Apple Banana Smoothie (Licuado de Manzana y Platano)

This Apple Banana Smoothie comes in clutch when I’m in a rush trying to get the kids off to school. I grew up loving licuados and now prepare these, my Mexican chocolate protein shakes, or some variation of fruit smoothies, each night before going to bed. In the morning, all I have to do is grab my smoothie and go!

WHY I LOVE THIS RECIPE

• Quick and convenient to make: I always have bananas and apples stocked, so this is my go-to smoothie recipe. It only takes about 5 minutes to prepare!
• Versatile: You can make this apple and banana smoothie with water, orange juice, coconut water, or your favorite milk as the base. Whichever you decide, it’ll be delicious and nutritious.
• Nutrient-rich: This banana apple smoothie is essentially breakfast to-go. It includes essential vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, making it a nutritious choice for a meal or snack.

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED

Here’s what you’ll need to make this banana smoothie recipe:

• Apples: I like using green apples for my banana and apple smoothies because they are lower in sugar and carbs.
• Bananas: The riper the better! I usually buy bananas in bulk and let them sit out on my counter until they are very ripe. The riper they are, the sweeter.
• Old-fashioned oats: Gluten free oats make smoothies a little thicker in texture and heartier.
• Sweetener: I use pitted dates, but agave, honey, maple syrup, or your favorite sweetener will work.
• Cinnamon: Half of a stick or a teaspoon of ground cinnamon also works.
• Spinach: You can also use kale, both of which are mild in flavor and easy to incorporate into smoothies without overpowering the other ingredients.
• Liquid base: I use water or coconut water as the dairy free base for most of my smoothies. Orange juice also works if you want a sweeter smoothie. For a thicker, heartier smoothie, I’ll use milk.

RECOMMENDED FOR THIS RECIPE

Vitamix Professional-Grade Blender

I have owned a Vitamix blender for nearly 25 years and it is well worth the investment, especially for making this apple banana smoothie recipe, aguas frescas, and jugo verde! VIEW PRODUCT

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE

Step 1

• Prepare fruits: Peel bananas, cut apples into fourths, and core them and then remove the pits from dates. If you are using a high-power blender, there is no need to core the apples.
• Add water to the blender carafe.
• Next, add ingredients to the blender.
• Process ingredients in blender for 60 seconds until everything is well incorporated.

Step 2

• Enjoy your apple banana shake chilled or over ice.

RECIPE TIPS AND TRICKS

• Prepare smoothies the night before. Make this recipe in advance, so that all you have to do is grab it and go each morning! I like using these glass jars for mine and these reusable (and spill-proof!) silicone pouches for the kids.
• Separation is normal. Don’t be alarmed if your smoothie separates a bit. Simply give it a good shake or stir before consuming.
• Add ice or a frozen banana. I don’t like icy smoothies, which is why I serve mine over ice cubes instead of blending the ingredients with ice. But if you like thicker, icy smoothies, replace one cup of liquid with one cup of ice in this recipe.

STORAGE TIPS

I like to double and sometimes triple my smoothie recipe so it yields enough for my entire family.

• For optimal freshness, try to drink your apple banana smoothie within 48 hours.
• Store leftover licuado in a mason jar or airtight glass container.

what does banana and apple smoothie do for your body?

Below are a few apple banana smoothie benefits, based on each ingredient:

• Bananas are a great source of potassium, magnesium, manganese, vitamin B-6, and vitamin C. They are also high in fiber which can help aid digestion.
• Green apples are known for their promotion of digestive health. They also help your heart by lowering “bad” cholesterol while promoting brain health against diseases like Alzheimers. Of all the apples available green apples are lower in sugar and carbs. They also contain higher amounts of fiber, protein, potassium, iron, and vitamin K.
• Spinach may improve eye health, reduce blood pressure, and help control oxidative stress. High in fiber, low in sugar, and packed with vitamin K and iron, this leafy green also helps improve the oxygenation of your body tissue.
• Old-fashioned oats provide fiber, protein, and carbohydrates all packed into 100% whole grains.
• Cinnamon is loaded with antioxidants and has strong anti-inflammatory properties. It may also help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.
• Dates serve as a natural sweetener while providing essential nutrients such as iron and B-6. They are also high in fiber, potassium, and polyphenols which are antioxidant compounds that help the body prevent inflammation. Similar to prunes, they also help boost digestion!

RECIPE VARIATIONS

For an extra boost of nutrition:

• Raw almonds are high in fiber, protein, and good fats. Not only that, but they also provide a good amount of vitamin E, magnesium, and manganese.
• Nut butters provide fiber, protein, and healthy fats as well as antioxidants and minerals. If you are looking to gain weight or muscle, a nut spread may be a good smoothie addition for you. I usually use peanut butter or almond butter.
• Flax seeds are packed with nutrients including omega-3 fatty acids, lignans, and fiber. Flax seeds help improve cholesterol, control your blood sugar, and keep you feeling full for longer.
• Greek yogurt adds a boost of protein and is rich in probiotics, supporting gut health.

Substitutions to consider:

• For a sweeter smoothie, use orange juice or pineapple juice instead of water and leave out the dates.
• For a heartier and creamy smoothie, use milk or your favorite dairy free milk substitute.
• Add your favorite berries or fruits; this is just the start of a delicious smoothie!
• If you like your smoothies thicker, use less liquid or more fruit. If you like them runnier, add more liquid.
• For an icy, frozen smoothie, substitute one cup of liquid with one cup of ice or use frozen bananas.

Once you make this fruit smoothie recipe, check out my post on 25 Nutritious Ingredients to Boost Your Morning Smoothie to learn about my favorite natural sweeteners as well as other ingredients to add to your licuados for an extra boost of nutritition!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I mix banana and apple together?

Yes, and these are two of my favorite fresh fruits to use in smoothies. I also like using frozen fruits including strawberries, peaches, pineapple, and mango.

Is an apple banana smoothie good?

Yes! I make my apple banana smoothie with water, so it’s not overly sweet, which I like. But if you prefer sweeter smoothies, you can use orange juice or throw in a peeled orange.

What are the benefits of bananas and apples?

If you reference the section above, titled, What does Banana and Apple Smoothie Do for Your Body, I’ve listed the benefits of both bananas and apples, along with all of the other ingredients in this recipe.

LOOKING FOR MORE SMOOTHIE RECIPES?

• 5-Minute Jugo Verde (Authentic Mexican Green Juice)
• Rise and Shine: 25 Nutritious Ingredients to Boost Your Morning Smoothie
• Tropical Breakfast Smoothie
• Mexican Chocolate Protein Shake
• Holy Moly! Malteada de Mole

Photography by Cacey McReavy (images 1-4)