Healthy Orange Julius Recipe (Fresh Orange Smoothie) (2024)

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This Healthy Orange Julius Recipe is a flashback to childhood! They were my favorite treat when visiting malls. This fresh orange smoothie is a much healthier version, as shown in the nutritional stats comparison below!

Adore healthy smoothie recipes? Also try my Strawberry Banana Orange Julius or this super popular Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie.

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Contents

A Healthier Version of the Popular Orange Julius

As a kid, we didn’t go to malls or eat out often. When we did, my mom was pretty lax about the choices we made. She turned a blind eye when I would fill my plate with an egg-bacon-cheese “salad” and chocolate mousse at buffet restaurants, and order deep fried chimichangas at Mexican restaurants.

A stop at Orange Julius when we were in malls was mandatory! Creamy, delicious, and — made of oranges? A pretty good “treat”, right?

Here’s the ingredient list of a classic Orange Julius:

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I’m not quite sure what sodium carboxymethylcellulose or Maltodextrin is, but I am pretty sure I will NOT be feeding it to my son. I do see dextrose, sugar, and corn syrup solids — 3different forms of sugar. (Lots of these ingredients are on my Food Additive Nix List(free printable available)- a great resource for navigating nutrition labels!).

I was surprised to see actual concentrated orange juice on the list, especially considering the nutritional stats.

Nutritional Stats of a classic Orange Julius vs. a Homemade Orange Smoothie:

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The mall drink is packed with more sugar than a can of soda, and besides having vitamin C from the orange juice it contains, it’s devoid of nutrients.

It’s a sugar bomb with no protein and no fiber.

What You’ll Need

My Healthy Orange Julius Smoothie is made with real fruit, and contains no added sugars. The 20 grams of sugar it contains come straight from the oranges and banana. Because it’s made with whole ingredients, it also has a nice dose of fiber, Vitamin A, calcium and iron.

Whole Oranges (no juice!)
Banana (peel, quarter and freeze ahead of time for a cold, thick smoothie!)
Vanilla Extract
Protein Powder (I use whey isolate, but use any good tasting protein powder you enjoy)
Coconut Milk (lends a creamy sweet taste, but can use almond milk as a sub)
Ice

Just 5 healthy ingredients!

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Are Oranges Good in Smoothies?

I didn’t start using whole oranges in smoothies until I got a Vitamix. That machine will blend anything into a smooth texture. Since I use the oranges fresh and not frozen in this smoothie,it will also work in a regular blender.

Fresh oranges add a ton of sweetness and a tart flavor that I love in smoothies. Although oranges are often overlooked at smoothie bars, they shouldn’t be!

Also try this delicious Orange Dreamsicle Smoothie, made with mandarin oranges and spinach for more added nutrition!

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How to Make Orange Julius at Home?

An Orange Julius is a frothy vanilla-orange smoothie. When I was a kid, my mom would make them for us at home using concentrated orange juice blended with ice and vanilla. Here treat is where I came up with the idea for thiseasy Orange Julius recipe.

The one from the mall is light and creamy, so I like to add either almond milk or coconut milk. I also find that using whey protein isolate, in addition to giving it a protein kick to make it more satiating, gives it that frothy and light texture.

How to Make a Healthy Orange Julius Smoothie

Step 1: Add peeled oranges, frozen bananas, almond or coconut milk, ice, and vanilla to a blender. Add whey protein if using (I highly recommend this!).

Step 2: Process the smoothie until it’s light and frothy.

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Step 3: Serve the smoothie right away so that it stays icy cold!

Step 4: If desired, garnish the smoothie is orange zest and whipped cream, if desired. You can keep this orange smoothie vegan by using a vegan protein powder and coconut whipped cream.

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The Perfect Orange Smoothie Recipe

Make it Vegan: Sub your favorite vegan protein, or omit the protein power.

Make it Your Own: Turn this healthy Orange Julius Smoothie into a healthy Strawberry Orange Julius by adding a couple of strawberries. Add spinach for an extra nutrient boost. I also like making this with grapefruits for an extra tart but still creamy and delicious treat.

Add Greek Yogurt: Greek yogurt adds probiotics and some additional protein! Add 1/4 cup and blend until smooth with the rest of the ingredients.

Other Healthy Orange Smoothie Recipes:

Orange Dreamcicle Green Smoothie, by Sunkissed Kitchen
Golden Turmeric Smoothie, by Sunkissed Kitchen
Strawberry Banana Orange Julius, by Sunkissed Kitchen

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If you make this recipe, be sure to share it with me! Find me on Facebook or Instagram and be sure to tag #SunkissedKitchen @SunkissedKitch

Healthy Orange Julius Smoothie

Replace the classic mall drink with a healthier orange smoothie made with whole fruit. This version is naturally sweetened with fruit and makes a healthy and refreshing snack!

4.40 from 41 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 2 smoothies

Calories: 171kcal

Author: Michelle Miller

Ingredients

▢ 2 oranges peeled
▢ 1 banana large, peeled, quartered & frozen
▢ 1/4-1/2 cup almond milk or sub coconut milk
▢ 15 large ice cubes
▢ 20 grams whey protein isolate optional*
▢ 2 teaspoons vanilla

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

For a thick smoothie, be sure your banana is completely frozen prior to making a smoothie. I also only use 1/4 cup of liquid to keep things on the thicker side.
Add peeled oranges, frozen banana, ice cubes, your choice of milk (can sub orange juice for a sweeter smoothie), optional protein powder, and vanilla to a blender. This works best in a high speed blender, but can be made in a good quality standard blender.
Blend until the oranges are completely smoothie and the smoothie is thick and creamy. Top with a dollop of yogurt or coconut cream, if desired.

Video

Notes

*Use almond milk for the lowest calorie/sugar smoothie. Use orange juice if you’d prefer a sweeter smoothie. I often use coconut milk to add a bit of extra creaminess and richness to the smoothie.

*Whey protein isoptional, but I recommend it for the best texture.The whey protein isolate I’ve linked to in the recipe is unsweetened, but has a natural vanilla flavor added that also adds an extra boost of vanilla flavor.

Make it Vegan: Sub your favorite vegan protein, or omit the protein power.

Make it Your Own: Turn this healthy Orange Julius Smoothie into a healthy Strawberry Orange Julius by adding a couple of strawberries. Add spinach for an extra nutrient boost. I also like making this with grapefruits for an extra tart but still creamy and delicious treat.

Nutrition

Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @SunkissedKitch or tag #SunkissedKitchen!

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Healthy Orange Julius Recipe (Fresh Orange Smoothie) (2024)

FAQs

Is an orange Julius healthy? ›

The mall drink is packed with more sugar than a can of soda, and besides having vitamin C from the orange juice it contains, it's devoid of nutrients. It's a sugar bomb with no protein and no fiber.

Get More Info ›

Does Orange Julius have a lot of sugar? ›

And they are super sweet. A medium has 57 grams of added sugars – about 14 teaspoons – which is more than double the recommended daily limit for women.

Read On ›

What is the best liquid to put in a smoothie? ›

This can be milk, or a dairy-free alternative such as soya or almond milk, natural or flavoured yogurt, fruit juice, or for a tropical flavoured smoothie, low-fat coconut milk or coconut water. It's important to add the liquid to your blender before adding the fruit, as this will prevent the blade from getting damaged.

Tell Me More ›

What is the difference between an orange Julius and a smoothie? ›

An Orange Julius is a blend of frozen orange juice concentrate, milk, vanilla, sugar, and ice. It's not quite a smoothie; it's too sweet — more like a dessert — to be considered a smoothie. And it's not as milky or thick as a milkshake, either. It's sweet and frothy, lightly frozen, and tastes just like a Creamsicle.

Get More Info Here ›

Which fresh orange juice is the healthiest? ›

The most nutritious option for store-bought juice is 100% orange juice with extra pulp. The worst choices are orange-flavored drinks that contain little real juice along with added sugars.

Learn More ›

Is frozen OJ as healthy as fresh? ›

They found that even though fresh orange juice contains more carotenoids overall, by freezing orange juice, the carotenoids are altered and become more easily absorbed in the gut. What matters in terms of the impact on your health is how much carotenoid gets absorbed into the bloodstream.

Show Me More ›

Can diabetics eat oranges? ›

In general, oranges are a safe fruit choice for people living with diabetes. They have a low to moderate glycemic index (GI) of around 43. GI refers to the speed at which food raises blood sugar levels. That said, it is important to consider both portion sizes and individual factors into account.

Can diabetics drink orange juice? ›

If you have diabetes, it's best to moderate your intake of orange juice and buy canned oranges that are packaged in juice. In general, whole oranges are a better choice because of their fiber content.

Does fresh orange juice have more sugar than co*ke? ›

While juices are more nutritious than sodas, they often contain just as much sugar. For example, a 12-ounce glass of orange juice contains nearly the same amount of sugar as a can of co*ke, around 10 teaspoons of sugar. Similarly, cranberry juice contains almost as much sugar as the average root beer.

Find Out More ›

What is the healthiest thing to put in a smoothie? ›

What should I put in a smoothie?

Protein, such as a commercial protein powder, Greek yogurt (which is higher in protein than regular yogurt) or nut butters.
Fruit, including berries, mango, bananas and avocado.
Greens, such as spinach or kale.
A liquid base such as dairy or plant-based milk, water or fruit juice.

Get More Info Here ›

Are smoothies better with milk or water? ›

Smoothies made with water and juice tend to come out more liquidy and less full than those made with milk. Juice is also higher in acidity and typically has more sugar than most milk. Milk is higher in calcium which is good for your bones, heart, and muscles. It also helps to give your smoothie a creamy consistency.

Tell Me More ›

What flavor is the original Orange Julius? ›

An Orange Julius was meant to be made with *fresh* oranges

You've Earned It” is great, nailing the vanilla-orange Creamsicle flavor of the original Orange Julius with a blend of frozen orange concentrate, cream soda, and rum. Now, I love canned concentrate.

What happened to Orange Julius? ›

In 1987, the Orange Julius chain was bought by International Dairy Queen, which was subsequently purchased by billionaire Warren Buffett in 1998; thus, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. All of the surviving independent Orange Julius stores were rebranded into Dairy Queens.

See Details ›

Is Orange Julius owned by Dairy Queen? ›

They loved it so much they bought the company. In 1987, Orange Julius became "a fully owned subsidiary of International Dairy Queen." That's lawyer speak for "now you can get your Dilly^® Bar where you get your Julius^® Original!”

Explore More ›

Is orange pulp good or bad for you? ›

And finally, pulp or no pulp? “Aim for juice with pulp in it,” Keeney begins. “The pulp contains fiber, which regulates the digestive system and keeps blood sugars more stable. Eating a piece of fruit rather than drinking the juice will keep blood sugars even more stable!”

Keep Reading ›

Is orange milkshake good for health? ›

The goodness of orange and proteins in milk combined into one makes a healthy drink. Orange is an excellent source of vitamin C and helps to develop resistance in the body.

Are blended oranges good for you? ›

Blending benefits

Smoothies use the membrane of citrus fruits like oranges or grapefruits, which are high in flavonoids—phytonutrients that help prevent certain diseases.