Apple Cinnamon Smoothie (Apple Pie in a Glass)

Autumn mornings in our house can be a battle, but this one drink calls a truce. My kids think they’re getting pudding for breakfast, and I love that what they’re actually drinking is an apple, a banana and a glass of milk. It started on a cold, blustery morning when I had one lonely apple left and a craving for apple pie — I threw it in the blender with a banana and a good shake of cinnamon, and the kitchen smelled like a bakery. Now “apple pie smoothie” is the thing they ask for the moment the weather turns cool, and I never say no, because it’s about the easiest way I know to get a whole apple into a fussy little one before school.

This apple cinnamon smoothie without yogurt is cosy, creamy and tastes like apple pie in a glass. Fresh apple and warm cinnamon do the flavour, a frozen banana makes it thick and smooth, and your milk pulls it together — all completely dairy-free. It’s the no yogurt smoothie I make on cool mornings when everyone wants something that feels like a treat but is really just fruit.

Apple pie flavour, no yogurt

A frozen banana is the trick that lets you skip the yogurt entirely. Blended from frozen it turns thick and milkshake-creamy, carrying the fresh apple and warm cinnamon without any dairy tang. The apple keeps it fresh and lightly sweet, the cinnamon makes it taste baked and cosy, and the banana rounds it all into something smooth and comforting. No yogurt, no sourness — just a warm-spiced, creamy glass that genuinely tastes like apple pie.

The good it does

Behind the apple-pie flavour, this is a properly wholesome cup. Apples bring fibre and vitamin C, and that fibre helps keep little ones full and steady; you can read more about the benefits of apples on Healthline. Banana adds potassium and natural energy, the milk brings calcium and protein for growing bodies, and cinnamon adds a warm flavour with no sugar needed. Best of all, the sweetness comes from fruit rather than added sugar — so it’s a snack you can hand over happily, a whole apple disguised as dessert.

What goes in the jug

Just a few cosy, family-friendly things.

• Fresh apple — fibre, vitamin C and that fresh, lightly sweet apple flavour.
• Frozen banana — natural sweetness and a thick, creamy body in place of the yogurt.
• Milk of choice — almond and oat keep it dairy-free; dairy milk works too.
• Ground cinnamon — the warm, baked, apple-pie spice that makes it special.
• A little honey or maple syrup — only if your apple is tart.
• A handful of ice — for an extra-thick, frosty finish.

Whizz it up

This couldn’t be simpler — just layer, blend, pour.

1. Pour the milk into the blender, then add the cinnamon and honey, if using.
2. Add the chopped apple, frozen banana and ice on top.
3. Blend on high until thick, smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides if needed.
4. Taste and adjust — a splash more milk to loosen it, or a little honey if the apple is tart.
5. Pour into two glasses, dust with a little cinnamon, and serve straight away.

For the best apple cinnamon smoothie

A few small things make a real difference. Use a sweet, crisp apple like Gala, Fuji or Pink Lady — the sweeter the apple, the less honey you’ll need. Chop it small (and core it) so the blender can break it down smoothly, especially if you’re leaving the skin on. Use a very ripe, well-frozen banana for natural sweetness and a thick texture. And don’t be shy with the cinnamon — it’s what turns a plain apple smoothie into apple pie.

Make it your own way

Once you’ve got the base down, it’s easy to play with — and a sneaky way to add goodness:

• Keep it fruity and creamy with a blueberry banana smoothie.
• Make it a fuller breakfast with our oatmeal smoothie without yogurt.
• Go chocolatey for the kids with a chocolate banana smoothie.

You can also blend in a spoon of oats for a cosy apple-crumble version, a pinch of nutmeg for more spice, or a little fresh ginger for a grown-up kick.

Save it for later

Smoothies are best fresh, but a little planning helps with busy family mornings. Keep any extra in a lidded cup in the fridge for up to a day and shake well before serving — add a squeeze of lemon to the apple to keep it from browning. The frozen banana can be bagged ahead with a pre-measured spoon of cinnamon, so the morning’s job is just chopping an apple and blending. Smoothie left over? Freeze it in lolly moulds for a cosy apple-cinnamon ice lolly. And if it earns a spot in the regular rotation, print the recipe card free from the button on this page and slip it into your family recipe folder for the next cool morning.

A peek at the nutrition

Here’s a rough idea of what’s in each serving, to give you a sense of the balance.

Nutrient	Per serving
Calories	~190
Carbohydrates	38 g
Sugar	24 g
Fiber	5 g
Protein	4 g
Fat	3 g
Vitamin C	Good

For a smaller child’s portion, this batch splits easily into three little cups.

Nutrition note: These values are estimates calculated from the ingredients and are for general information only — not medical or dietary advice. Actual numbers vary by brand and portion. For precise data, check product labels or USDA FoodData Central, and see our disclaimer.

Apple cinnamon smoothie questions

Can you make an apple cinnamon smoothie without yogurt?

Yes — and it tastes just like apple pie. A frozen banana gives all the thick, creamy body that yogurt usually provides, while fresh apple and a little warm cinnamon bring the flavour. There’s no need for yogurt at all, and with a plant milk it’s completely dairy-free, which is handy for children who avoid dairy.

Is an apple cinnamon smoothie healthy for kids?

It’s a lovely way to get fruit into children. Apple brings fibre and vitamin C, banana adds potassium and natural energy, and the milk brings calcium and protein for growing bodies. The sweetness comes from the fruit rather than added sugar, and the cinnamon makes it taste like a treat — so it works beautifully as a breakfast, lunchbox drink or after-school snack.

Do I need to peel the apple?

Not if you have a good high-speed blender — leaving the skin on keeps more fibre and vitamins. If your blender is gentler, or you want a perfectly smooth texture for little ones, peel the apple first. Either way, core it and chop it so the blades catch it easily.

Is it dairy-free and vegan?

Yes, with a plant-based milk such as almond or oat and maple syrup instead of honey. Apple, banana and cinnamon are all naturally plant-based, so the whole smoothie is dairy-free and vegan.

How do I make it taste more like apple pie?

Lean into the warm spices — a pinch of nutmeg or a tiny bit of ground ginger alongside the cinnamon makes it taste like a slice of pie. A spoon of oats blended in adds a cosy, oaty body, and a drizzle of maple syrup brings that caramel-apple sweetness.