Refreshing, creamy and brimming with banana, our banana smoothie is the ultimate wholesome beverage.
Banana Smoothie Recipe photo by Taste of Home

A thick banana smoothie is the perfect way to start the day with a little pep in your step. This recipe calls upon just four simple ingredients, and it delivers three tall, cold servings of sweet, creamy banana smoothies. Customize this recipe with vanilla yogurt, oats, different milks or other frozen fruits. The possibilities are endless, but you’ll always be left with a great smoothie.

Once you know how to make a banana smoothie, mastering other healthy smoothie recipes isn’t too far behind!

Banana Smoothie Ingredients

  • Milk: A bit of 2% milk makes this banana smoothie recipe creamy and flavorful.
  • Bananas: Brown-spotted ripe bananas are key here. They’re more sugary and flavorful than yellow or green bananas.
  • Honey: As a natural sweetener, honey is the perfect ingredient to make our wholesome banana smoothie recipe even more delicious.
  • Vanilla extract: Just a dash of vanilla extract imparts gorgeous floral notes in this smoothie, making it taste a bit more like banana bread!

Directions

Step 1: Blend the ingredients

Combine the milk, bananas, honey and vanilla extract in the blender. Blend on high until you reach a smooth consistency. You may need to stop the blender and scrape down the sides to incorporate anything that’s stuck to the blender walls.

Editor’s Tip: Check out our Test Kitchen’s picks for the best blender, and see what difference a solid motor and set of blades can do for your smoothies!

Step 2: Serve

Banana Smoothie Ft23 5316 St 3 13 2 Ss EditTMB STUDIO

Pour the smoothie evenly into three chilled tall glasses. Serve immediately.

Banana Smoothie Variations

  • Add a bit of chocolate: Want to get indulgent? Make a chocolate-banana smoothie! Increase the milk to 3 cups, and add 1/2 cup chocolate syrup.
  • Swap out the bananas: If you’re not a banana fan, make a fruity strawberry-peach smoothie instead. Substitute 1 cup each of frozen strawberries and sliced peaches for the bananas. Add 1/4 cup orange juice. Reduce the honey to 2 tablespoons.
  • Amp up the protein: A spoonful of peanut butter, yogurt, protein powder or chia seeds will bump up the protein in this banana smoothie.
  • Make it heartier: For a more filling smoothie, blend in 1/2 cup instant oats.

How to Store a Banana Smoothie

If you have leftovers, you can store them in the freezer for up to three days, but we highly recommend enjoying these smoothies immediately.

Banana Smoothie Tips

Banana Smoothie Ft23 5316 St 3 13 3 Ss EditTMB STUDIO

Can you use frozen bananas instead of fresh?

Absolutely! If you prefer a thicker smoothie, this is one of the quickest changes to make. It’s quite easy to freeze bananas!

Can you make this banana smoothie recipe vegan?

Yes, you can make this banana smoothie recipe vegan. Swap out the 2% milk for your favorite dairy-free milk alternative (we’d recommend almond milk or coconut milk). In place of the honey, use maple syrup or date syrup.

Watch how to Make Banana Smoothie

Banana Smoothie

This banana smoothie has to be one of my favorite recipes because it can be made in a flash, yet it's full of flavor. I think the honey adds just the right amount of sweetness. Everyone will love it...not just banana lovers! —Ro Ann Cox, Lenoir, North Carolina
Banana Smoothie Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Total Time

Prep/Total Time: 10 min.

Makes

3 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 cups 2% milk
  • 2 medium ripe bananas
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Stir if necessary. Pour into chilled glasses; serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 238 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 78mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (41g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein.