If you ask me, smoothies are the perfect way to start any morning.
This creamy pear almond butter smoothie makes a quick breakfast that’s packed with protein and natural sweetness. Ripe pears blend with rich almond butter to create a smooth, satisfying drink.
It’s mixed with a splash of milk and a touch of honey for extra creaminess. A handful of ice and a dash of cinnamon help the whole thing come together.
It’s a filling drink that keeps you going, a perfect grab-and-go breakfast.
Why You’ll Love This Pear Almond Butter Smoothie
- Quick and easy breakfast – This smoothie takes just 5 minutes to make, perfect for busy mornings when you need something nutritious on the go.
- Naturally sweet and creamy – The frozen banana and ripe pear give you all the sweetness you need, while the almond butter adds that rich, creamy texture without any added sugars.
- Sneaky veggie boost – The spinach blends right in without changing the taste, so you get extra nutrients without even noticing the greens.
- Customizable nutrition – You can easily add superfoods like chia, hemp, and flax seeds for extra protein and omega-3s, or keep it simple with just the basic ingredients.
- Plant-based friendly – This smoothie works perfectly for vegan and dairy-free diets, and you can use any plant milk you have on hand.
What Kind of Pear Should I Use?
Any ripe pear will work great in this smoothie, but I find that Bartlett and Anjou pears are particularly good choices since they’re naturally sweet and blend smoothly. The key is making sure your pear is ripe – it should give slightly when you press it near the stem, which means it’ll add natural sweetness and creamy texture to your smoothie. If your pear is a bit underripe, don’t worry too much since the frozen banana and almond butter will help balance out any tartness. You can leave the skin on since most blenders will handle it just fine, plus it adds extra fiber and nutrients to your drink.
Options for Substitutions
This smoothie is super forgiving and works well with lots of swaps:
- Frozen banana: Fresh banana works too, but you might want to add a few ice cubes for that thick, creamy texture. You can also try frozen mango or frozen pineapple for a tropical twist.
- Spinach: Not a fan of spinach? Try kale, romaine, or even skip the greens entirely if you prefer. The pear and almond butter will still make it delicious.
- Pear: Apple works great here, or you could use frozen peaches or mango. Just make sure whatever fruit you choose is ripe and sweet.
- Almond butter: Any nut or seed butter will work – peanut butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter are all good options. You could even use tahini for something different.
- Plant-based milk: Regular dairy milk works fine if that’s what you have. Coconut milk will make it extra creamy, while water keeps it lighter. Start with less liquid and add more until you get your preferred consistency.
- Seeds (chia, hemp, flax): These are totally optional, so don’t worry if you don’t have all three. Use whatever you have on hand, or skip them completely – the smoothie will still be great.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Blending
The biggest mistake when making smoothies is adding too little liquid at the start, which can burn out your blender motor and leave you with chunky, unblended bits – start with about 1/2 cup of liquid and add more gradually until you reach your desired consistency.
Another common error is throwing everything in at once, but for the smoothest results, blend the leafy greens with liquid first, then add the frozen fruit and other ingredients to avoid those annoying spinach chunks.
Don’t skip removing the pear core and seeds, as they can add bitterness and create an unpleasant gritty texture, and if you’re using fresh ginger, start with just a small piece since it can easily overpower the mild pear flavor.
For the creamiest texture, make sure your almond butter is at room temperature before blending, and if your smoothie turns out too thick, add liquid a tablespoon at a time rather than dumping in a whole cup.
What to Serve With Pear Almond Butter Smoothie?
This smoothie is pretty filling on its own, but I love pairing it with some crunchy granola or a slice of whole grain toast with a bit more almond butter for extra protein. If you’re having it for breakfast, try it alongside some Greek yogurt with berries or a hard-boiled egg to make it more of a complete meal. For an afternoon snack, a handful of nuts or some apple slices with peanut butter work great to keep you satisfied until dinner. You could also pour it into a smoothie bowl and top it with sliced almonds, coconut flakes, or fresh fruit for a more Instagram-worthy presentation!
Storage Instructions
Refrigerate: This smoothie is best enjoyed fresh, but you can store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours in a sealed jar or container. Give it a good shake or stir before drinking since the ingredients tend to separate. The pear might oxidize a bit, but that lemon juice helps slow it down!
Freeze: Pour your smoothie into ice cube trays or freezer-safe jars for up to 3 months. This works great for meal prep – just thaw overnight in the fridge or blend the frozen cubes with a splash of liquid for an instant smoothie bowl consistency.
Prep Ahead: Want to make mornings easier? Prep smoothie packs by portioning all the ingredients except liquid into freezer bags. When you’re ready to blend, just dump everything into your blender with your liquid of choice and you’re good to go!
Preparation Time | 5-10 minutes |
Cooking Time | 0 minutes |
Total Time | 5-10 minutes |
Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 250-300
- Protein: 4-5 g
- Fat: 7-9 g
- Carbohydrates: 50-60 g
Ingredients
- 1 banana, frozen
- Large handful fresh spinach leaves
- 1 ripe pear
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- Juice from about 1/4 lemon and a bit of zest
- Small piece fresh ginger (optional)
- 1 tbsp chia seeds (optional)
- 1 tbsp hemp seeds (optional)
- 1 tbsp flax seeds (optional)
- Water or unsweetened non-dairy milk, as needed for blending
Step 1: Prepare and Add Main Ingredients to Blender
- 1 banana, frozen
- large handful fresh spinach leaves
- 1 ripe pear
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- juice from about 1/4 lemon and a bit of zest
Place the frozen banana, fresh spinach leaves, ripe pear (cored and roughly chopped), almond butter, lemon juice, and lemon zest into your blender.
This base is what will give the smoothie its creamy texture and bright flavor.
Step 2: Add Optional Spices and Seeds
- small piece fresh ginger (optional)
- 1 tbsp chia seeds (optional)
- 1 tbsp hemp seeds (optional)
- 1 tbsp flax seeds (optional)
If you like an extra zing, add a small piece of fresh ginger for some spicy warmth.
For added nutrition and texture, you can add chia seeds, hemp seeds, and flax seeds.
I love to add all three seeds—they not only thicken the smoothie but also add fiber and Omega-3s.
Step 3: Add Liquid for Blending
- water or unsweetened non-dairy milk, as needed for blending
Pour in enough water or unsweetened non-dairy milk to make blending easy and to achieve your desired smoothie consistency.
Start with a little and add more as needed.
I usually prefer almond milk for extra creaminess, but water also works perfectly if you want a lighter drink.
Step 4: Blend Until Smooth
- all ingredients from Steps 1-3
Blend all the ingredients together on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth.
Stop to scrape down the sides if needed, and blend again to ensure everything is well incorporated.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Pour the smoothie into a glass and serve immediately.
For a fun touch, I sometimes sprinkle a few extra chia or hemp seeds on top before serving.
Nutritious Pear Almond Butter Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 banana, frozen
- large handful fresh spinach leaves
- 1 ripe pear
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- juice from about 1/4 lemon and a bit of zest
- small piece fresh ginger (optional)
- 1 tbsp chia seeds (optional)
- 1 tbsp hemp seeds (optional)
- 1 tbsp flax seeds (optional)
- water or unsweetened non-dairy milk, as needed for blending
Instructions
- Place the frozen banana, fresh spinach leaves, ripe pear (cored and roughly chopped), almond butter, lemon juice, and lemon zest into your blender. This base is what will give the smoothie its creamy texture and bright flavor.
- If you like an extra zing, add a small piece of fresh ginger for some spicy warmth. For added nutrition and texture, you can add chia seeds, hemp seeds, and flax seeds. I love to add all three seeds—they not only thicken the smoothie but also add fiber and Omega-3s.
- Pour in enough water or unsweetened non-dairy milk to make blending easy and to achieve your desired smoothie consistency. Start with a little and add more as needed. I usually prefer almond milk for extra creaminess, but water also works perfectly if you want a lighter drink.
- Blend all the ingredients together on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth. Stop to scrape down the sides if needed, and blend again to ensure everything is well incorporated.
- Pour the smoothie into a glass and serve immediately. For a fun touch, I sometimes sprinkle a few extra chia or hemp seeds on top before serving.