How to make a banana milkshake (without ice cream) that is smooth, creamy, and sweet. It contains just 3 simple ingredients as a base but has tons of flavor variations (listed below!). This banana milkshake recipe is gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and can be made dairy-free!
I’ve made no secret of the fact that I love a delicious creamy drink any time of the year. Whether it’s Mexican horchata (Agua de Horchata), a coconut vanilla bean creme Frappuccino, Vietnamese avocado shake, or even ayran/doogh (a salty yogurt drink) – there’s an option for every mood and occasion. Luckily, a banana milkshake can be enjoyed any time of the year, and this is the ultimate recipe for all your banana shake desires!
Learning how to make a banana milkshake (without ice cream) should honestly be on any banana-lovers to-do list. Although we’ve already had a year (or two) of banana bread obsession, make space for this super simple, delicious homemade banana milkshake! It’s wonderfully smooth, creamy, and a natural people-pleaser.
Also, unlike commercial milkshake powders (which, let’s be honest, are all sugar and chemicals!), all you need is three simple, all-natural ingredients, a blender, and about three minutes to whip up the ultimate simple healthy banana shake.
Alternatively, change it up with optional add-ins for a drink that is as healthy or decadent as you’d like! For example, I’ve included options below for fruitier banana shakes, peanut butter banana milkshake, Nutella banana milkshake, and more! And then, if you want to find more deliciously fruity drinks to enjoy, why not try this blueberry milkshake (ube frappe), mango lassi, creamy banana avocado smoothie, or strawberries and cream Frappuccino?!
The Ingredients
At its base, you can make a delicious banana milkshake with just three simple ingredients, which are:
- Banana: I like to use bananas that are just beginning to overripen, so they’re soft, creamy, and sweeter too!
- Sweetener: I used honey, which pairs amazingly with bananas. However, you could also use maple or agave (vegan) or even make a sugar-free banana milkshake with liquid stevia drops or another sugar-free sweetener.
- Milk: you can use the milk of your choice. I used almond milk this time around. I recommend using whole milk or at least 2%+ for the best results. Avoid skimmed milk.
- Vanilla (optional): Vanilla extract is a great addition even to the simplest of banana shakes. If you have some in your house, I recommend adding some. Instant dessert vibes!!
Optional Add-Ins and Variations
There are tons of ways to adjust this banana milkshake recipe, whether you want to add just a little extra flavor or make different flavor combinations.
- Salt: just like with a chocolate shake, adding a pinch of salt helps to balance and enhance the flavors in this banana milkshake recipe.
- Nut butter: a peanut butter banana milkshake is a must-have, at least every now and then. However, you could also use almond butter or another nut butter of your choice. Add one spoonful to add a rich creaminess to your shake. Add a second spoonful to pack in flavor, too.
- Berries: whether you’re in the mood for a blueberry banana milkshake or strawberry banana milkshake, there are several popular fruity additions that can help boost the flavor in this fruity shake.I recommend adding ½ cup of other fruit and increasing to personal taste. Plus, you can use fresh or frozen fruit for an even creamier treat.
- Chocolate: who wouldn’t love a chocolate banana milkshake?! You can easily adapt this recipe by adding unsweetened cacao or cocoa powder to the banana shake. For a more decadent option, a Nutella banana milkshake is possible using this homemade vegan Nutella.
- Coffee: a coffee banana milkshake is the ultimate breakfast shake. Just dissolve 1-2 teaspoon of instant coffee granules with a bit of water and add to the blender for the creamiest results.
- Spices: adding a tiny pinch (or two) of different spices can easily up the flavor in this banana milkshake recipe. My favorite options are cinnamon powder, allspice, and ginger.
- Toppings: you can also easily add extra pizazz with toppings. Coconut whipped cream (or dairy whipped cream), crushed nuts, chocolate shavings, cacao nibs, etc.
- Drizzle: you can drizzle the banana milkshake with chocolate syrup, strawberry syrup, or even caramel sauce. The caramel could even be blended directly into the shake for more of a treat.
- Ice Cream: Okay, I know I’ve specifically titled this recipe as a banana milkshake without ice cream, but if you do want more of a decadent treat, you could add some vanilla, caramel, chocolate, or even peanut butter ice cream! For a healthier option, you could use frozen yogurt.
There are several other add-ins, too, like other fruits (mango, etc.) that you can add to the healthy banana milkshake. However, the more fruits you add, the more this banana milkshake recipe veers away from being a shake and more into smoothie territory. So I’m leaving those options be!
How to Make a Banana Milkshake
The method for making a banana milkshake recipe couldn’t be simpler and basically takes just 2 steps.
Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
For a thicker, creamier banana milkshake recipe, I recommend using frozen banana for the shake. Freezing them in slices is easiest for your blender.
Give the banana shake a taste and adjust the sweetener if needed. Then transfer to a glass/glasses of your choice and top with any of your favorite toppings such as whipped coconut cream, crushed nuts, shaved chocolate, cacao nibs, etc.
How to Make Ahead and Store
Store: I recommend drinking the banana milkshake as soon as it’s ready for the best flavor. However, it can be stored in the fridge for several hours if needed.
Note that if you use frozen fruit, it’s best to enjoy it immediately – to avoid textural changes.
Recipe Notes and FAQs
- Using fresh or frozen banana: you can use whichever you prefer. The fresh banana creates a banana shake that is silky, smooth, and creamy. Frozen banana is creamy too, but also wonderfully thick and a great way to feel like you’re drinking a shake with ice cream but in a healthier way.
- Avoid ice: to avoid a watered-down milkshake. Instead, use frozen fruit and/or chill the glass for several minutes before serving. All ice will do is make a super watered-down banana shake in no time at all.
- Sugar–free banana shake: if your bananas are sweet enough, you may find that you don’t need any additional sweetener. So, I recommend starting by blending just the banana and milk, tasting, and adjusting.
Other Summer Drink Recipes
- Easy pineapple lemonade
- Watermelon juice
- Bloody Mary (Virgin or not)
- Cucumber lemonade
- Blackberry earl grey iced tea
- Tropical guava smoothie
- Coconut Water Chia Seed Drink with Fruit (Lemon Chia Fresca)
- Easy Strawberry Milk Recipe (Chunky OR Blended)
Or browse through my entire collection of drink recipes!
If you try this simple banana milkshake recipe, I’d love to hear your thoughts/questions below. Also, I’d appreciate a recipe card rating below, and feel free to tag me in your recipe recreations on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
How to Make a Banana Milkshake (Without Ice Cream + Variations)
Ingredients
- 3 cups milk any milk above 2% dairy or dairy-free
- 2 large ripe bananas fresh or frozen (for creamier results)
- 2 tablespoon honey or more to taste; maple, agave, or even liquid stevia would also work; adjust amount accordingly.
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.For a thicker, creamier banana milkshake recipe, I recommend using frozen banana for the shake. Freezing them in slices is easiest for your blender.
- Give the banana shake a taste and adjust the sweetener if needed. Then transfer to a glass/glasses of your choice and top with any of your favorite toppings such as whipped coconut cream, crushed nuts, shaved chocolate, cacao nibs, etc.
How to Make Ahead and Store
- Store: I recommend drinking the banana milkshake as soon as it's ready for the best flavor. However, it can be stored in the fridge for several hours if needed.Note that if you use frozen fruit, it's best to enjoy it immediately – to avoid textural changes.
Notes
- Using fresh or frozen banana: you can use whichever you prefer. The fresh banana creates a banana shake that is silky, smooth, and creamy. Frozen banana is creamy too, but also wonderfully thick and a great way to feel like you’re drinking a shake with ice cream but in a healthier way.
- Avoid ice: to avoid a watered-down milkshake. Instead, use frozen fruit and/or chill the glass for several minutes before serving. All ice will do is make a super watered-down banana shake in no time at all.
- Sugar–free banana shake: if your bananas are sweet enough, you may find that you don’t need any additional sweetener. So, I recommend starting by blending just the banana and milk, tasting, and adjusting.
- Salt: just like with a chocolate shake, adding a pinch of salt helps to balance and enhance the flavors in this banana milkshake recipe.
- Nut butter: a peanut butter banana milkshake is a must-have, at least every now and then. However, you could also use almond butter or another nut butter of your choice. Add one spoonful to add a rich creaminess to your shake. Add a second spoonful to pack in flavor, too.
- Berries: whether you’re in the mood for a blueberry banana milkshake or strawberry banana milkshake, there are several popular fruity additions that can help boost the flavor in this fruity shake. I recommend adding ½ cup of other fruit and increasing to personal taste. Plus, you can use fresh or frozen fruity for an even creamier treat.
- Chocolate: who wouldn’t love a chocolate banana milkshake?! You can easily adapt this recipe by adding unsweetened cacao or cocoa powder to the banana shake. For a more decadent option, a Nutella banana milkshake is possible using this homemade vegan Nutella.
- Coffee: a coffee banana milkshake is the ultimate breakfast shake. Just dissolve 1-2 teaspoon of instant coffee granules with a bit of water and add to the blender for the creamiest results.
- Spices: adding a tiny pinch (or two) or different spices can easily up the flavor in this banana milkshake recipe. My favorite options are cinnamon powder, allspice, and ginger.
- Toppings: you can also easily add extra pizazz with toppings. Coconut whipped cream (or dairy whipped cream), crushed nuts, chocolate shavings, cacao nibs, etc.
- Drizzle: you can drizzle the banana milkshake with chocolate syrup, strawberry syrup, or even caramel sauce. The caramel could even be blended directly into the shake for more of a treat.
- Ice Cream: Okay, I know I’ve specifically titled this recipe as a banana milkshake without ice cream, but if you do want more of a decadent treat, you could add some vanilla, caramel, chocolate, or even peanut butter ice cream! For a healthier option, you could use frozen yogurt.
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