Easy Strawberry Banana Milkshake

Creamy Strawberry Banana Milkshake

My son LOVES burgers (like father like son) and recently he was introduced to the dynamic duo that is a burger and milkshake. Let’s just say there’s no going back now. While we all love a decadent milkshake made with ice cream and other sweeteners, these banana milkshakes have also stolen our hearts. Frozen strawberries and banana create a naturally thick and creamy texture that eliminates the need for additional ice cream (although you can certainly add it if you wish). And the inclusion of hemp seeds not only brings a subtle nutty flavor, but it also boosts nutrition. It’s the perfect snack for toddlers, kids, and adults! Pssst…it makes for a delicious quick breakfast too! While this recipe is a delight on its own, if you’re looking for an extra touch of indulgence, feel free to add a scoop of your favorite ice cream.

Ingredients

Frozen strawberries – You can use store-bought but if it’s strawberry season, I highly recommend purchasing fresh in bulk and freezing juicy strawberries to enjoy year round. Banana – While frozen banana is essential for making thick and creamy milkshakes without ice cream, since you’re using frozen strawberries, you can get by using fresh banana. I personally prefer using frozen though. Milk – whole milk will work best as the extra fat will result in creamier milkshake. Vanilla extract – added for flavor! You can skip it if adding vanilla ice cream. Hemp seeds – Hemp seeds – this is optional but will be an easy way to boost nutrition (a great source of healthy fats, protein, and fiber) and add calories to your child’s drink, if needed. You can also use chia seeds instead.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Variations

Dairy-free? swap with any of your favorite plant-based milk, like oat milk, almond milk, coconut milk, etc. I personally love using canned coconut cream, which I also add to mango pudding and mango popsicles. Add ice cream – 1/2 cup of vanilla ice cream is plenty. Prefer a thicker shake? Start with 1/2 cup of milk and be sure to use frozen fruits/ Want a thinner shake? add more milk.

Tips for Success

Since store-bought frozen strawberries can vary in sweetness, you may need to add a sweetener of your choice, such as maple syrup, honey, or date syrup to achieve the desired level of sweetness. If you don’t have a high-powered blender, you may need to add a bit more milk so it blends smoothly. It is best to enjoy immediately once blended.

Equipment

Using a high powered blender makes ALL the difference when making creamy milkshakes. I’ve had my Vitamix for 7+ years and it’s worth every penny! I use it to make all my blender muffins, dips/sauces, smoothies, veggie nuggets, pancakes, I can go on and on.it’s hands down my number one workhorse. And if you’re looking for the perfect straw drinking cup for your toddler to slurp their cold smoothies and drinks in, be sure to check out this cup that comes with a silicone cover for grip and to prevent breakage. It can also double as a storage jar for overnight oats, chia puddings, etc.

Storage

It’s best to enjoy the milkshake immediately. Otherwise, the consistency will become more liquid-y. However, if you’d like to make extra while you are dirtying a blender, You can freeze in popsicle molds or ice cube trays. When ready to enjoy, add 5-6 frozen cubes into the blender with some milk or yogurt and blend it up! The consistency may not be as good as when freshly made, but it’s still tasty.