This pomegranate smoothie is so delicious and refreshing! Plus, it's nutritious, gluten-free and vegan!
I'm in love with this pomegranate smoothie with banana and walnuts, and have the purple stains on my teeth to prove it.
Would you believe I've never used pomegranate arils (the juicy seeds) as an ingredient? I've used pomegranate vodka in my Pasta alla Pomegranate Vodka with Bacon (you must try it!), but that's about it.
I usually just sit near my hubby as he scoops out pomegranate arils after dinner, waiting for him to toss some my way.
After hosting Thanksgiving and eating all the decadent leftovers for two days (anyone else?) I was so ready to get back to my morning breakfast routine of a guilt-free, vegan smoothie.
And, since I really enjoy coming up with seasonal smoothies (Banana Carrot Smoothie, Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Smoothie, Pumpkin Smoothie, to name a few), I thought it was time to give pomegranate a whirl.
I'm so glad I did! (It's way better than I thought it'd be.)
The prominent flavor here is refreshing pomegranate juice from the arils. The banana and walnuts provide nice accents, plus texture and calories, but the pomegranate really shines.
I didn't even use any flavored extract, because this smoothie is delicious without it. I didn't want to add unnecessary distractions.
But, if you want to bulk this up, feel free to add a handful of oats, which I often do with my smoothies. (I've been making this oat smoothie with raisins for more than a decade!)
And guess what?
Pomegranates are good for us. They're rich in antioxidants and vitamin C.
Let's remember that when we're painstakingly removing the arils from their cozy nooks and crannies.
Speaking of that, I know some people recommend tapping half a pomegranate with a spoon to remove the seeds, but I found it made the juice splatter everywhere. (I even ended up with purple drops on my eyeglasses.)
It's neater to just scrape out the arils with a knife or fork. But wear an apron, just in case.
More smoothie recipes
- Cranberry Smoothie with Walnuts
- Pineapple Smoothie with Coconut
- Honeydew Smoothie
- PB & J Smoothie with Strawberries
Enjoy!
Pomegranate Smoothie with Banana and Walnuts
Ingredients
- 1 ripe banana (peeled and broken in half)
- arils from half of a pomegranate
- 1 cup almond milk
- ¼ cup shelled walnuts
- â…“ cup oats (optional; use gluten free if needed)
- ½ cup ice
Instructions
- Place your banana halves in the blender.
- Cut your pomegranate in half and scrape out the seeds from one of the halves into a small bowl. Pick out any pieces of the inner skin and add the arils to your blender.
- Add your almond milk, walnuts, oats (if using) and ice.
- Blend until smooth.
Nutrition
(Recipe Source: Cooking with Mamma C)
Cheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser says
I LOVE smoothies-great combo!!! xo
Mamma C says
Thanks, Cheryl!
Lisa says
This sounds delicious! I love the banana and walnut combo, and the pomegranate would really brighten the flavor! Funny how we look forward to the rich holiday food and then can't wait to get back to eating "normal"!
Mamma C says
I know, right? Give me normal for a while, Lol. Thanks, Lisa!
Tara says
This smoothie sounds incredible! A much needed break from the Thanksgiving leftovers. Love your styling.
Mamma C says
Buh-bye, leftovers! Hello, refreshing smoothie. Thanks so much, Tara.
Jessy @ The Life Jolie says
Now this is a flavor combo I can get on board with- what a delicious start to the day (or a great afternoon pick-me-up!).
Mamma C says
It's my newest obsession. Thanks, Jessy!
Kristen says
I love this! I want to make this for breakfast! I just froze some bananas this morning!
Mamma C says
I love smoothies for breakfast! You'll probably need to add some oats to make it more filling. I hope you enjoy it!
Emily says
This is such a great flavor combination for a smoothie! Looks delicious for Fall & Winter!
Mamma C says
I really enjoy it. Thanks, Emily!