This healthy Banana Carrot Smoothie tastes like carrot cake! It's accented with walnuts, cinnamon, allspice and a little Greek yogurt for tang. You'll love it!
I'm not the type to put carrots in a smoothie unless I'm up to something.
This Banana Carrot Smoothie is basically a carrot cake shake. Except, it's healthy!
Consider this a delicious, guilt-free answer to your carrot cake cravings. It's perfect for breakfast!
Recipe ingredients
Carrots: You'll need two whole, raw carrots with the ends trimmed off. I like to peel mine before using them in smoothies. It also helps to cut the carrots into three equal parts.
You could substitute 10-12 baby carrots, if needed.
Carrot benefits: Besides being great for your eyes, carrots are an excellent source of Vitamin A, minerals and antioxidants. You can read more about the health benefits of carrots at WebMD.
Walnuts: These provide delicious flavor to the Banana Carrot Smoothie and bring a carrot cake (or carrot muffin) vibe.
Walnuts also provide protein and are high in antioxidants, fiber and healthy omega 3 fats. You can read more about walnuts' health benefits at Healthline.
You could try pecans as a substitute or skip the nuts altogether if needed.
Almond milk: This is, by far, my favorite type of milk for smoothies, due to its flavor and thick texture. I use unsweetened, plain almond milk (with just 30 calories per cup!) Feel free to use another type of almond milk or substitute cashew milk or dairy milk.
Greek yogurt: A tablespoon of plain, nonfat Greek yogurt provides the perfect tang to balance the smoothie's sweetness and mimic carrot cake's requisite cream cheese frosting.
I actually tried it with a teaspoon of cream cheese instead, and...just no. And who puts cream cheese in her smoothie?!
Anyway, you should be able to substitute vanilla Greek yogurt if needed. It will be a bit sweeter.
But, omit the yogurt if you need this to be a vegan carrot cake smoothie.
Vanilla: Since I use plain almond milk, I love adding vanilla extract to this smoothie for flavor. But, if you're using vanilla almond milk, you could skip the extract, if you wish.
Spices: Just like carrot cake, we're using cinnamon and allspice. A little bit of allspice goes a long way, so try the small amount listed in the recipe before adding more.
As always, feel free to season to your taste!
How to make a banana carrot smoothie
You just need to add all ingredients to your blender and mix at high speed until smooth.
A high-powered blender like a Vitamix (affiliate link) works best to tackle raw carrots, whirling them into smooth results. No one wants a lumpy carrot smoothie!
But if you're using a regular blender, you can shred the carrots first to help the process along.
Recipe tips
- If using a frozen banana plus frozen carrots, you may not need to add ice. Try it without it, and if your smoothie doesn't taste cold enough, blend in a couple of ice cubes.
- If using a frozen banana and carrots that are not frozen, you'll probably need just four or five ice cubes instead of half a cup of ice.
Frequently asked questions
Technically, you don't need to peel carrots for smoothies, but there's no benefit to keeping the skins on. I always peel mine and rinse well, so I know the carrots are clean before using them.
If you choose not to peel the carrots, make sure to scrub them clean with a brush under cold water.
Sure! Frozen carrots will make your smoothie even smoother.
Wash the carrots, peel them if desired, and cut them into pieces that are one or two inches long. Place them in a single layer in a freezer bag. Lay the bag flatly in your freezer.
When you're ready to make a carrot smoothie, take out as many pieces as you need and throw them into your blender without thawing them first.
The carrots and ripe banana should provide plenty of sweetness for this smoothie, even when using unsweetened almond milk. However, if you want your healthy carrot smoothie to be sweeter, you can add a pitted date or a tablespoon of raisins. Even a few chunks of pineapple would work.
Of course, you could use a packet of Stevia or some monk fruit sweetener.
More smoothie recipes
- Healthy Chocolate-Banana Smoothie with Pecans
- Pumpkin Smoothie
- Cinnamon-Apple Smoothie with Oats
- Pineapple-Coconut Smoothie
- Melon Smoothie with Cantaloupe or Honeydew
Enjoy!
If you try this Banana Carrot Smoothie recipe, be sure to leave a comment and a rating!
Banana Carrot Smoothie
Ingredients
- 2 small whole carrots (or 10-12 baby carrots)
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 cup plain almond milk (I use unsweetened. You can use cashew milk or dairy milk instead.)
- ¼ cup shelled walnuts
- 1 tablespoon tablespoon nonfat, plain Greek yogurt (optional)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 pinch allspice
- 1 sprinkle salt
- ½ cup ice (Use much less if any of your ingredients are frozen. See notes.)
Instructions
- Rinse the carrots in cold water. Cut off the root and stem ends. Use a vegetable peeler to peel the carrots. (If you want to keep the skin on, you'll need to scrub the carrots with a brush under cold water.) Rinse again.
- If you have a high-powered blender like a Vitamix, cut each carrot into three equal parts. Otherwise, it will help to shred the carrots with a box grater before using them in this recipe, so you don't end up with lumps of carrots in your smoothie.
- Place all ingredients in your blender and mix until smooth.
Notes
- If using a frozen banana plus frozen carrot pieces, you may not need to add ice. Try it without it, and if your smoothie doesn't taste cold enough, blend in a couple of ice cubes.
- If using a frozen banana and carrots that are not frozen, you'll probably need just four or five ice cubes instead of half a cup of ice.
Nutrition
(Recipe Source: Cooking with Mamma C. Originally published on March 28, 2015 as "Healthy Carrot Cake Smoothie" and updated now with new photos and additional information.)
Mahy
Starting a day with a smoothie like this is a blessing. Definitely need to give this recipe a try!
Mamma C
Hi Mahy - I hope you enjoy it!
Toni
I loved it! Such a great combination! I will definitely make it again!
Mamma C
Hi Toni - I'm so glad!
Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel
ive been seeing so many carrot cake recipes but never a smoothie before! thats really smart and looks amazing!
Mamma C
Thanks, Kelsey! I figured this was the best way for me to indulge without guilt! 🙂
Cheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser
BAHAHAHAHA-I just laughed myself out of my desk chair! Andrea, I keep telling you "Good Minds" think alike! Yes, I got the message on my site and came right over to your blog. Now this carrot cake smoothie cracked me up (the cream cheese-ah no) Greek Yogurt yep, better. You just gave me an idea for a recipe though, ssshhh I won't tell you till I experiment with it. In the meantime do the "American" thing make the children their Easter Baskets! I'll be working on my five this week! Your Florida Bud, Cheryl
Mamma C
Haha, Cheryl, I can't wait to see what you come up with! Have fun this week with your kids.
June Burns
That looks awesome! I'd love a glass of that for breakfast 🙂
Mamma C
That's exactly what I've been doing for the past couple of days. 🙂 Thanks, June!
Soniya
This banana carrot smoothie looks and sounds so delicious and easy to make.. my family loves smoothies and will definitely make this tomorrow
Mamma C
Hi Soniya - I hope your family enjoys this!