15+ Best High-Calorie Smoothies for Weight Gain

How to Make a High-Calorie Smoothie or Shake

If you wonder what you can add to a smoothie to increase calories, you are not alone. Picking the right ingredients is key to making a shake or smoothie for weight gain. You want ingredients that are calorie-dense & blend well. And taste great too, of course.

Proteins such as nuts or powders are one way to add calories to a smoothie. Healthy fats also add a lot of calories to smoothies quickly. But foods like grains and starches are good too. Finally, adding a sweetener really ups the calories and flavor.

Best Proteins for High-Calorie Smoothies

• Whole nuts - macadamia, coconut, almonds, cashew, hazelnuts, peanuts, pine nuts, & walnuts.
• Nut & Seed Butter - peanut, almond, sesame, sunflower, & cashew.
• Dairy Proteins - heavy cream, whole milk, full-fat yogurt, & cream cheese.
• Protein Powders - vanilla, chocolate, or other flavored whey, pea, hemp, egg, or brown rice powders.
• Seeds - flax, chia, sesame, sunflower, & pumpkin.
• Others - silken tofu, beans, & legumes.

For more seeds and nuts with calorie content information check out the calorie info in this chart.

Best Sweeteners for High-Calories Smoothies

• Processed Sugars - white, brown, coconut, corn syrup, rice syrup, molasses, cane syrup, & cane juice.
• Natural Sugars - maple syrup & honey.
• Fresh/Frozen Fruits - dried fruits (figs, dates), avocados, bananas, blueberries, coconut, mango, &
• Other - ice cream, sweetened yogurts, Nutella, & flavored syrups like chocolate sauce or caramel.

Consuming sugar is best to be kept to a minimum, especially for those with health concerns such as diabetes. Please always consult with a physician. Artificial or natural sugar-free sweeteners such as monk fruit may be best for you.

Best Fats for High-Calorie Smoothies

• Oils - avocado, flax, olive, coconut, or MCT oil.
• Dairy Fats - heavy cream, butter, or ice cream.
• Other - avocado, coconut milk, or mayonnaise.

Best Starches/Grains for High-Calorie Smoothies

• Grains - cooked rice, oats, buckwheat groats, and bulgur.
• Starches - beans or legumes.
• Vegetables - beets, kale, sweet potatoes, & peas.

High-Calorie Banana Smoothie

Here is a quick recipe for a high-calorie smoothie with banana & protein powder. It is also listed in the recipe card below. So save the recipe to Pinterest, print, & bookmark it so it is always easy to find & blend.

Ingredients include:

• Banana
• Half & Half
• Vanilla Whey Protein Powder
• Greek Yogurt
• Honey
• Ice cubes

For amounts & full instructions see the recipe card below.

High-Calorie Berry Smoothie

This recipe for a berrylicious smoothie that packs on the calories is so amazing. The combination of berries, bananas, & high-fat ingredients makes this one of the best smoothies for weight gain.

Blend the following ingredients in a blender and enjoy! It has 800 calories, 36g fat, 70g carbs, & 55g protein.

• ½ cup blueberries
• ½ cup raspberries
• 1 medium banana
• 2 scoops GNC Unflavored Whey protein powder
• ½ cup vanilla ice cream
• 1 cup half & half
• 1 cup ice cubes

Tropical Fruit Smoothie

This is my favorite fruit smoothie for weight gain. It tastes like you are on a tropical island enjoying some relaxation. So if you want a high-calorie smoothie that makes you feel like you are on an island vacation and tastes like a pina colada, this is the recipe. With pineapple, coconut milk, & more this is the smoothie for you.

Blend the following ingredients in a blender and enjoy! It has 855 calories, 29g fat, 93g carbs, & 57g protein.

• 1 cup fresh or frozen pineapple chunks
• 1 cup Taste of Thai coconut milk (not low-fat)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 scoops Whole Foods Vanilla whey protein powder
• ½ cup half & half
• 1 cup ice cubes

Peanut Butter Smoothie for Weight Gain

Ok, this one is for the peanut butter fans that want a high-calorie smoothie that is 100% amazing. This creamy, nutty, & tasty smoothie is one of the best on this list. The peanut butter & banana combination is a family favorite.

Blend all the ingredients in your blender until smooth. It has 780 calories, 42g fat, 76g carbs, & 35g protein.

• ½ cup Fage 2% Total Greek Yogurt
• 1 medium banana
• ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup ice cubes

Vanilla Protein Powder Smoothie

This is my favorite smoothie for breakfast. The classic vanilla protein is a simple and satisfying way to start your day with a high-calorie & high-protein boost. It is a bit lower in fat than other recipes on this list. If you love vanilla, peaches, & cream, go for this smoothie. No yogurt in this recipe.

Blend all the ingredients in your blender until smooth. It has 730 calories, 22g fat, 78g carbs, & 57g protein.

• 1 medium banana
• 1 cup frozen peaches
• 1 cup vanilla almond milk
• ½ cup half & half
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 scoops vanilla whey protein (Muscle Milk)
• 1 cup ice cubes

Chocolate Protein Powder Smoothie

Yes, we got chocolate. This rich smoothie recipe with chocolate protein powder & ice cream is perfect for dessert. If you need to gain weight, blend this calorie-dense smoothie recipe & enjoy.

Blend all the ingredients in your blender until smooth. It has 830 calories, 38g fat, 87g carbs, & 46g protein.

• 1 medium banana
• 1 cup chocolate ice cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 scoops chocolate peanut butter protein powder (Optimum Nutrition)
• 1 cup ice cubes

Dairy-Free High-Calorie Smoothie

This dairy-free smoothie recipe is also vegan. It is loaded with fruit, mango & berries. No banana in this recipe but it is still thick & creamy without any milk. This is a high-carb recipe that has some healthy fat from olive oil & is low in protein.

Blend all the ingredients in your blender until smooth. It has 540 calories, 19g fat, 96g carbs, & 5g protein.

• 1 whole fresh mango diced
• 1 cup sliced fresh or frozen strawberries
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 ½ cups sweetened almond milk
• 1 cup ice cubes

Green Smoothie for Weight Gain

This green smoothie is packed with yummy fruits and vegetables. It is also packed with calories thanks to some healthy fats like avocado & olive oil. This recipe is so good & sweetened with maple syrup. Even the kids will happily sip this high-calorie green smoothie. This low-protein smoothie recipe is vegan, dairy-free, high-carb, high-fat, & high-calorie.

Blend all the ingredients in your blender until smooth. It has 780 calories, 57g fat, 70g carbs, & 7g protein.

• 1 cup fresh spinach
• 1 medium avocado
• 1 medium banana
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 ½ cups sweetened almond milk
• 1 cup ice cubes

Dessert Shakes for Weight Gain

These decadent shakes and smoothies are the perfect dessert at the end of the day. They are sweet, rich, & delish.

Cookies & Cream Protein Shake

Oreo fans will dive into this cookies & cream recipe. Blend until creamy & dreamy. It has 930 calories & 58g of protein in this Oreo cookie-inspired smoothie.

Weight-Gain Smoothie for Kids

Sometimes children need to gain weight, not just adults. If that is the case for your little one, here is a great recipe that is 100% kid-approved. It is just under 500 calories which are great for smaller bodies that are still growing. If you need a bit more in the calorie count, throw in one of the optional add-ons that are suggested. Both my preemie twins were on diets to gain weight for years and smoothies & protein drinks are great.

Other 500+ Calorie Smoothie Recipes

Try either of these recipes for a 500-calorie snack or dessert. They are a great way to get extra calories in your diet if needed for health, fitness, or weight-maintenance reasons.

Peanut Butter, Chocolate, & Avocado Smoothie

Three favorites blended into one great-tasting smoothie. This smoothie has almost 700 calories per serving & is carb heavy. It will satisfy you & keep you full.

Strawberry Milkshake

The classic with only 4 ingredients is a sweet treat any time of day. This recipe is just under 500 calories but I suggest adding your favorite unflavored protein powder to it. This will add protein & bulk it up.

Mango Pineapple Smoothie

This tropical fruit smoothie is 300 calories for the whole recipe. I like to add protein to it when making it as a meal replacement recipe. I add two scoops of vanilla cream whey powder by Optimum. It then packs in over 500 calories plus adds 48g of protein.

My Pineapple Banana Protein Shake comes in at about 700 calories when not split into 2 servings. It packs in 60g protein & 70g carbohydrates for one of my favorite smoothies for weight gain.

Other 1000+ Calorie Smoothie Recipes

These smoothie recipes all have over 1000 calories. They are easy to make & will fill you up.

1000 Calorie Peanut Butter Smoothie

If you love peanut butter & jelly, this is the recipe you will just love. Strawberries & creamy peanut butter blend up in this calorie-dense smoothie.

Weight Gain Oatmeal Smoothie

The oats, peanut butter, & 3 kinds of fruit are a complete meal in a smoothie. This is the best high-calorie smoothie recipe with oats you can make. It has 1281 calories & 45g of protein. Bulk up some muscle mass with this tasty smoothie.

Best Blenders & Protein Powders for Smoothie Making