Review: Smoothie King's First-Ever Food Menu Hits More Than It Misses

Smoothie King has built a half-century empire on the strength of its blended drinks, so much so that food has never really been part of the equation ... until now. As of August 26, 2025, the world's largest smoothie chain is making a seismic shift, rolling out its first-ever food menu across more than 1,200 locations nationwide. The new "Power Eats" lineup marks a bold step beyond the blender, aiming to keep guests fueled not just between workouts but throughout the day.

Instead of reinventing the wheel with heavy sandwiches or going off-brand with fried fare, Smoothie King is leaning into its health-forward DNA. Think grab-and-go options that sound more farmers market than food court: peanut butter toast layered with fresh fruit and honey drizzle, avocado toast with a dusting of everything bagel seasoning, and a Protein Box stacked with hard-boiled eggs, fruit, and flax crackers. For a sweeter fix, there's chocolate hazelnut toast topped with strawberries, blueberries, and Purely Elizabeth granola, plus a Protein Box pairing Justin's Peanut Butter with a Vermont meat stick. Additional items, namely the Egg Clouds and Sous Vide Chicken Skewers, will release early next year, according to a press release shared with Tasting Table.

The move is designed to complement the brand's signature drinks rather than compete with them — pair your green smoothie with avocado toast for breakfast, or refuel after the gym with chocolate hazelnut toast plus a strawberry-packed Protein Box. But does this new menu live up to the hype? I grabbed a fork to see whether Smoothie King's first foray into food is a natural evolution or just a side hustle in need of more blending.

Some recommendations are based on firsthand impressions of promotional materials and products provided by the manufacturer.

Starting off strong, Smoothie King's first bite on the block is an after-school classic with a grown-up twist. The Hearty 8 Grain Loaded Peanut Butter Toast, like its name implies, begins with an eight-grain bread that's anything but ordinary. This proprietary recipe is made without preservatives or added colors, engineered to stay sturdy under a generous pile of toppings. That base is key, because this toast doesn't skimp. The bread came out freshly toasted with just the right chew, topped with a hearty spread of smooth, all-natural peanut butter that practically melted into the grainy nooks and crannies.

On top, creamy banana slices and a drizzle of honey added a mellow sweetness, while a generous serving of fresh strawberries and blueberries brought bright, juicy pops of tartness. The interplay of textures — soft fruit, silky peanut butter, and a crisp-edged slice of bread — made every bite feel balanced and intentional rather than unnecessarily overdone. It was nostalgic yet elevated, hitting that sweet spot between indulgence and fuel.

And for those keeping track, this isn't just a flavor win; it packs 13 grams of protein, making it more substantial than your average café toast. Paired with a fruit-forward smoothie, this $5.99 toast easily doubles as breakfast, a post-workout bite, or even a mid-afternoon snack that won't leave you in a sugar crash. As far as first impressions go, this one was a win (and really hard to stop snacking on).

Moving on to sweeter things, the $6.29 Hearty 8 Grain Loaded Chocolate Hazelnut Toast was the one that immediately caught my eye. It delivered that rare, almost shocking moment when a fast food menu item actually looks exactly as advertised: glossy chocolate spread, jewel-bright berries, and a generous sprinkle of granola. For a chocolate lover like me, it promised decadence on a slice of bread.

But looks can be a little deceiving. While the Loaded Peanut Butter Toast was sticky, rich, and indulgent, this version leaned far more restrained. The pre-made chocolate hazelnut spread was applied sparingly, giving the toast a bit of moisture but little depth of flavor. Any hint of hazelnut was practically nonexistent, and the chocolate itself was muted. Surprisingly, it was the Purely Elizabeth granola — slightly sweet with a whisper of cinnamon — that dominated, offering plenty of crunch but overshadowing what should have been the star.

The fruit, at least, was a saving grace. Tart, moist, and vibrant against the dry granola, it kept each bite from feeling flat. Texture-wise, everything worked together nicely. The chewy toast, juicy berries, and crunchy granola created an appealing contrast. But flavor-wise, it skewed far less dessert-like than I had expected. In the end, I'd describe this toast as more of a breakfast parfait on bread than a chocolate-hazelnut treat. That's not necessarily a bad thing, especially if you like your snacks on the lighter, less sweet side. Just don't walk in expecting dessert-level indulgence, because you'll likely walk out with an unsatisfied sweet tooth.

Not all loaded toasts need to be sweet to satisfy, and Smoothie King proves it with its Hearty 8 Grain Loaded Avocado Toast, which costs $6.49 and is aimed squarely at savory snackers. Instead of piling on gimmicky toppings or flashy garnishes, this one stays refreshingly straightforward: a creamy avocado spread topped with a liberal shake of everything bagel seasoning. Paired with that sturdy, nutty eight-grain bread — arguably the best bread for avocado toast — the result feels classic and unpretentious in all the right ways.

Some avocado purists may grumble that this version uses a smooth spread rather than chunky slices, but I see that as a feature, not a flaw. The consistency makes this toast far easier to grab and eat on the go, no mess from an overloaded topping situation. The bread itself delivers plenty of texture, with a crisp crust and hearty chew that stand up well to the silky avocado spread.

As for flavor, everything bagel seasoning does the heavy lifting: salty, savory, and just garlicky enough to keep things interesting. It's that familiar, craveable punch that put upgraded avocado toast on café menus in the first place. Smoothie King simply went back to basics here, and that's exactly why the Loaded Avocado Toast works. It's not the kind of toast you'd whip out to impress a brunch crowd, but it's the kind you'll actually want to eat on a busy morning right after the gym. Simple, satisfying, and done right — what more can you ask for from a slice of bread?

Keeping on-theme with Smoothie King's protein-packed Power Eats menu, the new Eggs & Cheese Protein Box delivers exactly what it promises: no surprises, just solid fuel. With 26 grams of protein, it's a grab-and-go option that feels more like real food than a quick sip through a straw. Inside the prepped-in-store container, you'll find two perfectly cooked hard-boiled eggs alongside cubes of cheddar, Monterey, and pepper jack cheese, creating a satisfying mix of creamy, sharp, and slightly spicy bites.

To balance all that protein, Smoothie King adds a serving of fresh strawberries and blueberries for a burst of natural sweetness and a few flax crackers for crunch and fiber. (Flax seeds are a great, affordable protein source, by the way.) The result is a simple, balanced snack box that's easy to eat between meetings, after the gym, or even as a light lunch. Nothing about it screams "fancy," but that's exactly the point. It's designed to get the job done without unnecessary frills.

At $6.99, the price matches a 20-ounce smoothie, but this option has something that drinks don't: texture. The chew from the crackers, the bite of the cheese, and the firm eggs make this box far more satisfying than a quick blended sip. And when I'm craving an afternoon snack, crunchy and chewy are always the preferred textures. While it won't win awards for creativity, the Eggs & Cheese Protein Box earns points for freshness, consistency, and delivering exactly what hungry people want: a reliable, filling, protein-rich pick-me-up.

Smoothie King's new Peanut Butter Protein Box leans into a more traditionally "snacky" vibe than its fresher-tasting Eggs & Cheese counterpart. While both options pack plenty of protein (this one clocks in at 21 grams), the ingredients here skew slightly more packaged, making it feel like something you'd toss into your lunch box or overnight bag without a second thought.

The box includes a single-serve packet of Justin's creamy honey peanut butter and a Vermont meat stick, joined by cubes of cheddar, Monterey, and pepper jack cheeses. Juicy strawberries and blueberries add a fresh component, while flax crackers with a sprinkle of sea salt provide a satisfying crunch. The result is a mix of flavors and textures that's easy to customize bite by bite: dip the fruit in peanut butter for something sweet, pair the cheese with crackers for something savory, or just go all in on the meat stick for a quick protein hit.

At $6.99, it's priced on par with Smoothie King's smoothies but offers a heartier, more hands-on eating experience. Compared to the Eggs & Cheese Protein Box, which feels closer to a café breakfast with its fresh components, this option has a more portable, pantry-staple feel. It's not a bad thing — just a different approach that will appeal to anyone who loves the convenience of individually wrapped ready-to-eat items. If you're looking for something simple, balanced, and easy to eat anywhere, this box checks every, well, box.

Smoothie King's first foray into food proves the brand isn't straying far from what it already does best: simple, purposeful fuel. Across all five Power Eats items, the focus stays firmly on nutrition and clean ingredients. With Smoothie King's long-standing "No-No List" (no artificial colors, preservatives, or other additives) carrying over from its smoothie lineup, it's a clear signal that this menu isn't about the chain trying to become a café; it's about giving guests more ways to keep their routines on track.

The three Hearty 8 Grain Loaded Toasts — Peanut Butter, Chocolate Hazelnut, and Avocado — benefit from their custom bread developed specifically for this launch. With its crisp crust and hearty chew, the bread holds up beautifully under generous toppings without going soggy (tested and confirmed as I took literally dozens of photos before enjoying a single bite), making each toast genuinely portable. The Protein Boxes follow the same ethos: balanced, grab-and-go snacks built from familiar components rather than overcomplicated recipes.

Are there areas for improvement? Sure. The Loaded Chocolate Hazelnut Toast could use a heavier hand with the hazelnut spread to deliver the indulgence its name promises, and a touch more flavor nuance in the Protein Boxes wouldn't hurt. But even with these minor quibbles, the menu as a whole feels like a natural next step for the brand. Smoothie King isn't reinventing breakfast or snack time — it's refining them, prioritizing wholesome ingredients and reliable energy over flashy gimmicks. The result is a lineup that's as simple and satisfying as a slice of toast.