A creamy combo of orange and banana. This orange creamsicle smoothie is naturally sweetened and a hit with kids. With a tangy combo of orange and vanilla, it comes out bright and refreshing.
An orange banana smoothie recipe that's perfect for a hot summer's day. It tastes like an orange milkshake but it's healthy!
Truly.
This orange creamsicle smoothie is a real-food version of an orange julius.
As a Certified Nutrition Coach, I love it because it's simple to whip up, a hit with kids, and full of plant-based nutrients. You'll love the orange creamsicle smoothie because it's:
- Allergy-friendly (dairy-free, gluten-free, paleo, vegan, whole30)
- Easy to make
- A sneaky hidden ingredient
- Refreshing, bright, and uplifting
Ingredients You'll Need
Orange juice: as the base, orange juice is pretty important. Freshly squeezed orange juice will give it the best flavor.
Banana: using frozen banana will make this orange creamsicle smoothie extra creamy. Plus it gives it a burst of natural sugars.
Cashews: these add some healthy fats to the mix.
Almond butter: helping the banana keep the smoothie creamy with an indulgent feel.
Hemp hearts: because this orange creamsicle smoothie is vegan, these add a bit of plant-based protein.
Carrot: sneaking in some nutrients to the smoothie recipe, the carrot also helps achieve the bright color.
Vanilla extract: it's the combination of vanilla extract and orange that gives this smoothie it's classic orange creamsicle flavor.
Coconut water: regular filtered water will work but coconut water gives an extra burst of electrolytes.
How To Make The Orange Creamsicle Smoothie
- Peel and chop the carrot.
- Juice the oranges.
- Combine all ingredients in a high-powered blender.
- Blend until smooth.
Important Teaching Tips
Using frozen banana will make the orange creamsicle smoothie creamier than fresh. However, fresh bananas do work! Likewise, you can always opt for water in place of coconut water.
That said, coconut water is extremely hydrating and makes this orange banana smoothie just a bit more refreshing in the summertime.
Make sure to roughly chop the carrot, this makes it easier on your processor.
Will Carrot Affect The Texture?
No. If you're never added veggies to your smoothies, you're missing out! The carrot in this orange creamsicle smoothie gives it a bit more bulk.
Likewise, it doesn't affect the texture. In fact, this orange smoothie comes out rich and creamy regardless.
However, if you do want to add a bit of "extra" to the smoothie, you could add two tablespoons of full-fat coconut milk (from the can). This gives the smoothie an even richer flavor.
Adding Protein To The Orange Smoothie
This orange creamsicle smoothie is whole30 approved and plant-based. Thus, no powders! However, if you want to use this orange creamsicle smoothie as a post-workout smoothie or to just boost its protein intake, you do have a few options.
The first option and my favorite for kids is to add a scoop of collagen powder! Collagen is a beneficial part of bone broth and is wonderful for your hair, skin, and nails.
However, unlike bone broth, it doesn’t taste like well, bone broth. Similarly, collagen powder is odorless and flavorless. Plus, if ethically sourced one of the purest forms of protein you can give to your kids!
I grab my collagen from Perfect Supplements and while I love their big tub of powder, I love the individual packets even more! I find collagen the easiest way to boost protein in smoothies, vegan yogurts, oatmeal, or any other dish.
It blends and mixes well and there are zero flavors to it. Plus, Perfect Supplements sources their collagen from pasture-raised (grass-fed) cows. So, I trust it. Grab some collagen powder and use code mamabear10 to save some money. Keep in mind that adding collagen powder will void the "vegan" part of this smoothie.
Likewise, you can also add in a scoop of your favorite vegan protein powder to make this smoothie ideal for post-workouts.
However, note that protein powder is not compliant with the whole30 diet. Furthermore, the texture of the orange creamsicle smoothie will change depending on the protein powder.
Topping The Orange Smoothie
Topping this smoothie is completely optional! However, it does taste great with any of the following:
- homemade granola
- 2-minute coconut whip cream(made from coconut milk)
- grated orange zest
Nutrient-Dense Smoothie Recipes
If you’re looking to make healthy eating simple, look no further than my e-book Sunday Smoothies where I’ve gathered 15, tasty, superfood-based recipes perfect for busy moms.
Every flavor from classic green goddess smoothies to indulgent chocolate, kiwi to chocolate cherry. Plus, these healthy smoothie recipes all share a few things in common:
- They are healthy and simple to make
- All the recipes are dairy-free and gluten-free
- All of the recipes are real-food based and focus on nutrients and not fillers
- They’re loaded with extras in the form of superfoods
My girls and I have a smoothie every day. Mainly, because it makes is simple to load up on healthy fuel while running out the door!
Make healthy eating LESS stressful and feel like you’re eating ice cream more often by grabbing your copy of Sunday Smoothies.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Orange Smoothie
Though you can blend frozen oranges, you need a very high-powered blender. Even with that, there is often some texture leftover. This orange creamsicle smoothie tastes best using fresh orange juice instead.
There are lots of factors that contribute to the texture of a smoothie. in general, though, frozen fruit like frozen banana and mangos, as well as full fat coconut milk, and avocados help make smoothies creamy.
Other Refreshing Healthy Smoothie Recipes
- Anti-inflammatory mango turmeric smoothie
- Chocolate cherry smoothie
- Gut-healing chocolate smoothie
- Peanut butter bomb smoothie
- Cranberry apple smoothie
- Mango orange smoothie
- Easy pomegranate smoothie (Pink for the Holidays!)
- Chunky monkey shake
- Healthy smoothie recipes
Vegan Orange Creamsicle Smoothie (paleo, vegan, whole30)
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cups orange juice freshly squeezed, about two mandarin oranges
- 1 frozen banana
- 2 tablespoons cashews raw
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 2 tablespoon hemp hearts
- ½ carrot peeled and chopped
- ¾ cup coconut water
- 8 ice cubes
- 1 tbs orange zest optional
Instructions
- Juice the oranges.
- Place all ingredients into a high-speed blender. Blend on medium to high for two to four minutes (depending on blender) until everything is smooth.
- You may need to add some additional water or use a tamper to keep things moving depending on your blender.
- Pour into a chilled glass and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Using frozen banana will make this smoothie creamier than fresh. However, fresh bananas do work!
- Likewise, you can always opt for water in place of coconut water. That said, coconut water is extremely hydrating and makes this orange banana smoothie just a bit more refreshing in the summertime.
- Freshly squeezed orange juice will give the smoothie the best flavor.
- If you wish to make this smoothie more protein-based, add in a scoop of collagen powder or your preferred protein powder. However, see the notes on the best way to do this.
- Don't omit the vanilla extract. Vanilla + orange is what gives this smoothie a similar flavor to an orange julius!
Nutrition
Shelby aka Mama Bear
Suanlian Tangpua
OMG!! I look so refreshing and healthy. I can't wait to try this weekend. Thanks for sharing all the secret ingredients and tips.
Suanlian Tangpua
OMG!! It look so refreshing and healthy. I can’t wait to try this weekend. Thanks for sharing all the secret ingredients and tips.
fitasamamabear
No problem! I hope you enjoy it! It's so simple to make!
Lees
This is totally my go to breakfast! Except I don't use the cashews and I use plant based protein! Sooo delicious!
fitasamamabear
Ah I love it! I switch it up depending on the day but I use a lot of plant based protein too. Anything orange banana is super addictive and tasty:D
Lauren
This recipe looks deliciious. I have never looked for hemp hearts. Do you order them online or find them in the grocery store?
fitasamamabear
Hemp hearts are amazing! They have so many health benefits associated with them-though I will admit expensive. You can order them online here (https://amzn.to/2vq1CuQ <-- that's an affiliate link heads up!) or if your in Canada Bulk Barn sells them. if you're in the US I'd try a local health food store 🙂
Jennifer
I totally need to start using my blender more! LOL
fitasamamabear
Haha yes! So many yummy things can be blended!
Ophelia Tang
I love this smoothie. It looks and sounds delicious. I hope I can make it soon. Thank you.
fitasamamabear
Enjoy it!
Lynn Woods
I'm excited about this! Creamsicles were my favorite as a kid. Can't wait to try it.
fitasamamabear
It`s a refreshing one and even better that it`s healthy!
Grace Blossoms
Oh my goodness! I love this! I'm going to have to make this for a snack for my boys and myself tomorrow. We're always looking for healthy alternatives, and I love what you said about all fruit smoothies. So true. This one is interesting. I can't wait to try it! Thank you!
fitasamamabear
I have a serious addiction to smoothies haha- they make the perfect snack! I hope you and your boys enjoy it, let me know!
jiselle jones
ohh I love this you got me with the name! I will def try and I discovered when I freeze fruits my smoothie comes out like icecream which my girls love!
fitasamamabear
Haha glad the name snagged you in 😀 Frozen fruit works SO MUCH better in smoothies. Keeping in mind both banana and avocado also help give it an ìce cream like" consistency 😉
Lisa
I am a smoothie lover and need to try this! Sounds delicious!
XO-Lisa
http://www.thatssodarling.com
fitasamamabear
You can't go wrong with smoothies- so tasty! Enjoy 🙂
Esperanza Scotto
This smoothie sounds delicious! I love that it's vegan too. I'm not a vegetarian/vegan, but I love trying these recipes!
fitasamamabear
I'm with you! I'm not a vegan either but I love using minimal & healthy ingredients 🙂
Luda Berdnyk
Oooh yum, this looks delicious! My mom just discovered hemp hearts, so it looks like this is the perfect opportunity to try them out 🙂
fitasamamabear
That's awesome that she's jumped into hemp hearts- they're super versatile- enjoy it!
Luci
I love the flavor of orange creamsicle but but that its vegan and a smoothie makes it better.
fitasamamabear
I know- you can't go wrong with orange and banana right??
Jenn
Sounds amazing. Could I omit the hemp hearts or are they necessary? My local health food stores are a bit of a drive for me.
fitasamamabear
The hemp hearts aren't necessary they just help boost nutrition (protein) and make it a bit smoother. If you're omitting them I'd put in a tablespoon of coconut milk to make it a bit creamier!