Here's how to make the very best banana smoothie recipe without yogurt! This banana smoothie is creamy, delicious, and pretty much a (dairy-free) milkshake, just like this thick strawberry banana smoothie!

Why You Will Love This Recipe:
- Thick & Creamy: I'm sharing detailed tested instructions (from my kitchen) on how to make a banana smoothie with ice.
- Affordable: Bananas are a cheaper way to eat nutrient-dense foods that will support your body! Have lots of ripe bananas?! Try this moist banana bread!
- Incredibly Delicious: In our house when we run out of bananas that's when we run to the store! We eat them every day. Here's one of our favourite ways to eat them: this TASTY smoothie!!
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Recipe:
- Ingredients
- Nutrition Of Bananas
- Instructions
- Recommended for smoothies
- Expert Smoothie Tips
- How much ice should I put in my smoothie?
- What can you use instead of yogurt in a smoothie?
- Variations and Add In's
- Storage and Freezing
- Other Recipes You May Like
- BEST Banana Smoothie (easy recipe without yogurt)
- Danika Vanderpyl, C.H.N
Ingredients
You will need 4 simple ingredients to make this smoothie! It's a great way to use up ripe bananas!

- Fresh Bananas: Overripe bananas will make your smoothie sweeter. Personally like to use bananas with only a few brown spots.
- Frozen Bananas: You also need frozen bananas to make this smoothie have the best texture!
- Ice Cubes: Mixing bananas with ice cubes for this smoothie makes it extra creamy and cold!
- Milk: Use your choice of milk (almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, oat milk, cashew milk).
- Honey: I like to sweeten this smoothie just slightly! If your bananas are quite ripe or have brown spots you will not need this. If you are making this easy smoothie with yellow bananas that have a little green or no brown spots, add honey to bring out the flavor.
Optional Additions:
- Creamy Peanut Butter or Almond Butter: High in protein and healthy fats! Almond butter banana smoothie? Yum!
- Cocoa Powder: Adding some cocoa powder to make a chocolate banana blend - it will taste like a Wendy's frosty!
- Hemp Hearts: With a bit of hemp hearts you will stay full longer and they will increase the healthy fats your body needs!
See recipe card for exact quantities.
Most of the smoothies I make are without dairy. Try these other yogurt-free smoothie recipes like this red cherry raspberry smoothie, and this creamy mango smoothie!
Nutrition Of Bananas
Browner bananas are sweeter and have a higher sugar content. If you are looking to balance your blood sugar levels use a less ripe banana (one with no brown spots).
Bananas contain potassium, selenium, magnesium, folate, vitamin C, B vitamins, and vitamin D.
The health benefits of bananas include supporting those with ulcers, diarrhea, potassium deficiency, and high blood pressure to name a few conditions.
This information was gathered from Prescription for Dietary Wellness by Phyllis A. Balch and Healing with Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford.
Instructions
Follow these step-by-step photos from my kitchen to make your own healthy banana smoothie blend!

Freeze Bananas: If you don't have frozen bananas in your freezer, you want to start by slicing three bananas to freeze. Without frozen bananas, the smoothie will be really runny.

Place the bananas in a plastic bag as a single layer, close the bag and place it in the freezer for 5 hours or overnight until fully frozen.

Once sliced bananas are frozen: Place the 2 fresh bananas, milk, and honey (and any optional ingredients you are using) into the blender container. Placing soft ingredients in the blender first when possible is best practice (instead of placing frozen fruit right on the blades) and it will blend more easily.

Next place the 3 frozen bananas on top of the soft foods. Start with a handful of ice (about 1 cup) and add more if you want it thicker.
(You can use unsliced frozen bananas however it will be harder to blend.)

Blend: Start the blender on low and then increase to high speed for 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Turn the dial back to low before stopping the blender, and scrape down the sides. If the blender is struggling to blend or if you want a thinner smoothie add more milk.

Continue blending until smooth. Pour the creamy thick banana smoothie into glasses. This makes one large smoothie or two medium smoothies.
Recommended for smoothies

For a thick smoothie, a good blender is key! I use my Vitamix blender daily and think it is the number one purchase for making healthy food in the kitchen!
Expert Smoothie Tips
I've been making smoothies for over 10 years! Here's sharing my knowledge so you can enjoy the very best smoothie!!
Add less liquid to the blender by having your unfrozen foods on the bottom of the blender container to make it easier to blend (and the frozen fruit on the top), as well as creating a thick smoothie!
A high-powered blender will create the best texture.
If you are not using a high-power blender, make sure your frozen banana is in small pieces. Secondly, you may need to add more milk (a couple of tablespoons at a time) to get the best texture.

How much ice should I put in my smoothie?
When adding ice to smoothies the amount to add will depend on how much liquid and fresh fruit you are using. Start with a small amount like a handful and add more if you want it thicker and creamier.
For best practice blend ice with frozen fruit will keep the ice colder and more frosty instead of melting it into water quickly.
What can you use instead of yogurt in a smoothie?
Instead of adding yogurt to smoothies you can add more milk, thick canned coconut milk, apple sauce, fresh bananas, or ice to make it creamy.
Variations and Add In's
I like to add some nutritional boosters, to all my smoothies. Here are some ideas to add to this simple banana smoothie.
- Sweeter: Add 1 teaspoon of honey or maple syrup to make this a sweeter smoothie.
- Add Greens: Throw a handful of spinach in to increase the nutrient density of this smoothie! Or add 1 teaspoon of spirulina.
- More Protein: Add 1 big scoop of vanilla protein powder, or nut butter (almond butter or creamy peanut butter) for extra protein and healthy fat.
- Cinnamon or Chai Concentrate: A pinch of cinnamon goes a long way and compliments the rich banana flavor! Or use chai concentrate instead of milk!
- Add Oats: To make this higher in protein, make this an oatmeal smoothie by adding ¼ cup of quick oats! Perfect to have as a filling on-the-go breakfast!
- Chia Seeds: Add 1 teaspoon of chia seeds to support your energy levels!
Storage and Freezing
This healthy banana smoothie without yogurt is best enjoyed within the next 1-2 hours after making it. Keep the smoothie in the fridge if you aren't drinking it right away.
Prep ahead: If you want to meal prep this smoothie ahead you can freeze it in a jar with a sealing lid and keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Be sure to leave 1 inch of space at the top of the jar, as frozen liquids expand. To thaw, take the jar out a few hours before you want to drink it.
Leftovers: With a leftover smoothie, I recommend freezing it into an ice cube tray, then adding it to your next smoothie!

Other Recipes You May Like
Try all my favorite smoothie recipes! If you have more frozen bananas try my classic strawberry banana smoothie recipe!
Did you make this banana smoothie without yogurt? Would you take 10 second to share what you thought, it would mean the world to me as this little food blog grows.

BEST Banana Smoothie (easy recipe without yogurt)
Equipment
- 1 blender
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas
- 3 frozen bananas
- 4 big ice cubes about 1 cup
- ¼ - ½ cup milk
Optional:
- 2 tablespoons nut butter
- 2 tablespoons hemp hearts
- 1 tablespoons cocoa powder
Instructions
- If you don't have frozen bananas: Start by slicing 3 bananas, placing them on a tray or in a bag as a single layer and freeze overnight or 5 hours until sompletly frozen.
- Make smoothie: place the 2 fresh bananas, milk, and honey (and any optional ingredients you are using) into the blender container. Next place the 3 frozen bananas on top of the soft foods. Start with a handful of ice (about 1 cup) and add more if you want it thicker.
- Blend: Start the blender on low and then increase to high speed for 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Turn the dial back to low before stopping the blender, and scrape down the sides. If the blender is struggling to blend or if you want a thinner smoothie add more milk. Blend until smooth.
- Spoon the smoothie into glasses. Enjoy right away!
Notes
-
- Sweeter: Add 1 teaspoons of honey or maple syrup to make this a sweeter smoothie.
-
- Add Greens: Throw a handful of spinach in to increase the nutrient density of this smoothie! Or add 1 teaspoon of spirulina.
-
- More Protein: Add 1 big scoop of vanilla protein powder, or nut butter (almond butter or creamy peanut butter) for extra protein and healthy fats.
-
- Cinnamon or Chai Concentrate: A pinch of cinnamon goes a long way and compliments the rich banana flavor! Or use chai concentrate instead of milk!
-
- Add Oats: To make this higher in protein, make this an oatmeal smoothie by adding ¼ cup of quick oats! Perfect to have as a filling on the go breakfast!
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