Craving something naturally sweet, creamy, fruity, and satisfying? This Cherry Almond Smoothie serves the pallet which combines juicy cherries, creamy Greek yogurt, almond butter, chia seeds, and cinnamon for a delicious smoothie with no added sugar.
Ingredients (1 Serving)
- ¾ cup pitted cherries, fresh or unsweetened frozen
- 2 tbsp unsweetened almond butter
- ½ cup plain unsweetened Greek yogurt
- ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- Optional: 1–2 tsp sugar-free sweetener, if needed
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Adding the liquid
Pour the unsweetened almond milk into a blender.
Step 2: Add the creamy ingredients
Add Greek yogurt and almond butter.
Step 3: Adding the cherries & fiber
Add the pitted cherries and chia seeds, followed by vanilla and cinnamon.
Step 4 : Blending
Add ice and blend for 30–60 seconds, until smooth and creamy.
Step 5 : Serve
Taste and add a little sugar-free sweetener if needed. Pour into a glass and serve immediately.
Nutritional Information (Approx.)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Fiber: 7 – 8 g
- Fats: 19 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 – 35g
- Protein: 16 – 18 g
Approximate values; they vary depending on the brands and exact ingredients used.
Glycemic Index (GI) Considerations
- Cherries have a relatively low GI, but they still contain naturally occurring carbohydrates.
- Using whole cherries rather than cherry juice or sweetened cherries preserves fiber and avoids concentrated added sugars.
- Almond butter, Greek yogurt and chia seeds provide protein, fat and fiber, which can help slow digestion compared with a fruit-only smoothie.
- Choose unsweetened almond milk and unsweetened Greek yogurt to keep added sugar low.
Portion Control Tips
- Stick to one serving only.
- Measure almond butter carefully—it’s nutritious but calorie-dense.
- For a lower-carbohydrate version, reduce cherries to ½ cup and increase ice or unsweetened almond milk.
- Pairing the smoothie with a protein-rich breakfast may provide greater satiety than drinking it alone.
