Fitness / March 21, 2024

Banana Smoothie

Keeping It Simple and Smo-o-o-o-o-oth~

Have you ever wondered why banana flavored candies taste so differently from real bananas? You may have heard that the origins of artificial banana flavors were lost to a great banana plague (that is, a plague for bananas, not a plague of bananas) called Panama disease, making the then popular Gros Michel breed of bananas nearly extinct; but, there’s a much less interesting truth beneath that fun fact.

While it’s true that there was a mold that killed a monoculture of bananas in Central America in the 1950s, the taste we know from childhood sweets was never a true recreation of its distinct flavor. During the creation of various artificial flavorings, those who developed “banana ester” settled on the compound for its distinct banana-y aroma and settled for its simplistic fruity pallet. It smelled like bananas and that was enough!

Despite the unsatisfying reality that separates the scary story of a biblical banana plague and the truth of artificially tasty treats, I think we can all agree that real banana tastes the best! Why not take a moment to savor a sweet that is more honest than a tale and more healthy than a candy: our simple banana smoothie!

When I say simple, I mean it! This banana smoothie relies on the genuine flavor of blended bananas and a dash of vanilla to bring you right back to your childhood without all the added sugars (and cavities) from banana-ish candies.

Is Banana Smoothie Healthy?

Active probiotics, no added sugars, rich in potassium, and all natural? Banana smoothies are about as healthy as it gets! But, just because this recipe uses only 4 ingredients doesn’t mean that it can’t be made to your preferences and needs. If you’re looking for a vegan option, simply swap out our recommended 1/4 cup of milk and Greek yogurt with your choice of nut, soy, or oat milk alternative (though, I recommend almond and cashew milk specially!).

What if I’m not bananas for just banana?

This recipe is perfect on its own with its handful of ingredients and uncomplicated yet impressive palate. Due to the simplicity of this recipe for banana smoothies, you can guarantee you’re gonna get a bona fide banana flavor out of your ingredients; but, sometimes you want a little something more. Nothing to worry about there! Bananas already serve as the foundations in most smoothies, pairing excellently with strawberries for a classic strawberry-banana smoothie or mixing well with tropical fruits for exotic island flavors.

If you want to add other fruit flavors to your smoothie, make sure you reduce your banana or yogurt content for every ounce of other fruit. If you want a decadent experience, add peanut butter and chocolate for an Elvis Presley-style specialty!

This simple foundational recipe can act as a springboard for all of your smoothie inspirations!

INGREDIENTS

1 cup sliced banana preferably frozen, about 1 large banana
1/4 cup Greek yogurt plain or vanilla
1/4 cup milk options include dairy, almond, or oat milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS

Blend

Place all the ingredients into a blender and mix until smooth. To prevent your blender from getting hot, it may be useful to blend in bursts!

Adjust

If the smoothie is too thick, add a little more milk to thin it to your liking. Is your smoothie too thin? Adding more frozen banana can help!

Enjoy

Pour your freshly blended smoothie into a chilled glass and serve immediately. Savor every satisfying sip with a re-usable metal straw for the ultimate refreshment.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How do I Make this Ahead and Store for later?

Our banana smoothies are excellent to serve at social gatherings! If you need to make some smoothies ahead of time and store them for later refreshment, refrigerating your completed banana smoothies is a must! Contents might slightly separate over time so make sure to give your smoothies a mix before serving!

Why Should I use frozen bananas/fruit for smoothies?

Frozen bananas and fruit help keep your smoothie cold during the blending process as some blender motors have the potential to cut the chill out of cold and frozen ingredients. Fruit also has strong cell walls that need to be broken down to thoroughly puree, a process that gets a head-start in the freezer!

I don’t have a lot of time! what can I do to have smoothies ready whenever?

If you want to skip the prep-time of the recipe next time your hankering for a smoothie or if you’re in a rush in the morning, try freezing pre-portioned and blended banana smoothie in an ice cube tray! When you need your banana fix satiated next, pop your smoothie cubes into the blender with a splash of milk (or milk substitute!) for the closest thing to an instant ice-cold smoothie you can get!

What can I add to my smoothie to make it better for me?

What can’t you add to your smoothie! Supplements, especially powdered ones, blend nicely into banana smoothies to ensure you get your daily vitamins and minerals or your pre-workout protein mix before hitting the gym! If you want to bump up the fiber content of your smoothie, try adding chia seeds or rolled oats to the blender before mixing!

Help! I think my bananas are too ripe for smoothies!

What you might think is a problem is actually just the best way to get extra banana-y flavor in your banana smoothie! Ripe bananas may not be as initially cold as frozen but they do share a broken down cell wall that helps it blend nice and smooth while giving it that very “banana ester” flavor you might miss from your favorite sweets!

Serving Suggestions

Bananas pair with all sorts of ingredients, making these simple banana smoothies perfect to serve with dozens of dishes! If you’re looking for a healthy snack with lots of interesting tropical flavors, try pairing a banana smoothie with grilled pineapple mango corn salsa. If you’re using your banana smoothie to round out your quick breakfast, why not have the classic combination of banana, oats, and chocolate that comes with our baked oatmeal bars! If you’re looking for a unique dash to top your already delicious banana smoothie, try a surprising (yet pleasing) grate of peppercorn and ginger to garnish your treat with thermogenic power!

Banana Smoothie

Course Breakfast, Smoothies

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings

Calories 203kcal

Author FoodFaithFitness

Ingredients

1 cup sliced banana preferably frozen, about 1 large banana
1/4 cup Greek yogurt plain or vanilla
1/4 cup milk options include dairy, almond, or oat milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Combine the sliced banana, Greek yogurt, milk, and vanilla extract in a blender.
Blend until it achieves a smooth, creamy consistency. If the smoothie is too thick, gradually add more milk until you reach the desired texture.
Pour the smoothie into a glass and serve immediately for peak freshness and flavor. DEVOUR!