Orange Julius smoothie made with whole fruits, yogurt, orange juice, and ground flaxseed. Each sip is naturally sweetened and contains healthy nutrients like fiber, vitamin C, and protein. A quick fresh and creamy drink to boost energy, made in 5 minutes or less!
Whip out the blender because it’s time to make a refreshing Orange Julius smoothie! This recipe is a healthy version of the traditional drink. I’ve added some nutritional benefits that you can blend in and have ready to drink in five minutes or less!
Way before the growth of juice clubs like Jamba Juice, in the 1920s there was a small juice stand located in Los Angeles that served up a creamy, frothy drink coined “Orange Julius” named after the orange juice pioneer Julius Freed. Locals fell in love with the blend of orange juice, milk, sugar and ice for a frozen creamy treat. Who wouldn’t love an orange creamsicle flavored drink?
How to make an Orange Julius smoothie
Smoothies are an instant way to give you a quick boost of energy. I always make sure to include ingredients that provide additional benefits with each glass. Here is how I’ve made this Orange Julius smoothie healthier than the original classic recipe.
Whole Fruits
Using orange segments, 100% orange juice and bananas, you can leverage the natural sweetness of whole fruits to reduce and avoid added refined sugars. If frozen, make sure that you read the orange juice labels to look for orange juice as the primary ingredient, with no added sugar or high fructose corn syrup. For this recipe I chose ripe oranges, I like Navel for its sweetness.
Fiber
Adding in whole orange and slices of bananas provide soluble fibers right into the smoothie so that you can get digestive health benefits as well as satiety until the next meal. Ground flaxseed adds omega-3 essential fatty acids for heart health effects, lignans from antioxidant qualities, and soluble and insoluble fiber. Did you know ground flaxseed can also be an egg replacer in baked goods? Yeah, it’s pretty impressive, we should add it to everything!
Texture
To add a creamy and smooth texture to the Orange Julius smoothie, I use plain Greek yogurt, frozen bananas, and ice. The yogurt is substituted instead of using milk or heavy cream because it provides extra protein and probiotics. If you’re using nonfat Greek yogurt, then it cuts down on the fat as well.
Frozen bananas are my secret ingredient for the most creamy smoothies, like my strawberry banana smoothie recipe. When frozen first and then blended, the texture creates a cold and creamy banana puree that provides a pleasing mouthfeel. Ice cubes add just the right amount of texture and volume to the smoothie, keeping it cool and adding some iciness in between the fruit, juice, and yogurt, without it tasting like a slushy.
I add all of the ingredients into my blender, gradually increase the speed until the frozen fruit and puree gets broken down, then turn up the speed until it’s thick and creamy. Grab a glass or two if you’re sharing, and let’s drink!
Once you’ve tasted this fresh and vibrant Orange Julius smoothie, you’ll never need to hit the stores again. Each sip is good for you and will deliciously satisfy your taste buds.
More Drink recipes
How to make a smoothie thicker
Have you always wondered how to achieve a thick, creamy and yet drinkable smoothie? It’s a delicate balance between fruit solids, liquid, and frozen ingredients. Ice is always an easy choice, creating small ice particles with the efficient blade of the blender. However, if you add too much, the flavor of the smoothie is diluted, and it gets a “slushy” consistency, which equals instant brain freeze. One of the best ways to add thickness is using frozen fruits. The water in the fruit freezes, so when it’s blended both the water cells create a flavorful and chilly consistency. My typical rule of thumb is for every 1 cup of liquid, non-frozen fruit, or yogurt combination you should add at least 1 cup of frozen ingredients (fruit and/or ice).
Orange Julius Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1 medium frozen banana
- ½ cup plain greek yogurt
- ½ cup orange juice
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- orange zest, from 1 orange
- 1 large orange, peeled and segmented
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- 1 teaspoon honey, maple syrup, or agave
Instructions
- Add ice, banana, yogurt, orange juice, vanilla, orange zest, oranges, ground flaxseed, and honey in a blender.
- Process until smooth, about 60 to 90 seconds.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Serving Size: 1 ¼ cup
Nutrition Facts
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000-calorie diet. All nutritional information is based on estimated third-party calculations. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
Lillian Charlotte Keller says
I tried this recipe and didn’t like it. I think the zest of an entire orange made it too bitter despite adding vanilla and a little bit of honey.
Jessica Gavin says
I appreciate your feedback! You can omit or use less of the orange zest if you make the smoothie recipe again.
Asha says
Can I make this without ice?
cindy says
this was super easy and insanely delicious using my old oranges i didn’t want to eat anymore. thank you for sharing!
Jessica Gavin says
I’m so glad that you got to transform those oranges into something delicious!
Paul Rivera says
Jessica, how do you freeze the bananas? Do you peel them first, and freeze them whole or cut them in slices? I’ve frozen some with peel on and they turn black and brittle. I’m looking for a way to save bananas, aside from a frozen smoothie in ice cube trays (yummy snacks).
Thanks, Paul
Mi Amur says
I’m not Jessica, but I read, after one year your question: I peel bananas, then cut them into 1/2″ slices, put them in a small Ziploc bag and freeze them.
Jack says
Hi can you have a smoothie which only contains one fruit e.g just using oranges with like like yogurt and ice?
Jessica Gavin says
Hi Jack- You can add just the orange but the smoothie won’t be as creamy or sweet without the frozen bananas. If you could add more yogurt and perhaps some honey and a few more ice cubes to get a similar taste and consistency.
Hannah says
I’m always looking for new smoothies that incorporate things I usually keep in the kitchen. This was so easy to make! I substituted the whole orange with just the pulp parts left after juicing a fresh one for the juice. I will definitely be trying Jessica’s other smoothie recipes, as well as making this one again.
Jessica Gavin says
Wow, I love the use of the fresh pulp in the smoothie!
Jackie says
What’s sprinkled on top of Orange Julius Smoothies?
Jessica Gavin says
Flaxseeds and orange zest.
Wendy says
Hi Jessica,
Do you have any recipes for smoothies that do not contain banana? I’m allergic to them and it has been hard to find really good smoothie recipes that do not have bananas as an ingredient.
Thank you.
John says
Good question, and while not being allergic to banana, I just detest the taste, flavour, texture, and even smell of them!
So I’m also keen to see what alternatives Jessica can recommend.
Cheers,
John
Jessica Gavin says
I think frozen pineapple or mango would be good substitutes for the banana. You can up the yogurt for a little more creaminess if desired. Let me know how it goes!
hannah Chynoweth says
lol 20 grams sugar, 29g net carbs. This is more like a healthy “dessert”. Still sounds good, but lets not trick ourselves into a false belief that fruit smoothies are necessary healthy.