No need to wait for peach season! This High Protein Peaches and Cream Smoothie uses canned or frozen peaches for maximum convenience without sacrificing flavor. Use a protein powder of your choice so this peach smoothie recipe keeps you full and fueled for the day.
Don’t come for me if you’re a fan of fresh peaches…but they consistently disappoint. Maybe it’s because I live in the Midwest? But I always have such high hopes when they finally come into season, and time and time again they end up mealy, flavorless, or just not worth the premium price I pay for them.
So what’s a girl to do? Well, as a registered dietitian I know that canned fruit and frozen fruit can hold their own compared to fresh fruit. Since they’re picked and processed at peak ripeness, the nutrition is nearly the same yet they’re less likely to spoil or go bad. The quality is consistently good, the peach flavor is always amazing, and the price is much easier on the grocery budget!
This high protein peaches and cream smoothie takes all that flavor from juicy peaches and turns it into a quick, simple, on-the-go breakfast to power you through your day.
Grab your high-powered blender and let’s get started!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a few simple ingredients to make this easy high protein peaches and cream smoothie recipe. Add these items to your shopping list, or set up a delivery using this ready-to-shop list from our partners at Instacart!
- Canned peaches, drained or frozen peaches
- Cottage cheese, fat content and curd size of your choice
- Vanilla protein powder
- Orange juice
- Vanilla extract
- Ground cinnamon
- Ice cubes
If you’re a fan of this flavor combo, be sure to check out my Peaches and Cream Overnight Oats, too!
Swaps and Substitutions
There are infinite options for making delicious smoothies at home. For me, one of the challenges is actually remembering what I used so I can repeat it!
If you’re craving variety, try adding some of these suggestions next time you make this peach smoothie recipe:
- Frozen banana
- Plain or vanilla Greek yogurt instead of cottage cheese (you can also try kefir, a fermented dairy product)
- Pineapple juice or pomegranate juice instead of orange juice
- Add chia seeds, ground flax seeds, hemp hearts, or oats for added fiber, healthy fats, or complex carbs
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream to turn it into a peach milkshake
If you need a dairy-free option, I recommend using soy milk since it has more protein than almond milk or other non-dairy milk alternatives. Coconut milk or coconut cream is another option for a slightly sweet, super creamy smoothie.
And to be clear, when it comes to the peaches, I’m not telling you to skip the farmers market! I love supporting local farms and growers, and depending on the time of year, my local farmers market is still a go-to option. You can just as easily make this peaches and cream smoothie with fresh peaches – just make sure to remove the stems and peach pits.
How To Make a Peaches and Cream Smoothie
It couldn’t be easier to make this peach smoothie recipe!
- Drain the canned peaches or measure out the frozen peaches.
- Add all ingredients to your blender. Pulse several times to combine, then blend on high speed until thick and creamy.
- Transfer to two serving glasses. Garnish with a little bit of extra cinnamon or other toppings (optional) and enjoy!
Normally, there’s a strategy involved with layering your smoothie ingredients so they blend well. But this one is simple enough, I just chuck everything in there at once. But for more info on how to layer your smoothie ingredients in your blender, check out my post on how to build a better smoothie with my Berry Pomegranate Smoothie recipe.
Street Smart Nutrition Tip: Reserve the juice or liquid from the canned peaches for other recipes. I think it works especially well in homemade salad dressings or mocktails. And as a runner, I just transfer it to a small container and keep it chilled. It’s very refreshing after a long run or hot, humid workout!
Meal Prep and Storage Tips
Normally, I think smoothies are best when they’re fresh. This recipe is written for two servings, so adjust as needed if you’re prepping more. Or, cut everything in half to make a single serving peach protein smoothie.
If you plan to use this recipe for meal prep, I recommend getting some ice cube trays. Pour the blended smoothie into the little compartments. Place the tray in the freezer, as flat as possible, and once they’re frozen solid just transfer to a freezer bag or storage container. These cubes should last up to three months.
To use, place the frozen cubes in your blender and add enough liquid to allow it to blend. It’s like a smoothie starter. But this way you don’t have to add extra ice and dilute the flavor.
A Note About Nutrition
This high protein peaches and cream smoothie does indeed have higher protein…that’s thanks to the cottage cheese and protein powder. Generally, each serving should have about 15 grams of protein total.
Cottage cheese provides about 11 grams of protein per 1/2 cup serving, so you can use more or less than what this recipe card calls for if you prefer. It has a slightly tart flavor, but once blended with the other ingredients, it won’t be noticeable.
And you might be wondering why there’s no nutrition information posted. Well, since I don’t know the specifics about which protein powder you’ll use (or if you use one at all!) I opt out of writing calorie information and other nutrition information. This applies to all my recipes, which I hope you’ll use as a suggestion rather than a strict guide for how to eat. They are designed to be simple, forgiving, and flexible to allow for maximum customization and to avoid any accidental reinforcement of diet culture.
High Protein Peaches and Cream Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup canned or frozen peaches
- 1/4 cup cottage cheese
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder, your choice
- 1/4 cup 100% orange juice
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- ice cubes, about 1 cup
- optional garnishes, such as fresh berries, extra cinnamon, or other preferred toppings
Instructions
- Drain the canned peaches, reserving the juice or liquid for other recipes such as homemade salad dressings or mocktails.
- Add all ingredients to your blender. Pulse several times to combine, then blend on high speed until thick and creamy.
- Transfer to two serving glasses. Garnish with additional cinnamon or other toppings (optional) and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
This creamy peach smoothie is the perfect breakfast for busy mornings. But don’t stop there!
Next up, try my High Protein Green Smoothie, made with no banana and the natural sweetness of medjool dates.
As always, thanks for stopping by the Street Smart Nutrition blog. Cheers to more fearlessly nourishing meals!
