Cherry Almond Breakfast Smoothie Recipe

What Is Cherry Almond Breakfast Smoothie?

This Cherry Almond Breakfast Smoothie blends frozen sweet cherries with almond milk, almond butter and ground flaxseed into a thick, spoonable breakfast drink. The flavor is fruity and nutty, and the two servings take 10 minutes from blender to glass.

What Makes This Recipe Anti-Inflammatory?

Sweet cherries get their dark red color from anthocyanins, and cyanidin-3-glucoside is the main one. Researchers have studied cherry consumption for its effect on blood markers of inflammation, including C-reactive protein. The two cups of frozen cherries in this recipe deliver a concentrated dose of those pigments.

Ground flaxseed brings alpha-linolenic acid, a plant-based omega-3 fat, plus lignans. Almonds and almond butter add alpha-tocopherol, the form of vitamin E, and monounsaturated fat. The glass also leaves out the usual fillers: no added sugar, no fruit juice, no sweetened yogurt and no protein powder.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk, cold
• 2 tablespoons almond butter
• 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups frozen pitted sweet cherries
• 2 tablespoons sliced almonds

Directions

Step 1

Pour the almond milk into the blender jar. Add the almond butter, ground flaxseed, cinnamon and vanilla. Blend on low for about 15 seconds. The mixture is ready when no threads of almond butter cling to the sides of the jar and the liquid looks an even beige.

Step 2

Add the frozen cherries and blend on high for 45 to 60 seconds. Stop once and push the cherries down toward the blade with a spatula. It is done when only fine dark flecks of cherry skin remain and the mixture climbs the sides of the jar in a slow, thick wave instead of a swirl.

Step 3

Let the smoothie rest in the jar for 2 minutes. The ground flaxseed absorbs liquid during that rest and turns the smoothie from drinkable to spoonable. If you want it thinner, add almond milk 2 tablespoons at a time and pulse briefly. The rest has done its work when a spoon stands upright in the mixture for a moment before it settles.

Step 4

Pour the smoothie into two glasses. Scatter the sliced almonds over the surface of each one. Serve right away, while it is still cold. The almonds stay crisp against the thick, deep-red surface.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

InflammaScore

1 Good! Very low inflammation potential

Q&A

Q1: Can I use fresh cherries instead of frozen?
A1: Yes, but freeze them first for at least a few hours, or the smoothie comes out thin and lukewarm. If you cannot freeze them, add a handful of ice with the cherries and expect a slightly less thick texture. The color and flavor stay the same once blended.
Q2: Can I make it with tart cherries?
A2: Yes, but the smoothie turns noticeably more sour. To balance that without added sugar, use the full amount of vanilla and add an extra 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, which reads as sweetness without sugar. The color also deepens to a darker red once blended.
Q3: How long does it keep in the refrigerator?
A3: It keeps about 24 hours in a sealed jar in the refrigerator. The mixture separates as it sits, and the flaxseed keeps thickening it, so it sets up like pudding. Shake the jar hard or stir in a splash of almond milk to loosen it back to a pourable texture.
Q4: What can I use instead of almond butter?
A4: Sunflower seed butter works well in a nut-free kitchen. Use the same 2 tablespoons, and choose a seed-based milk instead of almond milk so the whole glass stays nut free. Leave out the sliced almonds on top, because they are a tree nut too. The flavor turns slightly toasted and earthy.
Q5: Why does my blender jam on frozen cherries?
A5: Frozen fruit forms a solid mass around the blade before it can move. Liquids and soft ingredients always go in first, and the cherries last. If it does jam, let the cherries sit on the counter for 5 minutes, then blend in short pulses. Restarting on low instead of high also helps.

Two glasses, ten minutes and nothing to cook: this smoothie turns frozen cherries into a thick breakfast you can eat with a spoon before the day starts.