My husband got weary of driving through Smoothie King, poor man had to drive his heavily expectant wife to satisfy her cravings.
We had to come up with a more sustainable pocket-friendly way of sorting out the cravings and cooling off too. The little unborn gift wasn't aware that we were to live within a budget.
It was time to take a mental note of all the ingredients contained in our favorite Smoothie King smoothies and recreate them at home. This recipe also inspired the Banana Smoothie Without Yogurt my on this site, and pairs well with the Lotus Biscoff Cake.
Jump to:
It was prudent to begin making copycat smoothies at home. When our little daughter was born and eventually got weaned, she continued placing orders for their smoothies! Lol.
She would always turn away her head whenever mealtime offered cooked leafy green vegetables! The nutritionists pointed out she needed them! But she resisted eating the recommended meals with all her might!
If I managed to force a spoonful of food into her mouth she would remove it in a manner that all mothers know… it was frustrating.
I got alarmed when a test at the local health clinic revealed iron deficiency. I felt rather embarrassed as a mother of four being lectured on foods rich in iron. I knew she loved smoothies but I had never thought of tossing vegetables in her favorite smoothie recipes.
Oh, the day I made the green smoothie for my little toddler, she drank it in a flash. Iron deficiency is sorted! We love smoothies. Period.
Why smoothies?
Smoothies are thick, smooth, and creamy beverages made from a variety of ingredients placed in a blender.
Typical ingredients of a smoothie consist of fruits, vegetables, yogurt, seeds, nuts, juice, milk, water, ice cubes, protein powder, or even chocolate and spices. Some chefs are adventurous to add cake such as chocolate sponge cake!
Here is why you should take smoothies.
- Smoothies increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables which are crucial to good health. Fruits and vegetable intake lower the risk of lifestyle diseases that are on the rise lately.
- Smoothies are a perfect meal replacement. If you are in a weight loss program, smoothies provide essential nutrients that you will get in a full meal.
- Smoothies help manage food cravings by keeping you fuller for long. This beverage hydrates your body and supplies the rich taste contained in all the ingredients in their raw form.
A bit of Smoothie King
The founders of Smoothie King caught the vision way back in 1973. Steve and Cindy Kuhnau experimented with various smoothie recipes with a desire to improve their health.
They began their first health food store in New Orleans Indiana. Their smoothie brands grew popular in many states, the Cayman Islands, and the Caribbean islands.
Wan Kin bought the business in 2001, he made the franchise famous in Asia. Smoothie King outlets can be found in over 1000 locations around the world.
Our favorite smoothie copycat recipes from Smoothie King are listed below, we have tried this at home.
Caribbean Way Smoothie - fresh strawberries, banana, papaya juice nectar, granulated sugar, and ice cubes
Keto Champ Berry Smoothie - Blueberries, raspberries, Keto protein blend, almond milk, peanut or almond butter, and cocoa. ( Staple smoothie for my son on a keto diet)
Vegan Mango Kale Smoothie - Mangoes, pineapples, bananas, kale leaves, almond butter, almond milk, and moringa powder.
Angel food Smoothie - Frozen strawberries, bananas, stevia powder, vanilla extract, milk, and ice cubes.
Bulk Smoothie Preparation
Back in the day when we were children, I remember the strawberry season vividly. We would go with my grandma to pick the ripened fruits from the garden patch.
It was so much fun! We would then gather after dinner at our kitchen table. Everyone would be allotted work in the smoothie preparation process.
Some would chop the bananas and some would remove the leafy parts of the strawberries and chop them. The eldest kids would pack the chopped fruits into freezer bags and label them according to the ingredients.
We would chat the evening away and soon the freezer would be filled with bags with various smoothie combos. Grandma shared some of the packs with her neighbors.
Whenever we needed a smoothie, we would pull a bag and toss the ingredients into a blender.
Let us try to make some for today. We shall be sharing our homemade Smoothie King Strawberry Extreme. It is strawberry season!
Ingredients and substitution
Frozen Strawberries
Strawberries possess sweetness and juiciness with a slightly tart taste.
Strawberries are very delicious when raw or cooked in various dishes ranging from savory to sweet.
Strawberries contain vitamins, fibers, and antioxidants known as polyphenols. They do not have sodium, fat, or any cholesterol. You can substitute it with other fruits such as blueberries, raspberries, or pineapples.
To get a creamy smoothie, use frozen strawberries in your recipe.
Frozen yogurt
Yogurt gives the Smoothie King Strawberry Extreme a smooth creamy texture. Yogurt is rich in essential nutrients such as calcium, proteins, and vitamins. These minerals are good for your bones and teeth. The probiotics found in yogurt boost immunity in people of all ages.
Orange Juice
Oranges possess a sweet and acidic taste that balances with the banana flavor in the smoothie. The citrus fruit contains vitamin C keeping all the flues at bay. Orange juice can be substituted with lime juice, pineapple juice, or apple juice.
Turbinado Sugar
Turbinado sugar adds a depth of sweetness to the smoothie. You can replace it with other healthier sweeteners such as stevia powder, honey, or fruit nectars.
Banana
Bananas add a depth of sweetness to the smoothie blending beautifully with the orange and strawberry flavors. Bananas are rich in many nutrients such as manganese, potassium, and vitamin b6 according to the Healthxchange website. Bananas have fiber and also aid in digestion.
Crushed Ice
Crushed ice makes the Smoothie King Strawberry Extreme creamy cool, and refreshing, especially on a hot summer day.
Equipment
- Blender: Blenders are synonymous with smoothie making. Use a powerful brand because you will be crushing frozen fruits and ice cubes.
- Serving glasses
- Drinking straws
- Sharp knife
FAQ Smoothie King Strawberry Extreme Recipe
Can I use any sugar in Smoothie King Strawberry Extreme?
Yes, you can use even healthier sweeteners such as malt syrups or stevia powder. Turbinado sugar is less refined and adds a unique flavor to the smoothie as well.
Can I use fresh strawberries in the recipe?
Yes, you may. However, your Smoothie King Strawberry will be less creamy and thinner in consistency.
Smoothie Add-ins
Below are some ingredients that you could add to the smoothie to increase the level of nutritiousness. Use the recommended amounts prescribed by expert nutritionists.
Whey protein
Whey is that liquid that separates from milk during cheese making. It is a complete, high-quality protein that contains essential amino acids. Whey protein is known for muscle-building properties, especially for those involved in intense physical training.
Moringa powder
Moringa, a plant-based protein, is a game-changer for lactating mothers. It increases the production of breast milk! In addition, it is rich in antioxidants that protect body cells from free radicals.
Crushed flax seed
Flax contains proteins, fibers, and omega-3 fatty acids. Flax seeds have a mild nutty flavor and will enhance the consistency of the smoothie too.
Chia seeds
Chia seeds are highly nutritious and loaded with antioxidants. They may support your weight loss journey and may lower your risk of heart disease.
Pro Tip
You need a powerful blender to crush ice and frozen fruits. A weak blender will strain or eventually malfunction. You can use a food processor to crush the ice and the frozen fruits then transfer them to the blender.
To perfectly freeze your fruits, use a good quality freezer container such as Tupperware. The chopped fruits remain unattached in Tupperware containers making it easy to blend.
Since the smoothie contains bananas it will not taste great if you keep it long after making the delightful beverage.
Enjoy the refreshing beverage on a hot summer day.
Related Recipes.
If you tried this Smoothie King Strawberry Extreme Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you liked it in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Smoothie King Strawberry Extreme Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Blender
- 2 Serving glasses
- 2 Drinking straws
- 1 Sharp knife
Ingredients
- 1 cup Frozen strawberries
- 1 cup Frozen yogurt
- 1 oz Orange juice
- 1 cup Crushed ice
- 1 Frozen banana
Instructions
Day Before Preparation
- Prepare the strawberries a night before by removing the leafy parts of the strawberries, chop into small pieces, and place them in a freezer bag. Freeze them overnight. Peel the bananas and dice them into small discs, and reduce the dice into halves. Keep them in a freezer bag or container and freeze them overnight. Ensure your ice cube tray has fresh clean water too!
Steps
- In a powerful blender, crush the ice cubes. Add the frozen fruits and yogurt, pulse until a smooth creamy consistency is formed.
- Add some orange juice as you keep blending.
- Serve immediately.
