Healthy and Easy Apple Smoothie
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This healthy apple smoothie is a delicious way to start your day with the goodness of milk and apples and with no added sugar. It is ready in less than 5 minutes – now you have no reason to skip breakfast.
With so many extracurricular activities that the kids are enrolled in, bedtimes are getting delayed, and waking them up early for school can be a real challenge. And it’s hard if you have kids like mine who resist breakfast and prefer sleeping to eating.
Thank goodness for smoothies!
I blend them quickly in the morning and pour them into a travel smoothie cup. That way, my kids can chug it down on their way to school, and I can be happy they are having a nutritious drink that will keep them satiated until lunch.
Out of the many smoothies I make, this apple smoothie recipe is probably the easiest and simplest. Made with only 3 ingredients, it is a perfect recipe if you are looking for a quick breakfast or just a healthy way to start your day.
Ingredient notes/swaps
During the fall, when apples are in season, making an apple smoothie is a great way to enjoy this delicious fruit.
- Apple, peeled, cored, and sliced – Fuji, Gala, or Red or golden delicious apples work great. They are not only sweet but also break down easily in the blender. Green apples like Granny Smith will work, too but they are tart by nature and are a better fit in a green smoothie.
- Milk – Whole milk or any dairy-free milk of your choice.
- Dates – If you don’t have a high-powered blender, soak the dates in 1/4 cup of warm milk or water for 15-30 minutes. Dates are known for their natural sweetness, so there is no need to add sugar. You can substitute dates with liquid sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup, etc. If you don’t have any of these in hand, granulated sugar will work too.
- Ice cubes (optional)
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below.
Recommended Tools
The blender I recommend
This high-speed blender is not only great for smoothies but also makes fine purees and spice powders.
Frequently asked questions
Use Fuji, Gala, or Red or golden delicious apples. They are not only sweet but also break down easily in the blender. Green apples are tart, so I don’t recommend them in milk-based smoothies.
Adding nut butter such as peanut butter or almond butter, chopped frozen bananas, or Greek yogurt can make your apple smoothie thicker and creamier.
Yes. The smoothie will not be as thick. Also, note that apple juice, compared to whole apples, does not offer much fiber, vitamins, or minerals.
Peeling is not necessary. The skin of the apple contains fiber and nutrients. Use organic apples and wash them well. Note: The peels will give the smoothie a gritty texture.
Apple smoothies make a perfect nutrition-packed breakfast or afternoon snack. With simple ingredients and a high-powered blender, you can enjoy a range of flavors, from a delicious apple banana smoothie to a comforting apple cinnamon smoothie. Make the most of the apple season and whip up your versions of this versatile drink.
Creamy Apple Smoothie Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 cups whole milk
- 2 cups chopped apples
- ½ cup chopped dates
Instructions
- Add milk to the blender, followed by all the other ingredients. Blend until smooth.
- Serve immediately for a best tasting smoothie.
Disclaimer: Approximate nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and can vary depending on the exact ingredients/brands used. If you have health issues, please work with a registered dietician or nutritionist.
Nutrition
Is it a smoothie or a milkshake?
The key difference between a milkshake and a smoothie is that milkshakes usually contain ice cream as one of their ingredients, whereas smoothies don’t! To make an apple milkshake, follow the recipe above and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Variations
- Milk can be substituted with an equal amount of Greek yogurt. The smoothie might end up being a little tart because of the yogurt – you can add any sweetener of your choice to balance it out.
- For a vegan apple smoothie recipe, use unsweetened almond milk, oat milk, or plant-based yogurt.
- For extra creaminess or to make a thick smoothie bowl, use chopped frozen bananas, just like in this apple banana smoothie. Also, reduce the quantity of milk to half.
- For a fall-inspired treat, add a pinch of ground cinnamon to your apple smoothie to transform it into an apple cinnamon smoothie.
- Other add-ons –
- For added fiber and protein, sprinkle in chia seeds or flax seeds before blending.
- Add a tablespoon of creamy peanut butter, cashew butter, or almond butter for a creamier, thicker smoothie.
Tips/tricks
- Chop the apples right before making the smoothie to prevent discoloration.
- You could always add sugar, maple syrup, or honey to sweeten the smoothie, but I prefer dates because of their superfood status.
Serving suggestions
Serve this apple milkshake immediately in a mason jar with a drizzle of peanut butter and oats.
How to store
Refrigerator: Smoothies taste best when freshly made. Apples turn brown due to oxidation when not consumed immediately. If you don’t mind the change of color, you can store this smoothie in the refrigerator for up to two days in an airtight container glass jar. Stir well before serving.
Freezer: You can freeze this smoothie in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Other fruit smoothie recipes you’ll love
If you liked this easy smoothie recipe, here are a few more delicious smoothie recipes for you to choose from –
Kesar Pista (Pistachio) Smoothie
Kesar pista smoothie is one of a kind – it combines saffron (kesar), and pistachios (pista), with banana, cardamom, and milk to create a delicious and nutrient-rich drink that’s perfect for kids and as a post-workout drink.
Date and Chikoo Smoothie – This nutritious blended drink made from dates and chikoo (Sapota) is a great treat for any time of the day – be it an after-school snack or a post-workout drink.
Looking for a healthy treat? Whip up our Dry Fruit Smoothie, it offers a decadent milkshake-like taste but with far fewer calories.
Ready in 5 minutes, our Strawberry Banana Smoothie is the perfect quick and delicious treat for breakfast or an after-school snack!
Learn how to whip up a satisfying Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie in minutes! It tastes so delicious that your family won’t believe it has no added sugar!
Need more smoothie recipes? Check out this list of 10+ delicious smoothie recipes for when you need fresh ideas to keep your smoothie-drinking routine interesting.
This post was originally published on 01/25/2019 and was completely updated with pictures and new text on 7/20/2023.
