Sweet, frothy, and fruit-forward, this smoothie king angel food smoothie copycat has just seven simple ingredients: banana, frozen strawberries, vanilla extract, water, turbinado sugar, nonfat milk powder, and ice. It’s creamy, cool, and brighter than your group chat at 8 a.m.
If you’re craving something that tastes nostalgic (like ice cream trucks and summer break) but still feels kinda virtuous, this smoothie’s your moment. It’s plush from the banana, juicy from the berries, and has that soft vanilla vibe that makes everything taste like it’s wearing a fuzzy robe. Not too thick, not too icy—just slurpable perfection. And let’s be real, making it at home takes about as much effort as finding your keys in your purse (okay, maybe less). Sometimes I whip one up before a walk, sometimes after. Whenever you blend it, one sip and you’ll feel like the sun’s out somewhere.
Table of Contents
Don’t let this one slip away — pin it now and thank yourself later!
Don’t let this one slip away — pin it now and thank yourself later!
Why You’ll Love this Smoothie King Angel Food Smoothie
This one’s gently sweet, unfussy, and gives strong “dessert-for-breakfast” energy without tasting fake or sugary. It also happens to be blissfully easy to whip up.
- Ridiculously simple to make: Toss everything in a blender and hit the switch. That’s it. Cleanup is barely worth mentioning (rinsing, anyone?).
- Balanced sweetness: The turbinado sugar and ripe banana give it a caramel-y kiss that isn’t cloying.
- Creamy but still refreshing: Thanks to the milk powder and banana, it’s soft and silky without being heavy.
- Customizable for days: Want protein? Add it. Like it thicker? Freeze your banana. There’s wiggle room.
- Great for breakfast or a snack: Especially when you want something cold but not overly fruity or acidic.
Ingredient Notes
You only need a few things to make this smoothie sing. Most are probably hanging out in your pantry or fridge already.
- Water: Just enough to get things moving in the blender. If you want creamier vibes, swap in milk or plant milk.
- Nonfat dry milk powder: Sounds retro, right? But it gives that subtle milkshake richness without dairy fatigue. Trust.
- Pure vanilla extract: It smooths everything out and gives it that signature soft vanilla cloud taste.
- Banana (sliced): Ripe bananas add creaminess and sweetness. The riper, the better (spotty ones are fine).
- Frozen strawberries: These are what give the drink its frosty texture and juicy punch. No need to thaw.
- Turbinado raw sugar: This deep-golden sugar adds a mellow, caramel-y sweetness. You can sub with regular sugar, but this one brings character.
- Ice: Rounds out the chill factor and gives it body without watering it down.
How To Make This Smoothie King Angel Food Smoothie
You could practically make this in your sleep, but just in case, let’s walk through it. Then you can freestyle like the smoothie wizard you are.
- Layer everything in the blender: Start with the water, milk powder, and vanilla extract, then toss in the banana slices, frozen strawberries, sugar, and ice. This order helps the blades catch everything more easily.
- Blend on high until smooth: It usually takes 30-60 seconds depending on your blender. If it’s too thick, splash in a bit more water. Too thin? Add a few frozen strawberries or a couple ice cubes and blend again.
- Taste and tweak if needed: Want it sweeter? Drop in another half tablespoon of sugar or a drizzle of honey. Want more vanilla? Don’t be shy.
- Pour and enjoy: That’s it. Grab a straw or don’t. I’m not the smoothie police.
Storage Options
Okay, real talk—smoothies are at their best just-blended. That silky, frosty texture only sticks around for a short window. But if you’ve got leftovers or you’re trying to prep ahead (look at you, planner), here’s what to do.
Pop any remaining smoothie in a sealed jar or cup with a lid and refrigerate it. It’ll stay drinkable for about 24 hours, but it will separate a bit. No big deal—just give it a shake or a stir before sipping.
Want to freeze it? Totally doable. Pour it into an ice cube tray, freeze solid, and transfer the cubes to a freezer bag. When you’re ready, pop ‘em back into a blender with a splash of liquid and blend till smooth again. It won’t taste as velvety fresh, but honestly, it’s still pretty dang good.
Just don’t microwave it or try to reheat it, unless you’re aiming for smoothie soup (no judgment, but also… why?).
Variations and Substitutions
This smoothie is super flexible. Like yoga-flexible. You can switch up ingredients based on what you’ve got, what you love, or what’s hiding behind the yogurt in your fridge.
- Swap strawberries for mixed berries: Want things darker and tarter? Use frozen blueberries, raspberries, or a bag of mixed berries instead.
- Use fresh banana and more ice: No ripe bananas in the freezer? Go with fresh, then pile on a bit of extra ice for that smoothie-thick texture.
- Add Greek yogurt: Toss in a dollop or two for extra protein and tang. It gives it more body too.
- Swap milk powder for actual milk: If you’re not feeling old-school, just use ½ cup milk or plant milk instead of the water and dry milk powder.
- Boost with extras: Add chia seeds, flax, protein powder, or even a sneaky chunk of cauliflower (trust me—it disappears completely).
What to Serve with Smoothie King Angel Food Smoothie
You could totally enjoy this smoothie solo—it’s satisfying on its own. But if you’re feeling snacky or need a little crunch on the side, here are some fun pairings.
- If you lean sweet in the mornings, try it with something cozy like bacon basil cornbread muffins. The sweet-salty combo is everything, especially if you warm one up just a little.
- Need a breezy warm-weather lunch? Serve the smoothie alongside pan-seared cod with rainbow chard. Sounds unexpected, but the clean, light protein balances the fruitiness beautifully.
- Dessert idea: pair with peanut butter & banana ice cream sandwiches for a no-fuss summer treat. It’s like a party where everything is creamy and chilled.
- Want something heartier? Toast with almond butter and honey never fails. That little crunch plus a cozy drizzle makes it feel complete without overshadowing the smoothie.
Don’t let this one slip away — pin it now and thank yourself later!
Don’t let this one slip away — pin it now and thank yourself later!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this without turbinado sugar?
Absolutely. If you’re out of turbinado sugar or just prefer something lighter, white sugar works just fine. The turbinado adds a little depth—think toasty caramel vibes—but regular sugar will still make the smoothie sing. You can also try honey or maple syrup if that’s your thing, but start small and taste as you go.
Do I need a high-powered blender?
Not necessarily, but it helps. If your blender is more of a “vintage model,” just give the frozen strawberries a couple of minutes to thaw before tossing them in. Also, layer the liquid and soft ingredients first to help your blender get moving without a fight. If it stalls, stop and stir a little before re-blending.
Is this smoothie healthy?
Sure, in a gently indulgent way. It’s made with real fruit and contains no mystery ingredients, which is always a win. It does have some added sugar from the turbinado, but you can dial that down or out completely if you want. It’s not a protein shake or a green smoothie—just a chill, fruity treat with a creamy edge.
Can I double the recipe?
Totally! Just make sure your blender can handle the volume. If doubling, blend in two batches if needed, or go slow and scrape down if the motor sounds like it’s struggling. Otherwise, it scales beautifully. Make extra and freeze some smoothie cubes for later quick blends.
Smoothie King Angel Food Smoothie (Copycat)
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 medium banana ripe, sliced
- 1.5 cups (225 g) frozen strawberries
- 2 tablespoons (25 g) turbinado sugar or to taste (can sub regular sugar)
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) water or milk/plant milk for creamier texture
- 2 tablespoons (15 g) nonfat dry milk powder
- 1 cup (160 g) ice
Equipment
- Blender
Instructions
- Layer the water, milk powder, and vanilla extract into your blender.
- Add the sliced banana, frozen strawberries, turbinado sugar, and ice on top.
- Blend on high speed until completely smooth (about 30–60 seconds).
- If the smoothie is too thick, add a splash more water or milk and blend again. If too thin, add more frozen strawberries or a couple of ice cubes and re-blend.
- Taste and adjust the sweetness or vanilla, if needed. Pour into glasses and enjoy immediately!
