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This cranberry smoothie recipe is made with bananas, oranges, yogurt, and spices like ginger and cinnamon. Made with fresh or frozen whole cranberries, it’s packed with nutritious ingredients and is rich in vitamin C. There’s no added sugars in this recipe, but it still tastes absolutely delicious!

Cranberry smoothie in a glass jar.

Have you ever wondered what to do with whole fresh or frozen cranberries? This cranberry smoothie recipe is a perfect way to use them!

It combines whole cranberries with other delicious fruit pairings (oranges + bananas), along with greek yogurt for protein, avocado for healthy fats, and delicious warming spices like ginger, cinnamon, and vanilla.

It’s delicious all year long, but I particularly enjoy this during the colder months. As a dietitian, I’m happy to share that it’s packed with nutritious ingredients and is particularly rich in vitamin C.

Unlike many cranberry smoothie recipes that I’ve seen on the Internet, this one has zero added sugars (the sweetness comes from the fruit only).

I promise that the oranges and banana take away from the tartness of the cranberries, but if you do personally find it needs a little extra (we all have different preferences for sweetness), you can always add something like honey or a date to your blender.

Similarly, most cranberry juices have plenty of added sugars in them and they’re stripped of all the fiber and many of the beneficial plant compounds that are located in skin. This smoothie keeps all that nutrition goodness for you and is much more satisfying!

Want more smoothie recipe inspiration? Check out my roundup of easy, healthy smoothie recipes for more ideas!

Cranberry smoothie in 2 glass jars.

Ingredients needed & substitutions

All you need to make this cranberry smoothie recipe are 9 simple ingredients:

  • almond milk – or other milk of choice. Use an unsweetened version if possible!
  • cranberries – I used frozen ones, but you could also use fresh. I don’t think this recipe would work the same with dried cranberries, however, so I would avoid those here.
  • oranges – you can use any type of orange here, look for ones that are sweet and juicy! I used mandarin oranges that I had frozen.
  • banana – fresh or frozen. Again, I like using frozen bananas cause it help makes things extra creamy and there’s no need to water this smoothie down with ice.
  • avocado – fresh or frozen. This adds a nice creamy texture and healthy fats to this smoothie. I alway purchase a large bag of frozen avocado chunks at Costco that I LOVE adding to smoothies! If you don’t have avocado, you can try swapping it with another source of fat, like an almond butter. It would change the flavour, of course, but I think it will still work with the rest of the ingredients 🙂
  • plain greek yogurt – or a vegan/dairy-free alternative, if needed. I often opt for a fuller fat greek yogurt, which is rich in protein, a little creamier, and much more satisfying!
  • cinnamon
  • ginger – I used ground, but you could also use freshly grated ginger
  • vanilla extract
  • optional: an unflavoured or vanilla protein powder, if desired

Full ingredient measurements and detailed instructions are located in the recipe card at the bottom of this post!

*Note – if using fresh ingredients instead of frozen, you will likely have to add ice to get the temperature nice and cold. The beauty of frozen ingredients in smoothies is that it gives the perfect temperature without having to water down the flavours! Plus, you get the added benefit of that smooth, thick texture.

Recipe ingredients displayed in small bowls.

My go-to smoothie blender

Cranberry nutrition benefits

Cranberries are an under-rated nutrient powerhouse! To start, they’re an excellent source of dietary fiber – clocking in at almost 5 grams of fiber (or 18% of your daily needs) in a 1-cup serving.

From a micronutrient standpoint, cranberries are especially rich in vitamin C, with a 1-cup serving providing 22% of your daily vitamin C needs. They’re also a source of:

  • vitamin B6
  • manganese
  • vitamin E
  • vitamin K
  • copper

Cranberries are also a great source of beneficial plant compounds and antioxidants, which are located mainly in the skin. As the skin is often lost in juicing, consuming cranberries by way of a smoothie can help you reap all those antioxidant benefits!

All ingredients in a blender before blending.

Orange nutrition benefits

Like cranberries, oranges are also an excellent source of antioxidants and dietary fiber. One large orange provides about 5 grams of fibre, again about 18% of your daily needs.

Oranges are also rich in micronutrients, including: 

  • vitamin C
  • folate
  • potassium
  • calcium
  • magnesium

Banana nutrition benefits

Bananas are also a great source of fiber, with one medium banana containing 3 grams.

They’re also a good source of micronutrients like:

  • potassium
  • vitamin C
  • vitamin B6
  • magnesium
Cranberry smoothie in a glass jar.

More delicious, healthy smoothie recipes:

Did you give this Cranberry Smoothie Recipe a try? Let me know by leaving a comment and recipe rating below!

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Get the Recipe: Healthy Cranberry Smoothie

This cranberry smoothie recipe is made with bananas, oranges, yogurt, and spices like ginger and cinnamon. Made with fresh or frozen whole cranberries, it's packed with nutritious ingredients that support immune health. There's no added sugars in this recipe, but it still tastes absolutely delicious!
Cranberry smoothie in a glass jar.
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Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups almond milk, unsweetened (see notes)
  • 1 cup whole cranberries, fresh or frozen (I used frozen)
  • 1 medium-large banana, fresh or frozen (I used frozen)
  • 1 large orange (or 2 smaller oranges, like mandarins)
  • 1/4 cup avocado, fresh or frozen (I used frozen)
  • 3/4 cup plain greek yogurt (I use a fuller fat option) (benefits of Greek yogurt)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground ginger (or 1/2 tsp fresh)
  • Optional: unflavoured or vanilla protein powder, collagen powder, or ice (if not using frozen produce)

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender, starting with the almond milk.
  • Blend on high until smooth and creamy. Feel free to adjust flavours or amounts of liquid until desired taste/consistency is reached. Enjoy!

Notes

*FRESH VS. FROZEN FRUIT:
  • If using fresh fruit instead of frozen, you will likely have to add ice to get the temperature nice and cold. The beauty of frozen ingredients in smoothies is that it gives the perfect temperature without having to water down the flavours!
  • If you’re NOT using frozen ingredients, you may want to use LESS MILK. The frozen ingredients really thicken things up, but with fresh fruits the texture of this smoothie will be more liquid. In which case, less milk (around 1 cup) will help to keep it thick!
 
*RECIPE MODIFICATIONS: here are some ways you can switch up the ingredients to meet your needs:
  • Instead of almond milk, you can use any milk or milk alternatives that you like. Just aim for an unsweetened one, if possible.
  • If you want to make this a green smoothie, feel free to add a couple handfuls of spinach. Promise it won’t change the taste at all!
  • Fresh or frozen whole cranberries work here, but I don’t think this recipe would work the same with dried cranberries.
  • Avocado adds a nice creamy texture and healthy fats to this smoothie. I always purchase a large bag of frozen avocado chunks at Costco that I LOVE adding to smoothies! If you don’t have avocado, you can try swapping it with another source of fat, like an almond butter. It would change the flavour, of course, but I think it will still work with the rest of the ingredients 🙂
  • For a vegan/dairy-free option, use a dairy-free alternative to greek yogurt.
  • If you want to increase the protein content of this smoothie, feel free to add a scoop of your favourite protein powder. An unflavoured or vanilla version would work best.
  • If you find that this smoothie is too tart for your liking, feel free to add some honey, maple syrup, or a pitted date for more sweetness!
 
*LEFTOVERS (FRIDGE): If your mornings are a rush, rest assured that you can make a smoothie the night before! This smoothie will keep for about 1 day in the fridge. Simply pour it into a jar with a lid and refrigerate. Separation is normal – just give the jar a good shake before drinking.
*LEFTOVERS (FREEZER): If you’d like to freeze this smoothie, you can do this by pouring any extra smoothie into silicone ice cube trays or muffin tins and placing them in the freezer. Once frozen, you can pop out the smoothie “cubes” and store them in a freezer-safe bag. Just thaw them for a few hours or the night before you want the smoothie.

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know by leaving a recipe rating below, or by tagging @walderwellness on Instagram. I love seeing your beautiful creations!

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Pinterest graphic for a cranberry smoothie recipe with orange and banana.
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