This orange smoothie is refreshing and easy to make with only 5 ingredients. A touch of vanilla makes this smoothie so irresistible!
Smoothies are a great way to add fresh produce to your diet because they’re quick, easy and delicious. There are endless ways to combine ingredients to make healthy smoothies, and I’ve shared many of our favorite smoothie recipes over the years.
This orange smoothie is one of the most refreshing smoothies I’ve tried. Orange, mango and banana are blended together with almond milk and a few drops of vanilla extract. The vanilla is the secret ingredient that makes this smoothie so good, with a taste similar to an Orange Julius (but without the added sugar).
We love to make this orange smoothie in the summer as a way to cool off, but we also love it in the winter months, when fresh citrus is in season. The oranges and mangos are a good source of Vitamin C, which I like to think gives our immune system a little boost during cold and flu season. Whether or not that’s true, or just wishful thinking, I can’t say for sure. What I can say is that this fruit smoothie is delicious, either way
If you love this orange smoothie recipe, you’ll also enjoy this Mango Smoothie, Berry Smoothie and Green Smoothie.
Orange Smoothie Ingredients
This orange smoothie is made with only five ingredients.
- Fresh Orange: You’ll need one large orange, peeled. I like to use fresh oranges in smoothies, rather than orange juice, because with the whole fruit you get more fiber than with juice.
- Banana: The banana helps to thicken the smoothie and makes it a little creamy. The banana also adds sweetness.
- Frozen Mango: Using frozen mango, rather than fresh, helps to thicken the smoothie. It’s also easy to keep on hand and it’s already prepped and ready to go into the blender. If you need a substitute for mango, frozen peaches work well in this recipe, too.
- Almond Milk: Using almond milk keeps this smoothie dairy-free. If you prefer, you can use dairy milk or another type of non dairy milk.
- Vanilla Extract: Just 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla adds the best flavor to this orange smoothie.
How to Make an Orange Smoothie
This recipe couldn’t be easier! To make it, add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. That’s it!
Recipe Tips
- To make this smoothie extra creamy and also add more protein, you can blend in 1/4 cup of plain Greek yogurt. If the yogurt makes your smoothie too tart, you can add a small amount of honey or pure maple syrup.
- You can use frozen banana instead of fresh. If the smoothie is too thick, blend in a little more almond milk.
- A high powered blender is best for fully pureeing the orange to a smooth texture.
- This smoothie is best served right after making it. If you’d like to prep it ahead, I suggest freezing the orange, banana and mango together in a zip-top plastic bag. When you’re ready to make the smoothie, add the frozen fruit, almond milk and vanilla to your blender and blend, adding more milk if needed to thin out the smoothie.
More Smoothie Recipes
Try one of these easy smoothie recipes next:
- Strawberry Banana Smoothie
- Green Monster Smoothie
- Chocolate Protein Shake
- Oatmeal Breakfast Smoothie
Orange Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 large orange, peeled
- ½ medium banana
- 1 cup frozen mango pieces
- ½ cup almond milk
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve immediately.
Happy New Year, Kristine! I hope you had a wonderful holiday. I love that the new year offers the chance to start fresh and healthy, cliche, but true! And smoothies are the perfect way to start. I overindulged a little too much the past few weeks, so I’m ready to get back on track of eating healthier. Love the orange and mango in here. And that pretty color, too!
Is there an alternative to bananas in smoothies? I can’t eat bananas and it seems that all the delicious looking smoothies use bananas.
Yes! You can add 1/4 cup oats or 1 tablespoon chia seeds in place of the banana. Avocado can also be used in place of banana, depending on the other flavors in the smoothie. Banana adds sweetness to smoothies and helps to thicken them, but in most cases you can omit the banana if you like. 🙂
Banana and avocado tend to make smoothies more creamy in texture too, as well as thickening that up so I guess it depends what kind of consistency you’re after as to what you use as an alternative 🙂
I don’t have any vanilla… any suggestion for substitutes? Or just leave it out?
You can just leave it out! This will be delicious without the vanilla. 🙂
Love the idea of sweetening it up with some vanilla, Kristine!
Definitely going to be giving it a go sometime soon 🙂
Orange smoothie is very valuable especially on winter time!
I’m sorry I missed the information, but did you add sugar, if yes – how many teaspoons?
Oh that looks so refreshing and delicious! I wish I had found this recipe sooner, before my kids passed their icky school germs on me LOL. I’m just now getting over a nasty nasty cold. I think I’ll have to add this as my regular after workout snack. Love smoothies, especially after a workout. So refreshing! I too decided to get in better shape this year, and although it’s a long road, I haven’t given up! Thanks for this recipe Kristine!
Thank you, Christine! It’s so hard to get into a consistent workout routine. Your determination is inspiring! 🙂
I love this smoothie idea but can you add some greens? I try to always add spinach or kale in my smoothies (or avocado) and want to know how the spinach may work.
Thanks!! Looking forward to trying out more of your recipes.
Yes! You can definitely add greens to this. They’ll change the color, but not much else. 🙂
This is great! Going to try this recipe tomorrow. Need an immunity boost! 🙂
It’s been really hot lately in Melbourne so I’ve definitely been a bit smoothie crazy, I’ll try this out 🙂
I love almond milk in my smoothies as well!
I had 1 orange left and decided to try this recipe, I love it!
I’m so glad you liked it! My daughter requests this smoothie all the time. 🙂
I was wondering if leftover old fsshion oats that have been cooked would work?the extrs oatmeal is definitly gelatinous.
Hi Eloise, I wouldn’t recommend using cooked oatmeal in this. Uncooked old fashioned oats are best.
Just wondering would normal milk work with this or does it need to be almond milk – not v adventurous with milk….. Thank you
Yes, any kind of milk will work. Enjoy!
Add some orange zest. Grate first before peeling your orange. Tons of flavor and vitamins.
Absolutely love this smoothie! I used vanilla almond milk so I didn’t add the vanilla. Also added protient powder and chia seeds but I’m sure it would be great without those changes. Thanks so much for this recipe!
You’re welcome! This one is a favorite here too – my kids love it!
I just love orange! Great recipe! I have made it yesterday and everyone in my home sweet home totally loved it! Thank you Kristine for your awesome recipe.
Can I use mandarins?
You can if you have a high powered blender, since mandarins need to be pureed more than oranges to blend in smoothly.
I don’t like mangos – will it change the recipe too much to leave them out? Or should I substitute something else ( Not a lover of papaya or kiwi either so none of those)
Peaches would be a good substitute.
I don’t like Mangos is there another fruit I can substitute? ( I don’t like papaya or kiwi either)
Peaches would be a good substitute.
I really enjoy making this recipe. It is excellent as well as healthy!
I’m noticing how high the carbs and sugars are in smoothies. Are they really as healthy as people claim?
I LOVE this recipe. Delish! Kiddo approved. Thanks!!
It depends on what you are looking for in a healthy recipe. Smoothies can be a great way to add more fruits and veggies to your diet. Fruit is high in natural sugars (which are carbs). If you add dairy that can be high in carbs in the form of sugars, too.
What protein would you add to this? Im not a lover of power. Just to make it more filling ??
I haven’t tried this with protein powder. Sometimes I add plain Greek yogurt to smoothies for a protein boost.
Any alternative for almond milk
You can use another type of milk or coconut water.
Thanks for the smoothly but where is the method of preparation ? Lots of other things are discussed beside smoothies
You’ll find the recipe in the recipe card box near the end of the post.
I just made this as is for my guy friend and it is sooo good. Makes a lot too. He is a big dude. Ok. He loved it and was full. Yes. Tfs. Definitely a keeper. Love the orange and vanilla flavor in this. Per comments Will try to add greens or avocado instead of banana next times. Yummy.
I just discovered this recipe and it’s SO good! However, it had a little more pulp than I like so I made it again today and substituted 1/2 cup 100% orange juice and it’s perfect for me! Thanks so much for this great recipe
Great recipe
I just made this using frozen mango and frozen banana like the notes recommended and I used just regular Milk. It was soooo good, I drank it so fast. Cant wait make again
how much of a full orange goes into the smoothie? only making it for one person
You add one whole (peeled) orange to the smoothie.
This was absolutely scrumptious, adding to my list of must make smoothies. TY.
Could I use frozen oranges?
Yes, that should work fine.
nice