Creamy Banana Smoothie
This recipe makes a thick, refreshing, and naturally sweet smoothie that’s perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even a light dessert.
Yields: 2 servings Prep time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2-3 ripe bananas: The riper, the sweeter! If you want a colder, thicker smoothie without adding ice (which can dilute the flavor), use frozen banana slices.
- 1 cup (240ml) milk:
- Dairy options: Whole milk for creaminess, 2% milk, or skim milk.
- Non-dairy options: Almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, or coconut milk (from a carton, not canned) work beautifully. Choose unsweetened to control the sweetness.
- 1/2 cup (120g) plain yogurt (optional, but highly recommended for creaminess):
- Greek yogurt for a thicker, protein-rich smoothie.
- Regular plain yogurt.
- Dairy-free yogurt for a vegan option.
- 1-2 tablespoons honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar (optional, to taste): Only if your bananas aren’t sweet enough for your preference.
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional): Enhances the banana flavor.
- A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg (optional): Adds a warm, comforting note.
- 4-6 ice cubes (optional): If using fresh bananas and you want a colder smoothie, or to thicken it further.
Equipment:
- Blender
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Serving glasses
- Straws (optional)
- Knife and cutting board (for slicing bananas)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Bananas: If using fresh bananas, peel them and break them into smaller pieces or slice them into rounds. If using frozen bananas, you can usually just break them apart.
- Add Ingredients to Blender:
- Start by pouring the milk into your blender. This helps the blades move more easily.
- Add the banana pieces.
- If using, add the yogurt, honey/maple syrup, vanilla extract, and spices.
- If using fresh bananas and desiring a colder smoothie, add the ice cubes last.
- Blend Until Smooth: Secure the lid on your blender. Start blending on a low speed, then gradually increase to a higher speed. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy, with no lumps of banana remaining. You may need to stop the blender and scrape down the sides with a spatula if ingredients get stuck.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste the smoothie.
- If it’s not sweet enough, add a little more honey, maple syrup, or a pitted Medjool date and blend again.
- If it’s too thick, add a splash more milk and blend.
- If it’s too thin, add a few more frozen banana pieces or ice cubes and blend.
- Serve: Pour the smoothie into your serving glasses.
- Garnish (Optional, as shown in the image):
- Slice a fresh banana into rounds and arrange them on the rim of the glass.
- Add a few small banana chunks on top of the smoothie.
- Serve immediately with a straw.
Tips for the Best Banana Smoothie:
- Frozen Bananas are Key: For a thick, icy, and super creamy smoothie without any added ice (which can dilute the flavor), always use frozen banana slices. Simply peel ripe bananas, slice them into 1-inch thick rounds, and freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for a few hours until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container.
- Adjust Sweetness: The sweetness will largely depend on the ripeness of your bananas. Taste before adding any extra sweetener.
- Boost the Flavor: A touch of vanilla extract, cinnamon, or even a tiny bit of almond extract can elevate the flavor.
- Add-ins for Nutrition & Flavor (Beyond the base recipe):
- Protein: A scoop of your favorite protein powder.
- Healthy Fats: 1-2 tablespoons of almond butter, peanut butter, or chia seeds.
- Greens: A handful of spinach or kale (you won’t taste it!).
- Other Fruits: A handful of berries (strawberries, blueberries), mango, or pineapple (as the image description suggested it might be pineapple banana). If you want to make it a Pineapple Banana Smoothie, replace about half the banana with frozen pineapple chunks.
- Oats: 1/4 cup rolled oats for extra fiber and thickness.
- Spices: Cardamom or a tiny pinch of nutmeg.
Enjoy your delicious and refreshing homemade banana smoothie!
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