Banana Milkshake Recipe | Wholesome Banana Shake
This Banana Milkshake recipe includes sweet bananas and coconut milk for a rich and creamy consistency that everyone (especially kids) will love. Plus I add a bit of vanilla and cinnamon for an extra delicious drink that’s perfect for breakfast, as a snack, or even for a healthy dessert. This Banana Shake recipe is also vegan.
About This Banana Milkshake
Traditional Indian milkshakes are cold and creamy drinks that are made in a variety of tasty flavors. I love all sorts of milkshakes, from decadent Chocolate Shake to fresh and fruity Strawberry Milkshake or Mango Milkshake – just about any favorite ingredient can be turned into a shake!
However, it should be noted that unlike thick and frosty milkshakes made in the United States and other countries, Indian versions do not typically include ice cream. (Restaurants usually will note *with ice cream* on menus.)
Instead, our shakes tend to be have a medium consistency that is creamy but light. They are prepared with dairy milk or plant-based milks, depending on what other ingredients are being used.
For this banana milkshake recipe I always use either coconut milk or almond milk. According to ayurveda, bananas and dairy milk do not go well together. This combination can lead to indigestion and a sluggish stomach.
But when made with a plant-based milk this banana shake becomes a super healthy and nutritious drink. It is vegan, gluten-free, and perfect for those who are lactose intolerant.
You can even add a pinch of cardamom powder or cinnamon powder for extra gut health and delicious flavor.
Banana milkshakes are sweet enough that kids will love them, and they can be considered a dessert. Or enjoy a refreshing banana milkshake for a quick breakfast or snack that’s both light and filling.
How to make Banana Milkshake
1. First peel and chop 3 medium sized bananas, roughly 2 cups. Add the chopped bananas in a mixer or blender jar.
Have overripe bananas? Add them in the blender to make a flavorful milkshake. Frozen bananas also make a creamy thick shake.
2. Then add 2 cups of lite coconut milk or thin coconut milk, preferably cold or chilled. I have used Homemade Coconut Milk with a very thin consistency.
3. Add a ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract, or 1 to 2 pinches of vanilla powder. This is optional, but the vanilla really does help to balance the sweetness of the banana and adds great flavor.
4. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons, or more or less to taste, of raw sugar or jaggery.
You can also use palm sugar, coconut sugar, honey or maple syrup instead of raw sugar, if you prefer. Or opt to omit the sweetener.
5. Blend until smooth. If you find the banana shake to be very thick, add a few splashes of water and blend again until you get the desired consistency.
6. Pour into 2 large or 3 small glasses.
Serving Suggestions
If you like you can sprinkle some ground cinnamon or ground green cardamom powder onto each banana milkshake. Serve right away while cold.
Banana discolors due to oxidation, so to get the best flavor and taste, drink the shake as soon as you make it. I would not recommend to refrigerate the banana shake even for a few hours.
Expert Tips
- Milk: Although I prefer plant based milks like coconut milk or almond milk for this Banana Shake recipe, you can prepare a tasty milkshake with cashew milk, oats milk or even soy milk.
- Bananas: You can also use overripe bananas as well as frozen bananas for this milkshake recipe. Frozen ones will result in a creamier and thicker shake. When using overripe bananas, adjust the quantity of sugar depending on the sweetness of the bananas.
- Thicker milkshake: As is, this drink is quite smooth and creamy. To make a thicker milkshake similar to what you’d find in the U.S., simply add a handful of ice cubes while blending. You also can flash freeze the banana slices on a baking sheet for one hour before using or use a vegan vanilla ice cream.
- Sweetener: You can use any of these sweeteners in this recipe – raw sugar, jaggery, palm sugar, coconut sugar, maple syrup or agave syrup. You can also skip adding the sweetener, if you wish to.
- Flavorings: Both the vanilla extract/essence or powder and ground cinnamon are optional ingredients in this milkshake. You can choose not to add either.
FAQs
What other milks can be used to make this banana milkshake recipe?
I like to add coconut milk for the tropical taste and rich consistency, but you can opt to make banana milkshake with almond milk or soy milk. For a non-vegan recipe feel free to add your preferred plant-based milk.
Can this recipe be halved or doubled?
Certainly you can prepare as much banana shake as you like. This recipe make approximately 2 to 3 servings. You can halve the ingredients for 1 or 2 generous servings, or double to make 4 to 6 glasses.
Can this shake be made ahead?
I recommend enjoying the banana milkshake shortly after preparing. It’s best when creamy and cold, and won’t keep well in the fridge.
Step by Step Photo Guide Above
Ingredients
- 2 cups Coconut Milk – lite or with a thin to medium consistency
- 3 bananas – medium sized
- 2 to 3 tablespoons raw sugar or as required, optional
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract or 1 to 2 pinches of vanilla powder, optional
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon or ground green cardamom powder for garnish, optional
Instructions
Making Banana Shake
- Peel the bananas and chop them.
- Transfer the chopped bananas, vanilla and coconut milk into the blender.
- Add raw sugar or your preferred choice of sweetener. You can choose to omit the sweetener.
- Blend everything until smooth and creamy. If you find the banana shake to be too thick for your liking, add a few splashes of water and blend again.
- Pour the milkshake in glasses and serve right away.
Serving Suggestions
- If you like you can sprinkle some cinnamon or cardamom powder onto each banana milkshake. Top with some chopped nuts if you like. Serve right away while cold.
- To get the best flavor and taste, drink the banana shake as soon as you make it as banana discolors due to oxidation. I would not suggest to refrigerate the banana shake even for a few hours.
Video
Notes
- Feel free to add your preferred plant based milk. For a non-vegan shake, you can add dairy milk.
- For overly sweet or overripe bananas, omit adding sugar if needed.
- The sweeteners can be of your choice. Maple syrup, raw sugar, agave syrup, palm sugar, coconut sugar and jaggery are some options.
- For the flavorings, you can choose to omit adding ground cinnamon powder and vanilla. Or add either one of them.
- For a thicker creamy shake, frozen bananas work well.
Nutrition
This Banana Milkshake recipe from the archives was first published in May 2013. It has been updated and republished on September 2023.
fine mahek and thanks for letting me know. it happens. welcome.
Can I use the thick coconut milk to make the shake as well?? Or only thin coconut milk needs to be used ?
rashmi, thick coconut milk can make the milkshake heavy. you can thin the thick coconut milk by adding some water in it.
Can we use normal milk and not coconut milk?
you can.
good
thanks raji
Hey Dassana,
I am so glad that you have shared so many wonderful and delicious recipe, wanted to thank you because I have received so many compliments for cooking that too when I have never cooked before my wedding and now I have to, that too without any help for me and my husband.
Your recipe are so simple and wonderful and the way you have represented its so easy to understand whether I am going right or wrong.
Well, me and my husband love your food recipe.
You have made me to make people taste Indian cuisine here in America that too from street food to formal dinner.
Thanks a ton and please keep posting…..
welcome komal. glad to know this. thanks for sharing your experience and positive feedback on recipes.
hi
could u please post the recipe of fruit punch which we get in restaurants.. i want to try at home … thanks and god bless
i have noted your request. and will try to add in some time.
mmmmm delicious!
Hi Dasanna, I tried your banana mango milkshake. I am posting it here as I couldn´t find a reply space in that blog. It was excellent with powdered jaggery. Loved your healthy way of making shake without refined sugar!! Thanks a lot….
thanks dhanya. you can even use raw sugar, organic unrefined cane sugar and evaporated cane sugar. i use only these sugars for tea and sweets. they are healthy than refined sugar. sometimes i use white sugar for baking and icings. you will easily get these online as well as in the organic section. a little expensive, but its better to spend a bit now, then spending a lot of money on medicines later 🙂
Can I vanilla essence to it , Instead of Vanilla powder ?
yes you can add vanilla essence. if using artificial vanilla essence, just add a few drops.
Everything on your site looks so delicious!
I’ve seen a few online recipes for homemade coconut milk using unsweetened dried coconut flakes. Is that what you use? I would like to know how you prepare it for yourself, and how long it lasts in the fridge. Coconut milk is one of my favorite ingredients, and I use it every week. But I’ve always used canned coconut milk. Surely homemade would be much better!
hi shelley, i prepare coconut milk with fresh coconut. its very easy to make at home. homemade is much much better. i have used canned ones too and coconut milk powder too. but nothing as compared to homemade coconut milk. stays good for 2-3 days in the refrigerator. mine gets used up very fast in 2-3 days time. so never kept beyond 2-3 days. may be they stay better even longer… i really don’t have an idea on that. i have a post in drafts for more than 2 months now on coconut milk. just not getting time to work on the pics. will surely post in some days.
Thank you – I look forward to your post, as always.
I agree about feeling sluggish, but I could drink this whole darn glass, no problem! : )
I do agree that milkshakes made with nut milks are much lighter. This looks so delish, Dassana 🙂
Love the milkshake, looks very satiating and fresh.
The idea of adding vanilla powder to coconut milk is interesting, will try this.