On Tuesdays, the local market near the post office puts out boxes of overly ripe bananas for a discount. The vendor knows me well now, white hair tucked into a sunhat, my canvas bag full of whatever catches my eye.
Last week, those spotted bananas reminded me of the quiet mornings I’d spend at the small rural school I taught at for nearly three decades. We had one little blender in the break room, donated by a generous parent, and whenever fruit got too soft for the lunch trays, we’d blend them up into milkshakes for the kids. No fuss, no waste. Just a cool, sweet treat passed around in plastic tumblers.
That memory followed me home, and before the sun had fully climbed over the garden fence, I was slicing a banana and reaching for the cinnamon. These days, my kitchen is quieter, but the joy in that simple shake hasn’t changed. It’s creamy, naturally sweet, and endlessly comforting.
On warmer days, I pour it into tall glasses and sit by the window with a crossword puzzle. It’s the kind of recipe that brings people together, no matter their age. You can hear the blender whirring and feel time slow down just a little.
Short Description
This easy banana milkshake is creamy, lightly spiced, and refreshing. It blends ripe bananas with milk, cinnamon, and a touch of sugar for a naturally sweet treat ready in minutes.
Key Ingredients
- 3 large ice cubes
- 240ml (1 cup) milk (dairy or plant-based)
- 1 medium ripe banana, peeled and sliced
- 1 tbsp white sugar (adjust to taste)
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
Tools Needed
- High-speed blender
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Sharp knife and small cutting board
- Serving glasses
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
Slice the banana for easier blending. Measure out the sugar, cinnamon, and milk. Set everything within arm’s reach.
Step 2: Blend It All Together
Add the ice cubes, milk, banana slices, sugar, and cinnamon to your blender. Blend on high for 1–2 minutes, until creamy and smooth. If the mixture looks uneven, stop and scrape the sides down, then blend again briefly.
Step 3: Serve Immediately
Pour into two glasses and enjoy right away. The shake should be cold, frothy, and thick enough to coat a spoon lightly.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Naturally Sweet: Ripe banana brings creamy sweetness without relying on heavy sugar.
Quick and Easy: Only takes a few ingredients and 5 minutes from start to finish.
Customizable: Works well with any milk—almond, oat, soy, or whole milk.
Refreshing and Light: Perfect for a snack, light breakfast, or post-workout treat.
Kid-Friendly: Mild, familiar flavors make it a hit with even the pickiest eaters.
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Using underripe bananas: They won’t blend smoothly and lack natural sweetness.
Solution: Choose bananas with brown spots for better flavor and texture.
Skipping the ice cubes: This affects both texture and chill.
Solution: Always use ice or frozen banana slices for a thicker, colder shake.
Over-sweetening: Too much sugar can overpower the banana and cinnamon.
Solution: Taste after blending and adjust sugar as needed—start with less.
Using too much cinnamon: It can dominate the flavor.
Solution: Stick with ¼ tsp or less for subtle warmth without bitterness.
Blending too long: Overblending can warm the shake.
Solution: Blend only until smooth, no more than 2 minutes.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Pour into chilled mason jars and garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon or banana slice.
Serve with whole wheat toast and almond butter for a filling breakfast.
Pair with granola bars or oatmeal cookies for a midday snack.
Serve buffet-style with other smoothies and fruit cups for a light brunch spread.
Add whipped cream on top and drizzle with honey for a dessert-like touch.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Storage:
Best consumed fresh. If needed, store in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 12 hours.
Reheating:
Not suitable for reheating.
Refreshing:
If the shake separates, stir or shake the jar before drinking.
You can re-blend with a fresh ice cube to restore texture.
FAQs
1. Can I make this without sugar?
Yes, just skip the sugar or add a date or a splash of maple syrup for natural sweetness.
2. Can I use frozen bananas instead of ice?
Absolutely! Frozen bananas create an even creamier texture and chill the shake well.
3. What milk is best for this recipe?
Any milk works—dairy, oat, almond, or soy. Each gives a slightly different flavor.
4. Can I add protein powder?
Yes, a scoop of vanilla protein powder blends in well and makes it more filling.
5. What if I don’t like cinnamon?
Just leave it out or substitute with a drop of vanilla extract for a softer taste.
Tips & Tricks
Use bananas that are soft with brown spots—they’re sweeter and blend better.
For extra thickness, freeze banana slices in advance.
A pinch of nutmeg can add depth to the flavor.
Blend in 1–2 tbsp of plain yogurt for a tangy, creamy twist.
Clean your blender immediately after use—banana residue can stick fast.
Recipe Variations
1. Chocolate Banana Milkshake
Add 1 tbsp cocoa powder or chocolate syrup before blending.
Omit cinnamon and keep sugar as is.
2. Peanut Butter Banana Shake
Blend in 1 tbsp natural peanut butter.
Adds a nutty richness and pairs well with cinnamon.
3. Banana Oat Breakfast Shake
Add 2 tbsp rolled oats and ½ tsp flaxseeds.
Blend longer to ensure a smooth texture.
4. Tropical Banana Shake
Use coconut milk and add a few chunks of fresh pineapple.
Refreshing and perfect for hot days.
5. Spiced Date Banana Shake
Replace sugar with 1 pitted Medjool date.
Add a pinch of cardamom for a Middle Eastern twist.
Final Thoughts
On slow mornings, this banana milkshake sets the tone calm, simple, just right. I’ve made it in silence and with my granddaughter chatting away beside me, both versions equally sweet in their own way.
Sometimes, I pour it into old jam jars and take one out to the back garden, watching the birds flit through the feeder. It doesn’t ask much of you, this recipe. Just a ripe banana and a little care. And in return, it offers a cool sip of ease that fits into any kind of day. That, to me, is the charm of kitchen rituals—quiet gestures that fill a glass and warm a heart.
Easy Banana Milkshake
Print ThisIngredients
- 3 large ice cubes
- 240ml (1 cup) milk (dairy or plant-based)
- 1 medium ripe banana, peeled and sliced
- 1 tbsp white sugar (adjust to taste)
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
Step 1: Get Everything Ready
Slice the banana and measure the milk, sugar, and cinnamon. Keep everything close by.
Step 2: Blend
Put the ice, milk, banana, sugar, and cinnamon in a blender. Blend for 1–2 minutes until smooth and creamy. Stop and scrape the sides if needed.
Step 3: Serve
Pour into two glasses and enjoy right away while it’s cold and frothy.
