Made with just 4 ingredients, this carrot smoothie is a delicious way to eat more vegetables. It’s naturally sweet, healthy, and so refreshing.
Recipe Highlights
- Creamy and sweet, this carrot smoothie is packed with essential nutrients.
- Carrots are root vegetables that are high in antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber.
- Drinking this smoothie will increase your intake of vegetables. It takes just 5 minutes to make.
- This carrot smoothie is made by blending apple juice, chia seeds, fresh carrots, and frozen bananas in a blender.
RELATED: Banana Smoothie
4 Carrot Smoothie Benefits
1. Supports Healthy Eyesight
Carrots contain an antioxidant called beta-carotene. Beta-carotene turns to vitamin A in the body. This is important because vitamin A is needed for good vision.
2. Promotes Good Immune Function
This carrot smoothie is beneficial for your immune system. Carrots are high in vitamin C, which helps your cells fight germs that make you sick.
3. Increases Fullness
If you’re looking for a quick and satisfying snack, drink this carrot smoothie. Carrots, bananas, and chia seeds are all high in fiber. It takes a while for fiber to digest in the body, so it keeps you full for longer.
Chia seeds also contain protein, which has a satiating effect.
4. Contains Antioxidants
Antioxidants are natural substances that reduce your risk of disease. They protect your cells from harmful compounds called free radicals. The carrots, bananas, and chia seeds in this recipe are rich in antioxidants.
RELATED: Benefits of Eating Bananas
Ingredient Notes
- Apple juice: The sweetness of apple juice helps balance the earthy flavor of carrots. Use 100% apple juice with minimal sweeteners and additives.
- Chia seeds: High in protein and fats, chia seeds make this smoothie extra filling. It also acts as a natural thickener.
- Carrots: The bright orange color of this smoothie comes from fresh carrots. Be sure to peel and chop the carrots before adding them to your blender.
- Frozen bananas: Frozen sliced bananas make this drink cold and thick. This is better than using ice cubes, which can dilute the smoothie’s texture and flavor.
For full ingredients and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Variations
Leafy greens: Add even more nutrients to your smoothie with baby spinach or kale. Leafy greens are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber. Note that the combination of leafy greens and carrots might make the smoothie brown. However, it will still taste good.
Protein powder: For a more filling drink, add unflavored protein powder. You can use whey or plant-based protein powder, depending on your preference. Protein powder will help support and maintain muscle strength.
Nut butters: If you enjoy the taste of carrots and nutty flavors, try adding nut butter to this smoothie. Almond butter, peanut butter, and cashew butter are good choices. Use 1 tablespoon to start. Nut butters are high in good fats and plant-based protein.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Pour apple juice into the blender.
For the smoothest blend, add the liquid first.
Step 2: Add chia seeds, carrots, and frozen bananas in that order.
Step 3: Blend until smooth. Start on a low speed, then increase to high.
Step 4: Pour the smoothie into a cup. Serve immediately.
Blender Tips
Chop fruits and vegetables into chunks.
To protect the blades of your blender, always cut fruits and vegetables into smaller pieces. This is especially important for bigger ingredients, like whole carrots and frozen bananas.
The chopped fruits and vegetables should be smaller than a quarter of an apple. If you have a less powerful blender, cut them even smaller.
Load the lightest ingredients first.
When adding ingredients to a blender, the order matters. Loading ingredients lightest to heaviest will ensure a smooth blend.
Begin with the liquids. Next, add any powders, seeds, and creamy ingredients, like nut butter. Follow with leafy greens and fresh fruits and vegetables. Finish with heavy ingredients, like frozen fruit and ice cubes.
Increase the speed gradually.
Start on a low speed to let the blades chop up the ingredients. After about 10 seconds, quickly increase the speed to high. This is will prevent the motor of your blender from overheating.
Remove air pockets with a tamper.
While the ingredients are blending, insert a blender tamper through the lid. Move it around in a circle to create a vortex. This will move ingredients toward the blades, helping avoid air pockets.
Use a blade scraper.
Avoid food waste by using a blade scraper. It’s a tool that lets you remove the smoothie under the blades of your blender.
Expert Tips
- Slice the bananas into coins before putting them in the freezer.
- Use ripe bananas for the best flavor and texture. Look for bananas with a yellow peel and some brown spots.
- If your blender is not very powerful, lightly steam the carrots first. This will help soften them.
- You can use orange juice or pineapple juice instead of apple juice.
- Add a bit of apple juice if the smoothie is too thick, then blend for 10 seconds.
- It’s best to drink smoothies as soon as you make them. However, leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for 1-2 days in an airtight jar.
Questions You May Have
Bananas, berries, and oranges all taste great with carrots.
Yes, carrot and banana go well together. The sweetness of the banana balances the earthy flavor of carrots.
If your blender isn’t very powerful, you can lightly steam carrots before blending. But this isn’t necessary if you have a powerful blender.
Carrot smoothies are very healthy as long as they’re made with quality ingredients. They’re high in fiber and antioxidants.
Related
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Carrot Smoothie
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup apple juice
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- ¾ cup carrots (peeled and chopped)
- 1 frozen banana
INSTRUCTIONS
- Put apple juice, chia seeds, carrots, and frozen banana into a blender. Secure lid.Place ingredients into the blender in the order listed.
- Blend until smooth. Start the blender on LOW speed for 10 seconds. Increase speed to HIGH for a full minute.
- Pour smoothie into a cup. Serve immediately.
EQUIPMENT
NOTES
- Slice the bananas into coins before putting them in the freezer.
- Use ripe bananas for the best flavor and texture. Look for bananas with a yellow peel and some brown spots.
- If your blender is not very powerful, lightly steam the carrots first. This will help soften them.
- You can use orange juice or pineapple juice instead of apple juice.
- Add a bit of apple juice if the smoothie is too thick, then blend for 10 seconds.
- It’s best to drink smoothies as soon as you make them. However, leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for 1-2 days in an airtight jar.