This creamy cherry banana smoothie is made with frozen cherries, ripe banana, drinkable yogurt, and a touch of honey. It is naturally fruity, refreshing, and ready in just five minutes.
Frozen cherries give the cherry banana smoothie its beautiful pink color and slightly tart flavor, while banana adds natural sweetness and creates a smooth, creamy texture. Drinkable yogurt makes the mixture lighter than a cherry banana smoothie prepared with thick Greek yogurt, so it is easy to blend and easy to drink.
This simple four-ingredient cherry banana smoothie works well as a quick breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a refreshing drink after a workout. It is also a delicious way to use frozen cherries at any time of year.
Why You’ll Love This Smoothie
- It is made with only four ingredients.
- It takes approximately five minutes to prepare.
- Frozen cherries make it cold without adding ice.
- Banana creates a naturally thick and creamy texture.
- Honey can be adjusted or omitted depending on the sweetness of the fruit.
- It works for breakfast, a snack, or a simple healthy dessert.
- Both children and adults can enjoy it.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Frozen cherries
Frozen pitted cherries give the cherry banana smoothie a thick, cold texture and a sweet-tart berry flavor. Check that all the pits have been removed before placing the cherries in the blender.
You can use either sweet dark cherries or tart cherries. If using tart cherries, you may want to add a little more honey.
Banana
A ripe banana adds sweetness and creaminess. For the best flavor, choose a yellow banana with a few brown spots.
A fresh banana makes the cherry banana smoothie creamy but still easy to drink. A frozen banana will create a thicker, colder consistency.
Drinkable yogurt
Drinkable yogurt provides the liquid base and gives the cherry banana smoothie a pleasant tangy flavor. Plain or vanilla yogurt both work well.
If you use sweetened yogurt, taste the smoothie before adding the honey. You may find that it is already sweet enough.
Kefir can also be used, although it will give the smoothie a tangier flavor and slightly thinner texture.
Honey
Honey balances the tartness of the cherries. Start with one teaspoon, blend, and then add more if needed.
The amount of honey will depend on the ripeness of your banana, the type of cherries, and whether your yogurt is already sweetened.
How to Make a Cherry Banana Smoothie
Add the drinkable yogurt to the blender first. Adding the liquid before the fruit helps the blades move more easily and creates a smoother mixture.
Add the banana, frozen cherries, and one teaspoon of honey.
Blend on high for 30–60 seconds, or until the cherry banana smoothie is completely creamy and no pieces of fruit remain.
Check the consistency. If the smoothie is too thick, add another splash of yogurt. If it is thinner than you prefer, add a few more frozen cherries or several pieces of frozen banana.
Taste and add additional honey if necessary. Pour into glasses and serve immediately.
How to Adjust the Consistency
Smoothies can vary in thickness depending on the size of the banana, the amount of frozen fruit, and the consistency of the yogurt.
For a thicker smoothie
- Use a frozen banana.
- Add more frozen cherries.
- Use slightly less drinkable yogurt.
- Let the smoothie rest for one minute after blending.
For a thinner smoothie
- Add more drinkable yogurt.
- Add a splash of regular milk.
- Allow the frozen cherries to soften for a few minutes before blending.
Add extra liquid gradually so the cherry banana smoothie does not become too thin.
Do I Need to Add Ice?
No. The frozen cherries keep this smoothie cold and refreshing without diluting its flavor.
If you are using fresh cherries instead of frozen ones, you can add a few ice cubes or use a frozen banana. Keep in mind that ice can make the smoothie slightly less creamy.
Can I Use Fresh Cherries?
Yes. Remove all the pits before adding fresh cherries to the blender.
Because fresh cherries do not create the same cold, thick texture as frozen fruit, use a frozen banana or add a small handful of ice. You may also need slightly less yogurt.
Easy Smoothie Variations
This basic cherry banana smoothie is easy to adapt.
Add oats
Blend in 2–3 tablespoons of rolled oats to make the smoothie more substantial for breakfast. For the smoothest consistency, blend the oats with the yogurt first and then add the remaining ingredients.
Add chia seeds
Add 1 teaspoon of chia seeds for extra texture. Drink the cherry banana smoothie immediately, or allow it to sit for five minutes so the chia seeds can soften.
Add nut butter
A tablespoon of almond butter or peanut butter adds richness and makes the smoothie more filling.
Add cocoa
Cherries and chocolate pair beautifully. Add 1–2 teaspoons of unsweetened cocoa powder for a chocolate cherry smoothie.
Add vanilla
A small splash of vanilla extract enhances the natural sweetness of the banana and cherries.
Add more protein
Use a high-protein drinkable yogurt or add an unflavored or vanilla protein powder that you already enjoy.
Can I Make It Without Honey?
Yes. If your banana is very ripe and your yogurt is sweetened, you may not need any additional sweetener.
You can also replace honey with maple syrup. Add the sweetener gradually and taste the cherry banana smoothie after blending.
Honey should not be served to children younger than 12 months.
Tips for the Best Cherry Banana Smoothie
- Add the yogurt to the blender before the frozen fruit.
- Use a ripe banana for the sweetest flavor.
- Make sure the frozen cherries are pitted.
- Begin with a small amount of honey and add more only after tasting.
- Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
- Adjust the consistency with additional yogurt or frozen fruit.
- Serve the smoothie immediately for the best texture.
- If your blender is not very powerful, let the frozen cherries soften for 5 minutes before blending.
Cherry Banana Smoothie with Yogurt and Honey
Ingredients
Method
- Pour the drinkable yogurt into a high-speed blender.
- Add the frozen cherries, banana, and 1 teaspoon of honey.
- Blend on high for 30–60 seconds, until completely smooth and creamy.
- Check the consistency. Add a splash of yogurt if the smoothie is too thick, or a few more frozen cherries if you want it thicker.
- Taste and add the remaining honey if needed.
- Divide between two glasses and serve immediately.
Notes
- Check that all the cherry pits have been removed.
- If using sweetened or vanilla yogurt, you may not need the honey.
- A frozen banana will create a thicker smoothie.
- Add more drinkable yogurt for a thinner consistency.
- Kefir can replace the drinkable yogurt for a tangier flavor.
- Honey should not be given to children younger than 12 months.
- For a single serving, divide all the ingredients in half.
What to Serve with This Smoothie
This cherry banana smoothie can be served on its own as a light breakfast or snack. For a more filling meal, pair it with:
- Toast with nut butter
- Homemade granola
- Oatmeal
- Scrambled or boiled eggs
- Yogurt with nuts and seeds
- Whole-grain muffins
- A breakfast sandwich
If you enjoy easy homemade drinks, try my Celery Apple Green Smoothie with Ginger or Sparkling Pomegranate Limeade.
Storage
Smoothies are best served immediately because their flavor and texture are freshest just after blending.
If necessary, pour the smoothie into a jar or bottle with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. The mixture may separate as it sits, so shake or stir it well before drinking.
The smoothie may become slightly thinner after the frozen fruit melts.
Can I Freeze the Smoothie?
Yes. Pour leftover smoothie into an ice cube tray and freeze until solid. Transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe container and keep them for up to one month.
Blend the frozen smoothie cubes with a little drinkable yogurt whenever you want another serving.
You can also freeze the mixture in popsicle molds to make simple cherry banana yogurt pops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Greek yogurt instead of drinkable yogurt?
Yes, but Greek yogurt is much thicker. Use approximately ¾ cup of Greek yogurt and add ¼–½ cup of milk until the smoothie reaches your preferred consistency.
Can I use kefir?
Yes. Kefir works well and creates a light, tangy cherry banana smoothie. Taste it before adding the full amount of honey.
Can I make this smoothie dairy-free?
Yes. Replace the drinkable yogurt with a dairy-free yogurt beverage made from oats, almonds, soy, or coconut.
Why is my smoothie too thin?
The banana may have been small, the yogurt may have been very thin, or the frozen cherries may have thawed. Add more frozen cherries or frozen banana and blend again.
Why is my smoothie too thick?
Add more drinkable yogurt, one tablespoon at a time, until the smoothie blends easily.
Can I prepare it the night before?
You can refrigerate the prepared smoothie overnight, but it will be thinner and may separate. For the best texture, prepare the ingredients in advance and blend them in the morning.
Can I use a frozen banana?
Yes. A frozen banana will make the smoothie colder, thicker, and creamier. You may need to add a little extra yogurt to help it blend.
Final Thoughts
This cherry banana yogurt smoothie proves that a delicious homemade drink does not require a long list of ingredients. Frozen cherries, ripe banana, drinkable yogurt, and honey create a creamy, refreshing smoothie in only five minutes.
Enjoy it for breakfast, serve it as an afternoon snack, or freeze the leftovers into fruity yogurt pops.