Bright, creamy, and packed with a festive flavor, this Apple Cranberry Protein Smoothie is your go-to holiday blend. With a balance of healthy fats, natural sweetness, and tart cranberries, this smoothie feels indulgent but works hard to keep you energized.
"Yum! Great combination of flavors! And pretty color;)" Linda Spiker
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ⏲️Ready In: 5 Minutes
- 👪Serves: 2
- 🍽 Calories and Protein: 241kcal and 21 grams of protein
- 📋 Main Ingredients: Apple, cranberries, dates, coconut milk, almond butter, hemp hearts, and collagen powder.
- 📖 Dietary Notes: Dairy-free, gluten-free, paleo, and Whole30-approved.
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: Packed with protein, detoxifying cranberries, and sweetened only with natural sugars.
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I first made this cranberry protein smoothie after the holidays when I needed something light, refreshing, and still fueling. The blend of cranberry, apple, and creamy coconut milk gives it a festive vibe without being overly sweet, perfect when you're trying to feel a bit more energized after all the treats (like chocolate candy cane fudge!).
This cranberry smoothie (no banana!) is a go-to for me when I want something quick that still feels like a treat. Just like these caramel apple overnight oats or paleo hot chocolate recipe, it’s a cozy addition to your routine that keeps blood sugars steady and helps curb those midday cravings.
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💭Why You'll Love This Recipe
Allergy-friendly: This apple cranberry smoothie is naturally dairy-free, gluten-free, paleo, and Whole30-approved, making it a great choice for any dietary restrictions.
Festive: The pop of pink color is a fun pick-me-up around the holidays, and the fresh flavor is a hit with kids.
Versatile: it's easy to dress up this shake with smoothie bowl toppings or enjoy it as-is as a post-workout recovery shake.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Cranberries: Fresh or frozen cranberries will work, though frozen is best for a thicker and more chilled smoothie. If you're a cranberry lover, this cranberry mimosa is a fun one, too!
Almond butter: Mix and match nut butters to create new flavors. Just make sure to use unsweetened almond butter to keep the refreshingly tart flavor of the cranberry smoothie.
Coconut milk: Use the coconut milk from the can (the thick cream) to give the smoothie the best texture.
Collagen powder: This is what gives the freshcran smoothie its high-protein content. Quality collagen powder blends easily and is a great way to increase your protein intake.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Flavor Variations
Toppings: Change the taste of the apple cranberry smoothie by adding some Whole30 coconut whipped cream, sprinkled cinnamon, or fresh orange zest on top.
Fruit: If apple isn't your thing, subbing in frozen mango is a really tasty twist as well, and creates a thicker, ice cream-like texture (it's one of the tips to making a balanced smoothie). Though it will alter the color of the smoothie slightly.
How To Make a Cranberry Protein Smoothie
Step 1: Add all the ingredients to a blender, beginning with the almond milk.
Step 2: Blend until smooth and then portion into jars.
Step 3: Top with extra coconut milk, cranberries, or chopped nuts and enjoy!
Expert Tips
If possible, place the liquid ingredients in first (so the bottom of the blender) before the fruits. This makes it easier to process, and you end up with a smoother texture.
You can actually prep this smoothie in advance by combining all the ingredients in a plastic bag and popping it in the freezer. In the morning, break it apart, pop it in the blender, and process!
The cranberry smoothie tastes best when freshly made. If you do have extra, store it in a mason jar in the fridge. You'll want to, at the very least, give it a good shake before enjoying it, but if possible, re-blend it with a bit more ice.
Apple Cranberry Protein Smoothie FAQs
Typically sweeter fruits pair well with cranberries because they balance out the tart flavor. Fruits like oranges, pineapple, mango, and frozen banana are best.
Yes, adding protein powder to a smoothie is a great way to increase your daily protein intake and stay full longer. Just know that the kind of protein powder you choose will affect both the taste and the texture of the smoothie recipe.
Either frozen or fresh cranberries will work in a smoothie. However, frozen cranberries render the smoothie a bit more refreshing than the fresh ones.
More Whole30 Recipes You'll Love
If you tried this Apple Cranberry Protein Smoothie Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes!
Whole30 Holiday Cranberry Smoothie
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ apple
- ⅔ cup cranberries frozen
- 3 Dates
- ⅛ cup coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon Almond butter
- 1 tablespoon Hemp Hearts
- ¾ cups almond milk
- 3-4 ice cubes
- ⅓ cup Collagen powder
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients into a high-powered blender.
- Blend on high until smooth (about 1-2 minutes).
- Pour into a glass and enjoy!
Notes
- The cranberry smoothie recipe makes one large or two small servings.
- Frozen or fresh cranberries can be used
- Collagen powder is not included in the nutritional breakdown.
- If your blender is powerful, you don't need to peel the apple.
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Nutrition
Shelby S says
I love that this smoothie works in the winter with the cranberry flavor but also in the summer because it's so refreshing!
Lucy At Home says
Your opening comment about the colour helping to get kids on board really made me chuckle - when my daughter was little, we could get her to do anything if it was pink-related - she would choose the fibre bran cereal over chocolate cereal because it came in a pink box! Hehe.
And congratulations because someone loved this post so much, they added it to the BlogCrush linky! Feel free to collect your "I've been featured" blog badge 🙂 #blogcrush
fitasamamabear says
Haha ah that's amazing. Yup, kids are pretty particular about a color once they get it in their heads!
Lindsey Dietz says
Never thought of adding cranberries to a smoothie!
Teresa says
Love the color of this smoothie! You're right, pink smoothie's seem to be more of a hit than green ones. I know that's the case with my husband:). I look forward to giving this a try.
fitasamamabear says
Haha yup! I'm a green fanatic but most people like pink better. Makes them think it's not loaded with insane veggies lol
Carol Little R.H. @studiobotanica says
I LOVE cranberries! I tend to use them all year long and will make this smoothie.. bet it IS delicious!!
fitasamamabear says
I love it! Most people shy away from cranberries but they're so awesome!
Daniela says
I've not used frozen cranberries before but this inspires me to do so! Yum!
fitasamamabear says
Ohh do it! They're great for you and we never eat them!
Megan Stevens says
Wow, the dates and cranberry combination sounds amazing!
fitasamamabear says
The dates take away the cranberry bitterness!
linda spiker says
Yum! Great combination of flavors! And pretty color;)
fitasamamabear says
Thank you! I love the color too