Creamiest Pear Smoothie

This easy pear smoothie recipe is flavored with banana and cinnamon. It’s a healthy, high protein snack or breakfast you can make in minutes with just a handful of ingredients.

Am I the only one that was surprised yesterday to realize that we turn the clocks back this weekend?

I can’t even begin to understand how the heck we’re already to the point of 5pm darkness around here.

I hate this time of year. Really, I do. I get in a funk. I’m pretty sure there’s a name for that feeling. Oh yeah, seasonal depression. I seriously think I might have it.

As if that wasn’t a rude enough awakening guess what else I discovered? Three grey hairs. In the same spot. On the right side of my head.

I’ve always secretly laughed at those people with the awkwardly placed grey patches on their head wondering why the heck they don’t do something about it.

Hair dye is cheap enough, you know? I fear I may be becoming one of them and will soon elicit weird stares of my own. What does any of this have to do with this deliciously easy pear smoothie?

Nothing.

Except that I needed something to cheer me up after those two incidents and the grilled cheese + pickle sandwich (no, I’m not pregnant) I ate for lunch wasn’t as photogenic.

How To Make This Simple Pear Smoothie

You know all those healthy smoothies out there with a laundry list of ingredients, half of which you’ve never even heard of? 

This isn’t one of them. The ingredients are as basic as it gets for this healthy pear smoothie:

• pears
• frozen banana (or not frozen, just add more ice in that case)
• cinnamon
• cardamom (optional but I love the flavor!)
• milk (I used almond milk but any kind will work)
• collagen peptides or vanilla protein powder

Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and thick!

Regardless of whether choosing to use collagen or protein powder, my best suggestion is to choose a high quality product from a brand you trust.

For collagen peptides, I really enjoy the Collagen Protein from Naked Nutrition. It’s just one ingredient, from 100% grass-fed cows and they third party test their products so you can trust the labels.

I’m a big fan of their products and if you prefer whey protein, they also carry that along with many other protein powder options.

If you choose the protein powder option instead of collagen, there are plenty of possibilties.

As I mentioned above, you can use a good quality whey protein or, any plant-based protein powder which tastes just as good in this pear smoothie.

Nuzest is my recommendation if you need to keep the recipe dairy-free and/or vegan. It’s plant-based (pea protein), one ingredient and third party tested for heavy metals. They make an unflavored as well as vanilla protein powder. Both are great.

If you choose an unflavored collagen or protein powder, you may want to add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract to the smoothie for a nice creamy vanilla flavor that complements the pear.

For those that don’t want to use any powders at all, try an ultra-filtered milk.

The protein content is higher since the milk is ultra-filtered and I find it to be super creamy which is always delicious.

It won’t be quite as much protein as using collagen or protein powder but still pretty good for a small glass/snack in this smoothie with pears.

And as a last alternative to milk and or protein powder, you can always use a plain Greek yogurt.

But, I have to say I enjoy the consistency of this pear smoothie without yogurt just a little bit more.

Lastly, xanthan gum isn’t listed above but it’s a great thickening agent if you prefer thick smoothies. A little but goes a long way. 1/8 teaspoon is plenty!

Check out my tutorial for more tips and tricks on how to make a healthy smoothie – it teaches you all about each layer of the perfect healthy smoothie in 3 easy steps.

WHAT KIND OF PEARS TO USE

Honestly, pick your favorite variety of pear. They’re in season in the winter and taste best then. Whatever’s ripe will work. 

Personally, I’m always partial to D’Anjou pears (pictured here) versus Bosc. I find them to be juicier, sweeter and less often mealy. I use them in this pear oatmeal too and they make the most delicious caramelized spiced pear topping!

I also like the red version of these too. Whenever I’m cutting pears for another recipe, I throw any leftovers in a freezer bag for storage and use them in this smoothie when once I have enough. 

This smoothie is creamy and dreamy. It reminds me of a creamsicle but with a subtle pear flavor instead of orange.

It’s borderline dessert tasting, almost like a pear milkshake to be honest which is why I love it so much. Crazy how just a few simple ingredients can result in such a delicious healthy smoothie!

If pear smoothies aren’t your thing, try these other smoothie recipes:

Pineapple kiwi mint smoothie
Persimmon vanilla bean smoothie
Blood orange smoothie
Almond butter and jelly smoothie

And for another drink perfect for fall, give this butternut squash smoothie a try or stick to pumpkin with this simple 5-ingredient pumpkin banana smoothie.