An apple carrot smoothie that is high in protein and naturally sweetened is a delicious way to start the day or have as a mid-day snack! Packed full of nutrients, this smoothie is creamy, sweet, and super filling! A great way to get your pre or post-workout fuel!
Smoothies are an excellent way to start the day or fill up for a mid-afternoon snack. Depending on what you include in your smoothie it can be a great way to pack in some fruits and vegetables, as well as protein.
My weekday morning routine includes waking up before my kids and husband are out of bed and heading to the gym to get in a workout before the rest of the chaos of the day begins. I go to the gym on an empty stomach, but when I come home I need something that’s quick to make, high in protein, and has a good dose of fruits and vegetables.
Smoothies are great for this! Sometimes I make a veggie-heavy smoothie like my broccoli smoothie or spinach smoothie, other days I make a fruit smoothie such as my banana peach, or strawberry blackberry smoothie. It really depends on what I have in the fridge!
With spring in the air, I’ve had a hankering for an apple carrot smoothie. Something about spring and Easter makes me think of carrot everything, and that’s now translated into my smoothie routine!
This carrot apple smoothie is high in protein, delicately sweet, and has a hint of warm spices! It just might be my new favorite way to start the day!
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💗 Why You’ll Love This Apple Carrot Smoothie
- Simple Ingredients
- Naturally Sweetened
- Thick and Creamy
- Quick and Easy
- Vegan and Dairy-Free
- Gluten-Free
- Plant-Based Ingredients
- Full of Vitamins and Minerals
🥕 Ingredients and Notes
Carrots: You will need two medium carrots for this recipe, peeled and chopped. I recommend using fresh carrots, rather than baby carrots as they have more flavor. Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A and beta-carotene.
Green Apple: I prefer using a Granny Smith apple for this recipe. Its tartness compliments the sweetness of the carrots. However, feel free to use whatever type of apple you prefer.
Protein Powder: Use your protein powder of choice. In this recipe, I used Future Kind Vegan Vanilla Protein Powder. It has a nice flavor and texture. It’s the protein powder I use in all my smoothies.
Spices: Ground ginger and cinnamon are added to round out the flavors. These warm spices have anti-inflammatory qualities too!
Frozen Banana: I typically use a frozen banana in my smoothies because it adds creaminess and natural sweetness. But if you don’t want the extra calories of a banana, or the extra sugar content, you can use 1 cup of ice cubes instead.
🔪 Instructions
Step 1: Peel the carrots, and chop them into small chunks. Core and dice the apple. You can peel the apple if you prefer, or not. It’s up to you. I keep the peel on because it has added nutrients and it’s easier!
Step 2: Add the almond milk, protein powder, cinnamon, ginger, carrots, and apple to your blender. Blend on low then slowly increase the speed to medium. Ensure that the carrots, apple, and protein powder have been fully incorporated.
Step 3: Turn the blender off. Add the frozen banana slices or ice cubes. Blend on high for about 30 seconds or until fully incorporated.
Step 4: Pour into a glass and enjoy!
💭 Expert Tips
- Use fresh carrots instead of baby carrots for a strong carrot punch.
- For a less sweet version use a tart apple like Granny Smith. For a sweeter flavor, use a gala apple.
- Blend the carrots and apple with the almond milk, protein powder, and spices before adding the frozen banana or ice. This will ensure that the carrots and apples get enough blending time to become smooth, and the frozen banana or ice doesn’t get over blended.
- Carrots are quite firm so they need more blending time than the other ingredients.
❓ FAQS
Yes, you certainly can use frozen carrots in this smoothie. This will give the smoothie an icier texture. Carrots are firm, so you will need to blend the frozen carrots longer than the other ingredients. I suggest adding the frozen carrots and the almond milk first, and blending until combined before adding the rest of the ingredients.
No, you don’t have to use almond milk. If you want this recipe to be plant-based and vegan then you can use soy milk or oat milk too. Or you can use dairy milk if you’re not vegan. I suggest using low-fat milk.
No, you can use ice cubes if you want to cut the calories from the banana in this recipe. The banana adds thickness, creaminess, and natural sweetness to the smoothie, so I highly recommend using it.
No, you don’t need to peel the carrots, but be sure to wash them thoroughly and dice them into smaller pieces before adding them to the blender.
It tastes like a healthy carrot cake! It’s sweet, has a subtle carrot flavor, and warm spices, which gives it that carrot cake flavor.
👩🍳 Variations and Substitutions
- No Banana? If you don’t have a frozen banana, or don’t want to use a banana, or ice, try adding frozen peach or frozen mango. Peach and mango are both creamy and sweet.
- Use fresh ginger instead of ground ginger for a more prounced and spicy flavor. I recommend 1 inch of peeled fresh ginger.
- No protein powder? If you don’t have protein powder, or prefer not to use protein powder, then add 2 tablespoons of ground flax, or two tablespoons of chia seeds for added protein.
- Don’t have a fresh apple? Add a ¼ cup of unsweetened applesauce.
- Like a citrus flavor? Add a ¼ cup of fresh squeezed orange juice, or a tablespoon of orange zest.
🥤 More Smoothie Recipes!
If you made this recipe, please comment below and leave a ⭐️ rating. You can also follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for more family-friendly vegan recipes!
Recipe
Apple Carrot Smoothie
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 carrots peeled and diced
- 1 green apple cored and diced
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 scoop protein powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 frozen banana or 1 cup of ice cubes
Instructions
- Peel the carrots, and chop them into small chunks. Core and dice the apple. You can peel the apple if you prefer, or not. It's up to you. I keep the peel on because it has added nutrients and it's faster!
- Add the almond milk, protein powder, cinnamon, ginger, carrots, and apple to your blender. Blend on low then slowly increase the speed to medium for about one minute. Ensure that the carrots, apple, and protein powder are fully incorporated. Turn the blender off.
- Add the frozen banana slices or ice cubes. Blend on high for about 30 seconds or until fully incorporated.
- Pour into a glass and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Use fresh carrots instead of baby carrots for a strong carrot punch.
- For a less sweet version use a tart apple like Granny Smith. For a sweeter flavor, use a gala apple.
- Blend the carrots and apple with the almond milk, protein powder, and spices before adding the frozen banana or ice. This will ensure that the carrots and apples get enough blending time to become smooth, and the frozen banana or ice doesn’t get over blended.
- Carrots are quite firm so they need more blending time than the other ingredients.
Alison
Super easy and full of healthy ingredients!