Banana Milkshake

Learn to make a classic banana milkshake from scratch. You can use vanilla ice cream or chocolate ice cream as the base for this banana milkshake recipe but we recommend starting with vanilla.

This milkshake is gluten-free, nut-free, and it can be made dairy-free using dairy-free milk and a dairy-free vanilla ice cream like this oat milk ice cream.

If you want more bananas, try this Bananas Foster Ice Cream next.

Why You’re Going to Love this Banana Milkshake

There’s only three ingredients in this banana milkshake, it’s smooth, creamy and perfectly in every way. It’s an elevated milkshake with a vanilla milkshake base, and banana.

You can use chocolate or vanilla ice cream as the base. If you do use chocolate, then you’re making a chocolate banana milkshake.

You can make this banana milkshake recipe as thick or thin as you like. Easy-peasy.

For another recipe using bananas, try this banana pudding ice cream.

Ingredients in Homemade Banana Milkshakes

Whole Milk – If you’re making a thicker milkshake, reduce or omit the milk.

Vanilla Ice Cream – The base of the milkshake that adds sweetness and keeps it thick and creamy.

Banana – Bananas are great for thickening milkshakes and adding flavor. It goes perfect with ice cream

If you want to switch up the flavors of this banana milkshake you can swap the ice cream. Here are a few ideas:

Chocolate Ice Cream – Makes the perfect chocolate banana milkshake. You can use our homemade chocolate ice cream recipe, or your favorite store bought ice cream recipe.

Strawberry Ice Cream – Some may think this sounds weird, but strawberries and bananas have always been a good match. Try strawberry ice cream in your milkshake next time.

Peanut Butter Ice Cream – Anyone who loves make peanut butter banana milkshakes will love using peanut butter ice cream.

Mango Ice Cream – We love making banana milkshakes with mango ice cream. It delivers a fresh tropical flavor and is perfect with some whipped cream on top.

If you have any questions, please leave a comment below.

How to make a homemade Banana Milkshake

Add the ingredients to the blender jar in the order listed. If you want a thicker milkshake, omit the milk and allow the ice cream to soften at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before you make it.

Which Milk is best for Making Milkshakes

For a creamy, non-icy milkshake you’ll want to use whole milk. The fat plays a huge roll in keeping the texture smooth.

You can use other milks, including dairy-free milk. If you do use another milk I recommend using less milk and letting the ice cream soften for a few minutes before you make a milkshake.

This will reduce the chances of the milkshake being too ice.

How to make a thick Milkshake

For a thick milkshake use only slightly softened ice cream and the add-ins. You can always add a little milk at a time, to get the desired consistency.

You can also add ice and blend until creamy.

How to Make a Milkshake with a Blender

If you’re adding milk to your milkshake, you’ll want to add the milk to the blender jar first. Then add in the ice cream, and finally the add-ins.

Blend until well combined and serve immediately.

How to Make a Milkshake without a Blender

Scoop the ice cream into a quart size mason jar or a deep glass container and microwave it for 15-30 seconds.

Add in the flavors or add-ins, secure the lid and shake. You can also stir the milkshake mixture with a spoon.

Use the spoon to break up any larger sections of ice cream.

Scooping Hard Ice Cream

There are a couple of methods for scooping hard ice cream when making milkshakes. First, you can allow the ice cream to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before scooping.

You can also use a heated ice cream scooper. We prefer to set a metal ice cream scooper in hot water for 5 minutes, dry the ice cream scoop, and use it to scoop ice cream.

How long is ice cream good in the freezer?

Ice cream stays good for 2-3 months if unopened. Once it’s open, it lasts for 3-4 weeks. If you see ice crystals on top, it’s best to discard it.

More Milkshake Recipes:

Peanut Butter Milkshake – A simple recipe for a Peanut Butter Milkshake that is perfect for anyone who loves peanut butter treats or peanut butter ice cream. This peanut butter milkshake recipe is easy to make and uses minimal ingredients.

Nutella Milkshake – You can make this Nutella Milkshake with vanilla ice cream or chocolate ice cream.

Mint Chocolate Chip Milkshake – A simple recipe for a mint chocolate chip milkshake that is perfect for anyone who loves mint and chocolate together. This mint chocolate chip milkshake recipe is easy to make and uses minimal ingredients.

Cookies and Cream Milkshake – A super simple recipe for a cookies and cream milkshake that’s just as good as any ice cream shop milkshake. This recipe uses sweet vanilla ice cream, chocolate cookies, and a touch of milk for the perfect cookies and cream milkshake.

If you’re looking for more milkshake ideas, you can turn any of these Cuisinart ice cream recipes into a milkshake. Some of our favorites are:

Apple Pie Ice Cream – Make this sweetly spiced Apple Pie Ice Cream recipe, featuring fresh, caramelized apples and chewy yet crunchy snickerdoodle cookies. This Apple Pie Ice Cream Recipe is naturally nut-free and you can use gluten free cookies, to make it gluten free.

Chocolate Marshmallow Ice Cream – A rich and creamy chocolate ice cream is swirled with sweet marshmallow fluff and dark chocolate chunks to create the perfect homemade Chocolate Marshmallow Ice Cream.

Black Walnut Ice Cream – Homemade Black Walnut Ice Cream is a rich, creamy, French-style churned ice cream featuring the bold, nutty flavor of a special ingredient, wild black walnuts.

Melon Ice Cream – A flavor that you aren’t likely to find in a grocery store, Melon Ice cream is a fruity, fresh, and delicious gourmet ice cream flavor that you can make at home.

Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream – Of all the strawberry shortcake ice cream recipes we tested, this one is the absolute best! This Philadelphia style churned Strawberry Shortcake ice cream is creamy and sweet with the perfect amount of crunchy cookie add-ins.

Birthday Cake Ice Cream – Birthday Cake Ice Cream is an ultra-creamy homemade ice cream with a rich, buttery vanilla flavor. Pieces of real cake and rainbow sprinkles make it a super fun ice cream too.

French Silk Ice Cream – A rich chocolate ice cream with a French style custard base is swirled with a fluffy vanilla mousse to create this delicious homemade French silk ice cream.

Really, you can turn any ice cream flavor into a milkshake with just a few simple ingredients. Little Debbie Ice Creams also make great milkshakes.

Things we love for making milkshakes:

Heat Conductive Ice Cream Scoop

Milkshake Glasses

Metal Straws

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