Panera Green Passion Smoothie (COPYCAT)

Here is a simple green smoothie recipe that requires only four ingredients! It’s a copycat version of the Panera Green Passion Smoothie and I have to say I (and my kids) were happy with the results.

I was bummed that I couldn’t find fresh passion fruit or 100% passion fruit juice in my grocery store, nevertheless, I found an equally delicious substitute. This smoothie is 100% one that we’ll be making again.

If you try this recipe, don’t forget to leave me a comment and recipe rating below for any suggestions or to give this smoothie some LOVE! 💖

What’s In The Panera Green Passion Smoothie?

According to Panera’s webpage, their Green Passion Smoothie is made from peach and mango purees, white grape, and passion fruit concentrate, and blended with spinach and ice.

This green smoothie is already low in calories at an impressive 230 calories per 16 fluid ounces. The full nutritional breakdown of the original Panera Green Passion Smoothie is as follows:

Calories	230
Total Fat	1.5 grams
Saturated Fat	0 grams
Cholesterol	0 grams
Sodium	45 milligrams
Carbohydrate	59 grams
Total Sugars	50 grams
Fiber	2 grams
Protein	2 grams

I will admit that my goal here was not to make this smoothie healthier or lower in calories. I was simply craving something new and island-inspired. However, my end product did measure up far better in all the above nutrients. The largest differences can be seen with the sodium and carbohydrate amounts.

For those of you who can get your hands on some real, 100% passion fruit juice, I’m jealous. As I know this would be even more divine.

Ingredients Needed for Green Passion Smoothie (Copycat)

Spinach

If you know me, then you know I like to squeeze in some veggies whichever way I can. This mindset is no different when making my smoothies. In fact, my veggie of choice when it comes to smoothies is green and leafy, nutrient-dense, SPINACH.

Spinach is loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It’s packed with vitamins A, C, K1, iron, folic acid, and calcium. It also has a slew of beneficial antioxidants including lutein, zeaxanthin, and quercetin.

Research shows that spinach is a source of inorganic nitrate, which may help lower your chances of developing heart disease.

Spinach may also:

• help with wound recovery (1)
• fight free radicals (2)
• support eye, hair, skin, and nail health (2, 3)
• decrease risk of prostate and breast cancer (4, 5)
• improve inflammatory markers (2)

Mango

Fresh mango adds that tropical feel to the green passion smoothie. And the nutrient profile is quite impressive as well.

By using fresh or frozen mango (you can use either), you’ll add valuable nutrients that would otherwise be lost. Mango is always a great addition to any healthy meal or snack. It is a nutrient-dense fruit that provides an excellent source of vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, without any sodium, saturated fat, cholesterol, or added sugars (6).

For a quick read-up on the health benefits of mangos from myself and other dietitians, check out EatThis article.

Peaches

Just like other fruits, peaches provide many health benefits. This includes adding vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber (7). These nutrients help support heart health, eye health, and fight against inflammation (8).

Peach season is at its peak during the summer months here in the U.S., so use fresh peaches in place of canned or frozen ones for this recipe if you’re able to get some! If not, no worries- research shows that canned peaches are just as nutrient-dense as fresh ones (7)!

My only suggestion if using canned peaches is to buy ones in their own juices, NOT heavy syrup.

White Grape and Passion Fruit Juice

while I’m bummed I don’t have actual passion fruit juice in this Panera green smoothie copycat recipe, the Welch’s Passion Fruit flavored fruit juice drink was the closest substitute I could find. This is a blend of grape juice, apple juice, and passion fruit juice- all from concentrate. All-in-all it is only 17% juice according to the package.

And to be honest, according to the Panera website, they use concentrated white grape juice and passionfruit juice as well. In fact, the peach and mango purees are ALSO from concentrate. This gives us a one-up for using fresh mango and peaches!

Despite the fruit juice coming from concentrate, the kids loved it and I felt pretty darn good about them getting some fruits and veggies in. Still a win in my book!

It’s also an “excellent source of vitamin C”.

I truly believe that all foods can fit into a balanced diet. No need to cut out anything you love. Substitutions sometimes need to be made and you shouldn’t be made to feel guilty for doing so.

Recipe FAQ

Can I Use Different Types of Fruit?

Yes. You absolutely can. In fact, that’s how great smoothie recipes are made- from experimenting! Try berries and other stone fruits. Whatever you like and are in the mood for really. Just make sure to add appropriate measurements so the smoothie doesn’t turn out too thin or too thick. Adjust as you go.

Can I Use Kale Instead of Spinach?

For sure! Even though I prefer spinach, you can definitely use kale, a wonderfully nutrient-dense, green leafy veggie. I’d use the same measurements for the kale as the recipe calls for with spinach.

Can I Use Water in Place of Juice?

You can ultimately use any liquid to blend your smoothies- including water. By substituting water, keep in mind that you will not be getting any added flavor that juice would have provided. But this may be a small price to pay for someone who is watching their weight and opting for a calorie-free, sugar-free liquid such as water.

By using water, you can also expect the flavors of your fruits and veggies to be more prominent because that is where all the flavor is coming from.

More Smoothie and Heart-Loving Recipes

If you love making smoothies as much as my family, here are more smoothie recipes to enjoy:

• Bahama Mama Tropical Smoothie (Heart-Healthy)
• Avocado Peanut Butter Smoothie
• Strawberry Matcha Smoothie (Easy Vegan Recipe)
• Healthy Pumpkin Pie Smoothie (Vegan)
• Seriously Delicious Cranberry Lemonade Smoothie

Or to view other heart-healthy recipes, visit my RECIPE PAGE.

💬 Share with me: What did you think of this Green Passion Smoothie recipe? Did you try this with any substitutions? Do you have a favorite, healthy, smoothie recipe you make often?

Feel free to pin this post to share with others!