Banana Vanilla Smoothie

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 08/12/21
Tested by
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Tested by Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Banana smoothie in a glass jar with bananas

The Spruce / Nita West
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 5 mins
Servings: 2 servings
Yield: 2 1/2 cups
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
383 Calories
3g Fat
86g Carbs
10g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2
Amount per serving
Calories 383
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 3g 3%
Saturated Fat 2g 8%
Cholesterol 9mg 3%
Sodium 118mg 5%
Total Carbohydrate 86g 31%
Dietary Fiber 3g 11%
Total Sugars 73g
Protein 10g
Vitamin C 12mg 59%
Calcium 301mg 23%
Iron 1mg 3%
Potassium 819mg 17%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This banana smoothie recipe requires just five simple ingredients, all of which you may already have in your kitchen. Bananas are a no-fuss choice for smoothies as they blend really easily, and when combined with the vanilla yogurt, provide a lovely creaminess and thick texture. The honey adds sweetness, and the vanilla extract contributes a subtle depth of flavor that really sets this smoothie apart.

While you can add all sorts of flavors and other fruits (berries are especially good), this basic recipe will show you just how easy it is to make a rich-flavored smoothie—and it is an excellent way to use up ripe bananas before they're too far gone. It's a tasty option for a simple breakfast smoothie and a healthy treat for a hot summer afternoon. Chill the glasses in the freezer beforehand for an especially rewarding drink.

0:32

Click Play to See This Easy Banana Smoothie Come Together

"The banana flavor in this smoothie was incredible. I used the 1/4 cup of honey, but I think it would be just as good with a little less honey. The recipe made enough for two servings or one very generous serving." —Diana Rattray

Banana Vanilla Smoothie Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients. Set aside 2 slices of bananas, if desired, to use as garnish.

    Ingredients for making a banana vanilla smoothie
    The Spruce / Nita West

  2. Pour the ingredients into a blender in the following order: honey, vanilla extract, bananas, vanilla yogurt, and ice.

    Banana smoothie ingredients in a blender
    The Spruce / Nita West

  3. Blend, gradually increasing the speed until the mixture is smooth.

    Banana smoothie blended in a blender
    The Spruce / Nita West

  4. Pour the drink into a chilled glass. Garnish each glass with a banana slice, if you prefer. Serve and enjoy.

    Banana smoothie poured into chilled glasses
    The Spruce / Nita West

How to Store

  • While you can refrigerate a smoothie and drink it the next day, sometimes components will separate. Simply stir to recombine or put it back in the blender to bring it together again.
  • The other option is to make a large batch (you can double or triple this recipe if your blender is big enough) and store the excess in the freezer. When you're ready for another smoothie, set it out for 5 to 10 minutes so it softens up enough to drink.

Recipe Variations

  • Replace the honey with agave nectar. For a liquid sweetener that's a perfect pairing for bananas, try cinnamon simple syrup.
  • Instead of yogurt, you can use a combination of ice and milk. Add 6 ice cubes (or 1/2 cup crushed ice) and about 3/4 cup of regular or coconut milk, or other non-dairy milk alternative.
  • Add strawberries for a strawberry banana smoothie.
  • Include some peanut butter and 1/4 cup rolled oats for even more nutrition.
  • Use sesame paste with a little cinnamon to make a banana tahini smoothie.
  • Replace the yogurt with a scoop of ice cream to create more of a banana milkshake. While vanilla is often preferred, chocolate is also a great option. It's best to add 1/2 to 1 cup of milk as well.
  • Build a banana split smoothie with your favorite banana split toppings. Use a banana, 1/2 cup diced pineapple, and 1/4 cup fresh strawberries. Squeeze in fun toppings like chocolate, butterscotch, or caramel syrup, or add a tablespoon of peanut butter or coconut flakes. Top it with whipped cream, a drizzle of chocolate syrup, and a maraschino cherry.
  • To spike this drink, add 1 ounce of banana liqueur. Or use a flavored vodka such as whipped cream, vanilla, or banana.