Name: Apple Cinnamon Smoothie
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 2
Ingredients: 1/2 cup milk of choice; 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt; 1/3 cup rolled oats, gluten-free if needed; 1 apple, peeled, cored and chopped; 1 large frozen banana, chopped; 1 tablespoon maple syrup; 1 tablespoon almond butter; 1 teaspoon vanilla; 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

This Apple Cinnamon Smoothie is a quick and easy breakfast or snack to make this fall! It’s healthy, filling and the perfect balance of apple and cinnamon flavors.

This recipe and photos have been updated since the original post on 9/27/2013

After last week’s crazy snow, yes snow in the beginning of September, we’re back to temperatures in the 80’s. I wasn’t ready for that winter weather when fall hasn’t even started. One of my favorite parts about fall is all things apple!

Pumpkin is great, but I gravitate towards apple recipes. This cranberry apple quinoa salad is a favorite of mine for lunch or a side dish with dinner. Then, for dessert, I absolutely love this quick and easy apple cake with salted caramel glaze. When it comes to breakfast or an afternoon snack I love to blend up this apple cinnamon smoothie!

Ingredients Needed for Apple Cinnamon Smoothie

apple
frozen banana
plain Greek yogurt
milk
oats, gluten-free if needed
maple syrup
almond butter (optional)
cinnamon
vanilla extract

How to Make Apple Cinnamon Smoothie

Making this apple cinnamon smoothie is no different than making any other smoothie. Start by coring and dicing the apple. Peeling the apple is up to you, but definitely not necessary. Add it to your blender along with a frozen banana that’s been cut into chunks. Add in the remaining ingredients and blend everything together until it’s smooth.

What is the Benefit of Oats in Smoothies?

Adding oats to your smoothie has a few benefits.

Oats add fiber. Let’s face it, most of us need more fiber in our diet and between the oats, apple and banana you’ll be getting your morning off to a good start.
Oats help to thicken the smoothie. I use rolled oats, but quick oats work as well. If you’re using an oats from an instant oatmeal packet make sure that they aren’t sweetened. If you are following a gluten-free diet, be sure to make sure your oats are certified gluten-free.
Oats add a wonderful nutty flavor. This nutty flavor is perfect when combined with the apple and cinnamon. The flavor is reminiscent of apple pie!

Optional Apple Cinnamon Smoothie Additions

vanilla or unflavored protein powder. Use an unsweetened one or cut back/eliminate the maple syrup from the recipe.
chia seeds
nut or seed butter. I used almond butter in this recipe, but if you don’t have it try peanut butter or sunflower seed butter if you have a nut allergy. The flavor will change slightly, but the smoothie will still be delicious.
granola as a topping. If you’ve never added granola as a topping to your smoothie, it’s a game changer. I did it with this chocolate peanut butter espresso smoothie parfait and it’s perfect if you’re the type of person that prefers to chew your breakfast rather than just drink it