Healthy Banana Smoothie Recipes

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Banana Smoothie Recipes are a sweet and creamy way to enjoy a healthy breakfast or snack. You can even enjoy them as dessert. Here are some helpful tips to make banana smoothies plus 15+ of the best recipes!

Banana Smoothies

Smoothies made with bananas might just be the best ones to enjoy. Adding frozen bananas to your blender makes smoothies that have a rich and creamy consistency. It’s almost like drinking a healthy milkshake!

By letting them get overripe before using them in a smoothie, they add a natural sweetness so that you may not even need to add any extra sugar or other sweeteners.

And the flavor possibilities to pair with banana are endless.

  • Make it taste like dessert with chocolate, peanut butter, or other nuts.
  • Go fruity with strawberries and blueberries.
  • Take trip to the tropics by pairing it with mango or pineapple.
  • Or let the flavor of the banana fade into the background and just use it as a creamy base for flavors like chai, mint, or pumpkin spice.

Freezing bananas

While there are some smoothies recipes that call for just overripe bananas off of your counter, freezing them is what makes the smoothie thick and smooth.

You can either freeze your bananas whole and cut them into chunks once frozen, or freeze the chunks. Place them in airtight containers or freezer storage bags before freezing.

How to make a banana smoothie

You’ll need

  • Greens – unless you are specifically making a green smoothie, these are usually optional. You can use spinach, kale, or other dark leafy greens. Baby spinach tends to blend the best and have the most neutral flavor.
  • Liquid – I prefer unsweetened almondmilk, but use your favorite non-dairy or dairy milk.
  • Powders and other dry ingredients – this is a great time to sneak in some extra nutrition or superfoods, and asjust the flavor.
    • Even if the recipe doesn’t call for it, you can always add protein powder, flax or chia or hemp seeds, powdered sweeteners, collagen powder, and more.
    • It never hurts to add a tiny pinch of salt to enhance the natural sweetness of the fruit or the nutty flavor of any nut butters you add.
    • You can add a bit of honey, maple syrup, Stevia, Swerve, or your favorite sweetener if needed. This depends on how sweet your fruit is.
  • Soft ingredients – yogurt, cottage cheese, nut butters, and cream cheese are all ways to add richness and a creamy texture to your banana smoothie, plus some added protein.
  • Fresh fruit – some fruit flavors you may want to add to your smoothie don’t freeze well, so you can always add them fresh.
  • Frozen fruit – besides your frozen bananas, you may want to add other fruit flavors. Using frozen fruit ensures you get a nice, thick smoothie.
  • Ice – you’ll always want to adjust the amount based on how thick or frosty you like your smoothie. The more frozen fruit you add, the less ice you’ll need.

What order to add smoothie ingredients

You will typically want to add the ingredients to your blender in the order listed above. If you are using leafy greens, it is best to add them first to ensure they are able to be broken down completely because they get submerged in the liquid.

The small amounts of dry add-ins and soft ingredients go next because they break down and distribute in the liquid. Frozen fruit and ice are last so that they blend just enough to keep a thick texture and don’t melt completely.

Now if you are using one of those blender cups that you flip upside down before blending, generally you’ll want to reverse this order.

Then just blend until smooth, which, of course, means you’ll need…

I always recommend a high-powered blender like the Blendtec for the smoothest, most creamy smoothies. The Mini Wildside+ Jar is the perfect size for one or two smoothies. You can even use the “Smoothie” setting to have it gradually increase the speed to perfectly incorporate the liquids and frozen ingredients. Note, I do usually stop it a little before the cycle is over because I prefer an extra thick smoothie.

I am a Blendtec ambassador, and should you make any purchases through my  Blendtec Store link, I will receive a small commission, but that also means you can use the code CUPCAKESANDKALECHIPS to receive 20% off. 

15+ Healthy Banana Smoothie Recipes

CLICK ON THE TITLES TO GET THE RECIPES

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

Let’s kick this off with a classic flavor combination, one I affectionately refer to as “Funky Monkey”. It’s chocolate and peanut butter along with those bananas, so naturally it tastes totally decadent. But it’s a healthy way to indulge.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie in a tall glass

Strawberry Banana Coconut Smoothie

The coconut milk in this strawberry banana smoothie does triple duty. It makes it extra creamy. It’s actually dairy free. And it gives this classic fruity pairing a little tropical twist. You only need three ingredients to make it so pretty in pink, but you can always sneak some superfoods like greens and seeds.

Closeup of Strawberry Banana Coconut Smoothie in a garnished glass

Chai Smoothie

You only need four ingredients, and no super sweet concentrates or powdered mixes. Naturally sweet and creamy with the perfect hint of vanilla and warm spices you love in a Chai tea latte. But now you can enjoy it as a frosty breakfast, snack, or even dessert.

Chai Smoothie in a glass jar with banana and cinnamon sprinkled on top

Banana Almond Mocha Smoothie

Coffee and chocolate come together with a frozen banana and almond butter make it rich and creamy, but still good for you. Move over Starbucks, there’s a leaner, meaner option to satisfy your Frappuccino cravings.

Chocolate Almond Protein Blended Cold Brew in a glass with the caffeine molecule on it

Healthy Shamrock Shake Mint Smoothie

Satisfy your minty milkshake craving, but without the extra sugar, crazy ingredients, or artificial colors. Yes, this naturally green mint smoothie has the refreshing flavor and creamy texture you love, but with these ingredients, you can feel good about enjoying a Shamrock Shake for breakfast, as a protein-packed snack, or even a healthy dessert.

Healthy Shamrock Shake

Banana Chocolate Pistachio Smoothie

Thick, chocolaty, and oh so naturally sweet and delicious. The pistachios add a richness along with extra protein, fiber, and healthy fats to make it more satisfying. And of course the banana gives it that milkshake texture.

Banana Chocolate Pistachio Smoothie

Orange Creamsicle Smoothie

A bright and refreshing way to start your day with a nostalgic flavor that kids love and will bring you back to your own childhood. Only five ingredients, this creamy, easy sweet treat is packed with Vitamin C and protein.

Orange Creamsicle Smoothies in glasses with orange wedges

Chocolate Mint Smoothie

Nobody can resist rich chocolaty flavor with a fresh burst of mint. With the flavors of a sweet treat, you’ll think you are enjoying a milkshake for dessert, but it’s truly a wholesome breakfast or snack.

Chocolate Mint Smoothie

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

This healthy smoothie can be made ultra decadent with peanut butter or lighter with powdered peanut butter. But either way, it’s a healthy, protein-packed snack that has the consistency of a thick milkshake. Add some texture, and, yes, chocolate with a few mini chips or pack in the chocolaty flavor with super foods by adding cacao nibs.

Closeup of Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie with chocolate chips on top

Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie

While this smoothie might be all about the strawberry flavor with the tangy goodness of cream cheese, it’s the banana that makes it feel extra luscious. You don’t get that smooth consistency reminiscent of cheesecake with just strawberries.

Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie

Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

Here is another case where the banana doesn’t add so much to the flavor as it does to the texture, as well as providing some natural sweetness. If you are a pumpkin-lover, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the pairing of the warm pumpkin spices with just the right amount of chocolate.

Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

Strawberry Banana Matcha Smoothie

Start with a strawberry smoothie and add a banana matcha swirl. This makes for an extra special smoothie that’s as sweet and yummy as it is beautiful. It’s a healthier version of a limited-edition Starbucks treat, the Cherry Blossom Frappuccino that was available only in the Washington, DC area.

Matcha Swirl Strawberry Banana Smoothies

Swirled Blueberry Banana Smoothie

Another swirly smoothie, this one combines a basic blueberry smoothie with a honey vanilla smoothie made with bananas. Sure, you could just blend everything all together, but this makes it a little more fun. And then you have two smoothies to share with someone special or split between the kiddos.

Swirled Blueberry Banana Smoothie

More Recipes for Banana Smoothies

Banana Smoothie Bowls

If you prefer to eat your smoothie with a spoon, maybe you prefer a smoothie bowl. They are blended up extra thick, poured into a bowl, then dressed up with your favorite toppings.

Try these smoothie bowl recipes

  • Tropical Smoothie Bowl – tropical-inspired breakfast, snack, or dessert that will transport you to the islands with plenty of fruit and your favorite toppings. The banana makes it extra creamy.
  • Banana Chocolate Smoothie Bowl – if you want to feel good about eating chocolate for breakfast or are looking for a healthier dessert, then dig in. You can add toppings for more superfoods or make it more indulgent.

If you want some more fruit smoothies, check out these:

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