Banana Milkshake Recipe - Dessert for Two

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Have you noticed that anytime you order a fruity shake at a restaurant, it typically contains fake flavoring? This banana milkshake contains real bananas and few key components that enhances flavor: lemon juice, vanilla, and the smallest amount of cinnamon. The pure banana flavor shines through, making this the best banana shake ever!

Two glasses of banana milkshake garnished with whipped cream and dried banana slices.

If your grocery delivery hasn’t come with 6 bunches of bananas instead of just 6 bananas, are you even living? I don’t sweat leftover bananas, because I store them in the freezer for smoothies, my one banana bread, or for making pancakes with just eggs and mashed bananas.

But recently, with a freezer full of bananas and vanilla bean ice cream staring back at me, I decided to make the best banana milkshake ever. I’m afraid I’ll never be able to drink a healthy smoothie again after tasting this creamy dreamy shake.

Bananas can have a one-note flavor, but this banana milkshake has a few things to heighten the flavor and make it irresistible. A small amount of lemon juice wakes up the banana flavor, followed by a dash of vanilla and small dusting of cinnamon. When everything is combined, it just tastes like the best banana milkshake ever, but the flavor lingers because of the additions.

How to Make the Best Banana Milkshake

You will need a blender for this recipe, but if you only have a food processor, you can still make it work! Your banana does not have to be frozen to make this banana milkshake, but if it is, that’s totally fine, too! You just need one, because this recipe only serves 2 people.

I recommend a high-quality vanilla ice cream that has vanilla bean specks in it, but you should truly use your favorite. If you need to use a vegan or dairy-free ice cream, you can do that, too! Lately, we’ve been loving oat milk ice cream, plant-based milk and a can of coconut milk based whipped cream that sprays for garnishing. This is one recipe where you won’t taste the difference if its allergy-friendly.

The Ingredients

Bowl with scoops of ice cream, one banana, vanilla and milk on grey countertop.

Banana. One large banana that is super ripe, spotty and brown. The best and most flavorful bananas are ones with dark brown sugar spots on them. It’s okay if it’s a bit soft and mushy! It can also be frozen, as long as it was frozen when it was super ripe.
Milk. You need one cup of whole milk, but please note that you can use a plant-based milk if you need to for this banana milkshake.
Vanilla Extract. Even though we’re using vanilla ice cream, an extra 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract brings so much flavor here. Since we’re drinking this immediately, use a high-quality Bourbon vanilla extract.
Cinnamon. The smallest dash (1/8 teaspoon) of ground cinnamon brings warmth and a unique flavor without overpowering everything.
Lemon Juice. Anytime a fruit dessert is served, a small amount of acidic lemon juice wakes up the flavor of the fruit. This can be one teaspoon of fresh squeezed juice or bottled lemon juice.
Vanilla Ice Cream. Use your favorite carton of vanilla bean ice cream, because you need three giant scoops to make two shakes.
For serving: whipped cream and dried banana chips. This is optional, but a squirt of whipped cream really makes these banana milkshakes so pretty! I like a dried banana chip on top so that you know the flavor immediately.

The Easy Instructions

Blender with sliced banana in the bottom.

Blender with milk, cinnamon and lemon juice in the bottom.

To the bottom of your blender (a highspeed blender is my first choice, but any blender will work here), add the sliced banana.

Next, pour in the milk, vanilla, cinnamon and lemon juice.

Three giant scoops of white ice cream in the bottom of a blender.

Yellow banana milkshake smooth in a blender.

Add the three big scoops of ice cream to the blender last.

Blend everything together until very smooth and creamy. If it’s too cold and not blending, add small splashes of milk until the banana milkshake liquifies and is pourable.

Thick yellow liquid being poured into two glasses.

FAQ: Best Banana Milkshake

Is banana milkshake healthy?

I don’t necessarily think drinking ice cream is healthy, but if you want to make this lighter, use oat milk ice cream, rice milk and leave off the whipped cream. There is no added sugar in the recipe, but plenty comes from the ice cream!

What can you add to a banana milkshake?

If you want to make this a bananas foster milkshake, add a small scoop of caramel to the blender when blending, and drizzle caramel inside the glass before pouring in the shake and serving. You can add some frozen pineapple to this recipe if you like my mango pineapple smoothie. If you want to add more fruit, you would like my mango banana smoothie! You can add coconut rum for an adult version of this drink.

Overhead shot of two banana milkshakes garnished with whipped cream, banana chips and a straw.

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