With a few ingredients, banana milk shakes are very easy to make and very satisfying. Can be made in just a few minutes, nothing difficult. Now the question is: use milk or not?
Ingredients
Traditional Banana Milk Shake
- 1-2 bananas (better frozen)
- 1 cup (8 ounces) ice cubes
- 1/2 cup (4 ounces) milk
- 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar, substitute sugar, or honey
- 1 scoop (3 ounces) vanilla ice cream
- 1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla essence (optional)
- 4-6 chopped almonds (optional)
- Additional flavors as desired (mango, pineapple, spinach, green vegetables, blueberries, etc.)
Banana Milk Shake Without Milk
- 1-2 bananas (better frozen)
- 1 cup (8 ounces) ice cubes
- 3/4 (6 ounces) orange juice or soy/almond milk
- Sugar, sugar substitute, or honey (to taste)
- Additional flavors as desired (mango, pineapple, spinach, leafy greens, blueberries, etc. Wheat, whole grains, almonds, and peanut butter can be used as thickeners)
Step
Method 1 of 2: Traditional Banana Milk Shake
Step 1. Put the pieces of one or two bananas in a blender
It's best frozen, and most importantly it's ripe. When frozen, bananas cool and reduce the need to use ice cubes.
Step 2. Add 1/2 cup milk and 1 cup ice cubes to the blender
Once the ice has been crushed, it will be easier for the blender and the process will be faster.
What kind of milk? According to your taste. Looking at calories? Use nonfat milk, soy milk, or almonds. Want something creamier? As much as 2% coconut milk you can consider adding
Step 3. Add a scoop of ice cream
This is where your creativity will take over. Vanilla was common and let bananas be special, but our world is Baskin Robbins now. If you want to have a milkshake with 31 different flavors, that can happen. What do you want?
Some recommendations? Peanut butter, chocolate, peanut butter chocolate, strawberries, coconut, mango, or coffee. And if you can stand it, bananas
Step 4. Add 4-6 chopped almonds
This is to give it a bit of vibrancy and texture, but it can be removed. If you don't have almonds but want something in your milkshake, consider adding 1/2 cup of oats, whole grains, or peanut butter.
- Love almonds? Go ahead and add!
- Now add the vanilla essence if you want. This will bring out the natural vanilla flavor into the whisk.
Step 5. Beat the ingredients until the mixture is smooth
If the ice cubes are in the bottom of the blender, take a spoon and stir during the mixing session. In addition, the mixing process may take a minute or two.
Step 6. Add sugar according to taste
Finally, this is an exception to try to taste! Try a spoonful and measure how much sugar is needed. Honey is a good natural choice and sugar substitutes (such as Splenda) are also good. A spoon or two should be enough.
Step 7. Pour into the frozen glass
In a chilled glass, the milkshakes will stay cold and thick longer. If leftover, store in the refrigerator until you want more.
Step 8. Enjoy
The recipe above is for 2 servings. Next time, try your own variation – bananas go great with lots of flavors and a good stage for trying crazy combinations.
If you like, garnish with cherries, cream, chocolate chips, or chopped almonds
Method 2 of 2: Banana Milk Shake Without Milk
Step 1. Add 1 or 2 sliced ripe bananas to the blender
Frozen bananas are great for a cold, thick milkshake.
Step 2. Add 1 cup and liquid to taste
Crushed ice is easier to blend. And for liquids it can be done in two ways:
- Milk substitutes, such as soy, almond, or coconut. Traditional milkshakes work great when paired with chocolate, peanut butter, and other sweeter flavors that contain nuts.
- Fruit juices, such as oranges, apples, or pineapples, make a better smoothie when combined with fruits and vegetables -- such as blueberries, mangoes, leafy greens, or spinach.
Step 3. Add sugar and desired flavorings
Bananas are sweet enough so you don't need to add sugar and if you use fruit juice or coconut milk, the mixture is probably sweet enough. Why not try and see?
As a flavor enhancer, one as described in the previous step would be great, but the limit is our thinking. If it's fruits, vegetables, chocolate, or nuts it will be great! Add 1/2 cup or less depending on how strong you want the flavor to be
Step 4. Mix
Stir well! This process only takes a minute or two. You'll only need to mix once or twice before you're done if the ice is too hard. Adjust the consistency by adding more liquid or fruit if needed.
Step 5. Pour into a glass and enjoy
This recipe is for 2 servings. If there is any left, pour it into a glass and refrigerate it for later.
Garnish with a straw and cream, cherries, chocolate sprinkles, nuts, or fruit slices
Tips
- You don't have to use bananas; could use other fruit.
- You only need bananas and ice cubes.
- Make sure the bananas are thoroughly mixed or you don't want lumps.
- Add protein powder or straw seeds for added nutritional value, can also honey for a healthy natural sweetener.
- Be sure to wash your hands before making the milkshake.
Warning
- Use fresh milk and ripe bananas!
- Do not put spoons or other objects into the rotating blender.
