This Spiced Orange Cranberry Smoothie is a bright, cozy, and banana-free vegan breakfast option packed with fruit, oats, almond butter, and warming spices. Created with post-holiday flavors in mind, it’s a perfect way to use up leftover cranberry sauce while enjoying a nourishing and festive drink. With no yogurt or banana, this blend still achieves creamy richness thanks to frozen pear and orange segments.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

1¼ cups non-dairy milk
½ teaspoon orange zest (optional)
¼ cup orange juice
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ cup rolled oats
1 scoop vanilla vegan protein powder (optional)
5 tablespoons cranberry sauce
1 tablespoon almond butter
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Tiny pinch of salt
1 large orange, peeled and frozen in segments
1 large ripe pear, cored, chopped, and frozen

Directions

Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender: non-dairy milk, orange zest, orange juice, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, oats, protein powder, cranberry sauce, almond butter, vanilla, salt, frozen orange, and frozen pear.
Blend on high until completely smooth, about 1 minute.
Pour into glasses and serve immediately. Optional: add a swirl of cranberry juice or extra cranberry sauce at the bottom of the glass for a “tie-dye” effect.

Nutrients (Per serving, estimated for 2 servings)

Calories: ~220
Protein: ~6–10g (depending on protein powder used)
Carbohydrates: ~30g
Total Fat: ~6g
Fiber: ~5g
Sugars: ~15g
Sodium: ~60mg

A Festive Smoothie Without the Banana

Banana is often a default ingredient in smoothies due to its creaminess and natural sweetness. However, this recipe proves that it’s not a necessity. Instead, frozen orange segments and ripe pear create a luscious, velvety texture that rivals any banana-based drink. The orange adds brightness and zing, while the pear lends a mellow sweetness and smooth body.

This banana-free base is especially helpful for those who are sensitive to bananas, dislike the taste, or simply want to shake up their smoothie routine. It keeps the flavor profile lighter and more citrus-forward, which pairs beautifully with the tartness of cranberries and the comforting depth of warm spices.

A Delicious Way to Use Leftover Cranberry Sauce

One of the cleverest features of this smoothie is its use of cranberry sauce—an ingredient often left behind after holiday dinners. Rather than letting it sit forgotten in the fridge, this recipe transforms it into a key flavor element. The tart-sweet character of cranberry sauce balances the richness of almond butter and the creamy fruit base, adding complexity and color.

Whether your cranberry sauce is homemade with citrus zest and whole berries, or store-bought and slightly sweeter, it works beautifully in this smoothie. The bold pink hue it brings not only makes the drink visually appealing but also boosts its antioxidant content, contributing to overall wellness.

Warming Spices for Comfort and Flavor

The spice blend in this smoothie—cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg—adds more than just flavor. These warming spices evoke feelings of comfort and seasonal cheer, making the smoothie feel both grounding and festive. Cinnamon brings warmth and sweetness, ginger adds a slight kick and digestive support, and nutmeg offers depth and a hint of earthiness.

These spices also complement the tartness of the cranberries and the citrusy brightness of the orange, creating a layered, aromatic experience in every sip. The blend helps bridge the gap between breakfast and treat, offering a flavor profile that feels indulgent while still aligning with clean eating goals.

A Smoothie That Feels Like a Meal

This Spiced Orange Cranberry Smoothie isn’t just a light drink—it’s a nourishing, filling meal in a glass. Thanks to the addition of rolled oats and almond butter, it includes fiber, healthy fats, and sustained energy to carry you through your morning or post-workout recovery. The oats provide slow-digesting carbohydrates and texture, while almond butter contributes protein and a creamy mouthfeel that elevates the smoothie from snack to breakfast status.

A scoop of vanilla vegan protein powder is optional but adds an extra boost for those looking to increase their protein intake. Together, these ingredients ensure that the smoothie satisfies hunger and keeps you full longer, making it a functional, balanced meal on busy days.

Dairy-Free and Completely Plant-Based

This smoothie is entirely dairy-free and made with simple, plant-based ingredients. The use of non-dairy milk—such as almond, oat, or soy—makes it suitable for a variety of dietary needs, including vegan, lactose-intolerant, or health-conscious diets. It contains no added refined sugar (beyond what may be in the cranberry sauce), and the sweetness comes naturally from fruit and optional maple syrup.

The balance of macronutrients—protein, fat, and carbs—makes it a complete meal or snack. It also provides vitamins and minerals from whole fruits, fiber from oats, and phytonutrients from cranberries and spices. This makes it not just a festive indulgence, but also a smart nutritional choice.

An Inviting Color and Optional Tie-Dye Effect

One of the standout features of this smoothie is its color. Thanks to the cranberry sauce and orange, it blends into a stunning pinkish-red hue that looks as good as it tastes. For extra visual flair, you can swirl additional cranberry sauce or cranberry juice into the glass before pouring the smoothie in. This creates a beautiful marbled or tie-dye effect, ideal for brunch gatherings, Instagram-worthy breakfasts, or just adding a bit of fun to your routine.

It’s a reminder that food can be both beautiful and nourishing—and that taking a little time to enjoy the visual appeal of a dish can enhance the whole experience.

Perfect for Meal Prep and Make-Ahead Mornings

This smoothie can also be adapted for make-ahead meal prep. Simply portion the dry ingredients—such as oats, spices, and protein powder—into jars or bags, and freeze the prepped fruit in individual portions. In the morning, just add your non-dairy milk and cranberry sauce, blend, and you’re ready to go.

Because it’s so nutrient-dense and easy to prepare, it’s a great choice for busy mornings when you want something quick but satisfying. It’s also portable, making it ideal for commuters, students, or anyone with a packed schedule.

Customizable for the Season and Your Pantry

One of the great things about this smoothie is its flexibility. You can use a different nut butter—such as cashew or sunflower seed butter—if you have allergies or simply want a new flavor. The non-dairy milk can be switched depending on what you have or prefer. Even the fruit can be customized—try adding frozen cranberries, mango, or a few pineapple chunks for an extra twist.

Spice levels can be adjusted to suit your taste, and additional superfoods like chia seeds, flax, or maca can be blended in for extra nutrition. The core of the recipe is solid and can serve as a base for endless creative spins depending on what’s in your kitchen.

Conclusion

The Spiced Orange Cranberry Smoothie is a standout recipe that marries holiday flavors with everyday nutrition in a creative, colorful, and comforting way. It’s a brilliant use of post-holiday leftovers like cranberry sauce and offers a banana-free, dairy-free option for smoothie lovers looking for something different. With a creamy texture from frozen fruit and almond butter, warming notes from cinnamon and ginger, and a naturally sweet balance of oats and citrus, it delivers both flavor and function.

Whether you’re sipping it after a workout, enjoying it as a festive breakfast, or sharing it at a holiday brunch, this smoothie provides a delicious and health-conscious way to celebrate the season’s flavors. Add it to your winter smoothie rotation and rediscover how comforting a chilled drink can be—even in the colder months—when it’s infused with spice, citrus, and the subtle joy of a good-for-you treat.