Considering that today is officially the first day of summer (though we’ve been suffering through 100 degree summer temps for weeks), it seems fitting to share my new favorite frozen drink recipe. I tried this banana almond smoothie recipe for the first time yesterday and awoke this morning with a vicious craving for another.
Packed with vitamins, minerals and omega-3’s, this is a breakfast smoothie that sticks with you until lunch. It’s made with frozen banana, almond butter and milk, and made all the more substantial with the addition of flax seeds. The almond extract lightens up the flavor and makes it taste like a treat. Try it!
Banana Almond Smoothie
- Author: Cookie and Kate
- Prep Time: 3 mins
- Cook Time: 2 mins
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
- Category: Smoothie
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
This healthy banana almond smoothie recipe makes a delicious, creamy treat! Recipe yields 1 cup.
Ingredients
- ½ cup almond milk or milk of choice
- 1 medium-to-large frozen banana (break your bananas into one-inch chunks before freezing)
- 2 tablespoons almond butter
- 1 ½ tablespoons flax seed
- Optional: ¼ to 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey
- ⅛ teaspoon almond extract, to taste (or vanilla extract, but the almond extract makes the smoothie taste almost like candy!)
Instructions
- Toss all the ingredients into a blender, in the order listed.
- Blend on low until the blender gains traction, then ramp up to the highest speed as soon as possible (or if your blender has a smoothie function, that will work well).
- Taste, and if you would like a sweeter smoothie, add more maple syrup, or for more prominent almond flavor, add up to ⅛ teaspoon more almond extract, then blend again. Enjoy while cold.
Notes
Adapted from the New York Times Recipes for Health.
Change it up: For more protein, add 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder (I used Natural Force Vanilla Whey). For a caffeinated smoothie, add ¼ cup cold brew concentrate. For a peanut butter banana smoothie, substitute peanut butter for the almond butter and vanilla extract for the almond extract.
Vegetable enthusiast. Dog lover. I'm probably making a big mess in my Kansas City kitchen right now. 
dana @ my little cel
Lovely recipe! I just made a strawberry, banana PB smoothie and it was so good! but I’ve never tried just the banana almond combo. Great idea and BEAUTiful pictures.
Melissa
I recently started eating more smoothies for breakfast. Just this morning I was looking for something different then my everyday banana berry, but came up with nothing inspiring until this one! I’m making it tomorrow.
heather
This is my go-to smoothie, almost to a T — didn’t know there was a recipe out there for it! I love banana, almond and flax together. Sometimes I add a date or two to give it that extra exotic sweetness. Power packed, indeed!
Cheers,
*Heather*
Belly B
It looks so delicious! I love your photos, you should be a food photographer!
kate
Thanks, Belly! I’m seriously thinking about it. So much to learn.
Karen
Sounds like the perfect summer treat! :-)
Kirsten
wow. this looks so incredible. can’t wait to try it! thanks for sharing!
Erin
That sounds and looks so delicious, perfect for summertime! :)
Charliegirl
I <3 your blog!!!! I google readered you — yay for finding sweet blogs through food gawker!
kate
Welcome! I’m so glad you found my blog!
Amanda
Bananas and almond butter—two of my favorite foods! This looks like a great recipe to use with my new flax seed. Thanks for sharing!
Michelle
omg kate! i totally just made this and loved it! you are so right – the almond extract totally makes it taste like candy and i love how thick it is – almost like a shake :)
kate
So glad to hear you loved the smoothie! It tastes so indulgent, it almost seems like dessert… but I’m still calling it a smoothie. :)
Kelsey (Happyolks)
LOVE. I’d like to try this with cashew butter too, extra creamy!
Sherilyn (Wholepromi
I do something similar to this for breakfast in the mornings. Only addition i make is some bee pollen. Love it as it is tasty and great for seeing you though the morning. Beautiful shot as well.
kate
I just tried bee pollen for the first time this weekend! I want to hunt some down at a health food store so I can get accustomed to the taste. My seasonal allergies get the best of me!
Hillary [Nutrition N
sounds exquisite!
Kathy
I’m drinking this as I type, & it is super good! More like a dessert :) I used peanut butter & vanilla extract instead because I don’t have almond extract or butter on hand…but I do know, I want another smoothie!! …think of all the combanations ;)
kate
I’m so glad you like it, Kathy! I can’t wait to try your version. Peanut butter is one of my favorite things. Yum!
Tanya
Found this recipe thru another blog and had to try it. LOVE IT!!! I always see recipes with PB but am allergic so this was great. My 8 yo really liked it too. Will definitely because a staple here :)
kate
Yay, I’m so glad to hear you love it! I make it for breakfast often. I’ve been meaning to post my favorite chocolate smoothie that also contains almond butter, so keep an eye out!
jen
This became my favorite morning smoothie. I’ve made it twice now. DELISH!
Stephanie
Where is the almond butter located in the store? I’m having trouble finding it. Thanks for your help. Can’t wait to try this out!
kate
Hey Stephanie,
I have only been able to find almond butter in local health/gourmet stores, located by the peanut butter. I haven’t seen it in standard grocery stores. If you can’t find any, you can make your own using a food processor—I haven’t tried it myself, but I know you could find lots of instructions on how to do it online. Hope that helps!
Heather Guthrie-Hoey
Great ? Stephanie as I was just wondering myself. Kate, can I substitute something else for the almond butter? I’d like to make this tonight for me daughter yet no almond butter. Curious, can I use unfrozen bananas? I realize texture will be different. Thanks!
Kate
You can use peanut butter instead of the almond butter, for sure. The frozen bananas make the drink extra cold, creamy and smoothie-like, but room temp bananas would be good, too.
Sarah Younker
If you have a Kroger, it is located near the regular peanut butter, usually on the lower half of the shelf.
Susan
In some of our grocery stores, the almond and cashew butters are found in their health food section. They also have Sunbutter(sunflower seeds).
Mary
This looks yummy! I only have ground flax seed. Do you think that will work?
kate
Mary: Yes, I think ground flax would be fine but I would use a very small amount at first (maybe 1/2 teaspoon) and add more to taste. Great question!
jenna
I made this smoothie for breakfast this morning. So delicious! I used minced flax seed which blended well.
Cassandra
Really yummy! Nice and creamy. I used regular milk because I didn’t have any almond milk. Instead of almond butter I used peanut butter because I didn’t have any almond butter either. I used room temperature bananas, vanilla and agave nectar as well. I’ll definitely be using this for breakfast! thanks for the great recipe!
Miranda
I’ve had this smoothie for the last two mornings and I absolutely love it. Its easy, healthy and tastes great, which I’m ALL about. It sort of tastes like banana pudding, or at least, it reminds me of banana pudding because it was a childhood favorite. Anyway, I could see children really digging this as well! Thank you very much!
marin mama cooks
This smoothie looks so good and a bit (well tiny bit) similar to the one I just made and posted. Mine had spinach, banana, walnut butter, flax seed & almond milk.
I am going to give this one a try as well as I love nut smoothies! They are full of protein and really keep me filled up!
Jess
Blegh this was awful. Followed directions exactly and it did not taste like candy to me. Will not try again.
kate
I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy the smoothie, Jess. Is there any chance you added more than just a little dash of almond extract? Assuming that you enjoy banana and almonds, that’s the only thing that I can think of that could go wrong here.
Autumn
I LOVE this shake! I add a scoop of vanilla whey protein powder to it and have this a few times a week. YUM!
Marlyn
I am new to all of this what is almond butter and how do I get it? Do I just blend up some almonds?
kate
Hi Marlyn, you can make your own almond butter by blending almonds in a food processor. I prefer to buy it at health stores or big grocery stores. Almond butter is usually near the peanut butter, and sometimes in the health food section of larger grocery stores. You can substitute peanut butter in the smoothie but I think almond butter is better.
Sailaja @ Indian Foo
Chanced upon your absolutely beautiful blog today. This is just the kind of smoothie my kid would love especially for these hot summer days. I am going to add a dash of cardamom spice powder in place of the extract.
patnodes
I just made this and it was delicious!!! I used vanilla almond milk and maple syrup…I also tried a teeny experiment. I made one for me with peanut butter, and one for my boyfriend with the almond butter…and we both preferred the one with almond butter. My boyfriend, who is NOT a health food fan by any means, loved it so /much he was using a spoon to scrape out every last bit! Thank you for this!
kate
That’s awesome that you both enjoyed the smoothie! It’s totally healthy and still so rich and creamy that it doesn’t taste like “health food”… that’s always my goal! I agree, I much prefer mine with almond butter over peanut butter. Something about it is just so right.
patnodes
And just so you know…he requested it again this morning for breakfast ;)
Karen
I am addicted!! A friend sent me this link last week and I had one a day until I ran out of bananas! Replenished the banana supply yesterday and all I could think of when I woke up this morning was making another smoothie! (a refreshing break from my regular berry smoothies).
kate
Thanks for commenting, Karen! So happy to hear you enjoy the smoothie.
Ms. Ahlborn
I’m so thankful you posted this recipe. Honestly, this is my second morning of having this smoothie, and I’m just… hook, line, sinker. I made mine thicker this morning and with maple syrup, but honestly, I don’t think this could ever not taste good. No matter what modifications you make, as long as you don’t go too overboard on the almond extract, this smoothie is going to be pretty lip-smacking divine. Anyway, thank you so much for this. I really appreciate it. Especially since this smoothie is going to be making my regular rotation.
kate
Thanks for commenting, Ms. Ahlborn! I’m happy you enjoy the smoothie, it’s my go-to smoothie recipe and I don’t think I’ll ever tire of it!
Katrina
Whoa. I just made this and it is amazing!! It’s definitely going to be added on to my morning smoothie routine. Thanks!
Leah
I love this! Thank you for sharing.
Nina
Mhm… I’m defiantly making this as my afternoon snack, even though it’s kinda cold-ish outside. I just can’t resist. Will be blogging about this :)
mary
Do you know the calories, fat, carbs of this smoothie?
Kate
I don’t, sorry!
Stephanie
Made it this morning. It is fast, easy, and delicious! Thanks.
G-Fred :)
Hi Kathryne! I Finally made this! Wow!! Too good! It tastes like a candy bar milkshake–especially since I am enjoying some dark chocolate on the side. ;)
I love banana smoothies with “milk” and vanilla, but I never would have thought to add all these yummy extras! Glad the recipe is for a small serving because it is very rich.
*I used PB, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and my flax seeds were roasted (yum!).
Inge
Hi Kate! I’ve been reading your blog for a little while now but haven’t commented much. I just made this smoothie recipe and wow! It’s delicious! I ended up using peanut butter and vanilla extract because that’s what I had on hand. It’s so good – thanks for the recipe!
Kate
Thanks for commenting, Inge! I’m glad you enjoyed the smoothie.
Nicole B.
Kate, this smoothie just blew my mind! So tasty, especially as a post-workout meal.
Kate
Thanks, Nicole! :)
Jessica
Thank you for such a delicious recipe! I made it with vanilla almond milk and it was absolute perfection.Very healthy and filling. I need to keep bananas in my freezer from now on for when I get a sweet tooth and want something that tastes like a splurge. I only had vanilla extract to use in it, which I loved, but I’ll try the almond extract next time. YUM! :)
Kate
Thank you, Jessica! I’m so glad you enjoyed the smoothie. It’s one of my favorites.
bay
So good!
I added some wheat girm and omitted flax oil, and instead of honey etc I used truvia.. And coconut milk instead… Delicious!
Kori
This is delicious, Kate, thank you! It’s a good alternative for those who want an inexpensive and healthier version of Smoothie King’s Vanilla Hulk smoothie. In the future I’m going to try this wonderful recipe with hazelnuts and hazelnut milk (my favorite).
Heather Guthrie-Hoey
Thanks Kate for your quick f/u & pb recommendation!! You totally Rock! Peaceful, Sunny Blessings! ;-) Any ideas on great protein boosting foods for my 15 yr old competitive figure skater and runner? We do add whey protein to smoothies yet curious if you have a great brand you use and types of breakfast foods plus lunch items that are GREAT at Boosting Protein levels?
Kate
Hey Heather, good question. Some brands of Greek yogurt are really high in protein, as are eggs, of course. I always make huevos rancheros when I’m really hungry because it’s full of beans and eggs. I don’t ever use protein powder myself. Another option is hemp seed—it’s high in protein and pretty mild in flavor. You could mix it into smoothies or sprinkle it on salads.
Heather Guthrie-Hoey
Love the idea of huevos ranchers Kate! can you believe I’ve never made those!?! It’s time! And I happen to have hemp oil in my refrigerator. Thank you so very much for making this protein suggestion which will be really helpful for my daughter and myself. Love your blog and that you are so gracious with your time and sharing healthy advice. Blessings dear.♥
Heather Guthrie-Hoey
Rancheros!
Kate
You’re welcome, Heather! Glad to be of help. Any combination of eggs, beans and salsa is delicious in my book!
Pri
Thank you for this delicious recipe, Kate. I used vanilla almond milk abd doubled the amount of it to make it more liquidy and thought it was delicious. I also used the vanilla extract since I had some on hand. My magic bullet blended everything pretty well! I am trying to replace my usual carb breakfast with a shake to lose weight in my tummy so I hope this helps :)
Kate
Thanks, Pri! Glad you enjoyed this one!
Erica
This was great! I used almond butter, flax seed and the almond milk. I did omit the syrup. I’m following your page today! Thanks!
Kate
Thanks, Erica! Glad you enjoyed it!
Amanda
I’ve been following you for a few years now. After I had a major change in diet, I found your website when looking for TASTY recipes that would satisfy my love for baking and my sweet tooth. Your recipes gave me hope! I have loved everything especially this one. In fact, having a late night smoothie now. :) Your banana bread is a go-to with pecan butter, of course! Thanks Kate! You’re a joy!
Kate
Amanda, thank you! I’m delighted to hear that you’re enjoying my recipes! :)
Deborah McCartney
Just made this smoothie for breakfast. It was delicious. I used Almond Vanilla Milk and freshly ground all natural peanut butter. Will leave out the honey and almond extract next time, you don’t need it.
Wayner
-1 cup silk almond, chocolate or regular
-1 cup 1% milk
-1 banana
-1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
-1 teaspoon of ground flax seed
Made with a nutri-bullet, just blend and enjoy. taste great and is so good for you. I use to add a raw egg with it, but for me the egg messed with my cholesterol level.
Kate
I’ve made this a few times now and it’s always good. Today I added 1 T cocoa powder and HELLO. I didn’t think it needed any extra sweetener. Delicious healthy chocolate milk shake. Thanks for this recipe!
Kate
Oooh, that’s a great idea! Thanks, Kate!
Emma
Hi Kate, I came across your site while looking for a sweet potato fries recipe. I am so excited to try that and the banana smoothie this weekend. I have a toddler who would love the fries. I’m not so sure about the smoothie but I’m going to give it a try. Thanks for the simple recipes.
Kate
Thank you for saying hello, Emma! I hope you all enjoy the recipes!
Jackie
I found your site by searching for banana smoothie recipes and couldn’t wait to try this. My expectations were surpassed, it is simply the best smoothie ever! Just wanted to thank you for sharing :)
Kate
Yay! Thanks, Jackie!
Cameron
This recipe is wonderful! So delicious and filling!
Jade
Howdy Kate,
This recipe looks yummo!
Quick question. I live in Nicaragua and I don’t believe flax seed is easily found. Could I use Chia seed instead?
Thank You
Kate
Yes, you can! You could also just omit the flax seed.
john
Your Flax seeds should be put thru a coffee mill to grind them , that way the body can absorb them if they are not ground the seeds just pass thru
Kate
Most of them are being ground up in the blender, so you’re getting the same effect. If you really want to go nuts, consider that lots of our foods aren’t being fully digested as they pass through (case in point: whole almonds are only digested to the extent that they are chewed), and we never know the extent to which our individual bodies can absorb them, anyway.
Allie
I swear to god this was literally the best smoothie I have ever tasted. I didn’t even need to add sweetener. Thank you so much!!
April nicole
I know this was an old post but I randomly craved a smoothie (I never crave smoothies!) and found your recipe. I never follow recipes exactly but I did use most of your suggestions and it was delicious! As I wasn’t planning on making this prior, I used a fresh banana and a cup of ice (I like it thick), a little milk and extra dry nonfat milk (I find that it helps the viscosity), pecans (those are the only nuts I had on hand), cinnamon, nutmeg, and a little honey. Having just returned from the Caribbean, the flavored reminded me of Jamaican cashew punch. Thanks again!
Karen
Absolutely Delicious! Also very filling – will definitely be making again.
Aiyanna
Ok so I added a little twist to it…..my recipe including fresh Christ cut apples, a banana ,flaxseed’s , honey ,almond milk and apple juice mixture , almonds ,5 blueberries…… very delicious. I would love more recipes
Evie @ Smoothie Blender
wow! This banana almond smoothie looks is really awesome. I think it is very effective for make the Smoothie for weight loss…! thanks for share…
Anna
I actually do almost the exact same recipe but add 1cup spinach(or kale) and switch it up with raw oats sometimes. great pictures on the site.
Nicole
Hi Kate,
Do you know how long a banana can stay frozen for before it goes bad?
Thanks!
Nicole
Kate
Hey Nicole, frozen foods can last pretty much indefinitely, as long as the freezer is working properly. If your bananas are covered in freezer burn (little icicles that accumulate over time), they won’t taste great, though.
Barbara Love
I have ground flax would I still use the 2 spoonfuls?
Kate
Hi Barbara, I’d probably scale back a little. Maybe 1.5 spoonfuls?
Victoria
Didn’t have any almond butter but used my son’s Nutella – gave it a little hint of chocolate taste and so my son loved it too! I also threw in some chia seed. Delish!
Kate
Yum! A chocolate/hazel-nuttiness sounds wonderful in this smoothie.
Jackie clancy
Fabulous!
Alice
So good!!!
Kate
Thank you, Alice!
Heather Waldridge
I found this over a year ago on Pinterest and I make it often. I recently did Whole30, and I was thankful that this was allowed. It is yummy enough to be a dessert but nutritious enough to drink for breakfast. Thanks!
Kate
You are welcome! Thank you, Heather for your comment.
tambi durai
protein value in this per serve ?!
Kate
The nutrition information is below the notes section. You just need to click to expand. Hope this helps!
Susa
Delicious! Awesome when you want something sweet but healthy. I’ve done it with a date r two replacing the sweetener.
Kate
Thank you for sharing, Susa!
Philipp Brohl
Almond & Banana – my favorite smoothie combination ever. I tried it yesterday morning and it was so delicious! Can’t wait to try more of your recipes. :)
Kate
Thanks, Philipp!
Anna B
Great with yogurt or milk! I dream about this smoothie as I fall asleep lately <3
Kate
I love that! I haven’t made this in so long. I should :)
SaraSahlie
This recipe looks amazing! I love eating bananas with almond butter and putting into a smoothie is the BEST idea. I can’t wait to try this and I might even add some cocoa powder to it and see how that works!
Paige
Just made this for breakfast and it was delicious!! Felt like dessert! It was such a nice change from my usually berry smoothie! My 1 year old son loved it also!
Kate
Hooray! Thank you for sharing, Paige.
Penny Capelman
Wonderful idea for a great tasting and low-calorie smoothie. My daughter just got me into smoothies and some of them have so much fat and sugar. I love being able to find good, healthy, great tasting smoothies
Kelsey
Delicious! Added extra almond milk and 1/4 cup of oats to make it extra filling and it definitely kept me going through to lunch
WinnieBear
I was looking for natural ways to get Melatonin instead of taking supplements and this recipe popped up. I have two questions: Can this be taken before bed? Can I make these ahead of time and freeze them to consume during the week?
Kate
Hi Winnie, I find smoothies are best made and consumed right away.
Dave Kidwell
Excellent! My new Go To comfort breakfast!
Making mine so far with Peanut Butter and non-fat plain yogurt. Added 4 deglet noor pitted dates (softened) and (sometimes) a 1/2 cup of crushed ice for a REALLY cold smoothie!
Laurie Z
I made this smoothie tonight with my homemade almond milk and it was nothing short of amazing. I’m on a mission to get my husband to eat healthier and he said it was better than dessert! Thank you Kate for this recipe which will become a staple in my house. And yes it was at beautiful as your picture.