An orange banana smoothie is proof that the simplest things are often the best. With just two ingredients and under five minutes, you can make the easiest smoothie ever. (And if you choose to include the bonus ingredients, it gets even better!)
Tossed together one morning many years ago, just to use up an overabundance of bananas and oranges, my kids flipped over this simple smoothie.
After I handed the drinks to the kids, I walked out of the kitchen for a moment. My middle son yelled after me, “The smoothie is fantastic!” Why am I not surprised that they adored a smoothie made of nothing but juice and bananas?
In the years since, I’ve made it with both store-bought orange juice and freshly squeezed. Both versions are terrific. And while the ginger and lime are optional ingredients in this smoothie, I highly recommend adding them both. They work to brighten the flavors and add a new dimension to this simple drink.
To make these sunny smoothies, you’ll need the following two ingredients:
That’s truly it! Bananas add a smooth, creamy texture to smoothies, and their natural sweetness often provides all the sweetening the drink requires. I make very few smoothies without them!
I recommend using frozen bananas for thicker, creamier smoothies. However, if you prefer a thinner drink, room temperature or refrigerated bananas work well too.
I promised it was easy, and boy, is it ever! Don’t blink or you’ll miss the instructions. Place the orange juice and bananas in the blender. If desired, add as much or as little fresh ginger as you like, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Puree until smooth and serve immediately.
If you’re looking to add more smoothies to your repertoire, you should try our dairy-free Pineapple Banana Smoothie is light and refreshing, perfect with breakfast or as a snack any time throughout the day.
Rich chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and frozen bananas are blended together in blissful harmony to make this Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie – that tastes more like a peanut butter banana milkshake than a breakfast drink.
Get your greens in with spinach leaves blended with ripe, frozen bananas and orange juice to create a Banana Spinach Smoothie that is out of this world.
Strawberry Banana Smoothies are simple, easy, and refreshing as a snack or even a meal all on their own. This smoothie is delicious with only four ingredients!
{originally published 11/6/11 – recipe notes and photos updated 9/17/25}
The post The Easiest Smoothie Ever appeared first on Barefeet in the Kitchen.
Delicious! I used 1 cup of OJ and 2 frozen bananas and the second time I made it I threw in a very small piece of fresh ginger, wow, it is great!
– Colleen