Coconut Milk Banana Smoothie

Craving a tasty start to your morning or a quick energy boost? Look no further than a smoothie. The Coconut Milk Strawberry Banana blend stands out from countless options thanks to its easy prep, nutritional punch, and amazing taste. Anyone following gluten-free, dairy-free or vegan eating plans will love this drink, and it's something everyone in your house can enjoy.

Getting Started

As both a mom and someone who loves cooking, I'm always hunting for meals that taste great, boost health, and don't take forever to make. This Coconut Milk Strawberry Banana Smoothie fits the bill perfectly. We drink it all the time - sometimes for breakfast, as a snack when hunger hits, or even as a light sweet treat after dinner. Mix coconut milk with strawberries and bananas and you'll get a smooth, sweet and refreshing drink you won't be able to put down. What makes this smoothie so wonderful is how it works for different diets. Got gluten issues? No problem - there's none here. Following a dairy-free or vegan lifestyle? The coconut milk base keeps it plant-based with zero animal products. Here's why we can't get enough of this drink at my house and how you can easily work it into your everyday meals.

What You'll Need

What's great about this smoothie is how simple it is - you probably have most items already in your kitchen or can grab them easily at any grocery store.

Main Components

• 1 cup frozen strawberries: Feel free to use store-bought frozen ones or freeze fresh berries yourself. The frozen berries create that thick, cold texture that's perfect when it's hot out or when you need something refreshing.
• 1 frozen banana: No frozen banana on hand? Just pop a ripe one in the freezer for a few hours before making your drink. Bananas add natural sweetness and make everything creamier.
• 1 cup coconut milk: You've got options - either carton or canned works fine. The canned type tends to be thicker and richer, while carton versions give you a lighter feel. Go with what you like best.
• 1 Tbsp. shredded coconut: This gives your smoothie some texture and boosts the coconut flavor. Pick either unsweetened or sweetened depending on how much sweetness you want.
• 1/4 tsp. pure vanilla extract: A little vanilla brings out all the flavors and adds subtle sweetness without any actual sugar.

Extra Add-ins

• Other frozen berries: Want to switch things up? Swap out some strawberries for frozen raspberries or blackberries instead.
• Almond milk: Not a coconut milk fan? Almond milk works too. The taste will be different but still super yummy.
• Additional toppings: Feel free to sprinkle more coconut flakes on top, add fresh fruit pieces, or even drop a spoonful of whipped cream for a more indulgent treat.

How To Make It

Throw everything in your blender

Just dump your frozen strawberries, frozen banana, coconut milk, shredded coconut, and vanilla extract into the blender jar.

Mix it all up

Turn your blender to medium or use the smoothie button if it has one. Let it run until everything looks uniform and smooth. You might need to stop once or twice to push down any chunks stuck to the sides with a spatula to get everything properly mixed.

Serve it up

When your smoothie looks good, just pour it into your favorite glass. Add a sprinkle of coconut flakes on top or whatever else you like.

Ways To Switch It Up

• Make it thinner or thicker: If it's too thick to drink easily, just add more coconut milk a little at a time until it's how you like it.
• Try different plant milks: Don't feel stuck with coconut milk - oat milk or almond milk can work great too.
• Punch up the flavor: A little squeeze of fresh lime or orange can really brighten everything up.

About The Ingredients

Knowing a bit more about what goes into your smoothie can help you make it even better and tweak it to your liking.

Frozen Strawberries

Frozen strawberries form the base of this drink, giving it natural sweetness and that thick, slushy texture. When strawberries aren't in season, frozen ones are actually better than fresh. If you only have fresh berries, you'll need to add some ice to get that frosty consistency. Feel free to swap in other frozen berries when you want a change.

Frozen Banana

Your frozen banana is what makes everything super creamy and naturally sweet. Don't have any ready to go? No worries - just take a ripe banana, peel it, and stick it in the freezer for a couple hours before you plan to make your smoothie.

Coconut Milk

Coconut milk gives this smoothie its rich, creamy texture without any dairy. You can pick between carton or canned types based on what you prefer. Canned tends to be thicker with a stronger coconut taste, while the carton kind is lighter and more subtle in flavor.

Shredded Coconut

Adding shredded coconut gives your smoothie some texture and boosts that tropical flavor. You've got choices here too - unsweetened keeps the sugar content down, while sweetened gives an extra bit of sweetness to your drink.