We love making easy banana smoothies using just a handful of healthy, delicious ingredients. Keeping things simple makes life quicker, easier, and cheaper too!
In this article – we share 15 tasty banana smoothie recipes made with just 3 ingredients (dairy-free and vegan-friendly).
Banana-based smoothies are super-creamy, filling, and easy to make. Well at least they should be… But so many smoothie recipes contain long lists of random ingredients that are either expensive to buy, or hard to find.
So we’ve put together some of our fav simple recipes, most of which contain just 3 ingredients. Plus, they’re made without yogurt or milk, so dairy-free and vegan friendly. Here are our fav recipes…
- Strawberry & Banana Smoothie
- PB & Banana Smoothie
- Banana-Choco Protein Smoothie
- Banana Pineapple Smoothie
- Coffee Banana Smoothie
- Peach & Banana Smoothie
- Banana Blueberry Smoothie
- Banana Breakfast Smoothie
- Raspberry & Banana Smoothie
- Banana Beach Smoothie
- Apple & Banana Smoothie
- Tropical Banana Mango Smoothie
- Spiced Banana & Avocado Smoothie
- Orange & Banana Smoothie
- Pear & Banana Smoothie
Let’s dive into each of these recipes into more detail…
Simple Strawberry Banana Smoothie
This is the original smoothie combo. The simple yet delicious flavours are loved by all, whilst sneaking in a solid dose of nutrients. A whole day’s vitamin C in just one glass? Don’t mind if we do…
- 10-15 strawberries
- 1 banana
- 125ml almond milk (1/2 cup)
Read about this dairy-free banana strawberry smoothie in more detail.
Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
Pairing an energy-packed banana with protein-rich peanut butter is a match made in workout smoothie heaven.
Supping this combo before a workout will prepare your body with the energy it needs, or enjoying it afterwards will help you recover.
- 1 banana
- 1 tablespoon of peanut butter
- 120ml oat milk (½ cup)
Adding ½ a teaspoon of ground cinnamon or nutmeg adds a spicy twist, plus cinnamon has been found to increase your metabolic rate, so you burn calories faster and for longer after exercising.
Chocolate Banana Protein Smoothie
Creamy, chocolatey, yet with all the health benefits of avocado. This is truly a tasty vegan smoothie.
If you’re not a fan of dairy, this is a great alternative to the usual chocolate smoothies made with ice-cream or milk.
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
- 125ml oat or almond milk
You can also add avocado if you want even more creaminess (that dairy-free chocolate smoothies sometimes lack), but without the saturated fats and cholesterol.
Pineapple Banana Smoothie
This tasty tropical recipe is the perfect refreshment on a sunny afternoon. With just 3 ingredients, it’s super simple to whip up, and but packed with vitamins and minerals. The pineapple not only adds a tropical burst, but over 100% of your daily vitamin C requirement too.
- 1 banana
- 2 slices of pineapple (about 200g)
- 120ml (½ cup) water
Coffee Banana Smoothie
OK this combo probably shouldn’t work on paper, but it’s just plain awesome. The perfect pick-me-up breakfast on the go when you need a little help getting to the ‘bright eyed’ stage of the morning.
There’s no need to make the coffee with boiling water, just sprinkle the granules straight into your blender and they’ll dissolve into the banana and yogurt.
- 1 tsp coffee granules
- 1 banana
- 120ml oat or almond milk (½ cup)
Peel the banana and blend with coffee granules and milk. Learn more about this banana coffee recipe here.
Creamy Banana Peach Smoothie
Peaches with banana is a match made in blender heaven, and make a great breakfast smoothie during the summer months.
Buying local always tastes best (as well as reducing transport emissions) so if you’re in Europe between June and October then it’s worth stopping by the local market so get your hands on these furry bad boys.
Depending how juicy your peach is, you may not need to add any water to this recipe. Adding 40g of oats will make an even heartier breakfast smoothie to keep you filled up until lunch.
- ½ banana
- 1 ripe medium peach
- 125ml almond milk (1/2 cup)
Remove the stone from the peach, whilst holding it over the blender jug to avoid losing any sweet juice. Peel the banana, add the yogurt and blend for 30 seconds.
Banana Blueberry Smoothie
This nutritious green smoothie is the perfect way to sneak some spinachy goodness into your kids.
Just 10 leaves provide 6x the daily requirement of vitamin K, essential for building strong bones and aiding calcium absorption. You’ll also benefit from 188% of your vitamin A needs, and 100% of your vitamin C. Plus those all-powerful blueberries deliver a huge dose of cancer preventing antioxidants.
- 50 blueberries (equal to approx 70g or half a cup)
- 10 spinach leaves
- 1 banana
Blend your leaves with fruit juice or water first, then add the other fruits and veggies. This helps ensure they get thoroughly blitzed, so there aren’t any off-putting green bits floating around.
Other berries also work well with banana and leafy greens. Try substituting the blueberries for 8-10 strawberries (70g) or 20-30 raspberries (60g) instead. Or double your berry load.
To reduce the sugar, replace the fruit juice with extra water instead. But avoid using milk, as it reacts with antioxidants in the blueberries and diminishes their health benefits.
Banana Oat Breakfast Smoothie
This thick smoothie is really satisfying and makes a great breakfast on the go.
The combination of oats and two bananas will keep you full until lunch. Oats provide 98% of your daily manganese requirements, and the banana adds an extra 32% so you’re all topped up on that front. If you’re watching your calorie or carb intake, just use 1 banana, 30g oats and 100ml water.
- 2 bananas
- 125ml oat milk (1/2 cup)
- 60g oats (2/3 cup) either instant or rolled are fine
Blend the ingredients together with 120ml (½ cup) of chilled water.
Raspberry Banana Smoothie
This raspberry twist on the classic Strawberry Banana smoothie has zingier (yes it is a word) flavour and different depth, which combine to make the perfect creamy fruit smoothie.
The banana provides a sweet, filling base, whilst the raspberries livens things up with a tangy burst of antioxidants (which also protect against cancer and heart related diseases).
- 20 raspberries
- 1 banana
- 125ml almond milk (1/2 cup)
If you can’t stand the raspberry seeds and you don’t have a high-powered blender, then you’ll need to get the sieve involved.
Blend the berries first, then push the pulped mixture through a sieve using the back of a spoon, rinsing through with the 100ml of water so you don’t leave any fruit flesh behind.
You should end up with a sieve full of seeds, and a bowl of raspberry water mixture, which you can then blend with the banana and yogurt for a seed-free beverage.
Banana Beach Smoothie
Ten years ago we tasted the most heavenly banana smoothie at a beach shack on the coast of Queensland in Australia… It was the beginning of our love affair with the smoothie – those guys really know how to make them.
Ever since then we’ve been trying to replicate the same creamy yet refreshing taste, and this comes pretty darn close.
Make no mistake, with two scoops of vegan ice-cream and a tablespoon of honey this is definitely on the indulgent side. But life it about balance right? So we shouldn’t deny ourselves these little treats, or feel guilty for enjoying an ice cold glass of deliciousness.
Oh ok if you’ve got your heart set on a lighter version, then you could try a light dairy-free ice-cream or frozen vegan yogurt instead.
OK we may not be able to supply the beach or sunshine, but if you’re craving a summery pick-me-up smoothie, this should hit the spot.
- 2 really ripe bananas
- 2 scoops vanilla vegan ice cream
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
For a super smooth and creamy consistency, blend one banana with the ice-cream first, then add the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. This should ensure the banana is evenly distributed through the dairy products, and honey does not get stuck to the blades.
Apple & Banana Smoothie
This has to be a contender for the simplest smoothie ever. Apples and bananas are fruit bowl mainstays, so it’s a great recipe to turn to when the fridge is looking a little bare.
You may be doubtful about the taste with such humble ingredients, but don’t be put off, it’s really tasty. Even better a single banana costs just 12p in the supermarket, and an apple 31p, so you can whip up this tasty concoction for just 43p (69 cents) per serving.
- 1 banana
- 1 apple
- 100ml water
If you’d like a sweeter version, try adding orange or apple juice instead of water. Fancy something creamier? Using a frozen banana or adding almond milk instead of water will do the trick.
Banana Mango Smoothie
The most tropical smoothie you’ll ever taste. Mango may be considered exotic by many, but it’s often cited as the world’s most popular fruit.
Throughout India (the world’s biggest exporter), and South East Asia (it’s basically the Philippines’ national fruit), mangoes are in season and at their juicy best from April to September.
But what if you’re in Europe or America where mangoes aren’t as cheap? Well there are plenty of easy ways to incorporate mango into your diet on a budget, such as using frozen chunks, or buying a whole one on special offer and then freezing portions yourself (one mango can yield up to four smoothies).
Mixed with the everyday banana, it creates a deliciously tropical smoothie that’s packed with health benefits. Cholesterol management, immune boosting and even cancer fighting are all associated with mango. It also contains loads of fibre to keep you feeling full and avoid snacking temptations.
- ½ mango
- ½ banana
- 120ml almond milk (1/2 cup)
Banana, Cinnamon & Avocado Smoothie
The combination of two smoothie heavyweights with a little spice is a match made in heaven.
It makes a great pre-workout smoothie, as the vitamin B6 in the banana helps your body transport stored energy to the muscles that need it.
And if you’re worried that the fat from the avocado will cancel out all your hard work, fear not. Because these calories are from ‘good’ fat which provide nutritional benefits to your body.
- 1 banana
- ¼ avocado
- ½ tsp cinnamon
Blend with 120ml (½ cup) of water to achieve desired consistency.
Orange & Banana Smoothie
A little taste of summer, using just three ingredients. Juicy orange and creamy banana complement each other perfectly, to create a deliciously sweet smoothie combination.
One glass provides over 100% of your daily requirement of vitamin C to keep your immune system strong and fight off bugs. Ideal as a mid-afternoon pick me up or after-school snack. It’s also dairy-free so a great summer smoothie if you’re lactose intolerant or vegan.
- 1 banana
- 1-2 oranges
- 120ml (½ cup) water
This recipe is even more delicious with a frozen banana. Alternatively, try adding a tablespoon of lemon juice to ramp up the citrus flavours.
Pear Banana Breakfast Smoothie
This thick smoothie is really satisfying and makes a great breakfast on the go.
The combination of oats and banana will keep you full until lunch. Oats provide 98% of your daily manganese requirements, and the banana adds an extra 32% so you’re all topped up on that front. The pear adds a juicy, sweet edge plus a healthy dose of fibre.
- 1 pear
- 1 banana
- 1 tablespoon oats
Remove the pear core, blend with the oats and 125ml of water (½ cup), then add the banana at the end.
FAQ
Yes banana smoothies contain fibre, vitamins, and minerals so are healthy.
Berries, mango, peaches, pineapple, and cherries all go well with banana.
To thicken a banana smoothie you can add oats, chia seeds, avocado, or more banana – see our other smoothie thickening tips.
Hopefully you’re inspired to try out a recipe or two. We’d love to hear how you get on, or your ideas for future smoothie guides… Get In Touch or send us a note via Facebook!