High Calorie Smoothie to Gain Weight and Bulk

If you are struggling to build muscle, try this high calorie smoothie to gain weight. With over 800 calories, this chocolate protein smoothie will help you bulk faster. Quick, easy, healthy and irresistibly delicious!

Can you believe that this weight gain smoothie has over 40 grams of protein BUT no protein powder?? Of course, you can still use it…

Why this smoothie is best for weight gain

If you are struggling to gain weight and think you’ve tried it all, give this chocolate protein smoothie a go. With over 800 calories, this recipe will help you bulk faster without feeling full all the time. That’s because they are liquid calories, and liquid calories are not as satiating as a solid meal. A great way to scale up your calorie intake.

Another reason why you will love this peanut butter banana smoothie is that it is high in protein without the need for protein powder. Yes, you heard it right: 41 grams of protein and NO protein powder! But of course, feel free to use it if you have some– I always do 😉

Hmm..high in calories and protein, what’s next? Well, this smoothie is also extremely nutritious because it only uses natural ingredients with lots of vitamins and minerals. Definitely the best protein drink to gain weight!

The ingredients

If you are looking for a simple high calorie smoothie to gain weight, this recipe is for you. Made with a bunch of common ingredients, it is a bomb of protein and nutrients without the need for protein powder.

Matteo, now please tell me…What should I put in my smoothie to gain weight?

• Banana: use a frozen banana, cut into chunks. When blended, the banana will give your bulking smoothie a texture similar to ice cream.
• Dates: they work as a natural sweetener, add extra calories and improve the texture of your smoothie.
• Peanut butter: creamy or crunchy, the peanut butter will bump up the calories while making your bulking drink creamier and tastier.
• Cocoa powder: for more taste and calories, I recommend unsweetened cocoa powder.
• Rolled oats: besides enhancing the consistency, oats are an incredible source of complex carbs and fibers. This will make your smoothie more balanced, nutritious and satisfying.
• Greek yogurt: together with milk, Greek yogurt is going to be the main source of protein in this high calorie smoothie without protein powder. You can use either nonfat or full-fat yogurt, choose the second for more calories.
• Milk: be it dairy or nondairy, this recipe works with any type of milk. For more protein, my recommendations are cow milk or soy milk.

Substitutions

If you are missing or don’t like something, keep on reading. Here is how to replace all the ingredients for weight gain smoothie.

• Banana: replace with any frozen fruit you like. My recommendations are frozen mango, blueberries, strawberries, pineapple or a mix of those.
• Dates: swap them out for half a frozen banana, dried apricots or dried prunes.
• Peanut butter: substitute with almond butter, cashew butter, hazelnut butter or walnut butter. If you are allergic to nuts, use sunflower seed butter or tahini.
• Cocoa powder: leave it out or use dutch cocoa, Ovomaltine or even Nesquik (back to childhood here).
• Rolled oats: replace with hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, nuts, protein powder or skip and reduce the quantity of milk.
• Greek yogurt: this recipe works with any type of yogurt, but it’s better if it comes with a thick texture. To get the same amount of protein of Greek yogurt, use Skyr, quark or soy alternatives.
• Milk: use either dairy or nondairy milk. Some ideas are soy milk, almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk or cow milk.

Bulking smoothie with protein powder

As we have just seen, this is a very simple weight gain smoothie. No protein powder is needed. But this doesn’t mean you can’t add it! If you want to level up your high calorie shake, blend in a scoop of your favorite protein powder. From vegan to whey, any type of protein powder works. Just keep in mind that you will need to adjust the texture of your smoothie with more milk, as the powder makes it thicker.

Matteo’s comment. Since I’m trying to build muscle, I have this high calorie shake quite often. Whenever I make it, I love scooping in vanilla whey protein. It blends so well and makes my smoothie taste like dessert. Honestly, give it a shot!

Recipe variations

Peanut butter chocolate doesn’t call you..? No problem, here are a couple of variations for you to try.

• Banana bread: omit the cocoa powder and blend in a hint of ground cinnamon, vanilla extract… and some walnuts, if you want!
• Vanilla chocolate: add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract or a scoop of vanilla protein powder.
• Strawberry chocolate: replace the dates with about 1/2 cup of frozen strawberries. If you want a simple strawberry banana smoothie, leave out the cocoa powder.
• Blueberry: replace the dates with about 1/2 cup of frozen blueberries.
• Superfood: blend in a handful of walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds or a mix of these. For more nutrients, consider adding some fresh spinach as well.
• Chocolate avocado: add half of an avocado for a creamier smoothie to gain weight. The avocado will also add plenty of vitamins, taste, healthy fats and calories!
• Cookies and cream: after blending, crush in some Oreos and it will feel like eating a McFlurry. But healthier and macro-friendly.
• Ice cream: if you have the sweet tooth, scoop in your favorite ice cream and enjoy. After all, we are trying to gain weight and build muscle..!

How to make weight gain smoothies?

I promise, making this high calorie drink is insanely easy. All you have to do is adding to a high speed blender the frozen banana, the dates, the peanut butter, the oats, the cocoa powder, the Greek yogurt and the milk. Blend on high until creamy and smooth, scraping down the sides as needed. If you want a less thick smoothie, adjust with more milk. Enjoy immediately, or store covered in the refrigerator up to 1 day.

When to drink smoothie to gain weight?

This high calorie smoothie is perfect for breakfast, as a post workout shake or as a snack in-between meals.

To maximize the nutritional benefits and bulk faster, I recommend drinking this shake after the gym. First, the sugars in the fruit help restore the glucose levels in your body. Second, protein helps repair and build muscle mass. These two things, combined with the vitamins and nutrients, make this chocolate smoothie a great post workout meal.

Tips for the BEST bulking smoothie

If you are serious about bulking, keep on reading. Here are a couple of tips on how to make the BEST smoothie to gain weight.

• Use frozen, not fresh bananas. Frozen bananas make your smoothie creamier and sweeter. Just like ice cream!
• Add a couple tablespoons of peanut butter and your smoothie will come out incredibly creamy.
• If you have the sweet tooth, adjust your bulking smoothie with a tablespoon of maple syrup or honey. This will add more calories too!
• Opt for Medjool dates, if you can find them. This is the variety of date with the best taste and texture: sweet and fleshy.
• Blend in a handful of nuts and seeds. They will take the texture of your weight gain drink to the next level.
• Consider adding a scoop of protein powder, my favorite is vanilla flavored whey.
• Serve right after blending. Cold, maybe with some chocolate chips on top!

The secrets for creamy smoothie

Many people think that making a smoothie is as simple as mixing fruit. But then, when it’s time to serve, they complain about the result: a liquid boring stuff. Well, I was there too. I still remember my frustration at the time.

But not anymore. Over the years I’ve learned a lot. And since I only want the best for you, today I’m happy to share some secrets on how to make your smoothie creamier and thicker.

• First of all, don’t be too generous with milk. If you add too much liquid, the result will be pretty disappointing.
• Be sure to use frozen fruit, especially frozen bananas are the best for thicker smoothies.
• Instead of just fruit, add other ingredients. Some ideas are oats, protein powder, peanut butter, nuts and seeds.
• Don’t forget the nut butter. A couple tablespoons of nut butter will make your smoothie incredibly smooth and creamy.
• Same as before, throw in your blender a handsome of nuts or seeds. My recommendations are cashew, walnuts, almonds and hemp seeds.
• If your recipe includes yogurt (like this one), opt for thick Greek yogurt.

How can I add more calories to my smoothie?

Let me give you two simple tips on how you can fatten up a smoothie. First, make sure to use whole milk and full fat milk. Second, blend in more calorie-dense foods like peanut butter, nuts, seeds, avocado or more dates.

Are you an hard gainer? Then be generous with peanut butter. Clocking in at around 100 kcal per tablespoon, it will add lots of calories to your smoothie in the blink of an eye.

FAQ – Frequently asked questions

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• Macro-friendly overnight oats
• The best 25 high calorie snacks