This banana smoothie is deliciously thick, creamy and full of rich banana flavor. It’s made with just 4 ingredients and perfect for breakfast or a snack!
The Best Banana Smoothie
The past few weeks I’ve been purposely over-buying bananas at the grocery store, just so I can make this banana smoothie! It’s thick, refreshing and satisfying, and so quick to make with just 4 simple ingredients. Most often I make this recipe as is, but sometimes I like to add peanut butter or strawberries. This banana smoothie recipe is easily adaptable, and I’ve shared my favorite recipe variations below.
This banana smoothie is the perfect way to use up extra ripe bananas on your counter. Those bananas with a few brown spots on them? When they’re too soft and sweet to eat straight from the peel, their natural sweetness makes them ideal for baking into banana bread and blending into smoothies. I slice them up, freeze them, and then they’re ready to go into my blender whenever I get a craving for this creamy banana smoothie.
I tried this recipe this morning and I’m in love with it! I really like the flavour and I don’t know if it’s just me but I love the creamy texture I managed to get, I will definitely be using more of your recipes, thank you
Leah H
Banana Smoothie Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this banana smoothie:
- Bananas! The ripeness of your bananas will affect the taste of your smoothie. I like to use ripe, brown-spotted bananas for the perfect amount of sweetness. It’s best to use frozen bananas because they help to thicken the smoothie.
- Greek Yogurt. Plain Greek yogurt is my preference to keep this smoothie lower in sugar, but you can also use vanilla yogurt.
- Milk. Use your milk of choice. Dairy milk, almond milk and oat milk are all good options.
- Vanilla. This is my secret ingredient! A little bit of vanilla extract adds a hint of sweetness and delicious flavor to this banana smoothie. You can omit the vanilla extract if you’re using vanilla Greek yogurt.
Find the printable recipe with ingredient amounts below.
How to Freeze Bananas
When you find yourself with more ripe bananas than you can eat, freeze them and you’ll have frozen bananas ready whenever you want to make a smoothie.
- To freeze bananas, start by peeling the bananas and slicing them into 1/2-inch thick rounds.
- Place the sliced bananas in a zip-top baggie and squeeze out any excess air. Or, freeze in another airtight container.
- Freeze for at least 8 hours and up to 1 month, then add the frozen bananas to your favorite smoothie recipes.
- The bananas may stick together a little as they freeze, but you can easily separate any big clumps. It’s ok if a few banana slices are stuck together when you put them in your blender.
- To prevent bananas from sticking together you can first flash freeze the banana slices in a single layer on a baking sheet and then transfer them to an airtight container. I usually don’t bother with this extra step.
Can I use fresh bananas in this smoothie?
This banana smoothie is best made with frozen bananas because they help to chill the smoothie and make it extra thick and creamy, similar to a milkshake. I’ve also made this smoothie with fresh bananas when my freezer stash ran out. The smoothie turns out a bit thinner made with fresh bananas. You can blend in a few ice cubes to chill it.
Recipe Variations
Choose one or more of these extras to add to your smoothie to boost the flavor and nutrition.
- Add a teaspoon of ground flax seeds or chia seeds.
- Adding 2-3 tablespoons of raw old-fashioned oats makes this banana smoothie a more filling breakfast.
- Mix in a spoonful of peanut butter or almond butter. Try my Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie recipe.
- Add a fresh peeled orange for a citrus twist, or try my favorite Orange Smoothie.
- Cinnamon pairs well with bananas, so try blending in a pinch of cinnamon. Add a teaspoon of cocoa powder for a chocolate banana smoothie. Or try my Chocolate Protein Shake (made without protein powder).
- If you like a sweeter smoothie, blend in a teaspoon or two of honey or pure maple syrup.
- To make this smoothie dairy-free and vegan, use a dairy-free yogurt or replace the yogurt with more banana. Also be sure to use a non-dairy milk.
- Make it fruity by adding berries. I highly recommend my Strawberry Banana Smoothie!
How to Make a Banana Smoothie
This banana smoothie is quick and easy to make. All you have to do is add the ingredients to your blender and blend until smooth.
I have a few smoothie-making tips that I’ve learned through experience (I’ve made a LOT of smoothies!). These tips can help you to make the best smoothie, every time.
- Use at least one frozen ingredient in your smoothie. Frozen fruit or veggies, such as cauliflower, help to thicken and chill your smoothie.
- Err on the side of using less liquid to begin with. You can always add more liquid to get to your desired consistency.
- Layer the smoothie ingredients for the most efficient blending. Greens, such as spinach or kale, should be at the bottom of the blender to give them a head start on blending up smoothly. The same goes for raw oats, nuts and frozen fruit. Add ingredients such as nut butters or yogurt on top of the fruits and vegetables to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of your blender.
- Begin blending on low speed and increase to higher speed as the smoothie starts to blend together.
- Don’t overfill the blender. If you are making a double or triple batch of smoothies to feed a crowd, start by adding only part of the frozen ingredients. Then add more once you get the first addition blended smooth. I do this when I make enough smoothies to feed myself and my five kids. If you fill the blender too full to start with it will be difficult to blend the smoothie.
- As you blend, you may have to occasionally stop and stir, shake, or use your blender’s tamper to mix the ingredients. Sometimes you can get an air bubble at the bottom that prevents the blender from mixing the smoothie.
- If you make smoothies often, a high powered blender can save you time and effort.
More Favorite Smoothie Recipes
Try one of these easy smoothie recipes next!
Made this recipe? I’d truly appreciate if you leave a comment and star rating below! Your review will help others who want to try this recipe. Thank you! 💛
Best Banana Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup sliced banana, frozen is best, about 1 large banana
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt, plain or vanilla
- ¼ cup milk, dairy, almond, oat milk, etc.
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth, adding more milk if needed to reach desired consistency.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Frozen banana helps to thicken and chill the smoothie. If your banana is not frozen you can add a few ice cubes to chill the smoothie.
- Nutrition information is for smoothie made with plain Greek yogurt and whole milk.
I originally shared this recipe in July 2019. Post updated April 2025 with new photos and more helpful information.
Behind the Scenes
Here’s a photo of when I first shared this banana smoothie recipe back in 2019. I remember quickly photographing and writing this post up the day before we left for a vacation in Hawaii, because I just couldn’t wait to get it in your hands! Since then, so many of you have made and loved this smoothie as much as my family does.
Simple but delicious. I love making this for my toddler and he really enjoys it!
I made it this morning and doubled the recipe adding the chia seed and oatmeal. Thanks Linda B
I tried this recipe this morning and I’m in love with it! I really like the flavour and I don’t know if it’s just me but I love the creamy texture I managed to get, I will definitely be using more of your recipes, thank you
The banana smoothie was AWESOME! I added peanut butter and it was delish. ? Carrie
I made the banana smoothie this morning and added peanut butter, I’m hooked! It’s so good!
Maddie
I made my smoothie for Lunch but added a little more ingredient than the basic ingredients. I added spoonful of Peanut Butter, a little powdered flaxseed and tablespoon of Agave for added sweetness. It was super creamy and delicious, will try it with the oatmeal next time.
Simple and easy to learn
I really enjoyed making this for my parents and siblings. I got them to to an only healthy foods day and this fit in perfect for breakfast.
I love it!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats!
I tried this recipe. It was PERFECT! It was nice and smooth, and not chunky at all! Thanks for the recipe.
This is great! Added some cinnamon too. Thanks so much for sharing!
Please can I use normal milk because they wrote oat milk so I want to ask before I can make it please
The recipe says you can use any type of milk, so regular dairy milk is fine.
I made this for my boyfriend and I for breakfast. We both liked it, thanks for sharing your recipe with us.
This is a delicious smoothie.
I made it love it the family love it also
Really easy and really good
Off to try it wish ne luck?
Simple, delicious, and so satisfying! Thanks for this recipe, it’s easy to build on, but I love it as written.
Made a banana smoothie this morning. Frozen bananas, French vanilla yogurt, and dark chocolate chips. Also topped with a small amount of reddi whip. Really good!
Delicious smoothie! I used frozen bananas, oat milk, plain yogurt, and added flax seeds. Super yummy!
I tried the smoothie recipe this morning and it was delicious! I put peanut butter and flaxseed in also. Will definitely make it again. I was reluctant to make smoothies. But with prices being so high and the grocery store it’s a nice way to use up my produce.
This was great. I made a lot of banana smoothies in the past and wondered why they just didn’t taste good, and I never thought of adding vanilla extract 😅 thank you!
Very delicious @ smooth.
Loved it sooo much!
One tip is to add some ice and oats when blending, simply amazing.
It was good but not five-stars but easy and simple.
Is so was a 5 star review!!
Delish
This smoothie was very good when I tried it!
So good!
I have tried many banana smoothie recipes and this one is the best I’ve found. The only complaint was a quarter cup of milk didn’t seem to be enough. It still came out chunky so I adjusted and put in 3/4 of a cup and it mixed and came out with a much better texture.
I’m glad you enjoyed this! Yes, that’s why the recipe says to add more milk if needed to reach your desired consistency. I always start with less, with the option of adding more, to avoid a thin smoothie.
I doubled the recipe and added 2x TBS honey 1XTBS cocoa powder 3xTBS oats and some almond slivers. Delish ♥️
I’ve just made your banana smoothie and it was very good. I might double up the ingredients next time. Very yummy 😋
The vanilla is a smooth idea. Just made the smoothie a whole lot better! Thank you Kristine!