Cherry Chia Seed Smoothie

This cherry chia seed smoothie recipe has only 6 ingredients, including frozen cherries and banana, yogurt, almond milk, and chia seeds. Delicious!

Smoothies are one of my favorite afternoon snacks on a hot summer day. And an easy breakfast in the morning—take it on the road, and you can still get all the nutrients you need to power your day. This Cherry Chia Seed Smoothie is delicious and easy, packed with sweet cherries, banana, yogurt, almond milk, vanilla extract, and chia seeds. The banana adds a sweet creaminess to the smoothie, and I love the pairing of vanilla with sweet cherries. 

If you’ve never added chia seeds to a smoothie, this is a great way to get some additional fiber and nutrients in your diet. If you drink your smoothie right away, the chia seeds will add a bit of texture to your drink. The longer the smoothie sits, the more the seeds will plump up and turn a bit gelatinous. Some people like to thicken up their smoothie that way, but I prefer the little bit of crunch before they soften. 

How do I make this cherry chia seed smoothie recipe?

This recipe is super simple. Just add frozen cherries, frozen banana, yogurt, chia seeds, and vanilla extract to blender, then pour in the almond milk, or whatever kind of milk you prefer. Turn on the blender and blend until smooth and creamy. You may need to stop it once or twice to scrape down the sides or loosen up some frozen fruit stuck in the blades. If the consistency is too thick, add more milk. If it’s too thin, add more frozen cherries or add ½ cup of ice cubes. Taste the smoothie—if it’s not sweet enough for you, you can always stir in a tablespoon or two of some honey or maple syrup. Also delicious with almond extract instead of vanilla extract.

Can I use fresh cherries or banana instead of frozen?

Yes, you can, though the more fresh fruit you use, the more ice cubes you’ll need to add to create a more frozen texture. Though if you’re not looking for a thick, milkshake-like consistency, fresh fruit is fine. 

What are the benefits of chia seeds?

Almost every day, I start my morning with yogurt topped with fresh berries and chia seeds. Why? Chia seeds are packed with fiber, protein, calcium, antioxidants, and Omega-3 fatty acids. Because of their high fiber content, they can help slow down food digestion so you feel full longer. 

Can you put raw chia seeds in a smoothie?

Yes! You can add them along with the other ingredients into your blender, or you can just add them to your finished smoothie and stir. Chia seeds absorb liquid and plump up, so if you don’t like the jelly-like substance they turn into, you want to add them right before you are ready to drink your smoothie. 

Should I soak my chia seeds before using?

Some people like to soak their chia seeds overnight because chia seeds soaked in water may be easier to digest and help in better absorption of nutrients. When you soak them, they will have a gel-like consistency after a few hours. You can also add your chia seeds to whatever milk you are using for your smoothie and let them sit for about a half hour before adding it all to the blender. 

Other Delicious Breakfast Recipes

If you're looking to add more recipes to your breakfast repertoire, here are some ideas for you. Lemony Almond Flour Muffins are lightly sweet and totally gluten-free. My Almond, Pecan, and Pumpkin Seed Granola or Apple Cinnamon Granola are fantastic on a bowl of plain yogurt in the morning, topped with fresh fruit.

Other Delicious Cherry Recipes

If you happen to have fresh cherries instead of frozen, you should go directly to this delicious Cherry Danish with Puff Pastry recipe. Or make this easy Cherry Compote, that goes deliciously on breakfast and dessert. Finally, try a savory approach with this Fresh Cherry Salsa.

Our Favorite Smoothies

Can't get enough smoothie recipes? Why not try one of these next?