhead view of light pink cherry smoothie topped with a cherry, banana slice, and oats.

Smoothies are certainly having their moment, and if you’re like most of us, you’re always looking for the next great smoothie recipe!

Enter: a perfectly balanced sweet and tart cherry smoothie!

PS: It’s great for the 4th of July! Try it with these patriotic pancakes or cherry almond pancakes!

Table of Contents hide
  1. About this cherry smoothie
  2. What you need
  3. How to make it
  4. How to make this smoothie your own
  5. Make Ahead Ideas
  6. More cool breakfast beverages
  7. Get the Recipe: Cherry Smoothie

About this cherry smoothie

  • Fun: This cherry smoothie should probably be called the “cheery” smoothie because that’s exactly what it is: a nourishing splash of happy flavors and colors in a glass.
  • Not watered down: This smoothie recipe skips the ice, using frozen bananas and frozen cherries to ensure a creamy, thick smoothie. However, if you don’t have frozen fruit, you can easily add some ice to thicken it. A sprinkle of oats ensures that your smoothie stays extra thick and blended, and the Greek yogurt adds a protein punch to keep you full for hours. 
  • Easy to make into a smoothie bowl: If you want to be really on-trend, you can pour your smoothie into a bowl to make a smoothie bowl (try our berry smoothie bowl, too). Sprinkle on toppings like chia, flaked coconut, toasted sliced almonds, and a drizzle of candied almond butter. Granola is great too!
Cherry smoothie in a short clear glass, another one in the background.

What you need

  • Greek Yogurt – Use vanilla flavored yogurt to add sweetness to the cherries. Greek yogurt adds great body and protein to your smoothie. If you’d prefer, you may use plain or cherry yogurt.
  • Sweet Cherries and Banana – Frozen, to help thicken the smoothie and keep it cool while you sip this treat. If you don’t have frozen fruit, add some ice to the blender to serve the same purpose.
  • Rolled Oats – Add thickness, bite, and a little staying power.
  • Water – To keep it sippable (and to help your blender along!). If you prefer milk, you may use any type of milk.
Overhead view of ingredients needed to make a smoothie.

How to make it

Simply add all ingredients to your blender and blend until smooth! Almost too easy, right?

Two blenders, one with unblended smoothie and one with blended smoothie.

How to make this smoothie your own

  • Add chocolate: Add a few chocolate chips or cacao nibs for a great chocolate-covered cherry treat (bonus: add in a drizzle of chocolate syrup!).
  • Make it a smoothie bowl: For a healthy smoothie bowl, make your smoothie as directed and pour it into a bowl. If it’s too thick to pour, you can thin it slightly with milk in your blender. Top with fresh berries and toasted chopped nuts or whole grain granola for crunch and texture.
  • Topping ideas: Wanting to recreate those beautiful smoothie bowls you see on Instagram? Try topping yours with chia seeds, flaked coconut, hemp, nuts, pepitas, or flax.
  • Reduce sugar: Watching your sugar? You can use plain Greek yogurt instead of vanilla. 
  • Switch up the fruit: If you want to temper the cherry flavor a little you can sub in other fruits, like peaches or strawberries. Just keep it to about 1 cup of fruit total.

Make Ahead Ideas

Smoothies are best enjoyed fresh! Try to enjoy your smoothie soon after blending it. However, it’s easy to keep smoothie ingredients ready in the freezer. You can peel and halve bananas and store them in a freezer bag so they’re always ready to go!

More cool breakfast beverages

Overhead view of light pink cherry smoothie topped with a cherry, banana slice, and oats.

Get the Recipe: Cherry Smoothie

Bright, fresh, tart, and sweet, this cherry smoothie is the perfect refresher to start your day off right or for your afternoon pick-me-up.
5 from 3 rating
Print Pin Rate
Servings: 1 serving
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Course: Beverages, Breakfast, brunch
Cuisine: American
Calories: 370kcal
Author: Rachel Gurk

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 container (5.3 oz) vanilla Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup frozen sweet cherries
  • ½ medium frozen banana
  • 4 tablespoons rolled oats

Instructions

  • Add water, yogurt, cherries, banana, and oats to blender.
  • Blend until smooth and enjoy immediately.

Notes

  • Yields about 15 ounces
  • Using frozen fruit eliminates the need for ice, but if you don’t have frozen fruit, add some ice for a thicker and colder smoothie.
  • Keep frozen bananas in the freezer for additional smoothies. To do this, peel banana and place in freezer bag.
Serving: 1g, Calories: 370kcal, Carbohydrates: 69g, Protein: 19g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 10mg, Sodium: 50mg, Potassium: 604mg, Fiber: 8g, Sugar: 37g, Vitamin A: 226IU, Vitamin C: 15mg, Calcium: 185mg, Iron: 2mg