Happy Monday, friendly faces! 😀
Can I interest you in a thick and creamy smoothie that’s loaded with protein and tastes like a slice of apple pie?
Then keep on reading 😀 I’ve got a double whammy for you guys today with a review and a recipe, so let’s skip the fancy intros and get right into the good stuff, mmmkay? I’d like you to meet the newest member of my kitchen appliance family — the Ninja Ultima blender…
I was first introduced to the Ninja Ultima when I attended Healthy Living Summit last fall, and while I’m no stranger to high-powered blenders, there were two things about the Ninja that really stuck out to me. First, the dual stage blending technology…
The Ninja comes with a removable second blade that you can use when you have tougher things to blend like ice, frozen fruit, and nuts. Both blades work together to ensure that everything gets blended so that you’re left with smooth results and no grits or chunks. This also removes the need for a tamper.
Second, the single serve cups…
The Ninja comes with three individually sized cups (and travel lids) with a special blade that lets you attach the cups right to the base.
This is awesome in terms of convenience. I’m going to be honest with you guys here — even though I already owned a high-speed blender, I usually found myself using my little Magic Bullet because I didn’t want to go through the hassle of busting out (read: cleaning) a giant container when I was only making a single serving. Sure I could have just made a big batch in one go and stuck the leftovers in the fridge, but I find that the taste and texture of smoothies changes when they’ve been hanging out in the cold for awhile, and I prefer them when they’re fresh. In short, single serve cups are brilliant.
But what about the system as a whole? Here are my thoughts…
What I liked about the Ninja Ultima Blender:
- The blender is extremely powerful. It doesn’t have a problem chewing through tough ingredients and does so without leaving any chunks behind.
- The dual blades remove the need for a tamper while ensuring that everything gets blended smoothly. The blades are easy to add/remove depending on what you’re making, and the accompanying instruction booklet makes it easy to know when you need them and when you don’t.
- The single serve cups are super convenient and make clean up a breeze. They’re perfect for situations when you need to grab a snack and go, attach right to the base via a special blade, and are really easy to wash.
- The large container is incredibly easy to clean as well. All the pieces are dishwasher safe, and you can easily clean it between loads by adding a few drops of liquid soap to a container that’s been half-filled with water and turning the blender on.
- It has so many uses! In addition to making smoothies, it’s perfect for juicing, pureeing, emulsifying dressings, chopping veggies, mixing batters, grinding meats, milling flours, and making nut butters.
- It’s a lot cheaper than the Vitamix, yet comparable in power and performance.
What I didn’t like about the Ninja Ultima Blender:
- It’s loud… like really loud. Living in a condo, there’s no way I’d feel comfortable using it in the early morning or later evening. And to be perfectly honest, a pair of noise-cancelling ear muffs wouldn’t hurt either 😆
- The blades are super sharp. This is obviously a good thing, but it means you have to be really careful not to cut yourself when you’re cleaning it.
And what would a review be without a little demonstration? I’ve been playing around with my Ninja for a few weeks now, and although I loved using it to blend soups and chop veggies, my favourite blender creations will probably always be smoothies… and this latest creation kind of blew me away.
An apple pie protein smoothie. Nevermind the fact that we’re talking apples in spring time– they’re a year-round fruit as far as I’m concerned. They’re also a fruit I don’t normally associate with smoothies, but I only had one banana left in my fruit basket when I set out to make this bad boy, and I wasn’t willing to risk my last one. What I did have was an abundance of apples…
At first, I was worried that the lack of banana would lead to a lack of thickness and creaminess, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. Not only is this smoothie eat-with-a-spoon thick thanks to the oats, but it’s incredibly creamy thanks to the almond butter and Greek yogurt. The yogurt is also responsible for giving it a serious protein punch, as well as adding a nice hint of sweetness (or tartness if you choose to go the plain yogurt route). I’m kind of smitten.
I’d love to know if you make this (or any!) recipe! Tag @runwithspoons on Instagram and Twitter, and be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy and delicious recipes straight to your inbox!
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Apple Pie Protein Smoothie
- Total Time: 5 mins
- Yield: 1 smoothie 1x
Ingredients
- 1 apple, peeled and cored
- 1/4 cup raw oats
- 1/2 cup vanilla Greek yogurt*
- 1 Tbsp. almond butter
- 1/2 cup vanilla almond milk**
- 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- dash of ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into any standard blender and blend until smooth.
Notes
* You can sub out the yogurt for some vanilla protein powder OR use plain Greek yogurt, but you may have to add a little bit of sweetener.
** Use regular dairy milk to add even more protein.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
Disclaimer – Ninja Kitchen provided me with the Ninja Ultima Blender free of charge in exchange for a review. I was not compensated for this post, and all opinions are my own.
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Just tried this for lunch. 🙂 Great fall recipe! I’ve been on a smoothie kick lately and this was great! I substituted almond butter for peanut butter and low fat blueberry yogurt for vanilla because that all I had. There’s a slight peanut taste, but no blueberry. Nice for something different! Wouldn’t have it everyday though.
Wow, it’s an amazing site. And I like Ninja very also, and I think Ninja NJ600 is great, it’s really agreat product.
THIS IS AMAZING!!! My whole family loved it. Thank you so much for posting this.
This looks amazing! I think I could manage this in the morning. I’m stopping by from SITS & I’m a new follower through Twitter & Facebook. I hope your having a great weekend.
Thanks for the review! I really want to get a high powered blender and I’ve been thinking about the Ninja. I HAVE to try this smoothie…I didn’t even know apples could go in smoothies, looks delicious!!
What a cool recipe, it’s nice to have some protein smoothie recipes that don’t use banana’s!
This looks so delicious! I love protein shakes without protein powder. I’ll have to try this… in my Ninja blender 😉
I gotta say, I used my Magic Bullet more than anything else in my kitchen…until the day it spun its last spin. Womp womp! I’ve got a big boy blender now and while I’ve learned that a plastic mixing spoon should NEVER be used as a tamper, I have to say, it’s really not as horrible as I thought it would be to clean. And bonus points for not waking the neighbors when using it. 😀 Still, I’d have to say my MOST used kitchen appliance would probably be my new food processor! Only showing up my pancake griddle well for obvious lack of pancake-loving reasons at the moment. But yeah, nut butter, energy bites, pesto…I’m on a roll! Now I just need to make some hummus to really christen it! 😉
Why have I never tried an apple in a smoothie? PS, love the straws! 😀
I really want to get myself a high powered blender or go all out and get a Vitamix or Thermomix. Especially with delicious recipes like this. I have heard they can be really really loud though but worth it for a delicious smoothie 😉
This is a phenomenal recipe! Wholesome, dessert-y, and delicious. 😀 And wow…the Ninja Blender sounds sooo cool. Pretty much like a vitamix, but more convenient as in a Magic Bullet. I love the bullet because it’s so easy to use–but it seems to struggle a bit in the area of hard chunks.
Looks delicious! And makes me want a better blender 🙂
Haha, well you know that I have a love affair with blenders and really want one of these!
Interesting that it’s so loud! I’ve heard people say that, but I always just brushed it off because all blenders are loud, right? Maybe this one is beyond the noise of others!
I have a smaller Ninja and it has been great, but you are right about it being super loud. I almost don’t want to make my smoothie’s in the morning because I am afraid I will wake up Joseph! I’ve gone as far as taking it in a different room to blend!
Ohhh another smoothie recipe!!! Awesome! I’m staring at the pictures and looking foward to get home and make it!! This morning I had your Chocolate smoothie and that made my day start so happy… and now this! Good for me I have a ton of apples at home!
Mmmmm sounds wonderful! I am loving all the smoothie recipes that are starting to appear 🙂 My most used appliance….other than my kettle for tea….does that count? Is probably my food processor! It is my newest toy and I LOVE it…..but dont worry Kitchen aid, you are still up there 🙂
I’m so torn on investing in a good food processor! I feel like it’s one of those things that everyone should have, but then I’m not sure if there’s a point since I can probably do most things in my blenders anyways. Ack. Decisions.
I’ve been loving apples in my smoothies lately. I’ve been inspired by Booster Juice & Jugo Juice! I do a blend of kale, green apple, cucumber, chia, coconut water and mango. It’s so good! (Needs vodka, though)
My roommate has a Ninja and she loves it! I’m partial to my Vitamix but I know they’re not in everyone’s budget! (It was an amazing birthday present for me!)
this looks so frothy and creamy! I bet it would be super tasty with a couple dates thrown in for a “carmel apple” flavor, mmmmm. I lurrrrve my vitamin but I’ve heard awesome things about the ninja!
I have to say that my mom’s homemade apple pie is the pure winner of my heart. Having it in smoothie form? Um.. yes please! I haven’t been able to find a good recipe, and well, I think I just found one. 😀
First off, I love my Ninja!!! I got it for Christmas and the single serving cups I use for my smoothies and the large guy I use to purée veggies which I sneak in to my toddler’s food. It is the only thing that has smoothed everything down so she doesn’t suspect.
Second and most important, I’m in love with your oatmeal cookie smoothie and I ran out of bananas. I’ve been worried about what to make for breakfast and I have several apples plus all other ingredients. So very excited to try this smoothie for breakfast. Thank you for your excellent timing and smoothie recipes that get my indulgent sweet cinnamon cravings taken care of in a nutrient dense way.
Thanks for letting me know, Shelly! I always love hearing when someone tries my recipes 😀 I hope you like this one as well!
Isn’t the blender amazing. It is like my baby. Apple season is coming to a close around here, but this almost makes me want fall all over again. Almost. 😉 Also, this smoothie has all my favorite things in it, I didn’t even know that was possible. You are a smoothie mastermind, my friend.
That is seriously the ultimate blender! And this is seriously the ultimate smoothie. Apple pie always brings out the happy dance in me 😉 Oh, and your straws are so cute!
Ahhh I really want a Ninja! I can’t right now but one day I WILL get one. And yes, apples are a year-round fruit 🙂
This is a protein smoothie I could get down with.
I’m digging the solo cup size. Since I hand wash my entire blender like four times a week, this would be a vast improvement. Mine also sounds like a helicopter about to take off so you’re not alone there.
Mmm yum! You know I’ve never added apples to my smoothies before because I’ve always been worried that they’re too hard. But that’s good to know that my Ninja can handle it!
Other than smoothies I also like to use it to puree soups and to grind oats into a flour.
The Ninja is definitely a beast. Have you ever tried shredding chicken? Someone mentioned you can do it, but it almost sounds like a disaster waiting to happen 😆
Holy yum! This recipe makes me want to go buy apples immediately and make this. I have a Magic Bullet and it works well for what I need it to do, but I hate how there are always little ice chunks when I’m done. Your blender is beautiful.
I’ve been dying for a good blender! When I see people using a Vitamix or Ninja I get so jealous! A blender is definitely on my wish list for when I either graduate and have a real job, or get married and can ask for stupidly expensive things 🙂 My most used gadget is my food processor. I am a nut butter making addict!
What’s a pretty blender! And no protein powder in there? Nice! I was telling my mate yesterday how I need a go to smoothie recipe without protein powder- I’ve tried cottage cheese but not Greek yogurt!
so. creamy. yes.
yummmmmm apple pie smoothie !??!?!? This looks so creamy and delicious I want to make it now.. I am currently debating a blender upgrade myself.. so was happy you shared your pros and cons. I really want a Vitamix but the price point is really high so maybe a Ninja would be great !? Not sure about the noise though, i often make smoothies in the morning, ahhh decisions decisions.
It’s definitely a tough call. The Ninja is comparable to the Vita in terms of power, andy honestly… both of them are pretty loud, although I think the Vita is a teeny bit quieter.
I have the Ninja too! I love using the single serve for smoothies, but I am falling out of love with mine. It just does not make good nut butters. Maybe the container is to big, but it never ever gets creamy even after 30 minutes of blending :/
anything that tastes like pie is a bonus in my book! do they make apple pie lattes? just kidding. and i have vitamix but heard good things about the ninja
ugh my magic bullet died yesterday. Apparently the black substance leaking from it was a sign but obvs I’m a tool and kept using it anyway…and now it’s kaput. Should I buy a ninja?
It’s definitely a good blender, but you might want to pick up some noise cancelling ear muffs alongside 😉