Velvet Cherry Vanilla Smoothie
Frozen cherries and a splash of vanilla extract turn this Greek yogurt smoothie into something that tastes like dessert. Hemp hearts and chia seeds add texture and staying power without getting in the way of that sweet-tart cherry flavor. Top with extra hemp hearts or fresh cherries.
Nutrition (per serving, approx.):
310 cal, 17 g pro, 28 g carb, 10 g fiber, 18 g sugars (0 g added sugars), 16 g fat (2 g sat fat), 10 mg cholesterol, 140 mg sodium
Recipe
- 1 cup sweet cherries frozen
- 1 cup almond milk unsweetened
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon hemp hearts
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Tips
1. Pour almond milk into the blender first so the liquid settles at the bottom and pulls ingredients downward.
2. Use frozen sweet cherries for a thick, frosty texture. Fresh cherries will make a thinner smoothie; add a few ice cubes if needed.
3. Stick with plain Greek yogurt. Flavored varieties contain added sugars that you don't need here.
4. Choose pure vanilla extract over imitation. The flavor difference matters in a recipe with so few ingredients.
5. Drink immediately for a thinner texture, or let it rest for 5–10 minutes if you prefer a pudding-like consistency as the chia seeds swell.
Nutrition Notes
Greek yogurt provides about 15–20 g of protein per serving, plus probiotics for gut health and calcium for bones.
Sweet cherries are packed with anthocyanins, antioxidants that may reduce muscle soreness after exercise and support healthy sleep due to natural melatonin.
Chia seeds form a gel-like substance in liquid, which helps lower cholesterol and stabilize blood sugar.
Hemp hearts are a complete plant protein containing all nine essential amino acids, plus magnesium and anti-inflammatory GLA.
Almond milk keeps calories low while adding vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant that protects cell membranes.
