Pear Banana Orange Smoothie

This banana orange smoothie with pear is the perfect plant-based pick-me-up for anytime of day. Packed full of protein and nutrients, it will keep you going for as long as you need while still being refreshing and flavorful.

This recipe was originally published on April 15, 2014, and was republished in September 2020 to add better quality photos, re-test the recipe, and add more helpful tips.

Do you love bananas? I certainly do. They are so versatile and nutritious. And they pair perfectly with orange juice and almond milk, my favorite dairy alternative. It makes complete sense that I would bring all of that together for a healthy, vegan smoothie.

This protein packed smoothie is a great way to start the day or just as an afternoon snack. With so much potassium and calcium it is also perfect for a dairy-free workout recovery drink. It is so quick to throw together, you can drink one right after exercising to reduce fatigue and encourage muscle growth.

Whether you follow a plant-based diet or not, you are sure to enjoy this refreshing smoothie with all its fruit and protein.

Freeze your own banana

This recipe calls for frozen banana, something you might not see a lot in my recipes. Because the only other solid components are pear and ice, frozen banana helps get the texture to that classic smoothie thickness. But don’t worry, there’s no reason to run out and buy more frozen fruit. It is super easy and straightforward to freeze your own bananas for later use.

Bananas can even be frozen with the peel on, but that makes them much harder to use later – you have to defrost them before trying to peel. Instead, the best way to freeze bananas is to first peel them. Then cut them into rounds and lay them out on a line baking tray before freezing. Once solid, place them in a freezer safe bag for long-term storage. 

Freezing small pieces individually makes them much faster to defrost later (if you need to) and also to remove just the amount you need. The best part? Whenever you have bananas that are about to go bad, you can just repeat this process and add to your stash. Now you can make banana breads, pancakes, and muffins whenever you want – no need to wait for those fruits to get super ripe. Just bring the frozen pieces to room temperature before mashing and cooking with them.

Health benefits of chia seeds

You may have noticed I like to include chia seeds in my smoothies. Well it’s not just for looks! Chia seeds are really dense in nutrients and a little bit goes a long way. Typically referred to as a “super food”, they contain high levels of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and calcium. And on top of that, they contain all the essential amino acids that are hard to find in a plant-based diet.

The addition of just two tablespoons of chia seeds means this smoothie has more protein and essential nutrients than a typical protein bar without all the added sugar! 

Plus, chia seeds don’t have much flavor themselves, so they go with just about everything. Adding some to your smoothie or morning oats is a great way to get that extra boost to keep you going all day.