Peach Smoothie

Smoothies are a quick and easy breakfast on the go or a refreshing midday pick-me-up.

This peach smoothie celebrates summer’s favorite fruit and combines it with a perfect partner – almonds. They both come from the plant genus Prunus, which also includes apricots, plums, and cherries.

A bit of ripe banana adds natural sweetness and creaminess without overwhelming the banana smoothie. Regular room temperature bananas will work just as well as frozen ones – just make sure they’re nice and ripe. Yogurt adds more creamy goodness along with protein.

This is a healthy smoothie that really and truly tastes like a treat.

How to freeze fresh peaches

Peaches play the starring role in this nutritious drink, so use the best you can find. Frozen peaches are available year-round and are packed when the fruit is at its peak. They’re a convenient and affordable option, and they make excellent smoothies.

That said, quality seasonal peaches are hard to beat in the flavor department. If you have a large batch of peaches during the summer, you can extend their shelf life by freezing them.

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and prepare a large bowl of ice water.
• Use a knife to score the end of the peach opposite the stalk, making a flat X. This makes peeling the fruit easier.
• Add the peaches to the boiling water and cook for 30 to 45 seconds (less time for ripe peaches, more time if underripe) and place in ice bath to cool.
• The peaches should peel easily starting with the X you made. Discard the shells.
• Cut into pieces and place in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Freeze for one to two hours until completely frozen. Transfer to a ziplock bag and store for up to six months.

If your peaches are particularly ripe and peel easily, you may not need to cook them at all. Peeling the fruit is technically optional, but it will affect the texture of your smoothie. If a few peel spots don’t bother you, skip the cooking and just slice the peaches and freeze them with the skin on.

Using fresh (not frozen) fruit

If you have a lot of fresh fruit and no frozen fruit in sight and want to make a smoothie right away, just add some ice. After measuring your fruit, milk and other ingredients into the blender, add a heaping 1/2 cup of ice and blend for a cold, icy smoothie.

Make Ahead smoothie

Smoothies are a quick snack or breakfast, but they can be even quicker if you make them ahead of time.

For as many batches of smoothies as you like, measure out the peaches and bananas and place them in labeled individual freezer bags. You can even prepare the other ingredients up to a day in advance.

Combine yogurt, almond butter, almond extract and milk directly in the blender jar or a lidded container and refrigerate until smoothie time. Add frozen fruit, puree, done!

Peach smoothie variations

While this recipe makes a reliably delicious peach smoothie, it’s easy to adapt to suit your tastes. Try these simple swaps and additions:

• To make this smoothie vegan and dairy-free, use a non-dairy yogurt or swap out the yogurt for more almond milk.
• Feel free to use your favorite nut milk, soy milk, or cow’s milk.
• For extra sweetness, use vanilla yogurt or almond milk, or add up to 2 teaspoons honey.
• Make it into a green smoothie by adding up to 1 cup of packaged baby spinach.
• If you have a high speed blender, you can add just under 1/4 cup toasted almonds instead of almond butter. Consider soaking them first for a smoother mixture.
• Add up to 1 tablespoon of chia seeds, up to 2 tablespoons of ground flax, or protein powder for a nutritional boost. You may need to add up to 1/4 cup additional almond milk.

Want more smoothie ideas?

• Apple Pie Smoothie
• Quick and easy green smoothie
• Berry Banana Smoothie
• Bloody Mary smoothie
• Strawberry Almond Oat Smoothie
• mango lassi