Why You’ll Love This Pear Cinnamon Smoothie

• It’s a flavour symphony. The natural sweetness of ripe pears and the warm, woody notes of cinnamon are a match made in heaven. It’s a comforting combination that feels both familiar and a little bit special.
• It’s incredibly quick and forgiving. We’re talking five minutes from fridge to glass. No cooking, no fuss. And if your pears are a little under or over-ripe, this smoothie is very adaptable—honestly, it’s hard to mess up.
• The texture is dreamily creamy. Even without bananas or avocados, the pear and yogurt base creates a luxuriously smooth and sippable consistency that’s neither too thick nor too thin.
• It feels like a treat. This smoothie has a dessert-like quality that can satisfy a sweet craving in the most wholesome way. It’s perfect for a post-lunch pick-me-up or a light evening snack that won’t weigh you down.

Ingredients & Tools

• 2 medium ripe pears, cored and roughly chopped (about 300 g)
• 1 cup (240 ml) unsweetened almond milk, or milk of choice
• 1/2 cup (120 g) plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey, or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4-5 ice cubes (optional, for a colder drink)

Tools: A high-speed blender.

A quick note on the pears—using ripe ones is the real key here. You’ll want them to yield slightly to gentle pressure near the stem, as they’ll provide the best natural sweetness and blend up the creamiest. And that pinch of vanilla… it might seem small, but it really rounds out the flavours beautifully.

Serves: 1 large or 2 small | Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 0 minutes | Total Time: 5 minutes

Before You Start: Tips & Ingredient Notes

• Pear variety matters. While any ripe pear will work, Bartlett or Anjou pears are my top choices. They’re consistently juicy and sweet when ripe, which is exactly what we need for a smoothie without added sugar.
• To chill or not to chill? If you prefer a super cold, thick smoothie, using frozen pear chunks is a game-changer. Simply chop and freeze your ripe pears the night before. You can then skip the ice cubes for an even more intense pear flavour.
• Yogurt choices. Greek yogurt gives a fantastic protein boost and extra creaminess, but regular plain yogurt, a dairy-free alternative like coconut yogurt, or even a scoop of vanilla protein powder work wonderfully too. It’s all about your personal preference.
• Taste as you go! The sweetness of pears can vary. Blend your smoothie first, then taste it before adding the full tablespoon of maple syrup. You might find it’s perfectly sweet enough already, which is a lovely surprise.

How to Make Pear Cinnamon Smoothie

Serving Suggestions

Complementary Dishes

• A slice of whole-wheat toast with almond butter — The nutty, savoury flavour and crunchy texture provide a perfect contrast to the smooth, sweet drink, making it a more complete and satisfying breakfast.
• A small handful of spiced nuts — A few walnuts or pecans on the side echo the warm spice theme and add a lovely bit of healthy fat and crunch.

Drinks

• A hot cup of black coffee — The bitterness of the coffee cuts through the sweetness of the smoothie beautifully, creating a well-rounded morning experience.
• A glass of sparkling water with a lemon wedge — This is fantastic if you’re having the smoothie as a snack; the bubbles and citrus cleanse the palate wonderfully.

Something Sweet

• A small, chewy oatmeal raisin cookie — It continues the cinnamon-spiced theme and feels like a decadent pairing, perfect for a weekend brunch.
• A square of dark chocolate (70% or higher) — The intense, slightly bitter chocolate is a surprising and sophisticated match for the sweet pear and warm spice.

Top Mistakes to Avoid

• Mistake: Using rock-hard pears. Unripe pears are starchy, not sweet, and they won’t blend into a smooth consistency. You’ll end up with a grainy texture and a lacklustre flavour. Patience is key—wait for them to ripen!
• Mistake: Adding too much liquid at once. It’s easier to add more liquid to thin a smoothie than it is to thicken one up. Start with the recommended amount, blend, and then only add an extra splash if it’s too thick for your liking.
• Mistake: Over-blending. While you need to blend until smooth, running the blender for several minutes can actually warm up the smoothie from the friction of the blades. A minute or so on high is almost always plenty.
• Mistake: Skipping the taste test. Ingredients vary, especially the natural sugars in fruit. Not tasting before serving means you might miss the chance to perfect the balance of sweetness and spice to your personal preference.

Expert Tips

• Tip: Boost the nutrition effortlessly. For a green boost, a large handful of fresh spinach blends in perfectly without altering the flavour. A tablespoon of flaxseed or chia seeds will add fibre and omega-3s, giving the smoothie a slight thickness.
• Tip: Make it a smoothie bowl. Reduce the almond milk to about 1/2 cup to create a super thick, spoonable consistency. Pour it into a bowl and top with granola, sliced pear, and a extra dusting of cinnamon for a beautiful, Instagram-worthy breakfast.
• Tip: Prep ahead for busy mornings. Create smoothie packs! Place the pre-chopped pear and all the other dry ingredients (cinnamon, even a pre-measured scoop of protein powder) in a freezer bag. In the morning, just dump the bag into the blender, add the liquid and yogurt, and blend.
• Tip: Play with your spices. Cinnamon is the star, but a tiny pinch of nutmeg or cardamom (about 1/8 teaspoon) can add a wonderful, complex warmth that makes the flavour profile even more interesting.

FAQs

Can I make this smoothie ahead of time?
You can, but it’s best enjoyed immediately. If you need to prep it, store it in a sealed jar or bottle in the fridge for up to 24 hours. It will likely separate, which is totally natural—just give it a really good shake or a quick re-blend before drinking. The texture might be a little less frothy, but the flavour will still be great. I wouldn’t recommend freezing it, as the yogurt can become a bit grainy upon thawing.

My smoothie turned out too thin. How can I fix it?
No worries, this is an easy fix! The simplest solution is to add a thickener. A quarter of a frozen banana will work wonders for creaminess and a hint of sweetness. Alternatively, a tablespoon of rolled oats or a spoonful of nut butter will thicken it up and add staying power. Blend again until completely smooth.

Is it necessary to peel the pears?
It’s not strictly necessary, and it’s a personal choice. The peel contains extra fibre and nutrients, so if you have a high-powered blender, it will likely blend it seamlessly. If your blender is less powerful, or if you’re sensitive to texture, peeling the pears will guarantee an ultra-smooth result. For a smoothie bowl where presentation matters, I usually peel them.

Can I use a different type of milk?
Absolutely! The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility. Any milk you enjoy will work—cow’s milk, oat milk, cashew milk, or coconut milk. Just be mindful that flavoured or sweetened milks will add their own sweetness, so you may want to reduce the amount of maple syrup you add accordingly.

What can I use if I don’t have Greek yogurt?
You have several options. Regular plain yogurt will work, though the smoothie will be a bit thinner. A dairy-free yogurt alternative like coconut or almond yogurt is a perfect substitute. If you want to skip yogurt altogether, half an avocado will provide incredible creaminess and healthy fats, or you can just increase the milk slightly and add a few more ice cubes for thickness.