This creamy Walnut Cranberry Apple Smoothie is perfect for the holidays and will really hit the spot with its warm & spicy fall flavours.
I have had a bit of a smoothie hiatus over the past few weeks after the seal on my blender decided to break mid way through blending a full jug of homemade cashew milk. You wouldn't believe the mess that made. My new seal arrived last week and the first thing I made was this Walnut Cranberry Apple Smoothie.
Smoothies aren't just for the Summer. Fall fruits and veggies can make a fantastic and healthy addition to your breakfast blend at this time of year.
Cranberries are a fruit that tend to be very under-utilized and are often only eaten in cranberry sauce a couple of times a year at most which is a shame when they are so full of flavour and nutrients. They can help prevent urinary tract infections, reduce the risks of cardiovascular disease, slow the progression of tumours and aid dental health by preventing the binding of bacteria to the teeth.
They are great in both savoury and sweet dishes and as you will find when you try this recipe, are just perfect in a smoothie! If you have any cranberries leftover after Thanksgiving this is a great way to use them up. If you don't have some, next time you are at the grocery store look out for them in the produce section. They keep easily for a couple of weeks in the fridge.
This Walnut Cranberry Apple Smoothie brings together the tartness of fresh, plump cranberries, the juicy sweetness of apple, the rich nuttiness of walnuts and a hint of cinnamon warmth. The combination is delicious and makes a wonderfully nutritious breakfast or snack.
I really struggle with the cold and couldn't bear to drink a smoothie with ice in it for breakfast at this time of year, hence the reason that this recipe contains no ice at all. If you like your smoothies a bit frosty then by all means throw some ice cubes into the blender with the other ingredients.
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Walnut Cranberry Apple Smoothie
Ingredients
- 75g | 3/4 cup fresh cranberries (or you may use frozen - see recipe note)
- 1 large apple cored and chopped into chunks
- 4 tablespoons chopped raw walnuts ,
- 1 tablespoons maple syrup , add an extra one if you like your smoothies on the sweeter side
- 240mls | 1 cup non-dairy milk (I used my homemade cashew milk )
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
INSTRUCTIONS
- Add all the ingredients to a blender.
- Blend for a minute or two until completely smooth.
- Serve immediately.
NOTES
NUTRITION
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Long time vegan, creator of A Virtual Vegan & author of the book 
CHRISTINE GRENIER says
Any chance I can use canned cranberries? :-)
A Virtual Vegan says
I'm sure that would be fine although the smoothie would end up much sweeter. It would be worth making it without the maple syrup, see what it's like then add as needed after and blend a little again.
Kathy says
Just made this for breakfast...Delicious!!
Chessie says
Perfect for the season! I am sipping this right now. I love cranberries in a smoothie, and I was lucky enough to find some fresh, organic cranberries.
A Virtual Vegan says
Awesome! So glad you are enjoying it. I always stash a big bag of cranberries in the freezer so I can enjoy this smoothie all year long!
Andrea says
Came at the perfect time. I had saved some cranberries and then didn't end up making what I had saved them for. I wasn't sure what to do with such a small amount of cranberries when I saw this recipe. It was VERY good. I tasted the walnuts first, but quite good, I also added some spinach, which changed the color but not the taste. I will be making it again!
A Virtual Vegan says
I figured lots of people would have some cranberries hanging about in their fridge. I certainly do! So glad you enjoyed it!
Gustavo Woltmann says
Glad to found some new idea here. I will prepare this for this coming Valentines day as a surprise gift for my special someone. She always like a new taste of healthy drinks and she always make some experiment sometimes I don't like the taste but she always said "Such a priceless taste ever" then smile.
A Virtual Vegan says
I hope she enjoys it Gustavo. Enjoy your Valentine's Day together!
Brynn says
This sounds so yummy. Just wondering if it matters what kind of apple you use? What kind did you use for this recipe? Thank you.
A Virtual Vegan says
Any medium sized eating apple will be fine in this recipe. I have made it with varying kinds depending on what was in the fruit bowl at the time. Our apples are usually locally grown ones from somewhere in BC if at all possible. I make this smoothie a lot and it's always good no matter what kind I use. Hope that helps :O)
Nutty Nutritionist says
This smoothie looks divine! Love that you used cranberries in a smoothie, so true the only time I eat them is once or twice a year in cranberry sauce.
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you! Yes it's such a shame cranberries aren't used more. They are so good! Hence the recipe! Enjoy!
Kathryn Grace says
Hello again. Came back to let you know I made this last night. I have a cold and couldn't get it out of my mind. Craved those cranberries! I didn't have enough cashews on hand to make cashew milk, but I had plenty of good yogurt (sorry, we're not vegan yet). I added a banana that was calling to me as well. Probably needed the potassium. Even though I couldn't taste it, I drank the whole thing. I'd made about a quart! I slept better last night than I've slept in a week. Still congested this morning, but not as achy. Looking forward to trying this again when I can taste it, and hopefully with cashew milk this time!
A Virtual Vegan says
I do hope you get well soon. Those cranberries are so full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that I'm sure they would have helped!
Kathryn Grace says
Thank you. I do think it helped. Today I made the recipe with cashew milk, although I still craved potassium foods, so added a banana and an orange. So good. Love it even more with the cashew milk.
A Virtual Vegan says
I think cashew milk adds the to the creaminess. I bet the orange was great in it!
lorena alfredini says
If you are allergic to nuts than I suppose you can use chia seeds and coconut milk and turn it into a pudding....
A Virtual Vegan says
You could just omit the nuts and it would still be good as a smoothie. Just use a non dairy milk that isn't nut based. Oat milk, rice milk, coconut milk, soy milk would all work.
Anne VD says
Wonderful smoothie! I had leftover cranberries in my fridge and this is such a great use for them! It is going to become on of my favorite! I added some fresh ginger to it, for an extra kick. Thank you A Virtual Vegan for your beautiful website and FB page!
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment and I am glad you enjoyed it. Adding some ginger is a great idea. I will try it next time! It's great to hear you like my website and Facebook page. It makes all the handwork worthwhile!
Kathryn Grace says
Oh my goodness, I can actually smell this smoothie just reading the recipe, and it smells like Christmas! Looking forward to trying it!
A Virtual Vegan says
It is Christmas in a glass!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
Wow! I love this idea for a smoothie! I made a version (I used yogurt instead of milk) just today & love it! Plus, what a great way to use up my leftover cranberries from Thanksgiving ? Thanks you!!
A Virtual Vegan says
I am glad you liked it Patricia! And yes it's a great way to use up leftover cranberries, or an excuse to go buy more!