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Chlorella apple mint smoothie is a cold green blend of tart apple, frozen banana, fresh mint, and 1 teaspoon of chlorella powder per glass. It takes 8 minutes in one blender and makes two 350 ml servings.
I’ll be honest. Chlorella has a reputation. Stirred into plain water, it tastes like a pond. Here the apple and mint do the heavy lifting, so you get something crisp and cool with a mild green finish.
The one thing that goes wrong is the powder. Go past 1 teaspoon per glass and the smoothie turns swampy and bitter. Start low. You can always add a pinch more next time.
I keep freezer packs of chopped apple and banana ready for the week, so there’s no chopping on a weekday morning. It’s cheap, and kids tend to drink it because it looks like any green apple smoothie.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in 8 minutes with one blender and no cooking
- Mint and apple tone down chlorella’s earthy taste
- About 2 dollars a glass, including the chlorella
- Freezer packs make weekday mornings a quick blend
Ingredient Notes
- Green apples: Granny Smith is my pick for its tartness. Sweet red apples work but taste flat next to the chlorella. Leave the peel on for color and fiber.
- Chlorella powder: Choose a fine, dark green powder, since clumpy powder blends gritty. Keep the jar sealed and dry. Spirulina can stand in, but use less.
- Frozen banana: Freeze a spotted ripe banana in chunks the night before. It adds sweetness and a thick, cold body. Frozen mango chunks work too, with a more tropical taste.
- Fresh mint: Spearmint is milder and tastes best here. Peppermint can read like toothpaste. Pull the leaves off the stems, since the stems turn bitter.
- Unsweetened almond milk: Any unsweetened milk works. Oat milk makes it thicker, dairy milk adds a little protein, and plain cold water also works.
Easy Green Apple Mint Smoothie with Chlorella Powder
Ingredients
Method
- Core the apples and chop them into 2 cm / 3/4-inch chunks, leaving the peel on. Pull the mint leaves off the stems and squeeze the lemon.
- Add the ingredients to the blender jar in this order: almond milk, lemon juice, chlorella powder, mint, apple, frozen banana, then ice. Liquid first keeps the powder from clumping.
- Blend on low for 10 seconds, then on high for 50 to 60 seconds until the color is an even pale green with no flecks of apple skin. If it’s too thick, add 2 tbsp more almond milk and blend for 10 seconds.
- Taste and add a few extra banana chunks if it’s too tart. Pour into two 350 ml glasses and drink within 15 minutes.
Notes
- Keep the green apple peel on for color and a clean, tart finish.
- Stick to 1 tsp chlorella per glass, since more turns the smoothie bitter and swampy.
- Freeze the banana chunks the night before so the smoothie blends thick and cold.
- Blend for a full 60 seconds to break down the apple skin.
- Drink within 15 minutes for the best texture.
Tips for Success
- Start with 1 tsp of chlorella per glass the first time, then raise it only if you like the taste.
- Add the almond milk, lemon juice and chlorella to the blender first so the powder wets out and doesn’t clump under the apple.
- Chop the apple into 2 cm chunks and blend for a full 60 seconds, because apple skin leaves gritty flecks if you stop early.
- Drink the smoothie within 15 minutes, since it thickens as it sits and the apple fibers settle at the bottom.
- Taste before pouring and add 1 tbsp of honey or maple syrup only if your apples are on the sour side.
Variations
- Swap the almond milk for 120 g plain Greek yogurt plus 120 ml water for a thicker, higher-protein glass.
- Use 80 g frozen pineapple chunks in place of the banana for a sharper, more tropical flavor.
- Stir in 1 tbsp chia seeds after blending and let it sit 5 minutes for a thicker, pudding-like texture.
Storage and Reheating
Chlorella apple mint smoothie is best blended fresh and drunk within 15 minutes, because the banana thickens it and the apple fibers settle as it sits. It’s a cold drink, so there is nothing to reheat.
If you need to make it ahead, pour the leftovers into a sealed jar filled to the top and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Shake it hard before drinking. The color dulls a little and the texture runs thicker.
A better make-ahead move is freezer packs. Portion 150 g chopped apple, 60 g banana chunks and about 12 mint leaves into each bag and freeze flat for up to 2 months. To serve, blend two bags with the 240 ml almond milk, 1 tbsp lemon juice and 2 tsp chlorella, and skip the ice.
Serving Suggestions
Chlorella apple mint smoothie is best served ice-cold in a tall glass with a wide straw. Top it with a mint sprig and a thin apple slice on the rim.
Pair it with something that has protein and fat. Peanut butter toast, two boiled eggs, or a small bowl of oatmeal all work. On its own it’s a light snack, not a full breakfast.
For kids, pour it into a lidded cup and skip the garnish. The apple and banana keep it tasting like a regular green smoothie.
FAQ
Why does my chlorella smoothie taste like pond water?
Too much chlorella is the usual reason a chlorella smoothie tastes like pond water. Keep it to 1 tsp (3 g) per glass, add the lemon juice, and use a spotted frozen banana for sweetness. Fresh mint helps too, because it covers the earthy finish that the powder leaves behind.
Can I use spirulina instead of chlorella in an apple mint smoothie?
Yes, swap spirulina for chlorella, but use less. Spirulina has a stronger, more sea-like flavor, so the apple and mint cover it less well. Start with 1 1/2 tsp total for two glasses instead of 2 tsp, and taste before adding more.
Can I make a chlorella apple mint smoothie the night before?
Yes, a chlorella apple mint smoothie keeps in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Fill the jar to the top to limit air, then shake it well before drinking because it thickens and separates. For the best texture, blend it fresh and drink within 15 minutes.
What goes well with a chlorella apple mint smoothie at breakfast?
Pair it with something that has protein and fat, like peanut butter toast, two boiled eggs, or a bowl of oatmeal. Each glass has only about 4 g of protein, so on its own it won’t hold you until lunch. It also works as a light snack with a handful of almonds.
Is chlorella apple mint smoothie vegan and gluten free?
Yes, this chlorella apple mint smoothie is vegan and gluten free when you use unsweetened almond milk. Chlorella, apple, banana, mint and lemon contain no gluten or animal products. Check the almond milk label if you’re strict about gluten, and note that it does contain tree nuts.
Is it safe to drink a chlorella smoothie every day?
A small daily serving is common, but start with 1 tsp (3 g) and see how your stomach reacts, since chlorella can cause gas or loose stools at first. It’s also high in vitamin K, so check with your doctor first if you take warfarin or another blood thinner.
