I created an Apple Pie Protein Smoothie using simple plant-based ingredients and pantry spices to make mornings easier and keep my energy steady.

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I love messing with fall flavors so I whipped up an Apple Pie Protein Smoothie that makes you ask is this breakfast or dessert. I kept it simple, letting vanilla vegan protein powder play the lead with just a dusting of ground cinnamon to nudge it toward pie territory.

It tastes familiar but not boring, like a secret recipe that actually works. As someone who tests a zillion Protein Smoothies I can tell you this one surprises people, in a good way.

Honestly, sometimes I cant decide if I should drink it at 9am or after dinner.

Ingredients

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Almond milk keeps it creamy without dairy and low in calories.
Apple adds fiber crisp sweetness and sometimes kinda tartness depending on variety.
Frozen banana makes texture thick and sweet, it also adds potassium.
Vanilla protein boosts protein levels, helps muscle recovery and keeps you fuller.
Oats add body, slow releasing carbs and fiber so you stay satisfied.
Almond butter brings healthy fats, richness and a cozy nutty flavor.
Warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg make it taste like apple pie.

Ingredient Quantities

1 cup unsweetened almond milk or other plant milk

1 medium apple about 6 ounces Fuji or Honeycrisp

1 frozen ripe banana

1 scoop vanilla vegan protein powder about 30 g

1/4 cup rolled oats

1 tablespoon almond butter or peanut butter

1 tablespoon pure maple syrup optional

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 tablespoon ground flaxseed or chia seeds

1/2 cup ice optional

How to Make this

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1. Pour 1 cup unsweetened almond milk into your blender first so the blades dont get stuck.

2. Core and chop 1 medium apple (Fuji or Honeycrisp are best), peel it if you prefer smoother texture, then add to the blender.

3. Break 1 frozen ripe banana into pieces and toss it in, this gives the smoothie that creamy apple pie vibe.

4. Add 1 scoop vanilla vegan protein powder (about 30 g) plus 1/4 cup rolled oats for body and staying power.

5. Spoon in 1 tablespoon almond butter or peanut butter and 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed or chia seeds for healthy fats and thickness.

6. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg, then add 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract. If you want it sweeter add 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup, its optional.

7. Add 1/2 cup ice if you want it extra cold and thick, otherwise skip it.

8. Blend on high speed until completely smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides or pulse a few times if the apple chunks hang up, older blenders need this.

9. Check texture and taste, add a splash more almond milk if too thick or a bit more maple syrup or cinnamon if it needs brightness, then blend briefly again.

10. Pour into a glass, sprinkle a little extra cinnamon on top if you like, drink right away for best flavor and texture.

Equipment Needed

1. High-speed blender, big enough for 2 cups of liquid
2. 1-cup liquid measuring cup (for the almond milk and ice)
3. 1/4-cup dry measure plus measuring spoons (for oats, cinnamon, nutmeg, flax)
4. Chef’s knife
5. Cutting board
6. Spoon or small scoop (for protein powder and nut butter)
7. Rubber or silicone spatula to scrape the blender sides
8. Tall glass or to-go jar to serve in

FAQ

Can I use regular dairy milk or another plant milk?: Yep. Any milk works — dairy, oat, soy or coconut will do. Oat and full fat coconut make it creamier, almond milk keeps it lighter. Just use unsweetened if you dont want extra sugar.

Do I have to peel the apple and banana?: No need to peel the apple, the skin adds fiber and flavor, just core and chop it. The banana should be peeled of course; a frozen ripe banana gives the best thickness and sweetness.

How do I make the smoothie thicker or thinner?: For thicker: add more frozen banana, use less milk, or add a bit more oats or chia. For thinner: add a splash more milk or water and blend again. If it gets too thick just stir in liquid until you like the texture.

Can I make it nut free or swap the nut butter?: Yes. Use sunflower seed butter or soy nut butter instead of almond/peanut. Make sure your protein powder doesnt contain nut traces if you need a strict nut free version.

Can I make this ahead or store leftovers?: It's best fresh, but you can store in the fridge in a airtight jar up to 24 hours. Expect it to thicken as the oats soak up liquid — just shake or add a little milk and stir. Avoid refreezing once thawed.

How much protein and calories does it have?: Rough estimate: about 25 to 35 grams protein depending on your powder, and roughly 350 to 450 calories depending on milk, nut butter and whether you add maple syrup. If you want a precise number plug your exact brands into a nutrition app.

Apple Pie Protein Smoothie Recipe Substitutions and Variations

1 cup unsweetened almond milk: swap with oat milk or regular dairy milk, use same amount. Oat milk gives a creamier mouthfeel, dairy adds extra protein and richness.
1 medium apple: swap with 1 medium pear or 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce, if you use applesauce dont add as much maple syrup since it’s already sweet. Pear keeps the bite, applesauce makes the smoothie smoother.
1 scoop vanilla vegan protein powder: swap with whey or pea protein (match grams, whey blends silkier), or use 1/2 cup Greek yogurt as a whole food alternative for extra creaminess.
1 tablespoon almond butter: swap with peanut butter or sunflower seed butter, same tablespoon. Peanut gives a bolder flavor, sunflower is nut free and wont change the texture much.

Pro Tips

1) Soak the oats in the milk for 5 to 10 minutes before you blend, it makes the smoothie way silkier and takes the stress off a weaker blender. If you forget, pulse and scrape the sides a few times instead.

2) Grate the apple or chop it really small so you dont get big chewy chunks, peeling will give an even smoother mouthfeel but leaving the peel adds fiber and color.

3) Make a little slurry with the protein powder and a splash of milk first so it doesnt clump or foam, then add the rest. Drop the nut butter in toward the end of blending for a creamier emulsion.

4) Taste at the end and tweak, a tiny pinch of salt or a squeeze of lemon can make the sweetness pop, and if it gets too thin add milk 1 tablespoon at a time. To stay cold without watering it down, use chilled milk and frozen banana instead of a ton of ice.

Apple Pie Protein Smoothie Recipe

Recipe by Sam Ecclestone

0.0 from 0 votes

I created an Apple Pie Protein Smoothie using simple plant-based ingredients and pantry spices to make mornings easier and keep my energy steady.

Servings

servings

Calories

612

kcal

Equipment: 1. High-speed blender, big enough for 2 cups of liquid
2. 1-cup liquid measuring cup (for the almond milk and ice)
3. 1/4-cup dry measure plus measuring spoons (for oats, cinnamon, nutmeg, flax)
4. Chef’s knife
5. Cutting board
6. Spoon or small scoop (for protein powder and nut butter)
7. Rubber or silicone spatula to scrape the blender sides
8. Tall glass or to-go jar to serve in

Ingredients

1 cup unsweetened almond milk or other plant milk
1 medium apple about 6 ounces Fuji or Honeycrisp
1 frozen ripe banana
1 scoop vanilla vegan protein powder about 30 g
1/4 cup rolled oats
1 tablespoon almond butter or peanut butter
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup optional
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon ground flaxseed or chia seeds
1/2 cup ice optional

Directions

Pour 1 cup unsweetened almond milk into your blender first so the blades dont get stuck.
Core and chop 1 medium apple (Fuji or Honeycrisp are best), peel it if you prefer smoother texture, then add to the blender.
Break 1 frozen ripe banana into pieces and toss it in, this gives the smoothie that creamy apple pie vibe.
Add 1 scoop vanilla vegan protein powder (about 30 g) plus 1/4 cup rolled oats for body and staying power.
Spoon in 1 tablespoon almond butter or peanut butter and 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed or chia seeds for healthy fats and thickness.
Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg, then add 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract. If you want it sweeter add 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup, its optional.
Add 1/2 cup ice if you want it extra cold and thick, otherwise skip it.
Blend on high speed until completely smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides or pulse a few times if the apple chunks hang up, older blenders need this.
Check texture and taste, add a splash more almond milk if too thick or a bit more maple syrup or cinnamon if it needs brightness, then blend briefly again.
Pour into a glass, sprinkle a little extra cinnamon on top if you like, drink right away for best flavor and texture.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.