This caramel apple protein smoothie is going to become your favourite way to enjoy an apple a day! It’s super creamy, packed with protein, and guaranteed to keep you satisfied all morning!
So I know apples aren’t technically in season right now, but they might as well be judging by the commanding presence they have in grocery stores right now. I mean, I don’t know what things are looking like where you are, but over here we’ve got apples, oranges, and bananas…. or apples, oranges, and bananas.
So yeah… a lot of apples. And oranges. And bananas 😳
Actually, back in the day (read: before becoming a food blogger), I honestly thought apples, oranges, and bananas never went out of season – they were just always there. And not only always there, but always there and reasonably priced. Like… are people seriously paying almost $10 for a small handful of fresh blueberries that probably don’t even taste that good? Because that sounds like craziness to me… which is probably why I spend most of the winter eating a lot of apples, oranges, and bananas…. and then make myself sick off watermelon, blueberries, and peaches in the summer.
But hey! That’s neither here nor there, because, today? Today it’s all about them apples…
… or, an apple, I guess. Blended up to smithereens.
Because this smoothie?
This deliciously creamy, sweet, and satisfying smoothie?
I guarantee it’ll become your new favourite way to enjoy your apple a day.
I mean, it’s definitely become mine. AND I’m saying that even though it’s probably the first smoothie in forever that I’ve made without oats. I was a little worried that it wouldn’t end up as thick and “doughy” as I like normally like it, but honestly? I didn’t even notice they were missing.
The Greek yogurt and protein powder definitely help with the thickness, while the apple, almond butter, and cinnamon give it that comforting “doughiness” that I love. AND this smoothie is perfect for people who don’t like and/or are allergic to bananas since all the sweetness and flavour comes from the apples and dates.
Oh, and if you don’t do the dairy thing? Use a non-dairy yogurt alternative and a plant-based protein powder. I’ve really been loving this vanilla one from Vega*, but feel free to use whichever one you have on hand. And if you don’t have any dates*? You can totally leave them out and see if the apple alone makes it sweet enough for you, or add something like maple syrup or honey to taste. I hope you love it!
Happy eating!
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Caramel Apple Protein Smoothie
- Total Time: 5 mins
- Yield: 1 serving, ~2 cups 1x
Ingredients
- 1 medium-size apple, cored (~160 g)
- 1/4 cup (55 g) Greek yogurt*
- 1/2 – 1 scoop (~25 g) protein powder
- 1/2 Tbsp (8 g) almond butter
- 2 dates (~30 g)**
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) unsweetened almond milk
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients into any standard blender and blend until smooth.
Notes
* If you want to make this smoothie dairy-free or vegan, sub out a non-dairy yogurt alternative. ** You can leave the dates out if you find it’s sweet enough just with the apple. Or, if you don’t have dates on hand, you can add honey or maple syrup to taste.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
Looking for more healthy smoothie recipes? Try one of these!
Hot Chocolate Breakfast Smoothie
Chocolate Overnight Oatmeal Smoothie
Blueberry Muffin Breakfast Smoothie
Salted Caramel Cookie Dough Smoothie
Black Forest Smoothie
*Disclosure: Some of the links included in this post may be affiliate links, meaning I’ll earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and believe will add value to my readers. Thank you so much for helping support Spoons!
How long can this be stored ?
I wouldn’t keep it in the fridge for longer than 3 days or so.
This looks delicious! Is there anything you can add to smoothies to make them thicker without adding calories? I’ve had some people recommend xantham gum but wasn’t sure. I like my smoothies to be spoon-able rather than drinkable. thanks!
Xanthan gum definitely works! Some people experience bloating and other digestive complaints after eating gums though, so just pay attention to how it affects you.
I’m still eating my apples right now and berries because I can never seem to leave those suckers alone, hefty price tag or not.
This makes an apple a day sound so enticing!
This was a particularly well written post. Your writing skills are impressive.
Oranges, especially the Cara Cara and blood orange varieties, are my favorite winter fruits. I used to dislike grapefruit but Ive suddenly developed a fondness for it. Still love berries but I’m only up for frozen this time of year.
This looks yummy! I tend to go apple crazy in the fall, berry and melon crazy in the summer, and citrus crazy in the winter. I’ve been going hard on the grapefruit, clementines, and oranges!
I just consider apples, oranges, and bananas (blessedly) year-round fruits. And this sounds ahhh-mazing. I never put apples in my smoothies, but I do all sorts of other stuff with them. Totally trying!
Mmmh, the caramel-y taste of the dates has to be amazing in this.
Apples are my favourite fruit all year round but right now I’m enjoying those we – read: my parents – harvested from our garden. They’re finally ripe now and so good it already makes me sad they’ll all be eaten too soon.
Yum, this looks awesome! I’m on a major citrus kick these days, so grapefruit, oranges, and lemons have made their way into almost every day around here.
I’m the same with seasonal fruit! I never buy fresh berries in the winter. Like you said, they don’t taste near as good and they’re way too expensive. It’s a good thing I love apples! 🙂
I love the sound of them in this creamy smoothie with the dates for caramel flavor. So much YUM.
Yum! I was Making this, this morning and was like no banana? No oats? It came out delicious! But I did add oats afterwards, just because I love them.
Same here! Apples, oranges, and bananas are my jam!! This smoothie looks like the perfect way to wake up! 🙂
I totally agree that I always think of apples as being in season all throughout winter, because they seem to be in super abundance and always on sale during the fall and winter time. 🙂 I’m thankful we’ve been given the gift of so much food being shipped from different places and different climates because we do have the blessing of being able to have bananas all year around and apples and even oranges! However eating seasonally usually is the best, because the fruit is always sweeter!
ANd caramel + apple is always always a good combination.
It’s funny you say that about apples because to be fair, I didn’t realize they weren’t in season…they are everywhere in the grocery store! This does look good!
Try honey crisp apples my new favorite apple
apples were definitely my year round fruit of daily choice but lately I can’t eat them! I think I am burned out. it’s been a month since I have had one and that’s beyond weird for me!