Made with just 4 ingredients, this simple banana smoothie is refreshing and healthy. Learn how to make the easy recipe in just 5 minutes.
Recipe Highlights
- A banana smoothie is a pureed fruit drink made in a blender at home with only 4 ingredients.
- Banana is one of the best ingredients for perfect and nutritious smoothies. It’s creamy and high in with fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
- The banana and honey add natural sweetness and the vanilla extract adds depth of flavor. Bananas and vanilla extract are a delicious flavor pairing.
RELATED: Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Banana Smoothie Health Benefits
Supports Good Digestion
Banana is a great source of fiber. Your body needs fiber to have healthy and normal bowel movements.
Maintains Blood Sugar Levels
The fiber in banana also help reduce the risk of diabetes. That’s because it can help manage blood sugar levels. It works by slowing down the absorption of sugar from other foods.
Enhances Heart Health
This banana smoothie is a heart-friendly drink. The fiber in banana can help reduce highs blood cholesterol, a major risk factor of heart disease.
Contains Antioxidants
Bananas have antioxidants like flavonoids, vitamin A, and vitamin C. Antioxidants are natural substances that help prevent disease.
RELATED: Blueberry Banana Smoothie
Ingredient Notes
- Frozen bananas
This is the main ingredient of this smoothie. Frozen bananas make the drink cold and thick while adding sweetness and creaminess. - Oat milk
Oat milk is the liquid base of this smoothie but you can use other types of milk, include hemp milk, almond milk, and soy milk. - Vanilla extract
Vanilla extract adds depth to the flavor of this smoothie. You only need a small amount. - Honey
Honey is a natural sweetener. If you don’t like honey or want to make this recipe vegan, use maple syrup or a Medjool date.
Step-by-Step Instructions
For full ingredients and instructions, scroll down to the recipe.
- Put oat milk into the blender.
Always add liquid ingredients first. - Add vanilla extract.
- Add honey.
- Add frozen bananas.
- Blend until smooth.
Start on low speed, then increase to high. - Pour into a cup. Serve immediately.
Photo Credit: amazon.com
Photo Credit: amazon.com
Optional Add-Ins
Seeds
Try adding 1 tablespoon hemp seeds, flax seed, or chia seeds to the recipe. These options offer protein and fiber, which will make your smoothie more filling.
Butters
You can also add 1-2 tablespoons nut or seed butter, such as peanut, cashew, or sunflower butter. These ingredients taste delicious with bananas and add richness to the smoothie.
Protein powder
Whey or vegan protein powder or collagen powder will make your smoothie more filling. Unflavored, vanilla, and chocolate protein powder all work well in this recipe. Use ½ to 1 scoop per smoothie.
RELATED: Peanut Butter Smoothie
Blender Tips
Put in liquids first.
To make the perfect smoothie, put the ingredients in the blender in the right order. Start with liquids, then add any seeds and powders, if you decide to use them. Follow with fruits and vegetables, then finish with heavier ingredients like ice and frozen fruit.
Use a blender tamper.
A blender tamper will help you make a good smoothie. Use it to push the ingredients toward the blender. Make sure the lid is on while you use it.
Cut fruit into pieces.
For best results, cut fruit into chunks. More powerful blenders can handle larger pieces, but less powerful versions will need smaller chunks.
Start on low, then increase to high.
Always start the blender on low speed, then move to high speed so that the motor doesn’t overheat. Blending on high keeps the motor cool.
RELATED: Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
Expert Tips
- Oat milk tastes great with banana, but you can also use other plant-based milks like unsweetened almond milk or soy milk.
- If the smoothie is too thick, add a bit of oat milk, then blend for 10 seconds.
- Instead of honey, you can use 1 tablespoon maple syrup or a Medjool date.
- For a less sweet smoothie, omit the sweetener completely.
- Store leftover smoothie in an airtight glass container for up to 1-2 days in the refrigerator. The ingredients might separate during this time, which is normal, so stir the smoothie before drinking it.
Questions You May Have
Yes! This banana smoothie recipe is high in fiber, minerals, and vitamins. To keep it healthy, use a small amount of natural sweetener.
Yes, but only use a small amount, because adding too much ice will water down the flavor.
No. This will be too difficult for the blender to break down and it could damage the blades. Always use sliced frozen banana.
Related
- Apple Smoothie
- Oatmeal Smoothie
- Blueberry Banana Smoothie
- Easy Green Smoothie
- Pina Colada Smoothie
- Almond Milk Smoothie
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Banana Smoothie
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup oat milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 ½ frozen bananas (sliced)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Put oat milk, vanilla, honey, and frozen banana into a blender. Secure lid.Place ingredients into the blender in the order listed.
- Blend until smooth.Start the blender on LOW speed for 10 seconds. Increase speed to HIGH for a full minute.
- Pour smoothie into a cup. Serve immediately.
EQUIPMENT
NOTES
- Always use sliced frozen banana. Whole frozen banana is too difficult for the blender to break down and it could damage the blades.
- Oat milk tastes great with banana, but you can also use other plant-based milks like unsweetened almond milk or soy milk.
- If the smoothie is too thick, add a bit of oat milk, then blend for 10 seconds.
- Instead of honey, you can use 1 tablespoon maple syrup or a Medjool date.
- For a less sweet smoothie, omit the sweetener completely.
- Store leftover smoothie in an airtight glass container for up to 1-2 days in the refrigerator. The ingredients might separate during this time, which is normal, so stir the smoothie before drinking it.