Simple Banana Smoothie

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Made with just 4 ingredients, this simple banana smoothie is refreshing and healthy. Learn how to make the easy recipe in just 5 minutes.

Banana smoothie in a glass.

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

4 Banana Smoothie Benefits

1. Supports Good Digestion

Banana is a great source of fiber. Your body needs fiber to have healthy and normal bowel movements.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Contains Antioxidants

Bananas have antioxidants like flavonoids, vitamin A, and vitamin C. Antioxidants are natural substances that help prevent disease.

RELATED: Benefits of Eating Bananas

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients for banana smoothie.
  • Frozen bananas: Frozen bananas make the drink cold and thick while adding sweetness and creaminess.
  • Oat milk: You can use other types of milk, include hemp milk, almond milk, or 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.

For full ingredients and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Variations

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.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Honey added to a blender with vanilla and oat milk.

Step 1: Put oat milk into the blender. Add vanilla extract and honey.

Always add liquid ingredients first to prevent air pockets.

Bananas, honey, vanilla, and oat milk in a blender.

Step 2: Add frozen bananas.

Banana smoothie blended together.

Step 3: Blend on low speed, then increase to high.

Yellow banana smoothie being poured into a cup.

Step 4: Pour into a cup. Serve immediately.

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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

  • 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 date syrup.
  • 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

Are banana smoothies healthy?

Yes! This banana smoothie recipe is high in fiber, minerals, and vitamins. To keep it healthy, use a small amount of natural sweetener.

Can I add ice?

Yes, but only use a small amount, because adding too much ice will water down the flavor.

Can I put a whole frozen banana in a blender?

No. This will be too difficult for the blender to break down and it could damage the blades. Always use sliced frozen banana.

Banana smoothie in a glass.

Related

If you tried this Banana Smoothie recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star rating and let me know how you like it in the comments below.

Banana Smoothie

Author: Jee Choe
Ready in just 5 minutes, this 4-ingredient banana smoothie is simple and healthy.
5 from 1 vote
Total Time5 minutes
Yield 1 serving (16 ounces)

INGREDIENTS
  

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.

NUTRITION

Calories: 355kcal | Carbohydrates: 82g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 116mg | Potassium: 766mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 58g | Vitamin A: 605IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 355mg | Iron: 2mg
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