Craving a banana pudding milkshake but trying to dodge dairy, sugar spikes, or that heavy post-dessert slump? This one’s for you. Creamy, sweet, and thick enough to need a real straw — this healthier banana pudding milkshake skips the ice cream but keeps all the comfort.
Whether you’re eating plant-based, watching macros, or just want a treat that doesn’t feel like a cheat, this recipe brings banana pudding energy without the crash. It’s blended with whole ingredients you can pronounce, boosted with options like protein powder or nut butter, and customizable for kids, keto-diets, or anyone with food sensitivities.
No guilt. No compromise. Just a cold, spoonable shake that actually feels like dessert.
Ingredients for Guilt-Free Indulgence
This isn’t a “just skip dessert” kind of recipe. It’s a “you can have a banana pudding milkshake and still feel good after” kind of moment. Each ingredient is chosen for flavor, texture, and how it fits into a lighter, dairy-free lifestyle — without tasting like a compromise.
Frozen Banana as a Base
The MVP of any no-ice-cream shake. When frozen, ripe bananas become thick, sweet, and creamy — like nature’s soft-serve. Just slice and freeze them ahead of time. Bonus: they pack potassium, fiber, and natural sweetness without needing added sugar.
Unsweetened Almond Milk
Low in calories and neutral in flavor, almond milk keeps things light while helping everything blend smoothly. If you prefer a creamier texture, oat milk is a great alternative — just note it adds a bit more natural sweetness.
Vegan Pudding
This is where the banana pudding vibe comes in. Use a pre-made vegan vanilla pudding (store-bought or homemade). Look for ones thickened with coconut milk or cashews for a richer feel. It adds body to the shake and helps recreate that signature pudding flavor.
FAQ: Can I use a different dairy-free milk?
Definitely. Oat milk adds creaminess, coconut milk brings richness, and soy milk offers more protein. Just make sure it’s unsweetened to control overall sweetness.
How to Keep It Thick Without Ice Cream
Let’s be honest — the biggest fear when skipping ice cream is ending up with a watery smoothie instead of a real-deal shake. But with the right tricks, you can keep that spoonable, indulgent texture while staying completely dairy-free and low-sugar.
Use Frozen Banana (Not Fresh)
Frozen banana gives instant creaminess and chill without needing to dilute with ice. It’s what turns this shake from “banana smoothie” into “banana pudding milkshake.”
Add Pudding for Body
Vegan vanilla pudding doesn’t just bring flavor — it acts as a thickener. Cold, spoonable pudding adds that signature scoopable feel without the fat or dairy of traditional ice cream.
Optional Thickeners
If your shake still feels a bit loose, try one of these:
- 1 tsp chia seeds: Let it sit 2–3 minutes after blending to thicken.
- 1 tbsp oats: Adds subtle texture and bulk, especially if pre-soaked.
- 1–2 ice cubes: But only if your banana isn’t frozen. Ice can water things down fast.
Chill Everything First
Cold pudding, frozen banana, and chilled almond milk = thicker shake. Room temp ingredients melt together too fast and lose that thick edge.
FAQ: What if my shake turns out too thin?
Toss in a few extra frozen banana chunks or a spoonful of nut butter. Both will thicken it quickly while adding flavor and creaminess.
Equipment
- Blender
- measuring cups and spoons
- glass or serving jar
Ingredients
- 1 frozen ripe banana (sliced before freezing)
- 3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/2 cup chilled vegan vanilla pudding
- 1 scoop plant-based vanilla protein powder (optional)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
- 1 dash cinnamon or nutmeg (optional)
- Optional Toppings: crushed vegan vanilla wafers, coconut whip, chia seeds or hemp hearts
Instructions
- Add frozen banana slices to a blender.
- Pour in almond milk and chilled vegan pudding.
- Add protein powder, vanilla extract, and cinnamon if using.
- Blend until thick and creamy (about 30–45 seconds).
- Pour into a chilled glass. Add toppings if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Protein-Boost Add-ins
If you’re looking to turn this banana pudding shake into a post-workout refuel or just want to balance the sweetness with some staying power, protein upgrades are your best friend. The trick? Choose ingredients that blend smoothly and complement the banana-vanilla flavor without overpowering it.
Plant-Based Protein Powder
A scoop of vanilla or unflavored vegan protein (like pea or rice protein) blends in seamlessly. Go for a brand with no added sweeteners or chalky texture. If you’re not vegan, whey isolate works too, but it will change the shake’s thickness slightly.
Nut Butter
A spoonful of almond or cashew butter adds creaminess, healthy fats, and 4–6 grams of protein per tablespoon. It also deepens the flavor — think banana pudding with a hint of richness.
Greek Yogurt (Optional, not vegan)
If dairy isn’t an issue, plain or vanilla Greek yogurt adds tang, protein, and a thick, pudding-like body. Just a few tablespoons go a long way.
Protein Pudding
Some brands make high-protein, dairy-free puddings that double as a base. If you find one with a vanilla or banana flavor, it can replace the regular vegan pudding entirely — two birds, one blender.
FAQ: Can I use collagen or bone broth protein instead?
Yes, but keep in mind these often have a distinct taste and require a little extra banana or cinnamon to balance it out.
FAQs
Making a healthier shake usually means running into a few “but what if…” questions. Here are the ones we get asked most often — along with some simple, no-stress answers.
Can I make it keto?
Yes — with a few swaps. Use:
- Unsweetened almond or coconut milk
- Low-carb vanilla protein powder
- Keto-friendly pudding (made with almond milk and a keto sweetener like erythritol or stevia)
- Skip banana: Sub in avocado or cauliflower + banana extract for that creamy texture without the carbs.
It won’t be exactly like the original, but it’ll be creamy, lightly sweet, and shake-worthy — minus the sugar spike.
Is this kid-friendly?
Totally. In fact, most kids won’t even notice it’s “healthy.” Just skip the protein powder for younger kids and go easy on any added spices. You can even serve it in popsicle molds for a frozen treat that feels like dessert but sneaks in fruit and fiber.
Tip for picky eaters: Add a tiny spoonful of peanut butter or a drizzle of honey (if age-appropriate) to sweeten it up naturally.
Nutrition Facts
Here’s a breakdown of the standard version of this healthier banana pudding milkshake (without optional protein powder or nut butter). Keep in mind — these numbers can shift depending on your milk, pudding, and toppings.
Per Serving (approximate):
- Calories: ~240
- Protein: 4g (add ~15–20g with protein powder)
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Sugars: 18g (mostly from banana)
- Fat: 6g
- Fiber: 4g
- Calcium: ~20% DV
- Potassium: ~12% DV
Low in added sugar, dairy-free, and gluten-free with the right pudding brand.
Want more protein?
A single scoop of plant-based powder can nearly double the protein count — without changing the taste if you use vanilla.
Conclusion
A banana pudding milkshake that’s thick, sweet, and satisfying — but won’t leave you feeling weighed down? That’s the dream. And with frozen banana, creamy vegan pudding, and a few easy upgrades, it’s completely possible. No ice cream, no dairy, no regret.
This shake is proof that indulgence doesn’t need to be off-limits. It can be functional and fun. Whether you’re blending it post-workout, sharing it with your kids, or just treating yourself on a weekday afternoon, this version brings the pudding magic — minus the sugar crash.
Try it once and don’t be surprised if it becomes your go-to guilt-free dessert fix.
Madison and I met in a tiny café where we both ordered banana pudding for breakfast (don’t judge). She asked for extra vanilla wafers; I asked for extra bananas. We debated ratios for half an hour. It only made sense she’d be the one perfecting every recipe on this site.