Black cherries are combined with sweet apple to create a pleasant and satisfying smoothie that is simple to prepare and personalize! Gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, and vegan options are available.

January is the month when everyone and their mother attempts to lose weight, eat healthier, exercise more, and generally strive to improve themselves. I have nothing against it since it is a great endeavor, but I like balance.

In my situation, balancing is eating chocolate cake whenever I want and then jogging a little more to burn it off. Or that I eat a massive serving of mac & cheese and then eat salads for the next several days (speaking of which, I really cant get enough of this salad right now).

That also means that some mornings I consume cinnamon buns, while others I eat something healthy, such as this apple cherry smoothie bowl.

What’s the nicest thing about smoothie bowls? They’re so simple! Just put everything in a blender (affiliate link) or food processor and pulse to combine. To be honest, the most difficult aspect is deciding which toppings to use.

How to add apple to your smoothie bowl

In the case of this smoothie, you’ll need to core the apple to remove the seeds, but otherwise, just toss everything in there together.

I usually cut my apple into bits before blending it since it works better in my food processor, but if you have a high powered one with excellent performance, simply chuck the apple in whole, peel and all.

I usually eat the skins of my apples, whether I’m eating or baking, since that’s where the majority of the fiber and vitamins reside. So don’t deny yourself them! You know, an apple a day and all that jazz.

Sometimes the apple skin is the best part!

In the case of Autumn Glory Apples, I think the skin is my favorite component. It’s so tasty that throwing it away would be a travesty. You’ve probably heard me talk about these apples before, but they really are fantastic.

The scent alone makes it worth storing up and putting a bowl on your kitchen table. They’re crisp and flavorful, with overtones of cinnamon and caramel, making them a delicious complement to any cuisine (or just to eat as a snack, which I do frequently).

What to include in your smoothie bowl

I prefer to incorporate the following ingredients in this smoothie bowl:

• 1 apple
• 1 cup pitted frozen cherries
• 2 cup apple, cherry, or water juice 1
• Optional: 2 frozen bananas
• 1 cup oats (optional)4 cup oats
• 2-3 cubes of ice
• 1 tsp. chia seeds
• 1 teaspoon almond oil

And then top it all off with:

• another apple, thinly cut
• a bunch of cherry slices
• granola cooked from scratch
• almonds, sliced

In these photos, you can see about half of the sliced apple, then I chopped the other half and swirled it into the remainder of the dish.

I don’t like banana – do I have to include it?

Nope! I thicken the smoothie with half a frozen banana, but you don’t have to if you don’t like the taste (since banana flavor can be pretty prominent).

I included 4 cup oats to mine for texture, but you may leave it out if you choose (or use gluten free oats, if necessary for your dietary needs). I also include 1

Is the almond extract essential?

One ingredient I strongly suggest not leaving out is the almond extract, which adds a wonderfully delicious taste. I simply adore the mix of cherries and almonds, so it works well.

This recipe creates 2 cups of smoothie, so depending on how hungry you are, split it into two servings, one for you and one to share.

Sharing is overrated. Just put it in the fridge or freezer to keep for later.

Added bonus: no added sweeteners!

You’ll note that I don’t use any sweetener at all: no sugar, honey, agave, or anything else. The apples are delicious enough to satisfy your sweet tooth!

If you select a different kind that is more sour than sweet, you may need to add a little sweetness of your choice.

Blend away, my pals! If you’re searching for additional ways to utilize these beautiful Autumn Glory Apples, check out this recipe for handmade apple cinnamon toaster strudels or this compilation of fall-inspired dishes on Hunger Thirst Play.

Autumn Glory Apples sponsored this article, but as usual, all thoughts are my own!