Panera Strawberry Smoothie Copycat

Make Panera’s strawberry smoothie at home for a fraction of the price! It boasts 16 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber. Enjoy as a refreshing breakfast drink or healthy snack.

Why You’ll Love it:

My kid’s love Panera’s smoothies, even their green smoothie! But at nearly 7 bucks for a smoothie, it adds up fast. Especially if you go on a regular basis.

So I did what I do best, I picked up Panera’s strawberry smoothie so I could do a side-by-side comparison and make my own!

This Panera copycat recipe is just as delicious as the original. It tastes like a sweet strawberry yogurt drink. And it’s only 259 calories with 16 grams of protein.

It’s kid-friendly and perfect for breakfast or a mid-afternoon snack.

Key Ingredients:

• Greek yogurt – It’s high in protein with no added sugar AND it makes for a super creamy smoothie. I buy Costco’s Kirkland brand.
• Frozen strawberries – Panera uses strawberry puree, but since that’s hard to find, I used frozen strawberries. Most store-bought purees are loaded with added sugar anyway.
• Apple & white grape juice – For a sweet liquid base! If you only have apple juice, that’s fine too.
• Stevia – Panera’s strawberry smoothie is sweetened with stevia so that’s what I chose too. I used stevia in the raw. If you don’t like stevia, you can omit it and add more honey instead.
• Honey – For just the right sweetness, without too much of a “stevia” flavor.

How to Make Panera’s Strawberry Smoothie:

This smoothie takes 2 minutes to make!

• Combine ingredients: In your blender, combine all the ingredients. I always start with soft ingredients, then end with the liquid. It gives the blades something to catch and the liquid sinks to the bottom no matter when you add it.
• Blend: Start with the blender on low speed, then gradually increase the speed to high. Blend until smooth.

• Adjust: Taste for sweetness level and consistency. For more sweetness, add more honey. If the smoothie’s too thick, add a splash more juice and blend to incorporate.
• Serve: Pour into a glass and enjoy while frosty and cold!

Expert Tips:

• Panera’s strawberry smoothie is very sweet! If you prefer less sweetness, start with less stevia/honey, then add more as desired.
• For a sweeter smoothie without Stevia, swap the plain Greek yogurt with vanilla or strawberry.
• Adjust the consistency to your liking. I prefer a smoothie to be thick yet pourable. If a smoothie’s too thick, all you need to do is add a little bit more liquid to thin it out.

Variations & Substitutions:

This strawberry smoothie is basic and easy to customize! My favorite addition is hemp hearts and oats.

• Hemp hearts – Add 1 tablespoon of hemp hearts for plant-based protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Or 2 teaspoons of chia seeds.
• Oats – Add 1/4 cup of rolled oats for filling whole grains and a subtle oatmeal flavor.
• Banana – Add a banana for extra creaminess and natural sweetness.
• Protein powder – Add 3 tablespoons of protein powder for a boost of protein. Omit the stevia or it will be too sweet.

Storage:

I recommend drinking a smoothie right away! It only takes a few minutes to make AND it tastes the best immediately.

If you want to store it, you can store it in a thermos or insulated cup with a lid for up to 24 hours in the fridge.

Healthy Smoothie Recipes:

• Low Calorie Berry Smoothie Bowl
• Classic Strawberry Banana Smoothie
• Strawberry Protein Smoothie
• Strawberry Dragon Fruit Smoothie
• McDonald’s Strawberry Banana Smoothie Recipe