Frozen cherries, which are easy to use since they are already pitted, are such a great fruit for smoothies. They are very sweet and flavorful—and they pair well with a range of other produce. I like to use them in this cherry smoothie along with yogurt, banana, and optional add-ins. It’s a healthy breakfast recipe for kids, a delicious and satisfying easy snack to make at home, and the leftovers can be frozen to make a fruit popsicle or fruit ice pop. This toddler smoothie works because it’s made with ingredients that are naturally creamy so the texture is almost foolproof. And you have a range of options for adding even more nutrients based on your preferences. (You may also like Oatmeal Cups, Peach Smoothie, Watermelon Popsicles, and Sore Throat Popsicles.)
Ingredients You Need
To make this simple cherry smoothie you’ll need the following ingredients on hand and ready to go.
Frozen cherries: Look for frozen sweet cherries in the freezer aisle. Banana: A ripe banana adds sweetness and extra potassium. Plain, whole-milk yogurt: You can use Greek or regular yogurt here. Optional: nut or seed butter, hemp seeds, raw cauliflower, kale or spinach, a splash of orange juice
TIP: To make this without banana, you can use all cherries or sub frozen mango in for the banana.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making this healthy smoothie for kids is really easy. Here’s how to make it. Scroll to the bottom of this post for the full information. TIP: If the cherry smoothie mixture needs a little help getting totally blended, stop the blender and scrape down the sides a bit or use the stick that came with your blender (if one did).
How to Store
Store leftover cherry smoothies for up to 4-6 hours in an airtight container or reusable pouch in the fridge.
Best Tips for Success
Serve cold for the best texture and yumminess. Use a banana with brown spots for the best natural sweetness. Dairy-free: Use nondairy yogurt. Blend well to create a creamy consistency. You may need to run the blender for 30-60 seconds to get the cherry skins well blended. Sub in frozen mango or additional cherries if you’d like to skip the banana. Serve in a small open cup, in a bowl with a spoon, a smoothie cup, or in a reusable pouch. Learn more about serving cherries to babies, too.
I’d love to hear what you think if you make this recipe so please leave a comment below with feedback!
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This post was originally published May 2020.
