This Banana Smoothie whips up in minutes with just five ingredients: frozen banana, milk, almond butter, vanilla, and a pinch of cinnamon. It’s naturally dairy-free and vegan.

Other favorite smoothie recipes: Green SmoothieApple Smoothie, and this Red Velvet Smoothie.

Finished Banana Smoothies in two cups.

Banana Smoothie

Bananas are always on my shopping list. I make sure to buy extra to chop and freeze, ready for making my favorite banana smoothie and these Banana Bites.

I used to not enjoy plain banana smoothies, the ones without lots of other fruits mixed in. But after trying this recipe, I’m in love! This banana smoothie is full of good stuff, smooth, creamy, and really satisfying. Plus, my kids love it and always ask for more!

If you’re a fan of almonds and bananas, you’re going to love this smoothie.

Slicing bananas to place in a freezer bag for the recipe preparation.

Ingredients In Banana Smoothie

Only 5 ingredients to get the best smoothie!

  • Vanilla Almond Milk: This is the main liquid that mixes everything together. Pick a milk you like that fits with your diet needs. I use vanilla almond milk and love the flavor but have also tested with whole milk and it’s delicious.
  • Frozen Banana Slices: They make the smoothie sweet and creamy. Freeze bananas ahead of time for a thicker smoothie and so you don’t need to use ice, which can water it down.
  • Almond Butter (or peanut butter): It also gives this smoothie so much flavor and increases the creaminess of it. Choose almond butter for a milder taste or peanut butter if you like a stronger nut flavor.
  • Vanilla Extract: Makes the smoothie taste better, giving it a sweet flavor. 
  • Cinnamon (optional): This is optional but if you’re a cinnamon lover you can add more. The cinnamon gives it such a delicious flavor.

Quick Tip

Where is the ice? I don’t use ice in my smoothies because it can water them down. Using fully frozen fruit makes the smoothie thick and flavorful.This banana smoothie has no ice, and I believe it’s better that way!

Banana Smoothie ingredients in a blender jar, ready to be processed.

How To Make Banana Smoothies

  1. Freeze the banana: Prep your bananas as soon as you get them by peeling, slicing, and freezing overnight. Honestly, having a completely frozen banana (instead of a unfrozen one) is what takes this smoothie over the top.
  2. Measure: While it might seem silly to actually measure out ingredients for a smoothie instead of just throwing everything in, I highly recommend measuring ingredients the first few times you make this, so you get a good feel for the quantities. Throwing random ingredients in a blender can often end up giving you way too much smoothie or tasting, well, off.
  3. Blend: If you have a high-powered blender , you can add everything in and blend until smooth. 
  4. Taste: Give it a quick taste and if needed, add in a bit of sweetener. We usually don’t add in sweetener because the banana sweetens this so much. The sweetness of bananas can vary, though, depending on their ripeness.

Finished Banana Smoothie, blended and ready to drink.

Smoothie Tips

I know: How hard can making a Banana Smoothie be, right?! But I still have a few tips.

  • Good ripe bananas make all the difference in this smoothie. Freeze the bananas when they’re ripe and use them only when completely frozen for the best smoothie.
  • If needed, add a little honey or maple syrup to sweeten this smoothie more. I’ve found with a really good and ripe banana you don’t need the additional sweetener; so give your smoothie a quick taste and add a teaspoon or two as needed. (honey will make it no longer vegan.)

The refreshing breakfast in a cup ready to be enjoyed.

Storage

Make Ahead & Storage Tips

  • Storage Tips: It’s best to drink the banana smoothie immediately for the best texture and taste. However, this banana smoothie can last 8-12 hours in the fridge. Check by smell to see if it’s still good.
  • Make-Ahead Tips: You can pre-freeze the ingredients in a bag and just add milk and vanilla when ready to blend.

More Easy Smoothie Recipe

4.94 from 31 votes

Creamy Banana Smoothie

This Banana Smoothie whips up in minutes with just five ingredients: frozen banana, milk, almond butter, vanilla, and a pinch of cinnamon. It's healthy, creamy, and naturally dairy-free and vegan.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 -2 servings

Ingredients 
 

  • 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk or milk of choice - (Note 1)
  • 1 cup frozen banana slices (1 large banana)
  • 2 tablespoons almond butter (or peanut butter)
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Optional: scant 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions 

  • THE NIGHT BEFORE: Peel and slice the banana into coins, then freeze the slices in a sealed bag. If the banana isn't fully frozen, add ice to the smoothie.
  • DAY OF: Combine almond milk, frozen banana, almond butter, vanilla, and cinnamon in a large, powerful blender. Blend until completely smooth (about 60 seconds in a high-powered blender).
  • Enjoy immediately.

Video

Recipe Notes

Note 1: You can use a different type of milk; just check and make sure it's dairy free if that's a concern.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 371kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 329mg | Potassium: 776mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 96IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 411mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

 

Meet Chelsea


Hello, and welcome to Chelseaโ€™s Messy Apron! Iโ€™m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. Iโ€™m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

Thanks for stopping byโ€”I hope you find something delicious to make!

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4.94 from 31 votes (1 rating without comment)

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Recipe Rating




49 Comments

  1. Tom says:

    5 stars
    This smoothie sounds scrumptious, and a good substitute for folks with a sweet tooth who are trying to combat cravings!

  2. Julie says:

    5 stars
    LOVE this smoothie, Chelsea!

    Great recipe, great photos.

  3. Chloe says:

    5 stars
    I love your pictures and I love this smoothie so much!

  4. Kelly says:

    This smoothie looks incredible Chelsea! Gorgeous photos too – pinning ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. Brianne says:

    5 stars
    So yummy!

  6. Bianca says:

    5 stars
    This is great!

  7. Liz says:

    5 stars
    Love this!

  8. Gayle says:

    5 stars
    What gorgeous photos of this tasty smoothie!

  9. Rachel says:

    This looks like my kind of breakfast! Beautiful photos too! I love using frozen banana in smoothies. So creamy!

  10. Jenn says:

    5 stars
    Chelsea, this banana smoothie looks delicious! And your photos are gorgeous!