This Banana Milkshake is a creamy and delicious—even without ice cream!
I’ve always had a sweet tooth. I know I’m not alone, but mine is serious, and especially as a child, it led me to some dubious dietary choices. I was addicted to thick, luscious milkshakes made with ice cream—and the sweeter, the better! So when I first had this banana milkshake, I was blown away by how deliciously sweet and creamy it was with absolutely no ice cream, added sugars, or artificial flavors. Really, it’s more of a banana smoothie, but no matter: I was hooked!
Bananas have always been one of my favorite fruits. I love banana custard, banana cream pie, bananas as a snack, and bananas sliced over my cereal. So that’s why I set out to make the perfect banana milkshake. It took some experimenting to get the consistency right. Adding ice to the shake made it watery, and using frozen bananas made it too thick.
This recipe offers the perfect texture and hits all the right flavor notes with just three ingredients. By using fresh bananas, you get the benefits of the wholesome fruit, while whole milk adds creaminess. Just a tiny splash of vanilla enhances the shake’s natural sweetness. Plus, you can add a garnish of whipped cream if you want to make it even more decadent. Despite the lack of ice or ice cream, you’ll end up with an amazingly creamy and delicious banana milkshake—and without the brain freeze!
Is A Banana Milkshake Healthy?
A milkshake is typically rich, sweet, and has a high calorie count from both sugar and fat. This banana milkshake omits added sugar and uses whole milk instead of ice cream. Bananas are a good source of potassium, magnesium, and vitamin B6. Milk is a good source of protein and calcium. This recipe uses whole milk to give this shake its rich flavor, but if fat is a concern, you could also use reduced-fat milk and omit the whipped cream. And you can easily make it vegan by substituting a plant-based milk like oat milk or soy milk for the dairy milk and leaving out the whipped cream or using a plant-based alternative.
How will I know If my bananas are ripe?
The most important ingredient in a banana milkshake is the bananas themselves. Look for fruits with a bright-yellow peel that has a few small brown spots. Using green or light-yellow bananas will not give you the correct sweetness, while brown bananas may be musty-tasting or too sweet. A perfectly ripe banana is still slightly firm to the touch but not mushy; if your banana squishes, it’s overripe and will not make for a perfect banana milkshake.
How To make ahead and store
This banana milkshake is meant to be enjoyed right away, but if you want to save it for later, you can refrigerate it in a mason jar or other airtight jar for a few hours. You really don’t want to wait too long. If you do, the ingredients could separate, and you’ll need to blend it again.
Serving Suggestions
This recipe for a banana milkshake is best enjoyed in a tall glass. You can garnish with whipped cream or a few slices of fresh banana. You can also add a nice, crunchy topping with either some chopped walnuts, chocolate chips, or my personal favorite: crushed graham crackers!
Want more satisfying blender drinks? Check out this Chocolate-Peanut Butter-Banana Smoothie, this Berry-Packed Frozen Fruit Smoothie, or this chocolatey Vegan Milkshake.
Ingredients
- 2 large ripe bananas
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Whipped cream for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Peel the bananas and place them in the blender.
- Add the milk and vanilla extract to the blender with the bananas.
- Blend on high speed until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute.
- Pour the milkshake into two glasses and, if desired, top with whipped cream.
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