Orange Fruit Smoothie – Healthy Orange Julius Recipe

This orange fruit smoothie is such an easy breakfast to make with 6 simple ingredients! It tastes like an orange julius but healthy!

Like most 90s kids, I grew up eating cereal for pretty much every breakfast of my childhood. And that’s what I started raising my kids on too.

But now, I’m somewhat of a “crunchy mom”, I haven’t bought a box of cereal in years. I’d love to fix a hot breakfast with eggs every day, but sometimes (who am I kidding, most days) I’m really crunched for time and I need a super quick, healthy alternative.

Smoothies for the win! My kids LOVE smoothies. And this orange smoothie recipe is one of our absolute favorites. It tastes so much like the orange julius drink my grandma would get for me as a kid!

Next time, you’ll have to make my kids favorite chocolate banana smoothie!

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what you need to make an Orange banana smoothie

Ingredients

• Milk – Any kind of milk will work: skim, 2%, whole milk, almond milk or coconut milk.
• Fresh Oranges – You’re going to be using 2 oranges for zest and then squeezing them for fresh squeezed juice. The third orange is peeled and segmented and added to the smoothie as well.
• Bananas – Using frozen bananas will give the smoothies a nice icy texture without diluting the flavor by adding ice.
• Greek Yogurt – Either vanilla of plain yogurt.
• Honey or Maple Syrup – There isn’t any added sugar in this recipe, and it only takes a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup for just the right of sweetness.
• Vanilla Extract – Vanilla makes this smoothie taste just like a creamsicle!

If you haven’t tried it yet, you can make your own Greek yogurt in an instant pot pretty easily.

how to make healthy orange fruit smoothies

Combine – Add the smoothie ingredients to the blender starting with 1/2 cup of orange juice, 1/2 cup of yogurt, orange zest, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon of maple syrup or honey, one orange that is peeled and segmented and two frozen bananas.

Blend – Blend until smooth.

Tips for success

To Serve – Pour into two 8 ounce glasses.

To Store – Leftovers can be poured into freezer safe single serving containers and frozen for up to 1 month.

Substitutions – For a protein boost add a heaping scoop of your favorite protein powder.

Variations – Try adding in some extra add-ins like chia seeds, ground flax meal or coconut flakes for texture and added nutrition.

FAQ about making orange fruit smoothies

What fruits pair well with oranges in smoothies?

Fruits like bananas, strawberries, mangoes, pineapples, peaches, and berries are great additions to an orange fruit smoothie!

Can I use frozen oranges in smoothies?

Yes! Frozen orange segments work great in smoothies. Using frozen fruits give the smoothie a thicker texture without having to add ice.

Should I peel the orange before blending it?

Yes, you should peel and segment the orange before blending it. You can zest the orange peel to add to the smoothie for extra orange flavor.

Can I use just orange juice instead of the whole orange?

Yes, you can. If you don’t have fresh oranges, you can substitute with orange juice. However, fresh fruit will give your smoothie a better texture and add more fiber and nutrients than just using orange juice.

Can I add vegetables to my orange smoothie?

Yes you can! Adding leafy greens like spinach or kale won’t overpower the orange flavor, and they’ll give your smoothie extra nutrients.

How do I make a protein-packed orange smoothie?

You can add a heaping scoop of your favorite vanilla protein powder to your smoothie for extra protein.

more healthy smoothie recipes on the blog

• Chocolate Banana Smoothie

Pin these steps to try later. Tag @athomeontheprairie on Instagram to share what you’ve made with us!