Banana Milk (vegan, dairy-free)
68 Comments
Updated Feb 08, 2020
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Banana milk is a delicious nut-free, dairy-free milk alternative. With only two-ingredients it’s quick and easy to whip up at home. All you need is bananas, water and a blender.
When it comes to non-dairy milks there are lots of options available. But most, including the ever-popular almond milk, are made from nuts.
If you’ve been following Downshiftology for any length of time you know that my favorite nut milk is cashew milk. Especially as it’s so easy to make at home and there’s no need to strain it. But still, there’s nuts. Oat milk and hemp milk are delicious nut-free options, but today I have something even easier – banana milk!
A Nut-Free Dairy-Free Milk Option
So what’s someone with a nut allergy or sensitivity to do? Well, you could drink coconut milk, flax milk, hemp milk, quinoa milk or oat milk. Of course, there’s also soy milk, but I don’t recommend soy milk due to it’s GMO and pesticide-laden base, along with high estrogenic qualities. There are also some newer plant-based milks on the market, made from pea protein, though I’ve yet to give those a try.
But good news – I have a new option for you and one you can make at home (that’s super cheap) and takes 30 seconds – banana milk.
Easy Banana Milk Recipe
I remember drinking banana milk as a kid as I was obsessed with all things banana flavor. Unfortunately, back then it was dairy milk with a few heaping tablespoons of Nestle Quik Banana Flavor. This banana-flavoring wasn’t readily available in the US (chocolate and strawberry were the main flavors here), so on every family trip to visit relatives in New Zealand we’d stash a few cartons of it in our suitcase to bring home.
Out of curiosity, I just looked up the ingredients for that old Nestle Banana Quik product and it’s literally sugar, chemicals and emulsifiers (ugh, no surprise, eh?).
So today I have a far more natural banana milk for you, because it’s literally two ingredients – bananas and water. It’s delicious, banana-y and perfect for those who are looking for an alternative to nut milks.
It’s also healthy as bananas are full of potassium, electrolytes and other nutrients. But remember that if you do use banana milk, don’t top your cereal with banana slices. Bananas are naturally sweet for a reason, they’re full of sugar and carbs (not a bad thing, but something you don’t want to go overboard on), so opt for a variety of other toppings.
Banana Milk Tips
If you’ve never made homemade banana milk before, here are a few tips:
- Slice your bananas and freeze them before blending. A high-powered blender (like my Vitamix Ascent 3500) heats things up pretty fast, so frozen bananas will keep your milk cool.
- If you forgot to freeze your bananas, add 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 cup of ice.
- Banana milk is not a shelf-stable milk, meaning it will separate and discolor quite quickly. So only make it right before you plan to drink it or top it on your cereal.
- Remember that banana milk is not a banana smoothie, so don’t expect it to be thick. It’s definitely a more watery, milky consistency.
- Use ripe bananas for natural sweetness. I find you don’t need to add much else, but you could certainly add a smidge of maple syrup, 1-2 dates or a splash of vanilla extract. You could also add a sprinkle of chia or flax seeds and/or cinnamon or nutmeg spices as well.
So here’s what I do with my banana milk. Because I don’t have a nut sensitivity, I’ll usually add a tablespoon of almond butter or cashew butter along with a sprinkle of chia seeds and top it on cereal and oatmeal. Alternatively, I’ll keep it plain and top it on my Macadamia Muesli or Paleo Porridge for a lovely banana flavor that’s reminiscent of my childhood…but with a healthy new approach. Enjoy!
Banana Milk
Description
Ingredients
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 cup water
Optional Ingredients
- maple syrup
- dates
- vanilla extract
- chia or flax seeds
- nut butter
- cinnamon or nutmeg
- sea salt
Instructions
- Add bananas, water and any optional ingredients to a high-powered blender and blend for one minute. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Lisa's Tips
- I prefer to drink banana milk right away, but you can store it in the fridge for up to two days. Just remember that it will separate and discolor slightly. Give it a shake before you use it.
Nutrition
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Can you use banana milk to make chia pudding?
Hi Pam – I think it should be okay!
Thanks Lisa, great recipe. Please read up on soy phytoestrogens though. They are actually super healthy and help prevent actual estrogens from attaching to our receptors.
Thanks, Rich! Glad you enjoyed this banana milk recipe.
i’m guessing a little ascorbic acid will prevent it from discoloring
Hi Lisa,
Just remembered I had seen this recipe on your posts. Haven’t tried it yet, but was wondering if this can be used as a nut milk alternative in recipes that call for nut milk? Thank you 🙂
Yes, it sure can!
Wow, this recipe is awesome and simple to make. In addition to the base recipe, I used one date, a couple drops of vanilla abstract, half of teaspoon of flaxseeds, a couple dashes of nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. I enjoy this banana milk with my overnight oaks or my morning cereal.
Happy to hear you loved this banana milk Kirk!
I’d never heard of banana milk until this post! I mentioned to my two children and they were excited to try it, so we did today. Oh my goodness!!! I’ll definitely be making it again! Sooo good!
Thanks Lisa for yet another winner. 😊
Wonderful! I’m happy you and your family enjoyed this recipe Susannah – enjoy!
Delicious!! Simple!
Thanks Sandy! Glad you liked this one :)
Substitute half the recommended amount of water with organic coconut milk … divine!!
Awesome! Glad you enjoyed this with organic coconut milk.
Sounds good! Banana milk is one of my fave drinks since childhood but it was made with actual milk. As I got older, I stopped drinking milk as it makes me cough (weird huh) but I do miss a nice banana milk. I never tried mixing banana with water but I definitely will give this a go tonight, in hope for a better night’s sleep. Thank you Lisa! :)
Hi Reka- Hope you enjoy this recipe! Definitely a childhood memory :)
I felt like banana milk yesterday and went to my local Woolworths (I’m located in Australia) but couldn’t find banana Nesquik anywhere, after a little research it turns out they stopped making it years ago. I’d imagine the situation would be the same in NZ.
Hi Huy – You should definitely try making it at home instead! It’s so simple to make and only uses a few ingredients :)
Very good ! New favorite drink :)
Hi Haven – Glad you enjoyed this banana milk!
This is not milk, and none of the alternatives are, despite being called such. Only milk is milk.
Only cow milk? Or breastmilk? Or just mammal milk in general?
People call it milk because it’s used like milk.
What would you call it then?
Ha ha, I am from NZ, now in the US. I remember that Nestle Banana Quick! ?
My son has a nut allergy so we will try this nut-free option thanks!
That was always my favorite flavor! Lol. Hope you enjoy this healthier banana milk option! :)
Thank you thank you thank you! I can’t tell u how any recipes I looked at and I was disappointed because they all added sweetener or lecithin even tho it’s already super sweet fruit! Also I don’t generally have liquid lecithin on hand. Lol maybe I should invent in sunflower lecithin for future recipes. Anyway thank you!
You’re so welcome, Lilly! Thank you for the kind comment and I’m so glad you loved the banana milk recipe! :)
Hi Lisa, how much of the optional ingredients do you use?
It’s really up to your personal preference. Just add a little, taste, and add more as desired.
My understansing is that cashews are a legume, technically.
Actually no. The only nut that is technically a legume is a peanut. :)
(actually it’s a seed and not a nut). Also, really old post, but hope that helps.
Could this be frozen to make “ice cream? ” Has anyone tried?
Hi Nan – Great question! This recipe exactly probably wouldn’t be the best for ice cream. You would need to switch up the banana/water ratio. I’m planning to create a banana vegan dessert in the future but in the meantime I do have a couple vegan desserts on my website.
Sounds delicious. I will try.
Hope you enjoy it! :)
Could you have this in coffee or would it taste yuk? Really miss my coffee!
5 stars
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
If slightly green bananas are used does it cut down on sugar? I prefer my bananas slightly green. I am not such a sweets person.
Yes! Greener bananas are not only lower in sugar, they also have more resistant starch – which is good for gut bacteria. :)
I made some last night to put in my overnight oats because I ran out of almond milk. I just finished breakfast and I will be making this all the time! No need to add sweetener to my oats now.
Awesome! So happy you loved it Brenda! And I agree it’s perfect for overnight oats as it provides just that hint of natural sweetness. Enjoy!
I have several bananas on the counter, so I’m ready for this!
Yay! Hope you enjoy it Lisa!
Yum!! This banana milk looks so delicious! I’ll be putting some of the extras that you suggested. The more the merrier!
Yes, it’s so good with some of those add-ins! I personally love a little cinnamon in mine. :)
I have never even heard of banana milk before much less made it! What a great idea!
Neither had I until last year. ;) But it’s so simple and such a great option for those who are dairy-free and nut-free.
We love Banana Milk and it’s a great way to get kids to eat their banana in our house. My aadi loves fruits but not so fond of eating bananas. I make him a banana milk with maple syrup before he leaves for basket ball every day. Great source of energy.
That sounds perfect! And yes, it’s a great source of electrolytes and energy….and way healthier than any type of sports drink. Good for you!
YUM! What a delicious idea! Can’t wait to try it♥
Hope you enjoy it Natalie! :) x
How about you just move to my town and be our personal chef?! Even a crash course period…to get us detoxed and learn all these secrets! Kinda kidding…I will freeze up some banana slices soon. Happy travels
Haha. Would love to come be your personal chef. ;) Hope you enjoy it! x
Surely I am going to make this banana milk, so easy and perfect for my breakfast :)
Hard to say no to this, right? ;)
I have a few banana left on the counter and was wondering what I should make with them. This sounds perfect!
Awesome – enjoy!
I’ve never had banana milk before but it sounds delicious . Just like a shake and I must make this recipe!
It’s as good as it sounds (though thinner than a shake). But similar flavor! :)
Love this! Bananas make everything so deliciously sweet!
Yes, no need for any added sugars!
What a great idea for people with allergies. I love the idea of a potassium filled banana milk!
Thanks Karen! It’s definitely a great way to switch up nut milks. :)
Wow, intriguing “milk” recipe!
Love that there’s so many option available nowadays for a dairy-free milk!