Chocolate Banana Milkshake - Vegan and Healthy

Name: Chocolate banana milkshake - Vegan and Healthy
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: ¼ cup rolled oats; 1 cup plant-based milk (plain); 2 large frozen bananas; 2 tbsp cacao powder; ½ tsp vanilla extract; 1-2 medjool dates (pitted, or a splash of maple syrup to taste)

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This chocolate banana milkshake is the ultimate treat during a hot summer day. Packed with rolled oats and naturally sweetened with bananas and dates, this frozen drink is a healthy version of a classic milkshake. Has an amazing chocolatey flavor, dairy-free and vegan and kids love it!

Front angle view on a chocolate banana milkshake. This is a see-through glass so you can see the dark chocolatey drink. Also topped with vegan whipped cream and bananas.

Milkshakes are such a fun treat! Kind of in between a smoothie and soft ice cream, I just love how rich and satisfying they are.

But just like in this coconut milkshake, I have to confess that I almost always make milkshakes without ice cream. Don't be scared away just yet! I know ice cream is considered an essential ingredient to make a milkshake, but what if I told you that frozen bananas "cream up" drinks just like ice cream does?

There is something really impressive about blending extra ripe bananas that were previously frozen before. Not only will they add most of the sweetness naturally to the drink, but the texture gets so thick, rich and creamy such in a similar way ice cream does. Also, frozen bananas taste "almost" like ice cream, just try these frozen banana bites and you will be blown away!

Plus, using frozen bananas will make your milkshake so much healthier than a classic recipe! This version is dairy-free, free of refined sugar and so quick to make. Enjoy for breakfast, light dessert or summer refresher. Also makes for an amazing post-work out snack!

Overhead view on a glass filled with a chocolate banana milkshake topped with vegan whipped cream, sliced bananas and mini chocolate chips.

How to make a milkshake that's healthier?

It does sound contradictory, but milkshakes can be made healthy! On top of making it dairy-free, there are other ways to boost its nutrition and turn it into a recipe that's totally acceptable to enjoy for breakfast.

Here are my tricks for this recipe:

Frozen bananas instead of ice cream.
No refined sugar: use extra ripe bananas and a few Medjool dates. Or a hint of maple syrup.
Bonus oats: makes the milkshake milkier and thicker too.
Raw cacao powder: gives that very chocolatey flavor on top of a good load of antioxidants.

What's to love about this recipe

Quick and Easy
Only 6 simple ingredients required
Only whole food plant-based ingredients
High in fiber
A favorite nutritious treat for kids
Fits many diets: dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free and nut-free
Ultra creamy and rich, even without ice cream

Ingredients you'll need

Frozen bananas: essential for sweetness and extra luscious texture.
Rolled oats: will add extra nutrients, but also help create a thicker texture.
Cacao powder: Cocoa powder can also be use instead, although more processed.
Medjool dates: for sweetness.
Plant-based milk: I used plain oat milk, but any type will work.
Vanilla extract: for added flavor.

Showing are the ingredients needed to make a chocolate banana milkshake.

How to make it

Quick soak

I highly recommend soaking the rolled oats in the plant-based milk for a short period of time to let them soften before blending. Even 5-10 minutes will make a difference and help you reach a super smooth texture.

Simply add the oats and milk to the blender and let it soak while you gather the other ingredients.

Also, if your dates are not very soft, then you might want to soak them in warm water for a few minutes before draining them.

Blend

To the blender with the oats and milk, add the cacao powder, vanilla extract, soft medjool dates and frozen bananas and blend on high until smooth. Take a break or two to scrape the walls and blend again to ensure there are no clumps.

Adjust and serve

Taste your chocolate banana milkshake and adjust its flavor. You can also add a few ice cubes of you want it thicker and more frosty, although this will dilute the drink. Pour in a glass and enjoy right away.

Watch how to make it

A few tips

Do not swap for fresh bananas. They work well for smoothies, but for a milkshake, you really want to use frozen bananas to reach a thicker and richer consistency. Try to always have some in your freezer ready to go, so you can make 5-ingredient vegan banana bread, almond flour banana muffins or a milkshake any time!
Also, make sure your bananas are extra ripe before freezing them! Like black-banana-ripe, they will carry so much more sweetness.
I recommend to start pouring your milk first, it just blends better that way when using frozen fruits.
If you want, you can also chill your glass a little before pouring the milkshake to keep it colder.
Feel free to adjust consistency by adding more milk if needed (or more frozen bananas).

Substitutions ideas

You can use other fruits, as long as they are frozen to keep your drink creamy and frosty. Good match would be mango and strawberries.

To boost the milkshake with more protein or healthy fats, add frozen avocado, peanut butter (or pumpkin seed butter for a nut-free milkshake), hemp seeds or even a scoop of chocolate protein powder.

Front view on a tall glass containing a chocolate banana milkshake. There are more bananas and chocolate chips in bowls in the background.

Serving suggestions

I love to serve this milkshake garnished with coconut whipped cream, mini chocolate chips and/or a drizzle of melted chocolate (or try this vegan chocolate sauce!). If you want to serve it for dessert, top with chunks of raw chocolate chips cookie dough over whipped cream and serve with a spoon.

If you love nuts, add a few toasted walnuts over. You can also top with fresh fruits, especially a few slices of bananas.

I make this milkshake all the time for our children. Since it is kind of messy for young kids, what I do is that I pour it in these small smoothie cups that they hold and walk around with.

FAQ's

Do I need a high-speed blender to make it?

No, you don't. But using a high-quality blender will definitely help reach a super silky texture, which can be trickier when blending frozen fruits.

Can I keep leftovers?

This milkshake is best when enjoyed right away. You could store the leftover in the fridge for max 24 hours and re-blend it with ice cubes, but I would really plan on making just what you are going to drink.

Close up on the top on a vegan chocolate banana milkshake. You can see its topping of whipped cream, bananas and chocolate chips.

Other refreshing drinks you might like

I hope you like this chocolate banana milkshake as much as we do! If you try it, please leave a comment below and rate the recipe to let me know how it was. Your feedback is so helpful!

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