Boost your protein intake with this creamy and refreshing orange protein smoothie. Natural orange flavor shines through from the frozen orange, fresh orange juice, and a touch of zest, while soy milk, vanilla protein powder, and collagen create a silky high protein base that delivers 29 grams of protein per serving.

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orange protein smoothie in a tall glass with a creamy thick texture, garnished with a fresh orange slice on the rim, with sliced oranges and a plant in the background.

Banana and cashews add extra creaminess, transforming this into an orange creamsicle protein smoothie with a dreamy texture. The key to making the best tasting orange vanilla protein smoothie is to freeze the orange first.

If you blend it fresh, the smoothie turns out too liquidy. Freezing the orange creates a perfect, thick, chilled consistency, similar to flavored ice cubes packed with bright citrus flavor.

It does require some preparation work. Peel, segment, and halve your orange pieces before freezing them overnight. If you are planning this orange banana smoothie for breakfast, prep it the night before for quick blending in the morning.

Another tip for the best orange smoothie flavor is to add orange zest. This small step enhances the flavor, delivering the same vibrant taste you would expect from a healthy orange smoothie recipe, without added sugar or dairy.

Finally, keep the vanilla protein powder light. I only use half a scoop of Truvani’s vanilla plant protein powder, naturally sweetened with monk fruit. A full scoop can overpower the fresh fruit, making it too sweet. Combining half a scoop with unflavored collagen peptides and soy milk increases the protein content to 29 grams, while maintaining a balanced and refreshing flavor.

This orange julius protein smoothie is naturally sweetened from the monk fruit in the protein powder, the fresh orange, banana, and a splash of orange juice. Adding a squeeze of lemon juice cuts through the sweetness, brightens the flavors, and adds a refreshing zing. It is optional, but I find lemon takes this smoothie from good to irresistible.

Looking for more ways to boost your protein intake? Find even more healthy high protein smoothies that taste amazing and keep you satisfied.

Overhead view of orange protein smoothie ingredients including frozen orange segments, frozen banana, soy milk, cashews, orange juice, lemon juice, orange zest, collagen powder, and vanilla protein powder arranged on a light grey surface.

Orange Protein Smoothie Recipe

1 medium orange (peeled, frozen in segments)
¾ cup unsweetened soy milk
¼ cup orange juice
½ scoop Truvani Plant Based Protein Vanilla
10 grams Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Unflavored
1 tablespoon raw cashews
½ medium banana (frozen)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
3 teaspoon orange zest

How to Make This Orange Protein Smoothie

Before peeling the orange, grate the zest and set it aside in a small container with a lid till you are ready to make the smoothie. Then peel, segment, and cut the segments in half before freezing overnight. You will also need to ensure you freeze a banana cut in half.
Add the frozen orange segments, zest, and remaining ingredients to a high speed blender.
Blend until thick, smooth, and creamy.
Pour into a glass and enjoy right away.

Tall glass of and orange smoothie with a thick creamy texture, garnished with a fresh orange slice on the rim, text overlay highlighting 29g protein and tagline creamy refreshing and healthy

Additions and Substitutions

Use half a raw banana that is just ripe (not overly ripe) for the best texture and natural sweetness. You can also use half a fresh banana, but be sure to reduce the soy milk by ¼ cup. The thickness will be a bit more liquid if you don't use frozen banana.

To increase the calorie content and healthy fats for an orange protein breakfast smoothie that keeps you satisfied, add 1–2 tablespoons of hemp seeds for more protein and healthy fats. You can also swap the collagen for hemp seeds to keep this recipe fully vegan.

Almond milk or other milks of your choice can be substituted for the soy milk; however, the texture may not be as creamy with almond milk. For the highest protein content and creamy texture, soy milk is the best choice.

If you prefer a sweeter smoothie that isn’t as refreshing, you can omit the lemon juice, however I love the refreshing twist of lemon.

To enhance the orange creamsicle vanilla smoothie flavor, add a splash of vanilla extract for added depth.

Orange Protein Smoothie Nutrition Info

Calories: 357
Net Carbs: 38 g
Protein: 29 g
Fat: 9 g

Top 5 Nutrients Per Daily Value

Vitamin C
Copper
Potassium
Manganese
Folate

Fun Fact: A 2024 clinical study found that eating whole oranges every day can help reduce fat buildup in the liver, even without weight loss. Participants were randomly assigned to eat 400 grams of whole oranges daily or 400 grams of non citrus fruits daily for 4 weeks. The orange group showed a 30% drop in liver fat compared to the control group.

This healthy orange smoothie recipe is creamy, refreshing, and naturally sweet, making it a nourishing twist on an orange Julius smoothie. With 29 grams of protein, this orange vanilla protein smoothie is a healthy and satiating option for a perfect post workout smoothie or quick breakfast.

If you loved this recipe, be sure to try my peach protein smoothie for another refreshing dessert like smoothie with a creamy texture. And don’t forget to save the pin image below to Pinterest so you can easily find this orange protein smoothie again later!

collage pin image showing a tall glass of creamy orange protein smoothie garnished with an Orange slice and an overhead view of the smoothie with sliced oranges, text overlay highlighting high protein orange julius smoothie.

📖 Recipe