This coconut shake recipe is healthy, easy, and oh SO good! All you need are a few simple ingredients to create a decadent and creamy texture. With three additional flavor variations: chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla.
This coconut shake is so easy to make and absolutely bursts with coconut flavor. It’s light and creamy, and totally decadent. Yet it’s sweetened with banana, so no added sugar! When your sweet tooth comes calling, this is your guilt-free treat!
I top my shake with dark chocolate chips, and chopped raw almonds to give it a hint of almond flavor! It tastes like an almond joy candy bar!
I’ve added three additional flavor combinations so that you can make a healthy shake with your favorite flavor preferences including vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry!
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💗 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy and quick treat
- Cool, creamy, and delicious
- Naturally sweetened with banana
- Add your favorite flavorings (chocolate, strawberry, vanilla)
🥥 Coconut Shake Ingredients
Coconut Milk: You can’t have a coconut milkshake without coconut milk! I used an unsweetened coconut beverage, not the coconut milk in the can. However, you can use either. The coconut milk in the can is higher in fat and calories, but also a bit creamier. So, it’s up to you.
Frozen Banana: Adding a frozen banana gives this milkshake an icy cool and creamy texture, while also adding natural sweetness. There’s no need to add additional sweetener in the form of table sugar, maple syrup, or ice cream. Even though the banana is added, this doesn’t taste like a banana shake!
Unsweetened Desiccated Coconut: To give this coconut shake an extra boost of coconut flavor, I add unsweetened desiccated coconut flakes. They add a subtle texture and really give this shake more coconut flavor.
Dark Chocolate and Almonds (optional): This is totally optional, but I just love the flavors of an almond joy candy bar, so I top my shake with a teaspoon of chopped dark chocolate, and chopped raw almonds. I prefer 80% dark chocolate. It has less sugar, but still all that awesome chocolate flavor.
Strawberries, Cocoa Powder, Vanilla Extract (optional): If making one of the variations you’ll need strawberries for a strawberry coconut milkshake, cocoa powder for a chocolate coconut milkshake, and vanilla extract for a vanilla milkshake.
📋 Coconut Shake Instructions
When making a milkshake or smoothie the only thing you really need to think about is the order in which you put your ingredients into your blender.
Step 1: Start by adding coconut milk. Then add the coconut flakes. Last, add the frozen banana.
Step 2: Blend until smooth and creamy. If adding ice, add it at this time, and blend for a few seconds until combined. Don’t over-blend which can cause a watery texture.
Step 3: Pour into a glass of your choice, and top with chopped dark chocolate and chopped almonds.
❓ Recipe FAQS
This milkshake is thickened with frozen bananas. Frozen banana adds sweetness and natural creaminess to the shake. If you want a thicker texture, you can add a few ice cubes, vanilla ice cream, or yogurt (dairy-free or regular).
Coconut milk is ultra creamy and makes a delicious substitute when making dairy-free ice cream. Using coconut milk in a coconut milkshake adds a luscious creamy texture! There are many different types of coconut milk to choose from.
You can opt for full-fat coconut milk in the can. This often separates in the can, so you’ll need to whisk it together or warm and whisk to combine, then allow it to cool before adding it to your blender.
Another option is to go with light coconut milk in a can. This has fewer calories and fat. It doesn’t have a tendency to separate in the can since as much as the full-fat one. However, I do recommend whisking it in a bowl, or shaking really well in the can before opening and adding to your blender.
The final option is coconut beverage. This version you’ll find in the shelf-stable milk section of your grocery store, or with the refrigerated dairy-free milk. This milk has the fewest calories and fat and is meant to be used as a beverage rather than in cooking like the previous two. Make sure to buy unsweetened coconut milk, and avoid vanilla flavoring.
📖 More Milkshake Recipes
This recipe is easily adaptable to make a variety of milkshake flavors.
Strawberry: Turn this recipe into a strawberry milkshake by substituting the banana, with a ½ cup of frozen strawberries.
Chocolate: Make this milkshake into a chocolate milkshake by adding 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder.
Vanilla: This recipe can easily become a vanilla coconut milkshake by adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract!
👩🍳 Serving Suggestions
Make sure to serve your milkshakes right away. This is not the type of dessert you want to make in advance, and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to enjoy!
The frozen banana and ice will melt creating more of a drink than a creamy shake.
Coconut Strawberry Milkshake-Serve with a fresh strawberry wedge on top.
Coconut Chocolate Milkshake-Serve topped with a sprinkle of dark chocolate shavings.
Vanilla Coconut Milkshake-Serve topped with coconut whipped cream and a fresh cherry!
I hope you enjoy these milkshake variations!! They’re perfect for a light dessert without added sugar on a hot summer day!
💭 Expert Tips
- Make it creamier by adding a cup of ice.
- Use coconut milk, not coconut water.
- Use a high-speed blender such as a Vitamix to ensure that all the ingredients are evenly blended.
- If you have extra coconut milk leftover, consider making coconut pudding, or freeze the coconut milk to use later!
- As written this recipe is a healthy plant-based dessert. However, you can add ½ a cup of regular ice cream, or Greek yogurt to thicken the shake. If you want to keep the recipe plant-based, and low in sugar, use ½ a cup of ice cumbes to thicken the shake.
😋 More Cold Vegan Desserts!
If you made this recipe, please comment below and leave a ⭐️ rating. You can also follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook, for more family-friendly vegan recipes!
Coconut Shake | 4 Flavor Ideas
Equipment
Ingredients
Coconut Milkshake (Almond Joy)
- 1 cup coconut milk beverage or canned coconut milk
- 2 tablespoon desiccated coconut
- 1 frozen banana chopped
- ½ cup ice cubes optional
- 1 teaspoon dark chocolate shavings optional for topping
- 1 teaspoon chopped raw almonds optional for topping
Vegan Strawberry Milkshake
- 1 cup coconut milk beverage or canned coconut milk
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- ½ frozen banana
- ½ cup ice cubes optional
Vegan Chocolate Milkshake
- 1 cup coconut milk beverage or canned coconut milk
- 2 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 frozen banana chopped
- ½ cup ice cubes optional
Vegan Vanilla Milkshake
- 1 cup coconut beverage or canned coconut milk
- 1 frozen banana chopped
- 2 tablespoon unsweetened desiccated coconut
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup ice cubes optional
Instructions
Coconut Milkshake
- Add the coconut milk, coconut flakes, and frozen banana to your blender. Blend on medium to high speed until the banana is completely combined.
- If you desire, add the ice, and blend again for about 30 seconds or until ice is incorporated. Don't over blend which would cause the milkshake to become watery. Just enough to give it some texture.
- Pour into a glass, and add the chopped dark chocolate and chopped almonds. Enjoy
Vegan Strawberry Coconut Mikshake
- Add the coconut milk, frozen strawberries, and frozen banana to your blender. Blend until frozen fruit is completely combined.
- Add optional ice, and blend again for about 30 seconds or until ice is incorporated.
- Pour into a glass and garnish with a fresh strawberry.
Vegan Chocolate Coconut Milkshake
- Add the coconut milk beverage, cocoa powder, and frozen banana to your blender. Blend on medium to high speed until frozen fruit is completely incorporated.
- If you desire, add the ice, and blend again for about 30 seconds or until ice is completely incorporated.
- Pour into a glass, and top with dark chocolate shavings.
Vegan Vanilla Coconut Milkshake
- Add the coconut milk, vanilla extract, and frozen banana to your blender. Blend on medium to high speed until frozen fruit is completely incorporated.
- Add optional ice, and blend again for about 30 seconds or until ice is incorporated.
- Pour into a glass and garnish with fresh fruit of choice.
Video
Notes
- Nutrition facts are calculated based on the first recipe ingredients. Nutrition facts may be slightly different for the other variations.
- Drink and enjoy your milkshakes immediately.
- This recipe is for one large serving.
- Make it creamier by adding a cup of ice, ice cream, or yogurt.
- Use coconut milk, not coconut water.
- Use a high-speed blender such as a Vitamix to ensure that all the ingredients are evenly blended.
Leigh Ann
what can you substitute for the banana as I’m allergic to them?
Alison Corey
You could use frozen mango as a substitute.
Natalie
Yum, this sounds delicious. I never had a coconut milkshake. I must give it a try now. This is so healthy too, low in calories. Love this! Thanks for the recipe.
Erika
Love the different way to make these coconut based milkshakes, yum!
April
I can’t wait to try this. I love how you gave different options for flavors.
Michelle
This was such a luscious and yummy coconut milkshake! Love all the variations too!
Andrea
Such a refreshing drink with so many flavors to choose from.