Thick, creamy, and full of pure banana flavor, you are going to love how easy this banana milkshake is to make with just 3 basic ingredients and no added sugar. It's the perfect healthy drink for all ages.
Healthy Banana Milkshake
My 5 year old LOVES milkshakes and would drink them every day if he could. I don't blame him. They're pretty darn tasty. And I love experiencing with him all the foods we normally don't eat at home.
However, as a pediatric registered dietitian, I also LOVE coming up with ways to make snacks and meals more nutritious and filling for growing bellies.
You will be very pleasantly surprised by how thick and creamy this milkshake gets with just frozen bananas! No ice cream needed, although you can absolutely add some if you wish.
Enjoy as a quick breakfast or at any time of the day.
And give this creamy mango shake a try if you run out of bananas or want to try something different.
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Ingredients
- Frozen ripe bananas - This is KEY to a thick and creamy banana milkshake without using ice cream. Fresh bananas will NOT work in this recipe. If all you have are fresh ripe bananas, halve them and freeze for at least an hour. Here are all the tips and tricks you need for freezing bananas.
- Milk - whole milk will work best as the extra fat will result in creamier milkshake.
- Vanilla - for flavor! Really makes a difference.
- Hemp seeds - this is optional but will be an easy way to boost nutrition (a great source of healthy fats, protein, and fiber) and add calories to your child's drink, if needed.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Add all the ingredients into a blender, starting with milk. This will make the milkshake easier to blend.
- Blend until smooth!
Tips for Success
- Be sure to use ripe FROZEN bananas! This is KEY to a thick and creamy banana milkshake without the ice cream.
- If you don't have a high-powered blender, you may need to add a bit more milk so it blends smoothly.
- Using ripe bananas eliminates the need for additional sweeteners. But if you prefer a sweeter milkshake, feel free to add a splash of maple syrup or date syrup.
- The milkshake is pretty thick, which is how we like it. But if you prefer a thinner consistency, add just 1 banana.
- It is best to enjoy immediately once blended.
Banana Milkshake Variations
And now comes the fun part!
Feel free to experiment to come up with your favorite flavor combinations. Here are some of ours! Along with banana and milk, add:
- Chocolate peanut butter banana milkshake - 1 tablespoon each of cocoa powder and peanut butter (can use almond butter or sunflower butter instead)
- Spinach banana milkshake - a handful of baby spinach
- Strawberry banana milkshake - ½ cup frozen strawberries
- Blueberry banana milkshake - ½ cup froze blueberries + 1-2 teaspoons lemon juice (optional)
- Tropical banana milkshake - use coconut milk + ½ cup frozen mangoes and add some unsweetened coconut flakes at the top
- Birthday cake - add some sprinkles at the top
- Creamy Banana Milkshake with ice cream - ½ cup vanilla ice cream with a pinch of cinnamon(or any flavor you wish!)
- Banana milkshake with yogurt - ½ cup Greek yogurt
Equipment
Using a high-powered blender makes ALL the difference when making creamy milkshakes.
I've had my Vitamix for 7+ years and it's worth every penny! I use it to make all my blender muffins, dips/sauces, smoothies, veggie nuggets, pancakes, I can go on and on.it's hands down my number one workhorse.
And if you’re looking for the perfect straw drinking cup for your toddler to slurp their cold smoothies and drinks in, be sure to check out this cup that comes with a silicone cover for grip and to prevent breakage.
It can also double as a storage jar for overnight oats, chia puddings, etc.
Storage
It’s best to enjoy the milkshake immediately. Otherwise, the consistency will become more liquid-y and the color will become darker due to the ripe bananas. In that regard, the chocolate version holds up the best.
However, if you'd like to make extra while you are dirtying a blender, You can freeze in popsicle molds or ice cube trays. When ready to enjoy, add 5-6 frozen cubes into the blender with some milk or yogurt and blend it up!
The consistency may not be as good as when freshly made, but it’s still tasty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whole milk is the best option. The extra fat, along with frozen bananas, will keep the texture creamy and smooth.
Feel free to swap with any of your favorite dairy-free milk, like oat milk, almond milk, coconut milk, etc.
Place your cup/glass in the freezer for 10 minutes or so.
Healthy Drinks for Toddlers
Did you make this recipe? Leave a rating below and let me know how you liked the recipe! Your feedback means so much to me!
Creamy banana milkshake
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup milk
- 1.5 medium frozen banana (150g)
- 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients into a blender, starting with milk. This will make the milkshake easier to blend.
- Blend until smooth! Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Chocolate peanut butter banana milkshake - 1 tablespoon each of cocoa powder and peanut butter (can use almond butter or sunflower butter instead)
- Strawberry banana milkshake - ½ cup frozen strawberries
- Blueberry banana milkshake - ½ cup froze blueberries + 1-2 teaspoons lemon juice (optional)
- Tropical banana milkshake - use coconut milk + ½ cup frozen mangoes and add some unsweetened coconut flakes at the top
- Birthday cake - add some sprinkles at the top
- Creamy Banana Milkshake with ice cream - ½ cup vanilla ice cream with a pinch of cinnamon(or any flavor you wish!)
- Banana milkshake with yogurt - ½ cup Greek yogurt
Christina says
Delicious & creamy!
Min says
And so easy to whip up, right? Thanks for sharing!
Wendy says
My 2 year old loved this! It was so fun and easy to make together! Such a great alternative healthy recipe! Thanks Min!
Min says
You are welcome!!