Thick and Creamy Banana Milkshake
Whenever I’m in the mood for an indulgent drink, my mind always turns to something creamy and rich (although during winter, I admittedly love a steaming mug of Mulled Wine). I’ve already shared a recipe for creamy Mango Lassi (a thick yogurt drink), but now it’s the turn of one of my childhood favorites; creamy banana milkshake. I feel like milkshakes and childhood just go together – but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy them as grown-ups too. Best of all, unlike those milkshake powders out there that contain artificial ingredients, colors, and tons of sugar, this banana milkshake recipe uses just 4 natural ingredients with no added sugars. Even better, I’ve used frozen bananas to whip up this creamy dairy-free milkshake, giving it that ‘nicecream’ texture without needing to add calorie-laden ice cream. The result is a vegan milkshake that is thick, decadent, naturally sweet, and a delicious healthy treat that can be made even more delicious with the addition of a drizzle of melted chocolate or nut butter. So next time you find yourself with a handful of bananas and have already baked your way through all my banana bread recipes (links below!)- then give this milkshake recipe a try!
The Ingredients
Bananas: I used 4 medium-sized frozen bananas. Please make sure to use super ripe bananas for the best results! Milk: Use any dairy-free milk of your choice for this vegan milkshake – oat milk, almond milk, coconut milk, rice milk, soy milk, etc. I used unsweetened soy milk. Peanut Butter: Just a single tablespoon of nut butter helps to make this banana shake super creamy. Add more if you want more of a peanut butter milkshake. You could also substitute this with any nut butter of your choice (cashew butter or almond butter work very well). For a nut-free version, use sunflower seed butter. Vanilla Extract: This will help to make this healthy milkshake taste even more like a decadent dessert. To drizzle (optional): I used a combination of melted peanut butter and dairy-free chocolate to drizzle in the glasses.
For the full ingredients list, measurements, complete recipe method, and nutritional information, read the recipe card below.
Optional Add-Ins
There are several simple ways to adapt this banana shake. Here are just a few of my top options:
Spices: Experiment with adding a dash or two of your favorite spices. Cinnamon, in particular, works very well with bananas, as do Chai spices and ginger. Chocolate: You can easily adapt this banana milkshake with a chocolatey twist of unsweetened cacao powder or, for a sweeter treat, a spoonful or two of this Vegan Chocolate Spread (a healthier all-natural ‘Nutella’). Strawberries: I love strawberry and banana smoothies, and the same goes for milkshakes. Add fresh or frozen strawberries to this healthy milkshake for even more fruity nutrients and flavor. Sweetener: If you have a sweet tooth and don’t find the natural sweetness of the banana shake enough, then feel free to add a tiny amount of your favorite sweetener (maple, agave, or a sugar-free alternative). You could also use dates to naturally sweeten this banana milk. Chia/Flax: For extra protein, you could add a tablespoon or two of chia/flaxseeds to the banana drink or vegan protein powder.
How To Make Banana Milkshakes
Step 1: Freeze the bananas
Peel and slice four bananas (this will help your machine when it comes time to blending). You need around 300 grams of peeled bananas. Add them to a container or freezer bag and freeze until solid. This should take between 45-60 minutes only.
Step 2: Blend and assemble the banana smoothie
Add the frozen bananas, the dairy-free milk, peanut butter, and vanilla extract to a blender and blend until super smooth and creamy.
Optionally drizzle the insides of your glasses with a bit of melted peanut butter and dairy-free chocolate (for presentation). Then, pour the banana milkshake into the glasses and optionally top with some dairy-free whipped cream- enjoy!
How To Store?
Just like banana smoothies, it’s best to enjoy this shake immediately – especially since it’s using frozen bananas, so it will lose its texture as it sits. If you use non-frozen ingredients to create the banana milk, then you could store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator and aim to drink within a few hours.
Recipe Notes & Variations
I like to always keep frozen bananas on-hand for smoothies and milkshakes – that way, you can blend this up in under a minute! These shakes are just perfect for a quick breakfast or snack/dessert in the afternoon. Feel free to make the vegan milkshake with non-frozen bananas, if you are in a rush. It will still taste yummy, but it won’t be as rich, creamy, and ice-cream-like in consistency. If it’s particularly warm where you live, place your glasses/jars in the freezer for a few minutes before serving, and that can help to keep the banana shake from melting as quickly.
Other Vegan Banana Recipes
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Marbled Banana Bread With Chocolate Swirl Banana Pudding Recipe (Southern Style) Baked Banana Oatmeal Banana Blueberry Bread Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins Vegan Banana Oat Flour Pancakes Marble Bundt Cake Chocolate Crepes With Banana
If you try this banana milkshake recipe, I’d love a comment and ★★★★★ recipe rating below. Also, please don’t forget to tag me in re-creations on Instagram or Facebook with @elavegan and #elavegan – I love seeing them.
