Home » Recipe Index » Smoothies » Panera Strawberry Banana Smoothie (Copycat Recipe)
by Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutritionon
Jun 17, 2024
This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.
You’re going to love how easy it is to make a copycat version of the Panera Strawberry Banana Smoothie! With simple, wholesome ingredients, this is a great homemade version that tastes just like the real thing.
Panera Bread is a casual restaurant chain located around the United States. One of its popular summertime drinks is its Strawberry Banana Smoothie.
In this homemade version, you can swap out fruit purees and “natural flavors” for the real thing! Plus, you save money by making it at home.
Simple ingredients are all you need for this very tasty smoothie. You can even make it dairy-free and vegan using plant-based version of yogurt.
Contents hide
1 Recipe Benefits
2 Key Ingredients
3 Recipe Steps
4 Recipe Tips
5 Recipe FAQs
6 More Healthy Smoothie Recipes You Might Like
7 Don’t Miss These Strawberry Smoothies!
8 Panera Strawberry Banana Smoothie (Copycat Recipe)
Recipe Benefits
- Natural Ingredients: The homemade version uses simple, whole ingredients like apple juice, vanilla yogurt, a banana, and frozen strawberries. This means no artificial flavors, concentrates, or preservatives, resulting in a more natural and wholesome smoothie.
- Control Over Sweetness: By making your own smoothie, you can control the sweetness level. Unlike Panera’s version, which includes multiple fruit juice concentrates and steviol glycosides, you can adjust the sweetness to your taste, ensuring it isn’t overly sugary.
- Freshness and Nutrient Retention: The homemade smoothie retains more vitamins and minerals from the fresh fruit and yogurt, compared to the Panera version, which relies on fruit purees and concentrates that may lose some nutritional value during processing.
Key Ingredients
- Apple Juice adds a refreshing, sweet flavor with a hint of tartness, serving as the liquid base for the smoothie. Feel free to swap out the fruit juice for coconut milk or oat milk if you want less sugar.
- Vanilla Yogurt contributes a creamy texture and a sweet, slightly tangy flavor, along with added protein and probiotics for gut health. Feel free to use dairy-based or dairy-free versions of yogurt (your choice).
- Banana adds natural sweetness and creaminess, making for a very creamy smoothie.
- Frozen Strawberries bring a burst of sweetness and tartness, along with antioxidants and vibrant color.
- Ice Cubes (optional) thicken and chill the smoothie, making it extra thick and refreshing.
Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact measurements.
Recipe Steps
Step One
Combine all of the ingredients in a blender.
Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.
Step Two
Blend for 35-45 seconds until smooth and creamy.
Step Three
Serve immediately. Enjoy!
I hope you agree that this version tastes just like Panera, but even better because you can trust the ingredients. It’s a big hit in my household, especially on hot days.
Recipe Tips
- You can easily double this recipe to make two servings.
- If you are on a dairy-free or vegan diet, you can use a plant-based vanilla yogurt.
- Want to store any leftover smoothie? Just cover it with a lid and store in the fridge up to 2 days. Or, freeze it in an ice cube tray and blend with some almond milk later.
- Want more protein? Add a scoop or two of your favorite protein powder (see my list of the best clean eating protein powders).
Recipe FAQs
Can I use fresh strawberries instead of frozen?
Yes, you can use fresh strawberries if you prefer. However, using frozen strawberries helps to thicken the smoothie and makes it extra refreshing. If using fresh strawberries, you may want to add a few ice cubes to achieve a similar texture.
Can I substitute the vanilla yogurt with another type of yogurt?
Absolutely! You can use any type of yogurt you like, such as plain Greek yogurt or a dairy-free alternative like almond or coconut yogurt. Just keep in mind that the flavor and texture might vary slightly depending on your choice.
How can I adjust the sweetness of the smoothie?
The sweetness can be adjusted by adding more or less apple juice or banana.
If you prefer a sweeter smoothie, you can add a bit of honey or a natural sweetener like maple syrup. For a less sweet version, use less apple juice or opt for a less ripe banana.
More Healthy Smoothie Recipes You Might Like
- Liver Support Green Smoothie
- Strawberry Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie
- Acai Strawberry Smoothie
- Moringa Superfood Smoothie
Don’t Miss These Strawberry Smoothies!
Panera Strawberry Banana Smoothie (Copycat Recipe)
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5 from 1 review
You’re going to love how easy it is to make a copycat version of the Panera Strawberry Banana Smoothie! With simple, wholesome ingredients, this is a great homemade version that tastes just like the real thing.
- Total Time: 7 Minutes
- Yield: 1 Serving 1x
Ingredients
UnitsScale
- 1/2 cup apple juice
- 4 ounces vanilla yogurt
- 1 ripe medium-sized banana
- 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
- handful of ice cubes (optional, if you want it extra thick)
Instructions
- In the pitcher of a blender, combine the apple juice, yogurt, banana, strawberries, and ice (if using).
- Lock on the lid and blend for 35-45 seconds, or until fully combined and creamy.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- You can easily double this recipe to make 2 servings.
- If you are on a dairy-free or vegan diet, you can use a plant-based vanilla yogurt.
- Author: Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition
- Prep Time: 5 Minutes
- Cook Time: 2 Minutes
- Category: Smoothies
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: Healthy
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 full recipe
- Calories: 282
- Sugar: 45.5 g
- Sodium: 81.8 mg
- Fat: 2.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 62.2 g
- Fiber: 4.8 g
- Protein: 7.5 g
- Cholesterol: 5.7 mg
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About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition. She is a top wellness and food blogger with over 5 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send Carrie a message through her contact form.
This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission. We are participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
filed under: Breakfast, Copycat Recipes, Smoothies, Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes
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One comment on “Panera Strawberry Banana Smoothie (Copycat Recipe)”
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Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition — June 17, 2024 @ 2:12 pm Reply
Tastes just like the real things…but healthier!
