Apple Cinnamon Smoothie
Enjoy this fall-inspired apple cinnamon smoothie for breakfast or a snack. Made with bananas and walnuts this smoothie is dairy free.
We all know kids can be really picky about what they eat. Smoothies can be a really great way to get picky eaters some of the fruits, vegetables, and other nutrients they need.
This apple cinnamon smoothie is a really great neutral smoothie that most kids should love because it is flavors they not only are really familiar with but hopefully already love. It’s naturally sweetened by the apples, cinnamon, and almond milk with extra protein from the walnuts.
Pair this with no bake pumpkin energy bites for a fantastic breakfast or after school snack that is hearty and healthy.
Ingredients
Grocery list
- apples
- bananas
- walnuts
- almond milk
Pantry staples
- cinnamon
- ice
Substitutions
If you want, you can use milk or coconut milk instead of the almond milk. Also, feel free to swap the walnuts for almonds or cashews.
Other add ins
Other ingredients to add that can be a good nutritional boost:
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 Tablespoons chia seeds
- 1/4 cup oatmeal
FAQ
A naturally sweet apple is the best way to get a naturally sweet smoothie. Fuji, Gala, and Golden Delicious apples are my personal favorite.
Yes! To prevent them turning brown, toss them in a lemon and water solution briefly before freezing. Frozen apples are best used in smoothies and baked goods.
No, however, it is a matter of preference. The peel has vitamins and nutrients in it but if you or your child don’t like the smoothie with the peel than go ahead and make it without.
Spices are an often overlooked nutrient. Cinnamon has several anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and essential nutrient benefits. This post covers some of the top ones.
Other recipes that you may like
Other ways to serve smoothies
If your children still struggle to drink just a smoothie you can try a couple different things. Sometimes, doing something as simple as putting the drink into a special cup or with a fun straw can entice them.
You can also try serving this in different ways:
- as a smoothie bowl with granola
- pour into an ice cube tray or popsicle mold and freeze
- turn into a slushie with your ice cream maker
- swap the water for milk and the ice for Greek yogurt and use your ice cream maker to make frozen yogurt
Sometimes simple swaps like these can help kids overcome their objections.
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Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 apples
- 1 banana large
- ¼ cup walnuts
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 ¼ cup almond milk
- 1 cup crushed ice
Instructions
- Put the walnuts in a blender and blend
- Cut the apples in chunks without the center part (you may leave the peel if you wish to)
- Add into the blender the apple chunks, the banana in two and two or three chunks, the cinnamon powder, the almond milk and the crushed ice.
- Blend all the ingredients till desired consistency. Serve!
Notes
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 Tablespoons chia seeds
- 1/4 cup oatmeal