Creamy Cranberry Smoothie (No Banana)
This super-creamy cranberry smoothie recipe is made with either fresh or frozen cranberries, plus pomegranate seeds and coconut milk, and without banana to cover the sweet and tangy flavors! Perfect as a breakfast smoothie, it includes optional protein power for an extra boost.
5 star review
“I started making a version of this smoothie last year, after seeing your recipe! I love it. YUM! It really puts you in the holiday mood!”
– Cameron
A Cranberry Protein Shake to Start the Day
We are huge fans of quick and easy breakfast smoothie recipes around here – whether it’s a refreshing lemon smoothie, easy pink smoothie or apple smoothie – the flavor combinations are truly endless. I have one most mornings and love that I can start the day off with the feel-good combination of fruits and veggies. This easy, cranberry protein shake is inspired by the beautiful colors of winter produce. It blends vibrant cranberries with pomegranates and mandarin oranges for a perfect winter morning pick-me-up. It’s also a great way to use up any fresh leftover cranberries you may have on hand after the holidays. Simply pop them in the freezer and use them to make this smoothie anytime you’re craving something sweet!
A Morning Cranberry Smoothie is So Simple to Make
All you need to do is add all your ingredients to a blender and let it work it’s magic. Before you know it you’ll be sipping on a delicious, wholesome smoothie! Note, I decided to make this smoothie without banana to keep the sugar content lower and to allow the natural flavors to shine through. You can make this a cranberry apple smoothie by swapping one small apple, chopped, in place of the mandarin orange.
Tip: For a sweeter smoothie option you can add 2 teaspoons of pure maple syrup or 1 pitted date before blending.
Ingredients & Modifications
- Fresh cranberries: Some people are surprised to learn you can put cranberries in a smoothie! You can use fresh or frozen cranberries for this recipe (and yes, fresh cranberries can be frozen if you can only find fresh but want a thicker texture in your smoothie). If using frozen cranberries in place of fresh cranberries, skip the ice.
- Pomegranate arils: Pomegranate arils (also called pomegranate seeds) add a delicious flavor to this smoothie. You can either get them from a fresh, whole pomegranate or (for a quicker option) look for pomegranate seeds in the prepared produce section of your store. You can also use a quarter cup of fresh pomegranate juice if you don’t have pomegranate seeds, or leave them out altogether if you prefer.
- Mandarin orange: The mandarin orange in this adds subtle sweetness and brightness to this smoothie. I like to use it whole instead of just using juice for the added fiber & texture. You can substitute a small, peeled navel orange, or one quarter cup fresh orange juice if you prefer.
- Raw cashews: Together with the canned coconut milk, the raw cashews add creaminess to this smoothie. You can also use almonds in place of cashews. For a nut-free version use any seed or seed butter in place of cashews.
- Coconut milk: I love how silky and creamy coconut milk makes my smoothie recipes. Be sure to use full-fat coconut milk from a can for the best taste and texture, or swap in any milk you like.
- Vanilla protein powder: You can use any protein powder you like the taste of. If you want to keep this recipe vegan friendly, be sure to use a plant-based. To keep this recipe paleo friendly, be sure to use a grain-free and dairy-free protein powder.
Tip for Using Leftovers! You can use this same fruit smoothie to make creamy cranberry popsicles! Simply freeze the smoothie in popsicle molds for a refreshing, wholesome treat.
More Easy Fruit Smoothies to Love
This Recipe Is…
Dairy FreeGluten FreePaleoVeganVegetarian
Creamy Cranberry Smoothie (No Banana)
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup cranberries, fresh or frozen
- 1/3 cup pomegranate seeds
- 2 tablespoons raw cashews
- 1 mandarin orange
- 2 tablespoons coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 serving vanilla protein powder
- 1-2 cups ice
Equipment
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in a blender. Blend until very smooth. Enjoy.
Notes
- For a thinner consistency, add more coconut milk.
- For nut-free be sure to use seeds in place of raw cashews.
- For vegan, be sure to use a plant-based protein powder.
- For a lower fat option, skip the coconut milk.
- Nutrition information will depend on the type of protein powder you use.
- For more ingredients & substitutions, see blog post above.
Such a pretty, pink smoothie!I don’t have a lot of experience with cranberries. Do you use fresh, cooked or frozen?
Stacy,
Good question! I used fresh raw cranberries, but raw frozen would be awesome too. You could use less ice that way, too.
That is one seriously good-looking smoothie, and a recipe I want to try, so I’m pinning it. Sharing it also on Twitter and made it Recipe of the Day today on Cooking with Whole Grains & Whole Foods on Facebook.
Thank you for sharing it. This is the second or third time I’ve run across your site, and I’ve loved everything I’ve seen. Following now, so I don’t miss your posts.
So happy you are enjoying it Kathryn, and thanks for sharing!
Can I sub coconut butter for the cashews?
Ann, I think that would be yummy. Let us know how it turns out!
I started making a version of this smoothie last year, after seeing your recipe! I love it. I make it with almond milk, kale/spinach (so I get my greens), cranberries (I keep a bag in the freezer), mandarin orange, flax seeds (fiber), vanilla protein powder, and almond butter (fat). YUM! It really puts you in the holiday mood!
Ohhhh, I love your version, Cameron, especially the addition of greens. So smart! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!