This Smoothie King Strawberry X-treme copycat recipe is bursting with the natural sweetness of fresh strawberries and tropical papaya. It's a homemade spin on a popular smoothie franchise favorite, delivering a deliciously healthy robust strawberry flavor.
We realized that even some beloved menu items from Smoothie King, like the Banana Boat Smoothie, The Vanilla Hulk, and Pineapple Surf Smoothie, often include added sugars, especially in the fruit juice blends.
So, we took it upon ourselves to recreate these treats at home, focusing on whole foods. I've discovered just the right balance between fresh and frozen fruits for that perfect consistency. Making these smoothies at home lets us control what goes in, ensuring top-notch ingredients and a flavor that hits the spot, all while saving money.
Instead of Smoothie King's papaya juice blend, laden with sugars, we use pure apple juice and fresh papaya.
As you prepare this strawberry smoothie, take a moment to set a positive intention. To delve deeper into this practice, check out our free guide on intention-setting and affirmations.
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Ingredients
Fresh Papaya: The papaya in this smoothie is a tropical treasure, rich in vitamin C and digestive enzymes like papain. Choose ripe, organic papaya for its superior taste and health benefits; it should feel soft to the touch and have yellow-orange skin.
Apple Juice: Use fresh-pressed, unfiltered, and organic apple juice for a natural sweetener loaded with beneficial plant compounds. If fresh juice isn't an option, opt for an organic version that's not from concentrate without added sugars.
Frozen Strawberries: Frozen strawberries are a great choice for a frosty smoothie texture.
Fresh Strawberries: Organic, fresh strawberries add a burst of freshness and are full of antioxidants.
Maple Syrup(optional): While Smoothie King Outlets add turbinado sugar to their smoothies, we find pure maple syrup a healthier alternative if extra sweetness is desired. It contains beneficial minerals and antioxidants without a spike in blood sugar.
Substitutions and Variations
Protein Boost: Add a scoop of protein powder like whey protein or a plant-based variety to transform your smoothie into a protein-rich post-workout treat. Check out my guide: BCAA's vs Whey Protein for more in-depth info.
Dairy-Free: Swap out apple juice for almond milk for a creamier, dairy-free variation.
Keto-Friendly: Those on a keto diet can reduce the fruit content and add lemon juice for tang or use a keto-approved sweetener.
Seeds for Nutrition: Sprinkle in chia seeds, flax seeds, wheat germ, or hemp seeds for extra nutrients and fatty acids.
Check out our guide for chia vs flax vs hemp seeds to learn about these superseeds!
Greens: Toss in a handful of leafy greens like spinach for a nutrient-dense drink without altering the strawberry flavor too much.
How to Make Smoothie King Strawberry X-Treme Copycat
Step 1: Hull the strawberries and get your papaya ready by peeling, halving, and chopping it into chunks. This prep work ensures your fresh fruit is blender-ready. (See the YouTube video below)
Step 2: Combine the prepared strawberries and papaya chunks with the cold-pressed apple juice in a blender. Process these until they reach a smooth, velvety texture.
Step 3: If the blend is thicker than you like, introduce a few ice cubes or a splash of more apple juice. This step customizes the smoothie to your preference for thickness and chill.
Step 4: Give your smoothie a taste. If it needs more sweetness, add your preferred natural sweetener or additional apple juice.
Hint: To handle the papaya, slice off the ends, peel the skin with a knife, then cut it lengthwise. Remove the seeds with a spoon, but save a few.
*Tossing in a handful of papaya seeds can ramp up the nutrition of your smoothie—they're full of healthy fatty acids and digestive enzymes. Just remember, they have a peppery flavor, so a little goes a long way!
Top tip
For the smoothest texture and best integration of ingredients, using a high-speed blender is highly recommended. If you’re working with a standard blender, take care to gradually add the ingredients, especially the frozen ones.
Standard blenders require more time to thoroughly process frozen ingredients, so adding them slowly ensures that everything blends evenly without overworking your machine.
More Smoothie and Juice Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
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Recipe
Smoothie King Strawberry X-treme Copycat
Equipment
- Measuring cups
- Knife and Cutting Board
- Spoon (for papaya seeds)
Ingredients
- 1 cup Fresh strawberries hulled
- 1 cup Frozen strawberries
- 1 cup Fresh papaya peeled and chopped
- ½ cup Cold-pressed apple juice (adjust for consistency)
- 1 cup Ice cubes optional (for extra frostiness)
Instructions
- Prepare the Fruit: Hull the strawberries and prepare your papaya by peeling, halving, and chopping it into chunks.
- Initial Blend: Place the prepared strawberries and papaya chunks along with the apple juice in a powerful blender. Blend until smooth and velvety.
- Adjust Consistency: If the smoothie is too thick, add ice cubes or a bit more apple juice to reach your desired consistency.
- Taste Test and Adjust Flavors: Taste the smoothie and if needed, sweeten with your choice of natural sweetener or more apple juice.
- Serve: Pour the smoothie into glasses and enjoy immediately for the freshest flavor and best texture.
Notes
- Papaya Preparation: When handling the papaya, slice off the ends first, then peel the skin with a knife. Cut the fruit lengthwise, scoop out the seeds with a spoon, and save a few.
- Adding a handful of papaya seeds can enhance the nutritional value of your smoothie, providing fatty acids and enzymes. Remember, they have a peppery flavor, so use sparingly!
- Take time to add and adjust the flavors to your preferences
- A high-speed blender is the most efficient. If using a standard blender, take your time adding the fruits little by little, starting with the liquid and fresh produce first.
Nat says
My family loved this!
Nora says
A divine combination! My little daughter loved it! So I'll definitely make it again for her!
Natalie Perry says
Glad you liked it!
Juyali Nortman says
I love all your smoothie recipes, and this one is no exception. I grew up eating a lot of papaya smoothies but never combined with strawberries. It was so delicious!
Natalie Perry says
Thank you so much!