Cherry and Maca Protein Smoothie (Energy Boost Blend)

~Vegan Recipe!!~

Since it’s cherry season, why not share a quick and delicious smoothie recipe? (And please ignore the fact that I used frozen cherries… fresh ones are insanely expensive where I live right now, haha.)

I wanted this smoothie to be truly energy-boosting because lately I’ve been eating in a calorie deficit and I’ve had absolutely no energy during my workouts. That’s why I added maca powder, along with something I truly can’t live without – nut butter. No matter how calorie-dense it is, it will never leave my kitchen!

And while we’re at it, here’s a little more info about this superfood:

Maca powder is a Peruvian root (Lepidium meyenii) traditionally used to support energy, stamina, mood balance, and overall vitality. It’s naturally caffeine-free, but many people use it as a gentle adaptogen that may help the body cope with fatigue and stress over time. It’s also commonly associated with supporting hormonal balance and libido.

You can usually find maca powder in:

• health food stores
• organic supermarkets
• supplement shops
• online (Amazon, iHerb, and other natural health retailers)

It typically comes in powdered form and is easy to add to smoothies, oats, or even coffee alternatives.

To make this recipe MORE balanced and satisfying, it also includes:

• Cherries, which provide natural carbohydrates and antioxidants
• Nut butter, adding healthy fats that support satiety and slow down sugar absorption
• Oat milk, giving a creamy, slightly thicker texture
• Pea protein powder, boosting the protein content and making it more filling and recovery-friendly

For extra creaminess and flavor depth, a few drops of vanilla extract are added. However, if you are using a sweetened vanilla-flavored protein powder, you can skip both the vanilla extract and the maple syrup entirely.

For a higher-protein version, the coconut yogurt can also be replaced with skyr, which significantly increases protein while keeping the texture thick and creamy – but it won’t be vegan!!!

The Recipe

Servings: 1 | Prep time: 5 min | Difficulty: Easy

 Ingredients

• 1 cup cherries (fresh or frozen)
• 1 tbsp coconut yogurt
• 1 tsp maple syrup (can be omitted if using sweetened protein)
• 1 tbsp almond butter (or hazelnut butter) 
• 200 ml oat milk (preferably for a slightly thicker texture)
• 1 tsp bio maca powder
• 1 scoop pea protein powder (totally optional)
• A few drops vanilla extract 

Instructions

1. Add cherries, oat milk, coconut yogurt, almond butter, maca powder, pea protein, maple syrup, and vanilla extract into a blender.
2. Blend until smooth, creamy, and fully combined.
3. Add ice if you prefer a colder or thicker consistency and blend again.
4. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed (especially if your protein powder is unsweetened).
5. Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately.

How much maca to start with

If you are new to maca powder:

• Start with ½ tsp per day for 3–5 days
• Then increase to 1 tsp per day if well tolerated
• Some people go up to 1–2 tsp daily, but gradual increase is best for digestion and tolerance

Dietary info

High-protein | Vegan | Gluten-free (if using certified gluten-free oat milk and protein powder) | Dairy-free 

Nutritional info (approx. per serving)

Calories: 448 kcal | Protein: 28 g (depending on protein powder) | Fat: 20 g | Carbohydrates: 40 g | Fiber: 10 g

Nutritional Values are calculated with maple syrup and may vary depending on the ingredients and proportions used.