Orange Creamsicle Protein Smoothie with Cottage Cheese
Nicole Bonilla creates gluten-free, higher-protein recipes with healthier swaps that are gentle on digestion and easy for busy families. Every recipe is tested in her own home kitchen.
This Orange Creamsicle Protein Smoothie is made high in protein with creamy cottage cheese and gets a boost of healthy fat from cashew butter. It’s the perfect blend of fresh oranges, creamy texture, and plenty of protein to keep you satisfied without any artificial flavors, and it is naturally sweetened with a fresh orange and frozen banana.
This orange creamsicle protein smoothie is creamy, bright, and has that nostalgic orange-vanilla flavor we grew up loving. It’s made with real oranges, cottage cheese for a protein boost, and a little cashew butter for healthy fats and extra creaminess. A frozen banana adds natural sweetness and gives it that classic “creamsicle” taste without any artificial flavors.
I love that it’s quick to blend up on busy mornings and keeps me full and happy without the sugar crash. It’s such a fun way to get in some vitamin C, and the texture is so smooth and satisfying.
My dad used to buy us orange creamsicles as a treat after mucking stalls when I was a kid. This smoothie brings back all that yummy flavor but with ingredients that make me feel great now.
Make Fresh
Almond Milk in
2 Minutes
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Why You’ll Love This Orange Creamsicle Protein Shake recipe
- So Creamy: It’s ridiculously smooth and feels like a total treat.
- Bright and Citrusy: Think fresh orange and banana giving all those creamsicle vibes.
- Super Quick: Toss everything in the blender, hit blend, and boom—you’re done.
- Protein-Packed: With almost 30 grams of protein, it’s ready to keep you going.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here is everything you need to make the best orange smoothie:
Almond Milk: Use whatever you’ve got—oat, soy, coconut milk or even regular milk will work great.
Cottage Cheese: Greek yogurt is a solid swap, or silken tofu if you want to go dairy-free.
Orange (Peeled): No oranges? Tangerines, mandarins, or a splash of orange juice will also work.
Frozen Banana: Don’t have one? Frozen mango chunks will do the trick and add a fun tropical twist.
Vanilla Protein Powder: Unflavored or even chocolate protein powder works if you’re out of vanilla. You can also omit the protein powder. This is my favorite organic plant-based vanilla protein powder with delicious flavor my family loves.
Cashew Butter: Swap it with almond butter, peanut butter, or even sunflower seed butter—whatever you’ve got on hand.
Vanilla Extract: If you’re out of vanilla, you can omit it or try a little cinnamon or even some orange zest.
How to Make My Orange Creamsicle Protein Smoothie with Cottage Cheese Recipe
Here are easy, detailed, step-by-step instructions for making my easy orange creamsicle smoothie recipe. The instructions are also repeated in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.
Step 1: Prep the Fruit
Peel one orange. You can freeze 1/2 a peeled banana ahead of time, or use a fresh banana.
Step 2: Load the Blender
Add everything to your blender and blend until it’s smooth and creamy. If it’s too thick, splash in a little more almond milk and blend again. Pour it into a glass, grab a straw, and it’s ready to enjoy!
My Expert Recipe Tips
Frozen Banana Is a Must: It’s what gives the smoothie that thick, milkshake-like texture. If you use a room-temperature banana, I recommend adding a few ice cubes to the smoothie to keep it cold.
Blend Well: Take your time to make sure everything is super smooth—nobody wants lumps.
Sweeten It Up: Need a little extra sweetness? A drizzle of honey or maple syrup will do the trick.
Delicious Serving Suggestions
- Make It a Smoothie Bowl: Pour orange smoothie mixture into a bowl and add toppings like granola, berries, or shredded coconut.
- Breakfast On the Go: Perfect in a to-go cup for mornings when you’re running out the door.
- Post-Workout Boost: This is awesome after a workout to refuel with protein and energy.
- Midday Pick-Me-Up: A quick, refreshing snack to get you through the afternoon slump.
- Tropical Flair: Sprinkle in some coconut flakes or a squeeze of lime for a tropical twist.
- For the Kids: Pour it into smaller cups with fun straws, and it’s a hit every time!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you love smoothies? Check out more of my easy and nutritious breakfast smoothie recipes:
Here are Amazon links to my favorite naturally sweetened protein powders that are very affordably priced:
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Orange Creamsicle Protein Smoothie with Cottage Cheese
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1/4 cup cottage cheese
- 1 orange (peeled)
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 2 tablespoons vanilla protein powder
- 1 tablespoon cashew butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Peel one orange. You can freeze 1/2 a peeled banana ahead of time, or use a fresh banana.
- Add everything to your blender and blend until it’s smooth and creamy. If it’s too thick, splash in a little more almond milk and blend again. Pour it into a glass, grab a straw, and it's ready to enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Important Disclaimer
This recipe is created by a home cook and not a medical professional. Our ingredient philosophy is reviewed by RDNs, but this specific post is not personalized medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for dietary concerns.
This had just the right amount of sweet. The cottage cheese made it extra creamy! I didn’t have cashew butter so I used almond butter instead and it tasted great!
Thank you for the review, Lacy! I love your substitution of almond butter. That sounds delicious!
I hope you all enjoy this easy and delicious recipe!
My family loved this! Definitely a favorite!!
Thank you so much for sharing this, Karrie! I’m so glad your family loved it, too 🙂