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Posted: 10/4/22
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A delicious apple banana smoothie recipe that’s made with simple ingredients! It’s smooth and creamy, and takes just a couple of minutes to make. Tastes just like apple pie!
Got some extra apples on hand? Then make a smoothie! This apple banana smoothie is quick and easy, and tastes just like a light and refreshing apple pie.
Much like my coconut milk smoothie, this smoothie can be enjoyed year round and tastes great with add-ins like protein powder or nut butter. It’s great for breakfast, as a snack, or post-workout. If you want to make this the ultimate fall treat, top with coconut milk whipped cream or a drizzle of dairy free caramel sauce!
To avoid the gritty texture that sometimes happens when you add apples to smoothies, I have all the blending tips below. Just make sure to peel the apple, and use a creamier milk. Cheers!
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Ingredients Notes
There are a few simple ingredients you’ll need to make this recipe. Here are my notes:
- Apple – Red, sweet apples work best in this recipe. Make sure to peel your apple before chopping and blending.
- Frozen banana – Peel bananas, then slice them before placing in the freezer in a freezer-safe bag. You can also freeze peeled bananas whole, just let them sit out for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Milk – You can use any type dairy free or regular milk. I love coconut milk because it makes it creamy.
- Honey – This adds a little bit of sweetness. I recommend raw honey.
Substitutions
- Milk: Use regular milk or dairy free milk. You can also swap this for yogurt to make the smoothie thicker.
- Honey: Use maple syrup instead.
- Peanut butter: Use any other nut butter, like almond or cashew butter.
How to Make an Apple Banana Smoothie
- To chop the apple: Peel the apple using a knife or peeler. To remove the core, stand the apple on its base and cut straight down along the core on all four sides. Discard the core and chop the large pieces into 1-inch chunks.
- Blend: Add the apple chunks, frozen banana, milk, honey, and cinnamon to a blender. Blend on high until combined, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Add ice: Add ice to the blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
- Pour: Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Chopping the Apple
Peeling and chopping apples for smoothies is easy to do! Just peel the apple using a knife or peeler. I like to use a standard swivel peeler and remove any small pieces leftover with a knife during chopping.
Once peeled, stand the apple on its base and cut straight down along the core. Do this on all four sides so you have the core and four apple pieces. Toss the core, and chop the pieces into smaller 1-inch chunks.
Blending Tips
Not a fan of gritty, clumpy smoothies? Me either! By following a few layering tips and using the right ingredients, you can get smooth and creamy smoothies every time—even without a high powered blender!
When making smoothies, always pour the water or liquid in first. Then, add your liquid sweetener like honey. Next, add any powders like protein powder. This will help the powder dissolve into the liquid instead of clumping up on your frozen ingredients.
In the middle, add your fresh ingredients like fruit or spinach. Lastly, add any frozen fruit or ice on top. Then, blend away and serve! Check out this great visual for layering smoothie ingredients.
Recipe FAQs
Do I need to peel apple for smoothies?
While you don’t have to, I highly recommend peeling apples when making smoothies. Peeling the apple beforehand will make the smoothie less gritty and creamier.
What apples are best for smoothies?
Sweet red apples provide the best texture and flavor in smoothies. Try Pink Lady, Gala, Honeycrisp, or Red Delicious apples.
How do I thicken smoothies?
The best way to thicken smoothies is to use coconut milk or yogurt in place of water or milk. I like using full-fat coconut milk or yogurt when making smoothie bowls.
What are the benefits of apple and banana smoothie?
An apple banana smoothie is packed with fresh, nourishing ingredients. Apples have fiber and antioxidants. Eating them is linked to a lower risk of many chronic conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Bananas are also packed with antioxidants, vitamin B6, and vitamin C.
Smoothie Add-ins
- Protein powder: Add 1 scoop of your favorite protein powder or collagen peptides.
- Coconut Oil: Add a tablespoon for an added hit of healthy fats!
- Extracts: Use a drop of vanilla or almond extract to give this smoothie a boost of flavor.
- Supplements: Powdered and liquid supplements work great in smoothies. I sometimes add extra vitamin C or zinc—especially when the kids are sick!
More Healthy Recipes
- Mango Coconut Milk Smoothie
- Healthy Apple Crisp
- Healthy Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
- 4-Ingredient Dairy Free Caramel Sauce
- Healthy Apple Pie Bars
Apple Banana Smoothie
A delicious apple banana smoothie recipe that’s made with simple ingredients! It’s smooth and creamy, and takes just a couple of minutes to make. Tastes just like apple pie!
Prep: 5Total: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 1x
Ingredients
- 1 large red apple, peeled, cored, and chopped
- 1 frozen banana, sliced
- ¼ cup dairy free milk (I use coconut milk or almond milk)
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 4–5 ice cubes
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter, optional
Instructions
- To chop the apple: Peel the apple using a knife or peeler. To remove the core, stand the apple on its base and cut straight down along the core on all four sides. Discard the core and chop the large pieces into 1-inch chunks
- Blend: Add the apple chunks, frozen banana, milk, honey, and cinnamon to a blender. Blend on high until combined, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Add ice: Add ice to the blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
- Pour: Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- To freeze bananas, peel them first, then freeze whole or sliced in a freezer-safe container or bag.
- You can use regular or dairy free milk. I like using a creamier milk, like coconut milk.
- While not necessarily, you can add 1 tablespoon of peanut or almond butter to make the smoothie a little more filling. It will taste just like an apple pie!
- Top with apple slices, a dash of cinnamon, a drizzle of peanut butter, or even coconut whipped cream!
- Double the recipe for a tall 16 oz smoothie.
Recipe by: Noelle Tarr / Coconuts and Kettlebells | Photography by: Casey Colodny / The Mindful Hapa
Casey Colodny says
Yummm, taste like fall but more refreshing and creamy then you could imagine!
Bonnie says
Love the Pumkin Bars very moist. Keep them in the fridg Going to make them again this week.
Kenny says
tastes just like an apple pie! this one wasn’t gritty. Thanks!