This Vanilla Hulk Smoothie King Recipe is a delectable replica of the popular drink using whole-food ingredients! This copycat recipe swaps butter pecan ice cream for a blend of frozen bananas, dates, and pecans, matched with vanilla protein powder, to recreate the Smoothie King flavor perfectly. Don't miss my tip to soak the dates and nuts for easier digestion and a seamless blend. It ensures a smooth texture, rich flavor, and maximum nutrients.
I love the challenge of recreating popular restaurant recipes with healthier ingredients. This gives full control over what's going into your body and helps you to save money making these delicious treats at home.
Our copycat favorites of Smoothie King classics like the Island Impact, Strawberry Xtreme, and the Banana Boat Smoothie are a hit with kids and adults alike. For another nutty delight, try Nekter Health Nut!
This recipe is one of the Smoothie King fitness blends (aka Get Fit Blends) and was originally intended for weight gain. So it makes sense why they use ice cream (not that I agree that eating ice cream is the healthiest way to put on weight).😉
However, we can't be sure what ingredients or how many added sugars are used in the ice cream, so it helps to make your own at home using clean ingredients!
Before beginning, I like to take a moment to set healthy intentions. Embracing this mindful practice can enhance your overall experience and energy levels. If you're curious about how to set powerful intentions, check out our guide written by a professional hypnotherapist—myself!
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Ingredients
Frozen Bananas: Packed with potassium and vitamin C, bananas are excellent for boosting energy levels and aiding muscle recovery. Choose ripe bananas for the sweetest flavor and freeze them to give your smoothie a creamy ice-cream-like texture.
Dates (Medjool): A fantastic natural sweetener, Medjool dates are rich in fiber, antioxidants, and essential minerals. Select plump, sticky Medjool dates for their caramel-like sweetness.
Pecans: These nuts are a great source of healthy fats and protein, supporting heart health and muscle growth. For the best quality, opt for raw, unsalted pecans.
Vanilla Protein Powder: Enhance your smoothie with protein essential for muscle repair. We recommend brands like Naked Shake or Truvani, known for their clean ingredients and minimal processing. These are both plant-based, however, if you'd like whey protein powder, try Naked Whey.
Oat Milk: A creamy, dairy-free alternative that's gentle on the stomach and rich in fiber. Opt for organic oat milk or make your own at home with organic sprouted oats to avoid glyphosate contamination, as oats are often tested by the EWG for high levels.
Substitutions and Variations
Green Hulk Smoothie: Boost the nutrient profile by adding spinach to your smoothie. This adds essential vitamins and a vibrant color without altering the taste significantly. A healthy green smoothie is super easy to achieve with just a handful of leafy greens like spinach or kale.
Hulk Strawberry Smoothie: For a fruity smoothie, blend in fresh or frozen strawberries. This adds a natural sweetness and a boost of vitamin C.
Hulk Chocolate Smoothie: Incorporate cacao powder during the taste test. Cacao adds a rich flavor and is packed with antioxidants.
Hulk Coffee Smoothie: Mix in chocolate and an instant coffee or espresso shot for a Mocha Hulk. This variation is perfect for coffee lovers.
Gainer Options: If you need a higher calorie option, substitute protein powder with a calorie-dense gainer like Naked Mass or use Naked Shake for a balanced meal replacement.
How to Make a Vanilla Hulk Smoothie King Smoothie
Step 1: Begin by soaking the dates and pecans overnight or for a few hours before blending. This softens them and enhances nutrient absorption, making them blend more smoothly into your smoothie. Be sure to drain them and rinse the nuts before adding to the smoothie. *You can reserve some date water for later use.
Step 2: Combine the oat milk, frozen bananas, soaked and drained dates, pecans, and vanilla protein powder in a high-speed blender. Blend until the mixture is creamy and smooth.
Step 3: If your smoothie is too thick, slowly add more oat milk until you reach your preferred consistency. For a thicker texture, add additional ice or frozen banana.
Step 4: Give your smoothie a taste test and adjust the sweetness by adding more dates if needed. Modify the flavor by altering the amount of protein powder or oat milk.
Serve: Pour the smoothie into a tall glass and enjoy it right away.
Hint: Reserve the water from soaking the dates and use it to adjust the consistency of your smoothie for an extra sweet and rich flavor.
Top tip
For the smoothest and creamiest smoothies, we highly recommend using a high-speed blender. The Vitamix blender is a top choice for its power and durability, perfect for getting the ideal texture every time. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Ninja Professional is a fantastic alternative. Look for models with at least 1000-1500 watts to ensure they can handle frozen ingredients and nuts with ease, making your smoothie preparation both quick and efficient.
Recipe FAQ's
The traditional Hulk smoothie from Smoothie King includes bananas, turbinado sugar, a special Hulk blend (their bulking protein powder), and butter pecan ice cream. In our adapted version, we've eliminated the added sugars and replaced them with natural and clean ingredients that still taste divine. By using wholesome alternatives like dates for sweetness and pecans for a nutty flavor, our version maintains the delicious essence of the original without the processed sugars.
Smoothie King typically uses whey protein isolate in their smoothies. However, for the Hulk smoothies, they use a special Hulk blend. According to their website, this blend contains 60 calories, 0.5g fat, 9g total carbs (including 4g of added sugars), and 4g protein per serving. This blend is designed to support weight gain and muscle building, providing a significant caloric boost with each serving.
More Juice and Smoothie Recipes
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Recipe
Vanilla Hulk Smoothie King Recipe
Equipment
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- spatula
- Tall glass for serving
Ingredients
- ½ cup oat milk organic
- 2 bananas frozen
- 4 Medjool dates pitted, soaked
- ¼ cup pecans soaked overnight
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder preferably Naked Shake or Truvani
Instructions
- Soak Nuts and Dates: Soak the dates and pecans overnight or for a few hours before blending to enhance their nutrient absorption and ease of blending.
- Blend Ingredients: In a high-speed blender, combine oat milk, frozen bananas, soaked and drained dates, pecans, and vanilla protein powder. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Adjust Consistency: If the smoothie is too thick, gradually add more oat milk. For a thicker consistency, add extra ice or another frozen banana. Don't forget to scrape down the sides between blends.
- Taste and Adjust Flavors: Taste your smoothie and adjust by adding more dates for sweetness or modifying the amount of protein powder or oat milk to suit your preference.
- Serve: Pour into a tall glass and enjoy immediately.
Sonja says
Just what I needed after an intense workout! This smoothie was refreshing and filling and the ingredients had me feel good about fuelling my body. Thanks for this. 🙂
Natalie Perry says
So happy to hear!
Jacqueline Debono says
This is such a delicious smoothie. We don't have Smoothie King here in Europe but I love using protein powder in my smoothies and Medjool dates really are the best!
Natalie Perry says
oo great idea! I love medjool dates too
Katie says
Such a delicious smoothie!
Natalie Perry says
Thank you!
Juyali says
Swapping out the ice cream and artificial ingredients for frozen fruit and natural sweeteners makes a huge difference.
The smoothie was creamy and packed with flavor. I liked that it used simple ingredients I already had on hand. Perfect for a post-workout pick-me-up. Thank you for the great recipe!
Natalie Perry says
I agree! You are so welcome
nora says
This is perfect for after-workout! Thanks for this healthy and delicious treat!
Natalie Perry says
It really is! You are welcome 🙂
Krystel says
I was looking for some new protein shake recipes on Pinterest when I came across this one. I haven’t actually tried the Smoothie King one but this one for sure was great! I don’t like protein powder but I wanted to add a little extra each day and this works!
Natalie Perry says
I am so glad you loved it!
Amy Liu Dong says
It's so delicious and very enticing too! Loved it!
Natalie Perry says
Thank you! Glad you liked it