This coconut milkshake recipe is healthy, easy, and oh SO good! All you need are a few simple ingredients to create a vegan milkshake with a creamy texture. With three additional flavor variations: chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla, you’ll have a plant-based dessert you’re sure to love!
Back home in Ann Arbor there is an amazing ice cream shop called Washtenaw Dairy! It’s been around since 1934!
When I was a kid, my dad would take me in the summer to get milkshakes once a week. It was our father daughter thing! They had gum drop and toy dispensers, and my dad would hand me a quarter so I could get a new bouncy ball or gum drop.
We’d go outside and sit on the bench outside the store, and I’d bounce my new rubber ball on the sidewalk as I’d sip my chocolatey milkshake.
Years later, I’d take my own kids, but this time I’d get my favorite ice cream, almond joy. It was coconut ice cream, rippled with chocolate and dotted with slivered almonds.
However, once I became vegan I could no longer enjoy this ice cream! It was also not the healthiest option for sure!
So with a little ingenuity I decided to make my own version that was a combination of the milkshake from my childhood and my favorite ice cream flavor as an adult.
This coconut milkshake is so easy to make, and absolutely bursting with coconut flavor. It’s light and creamy, and totally decadent. Yet it’s sweetened with banana, so no added sugars!
I top my milkshake with dairy-free dark chocolate chips, and chopped raw almonds to give it that almond joy flavor I love!
I’ve added three additional flavor combinations so that you can make a healthy vegan milkshake with your favorite flavor preferences including vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry!
Why you’ll love this coconut milkshake….
- Easy and quick to make
- Cool, creamy, and delicious
- Naturally sweetened with banana
- Add your favorite flavorings (chocolate, strawberry, vanilla)
Recipe Ingredients and Notes
Coconut Milk: You can’t have a coconut milkshake without coconut milk! I used 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, or maple syrup. 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 vegan strawberry milkshake, cocoa powder for a vegan chocolate milkshake, and vanilla extract to make a vegan vanilla milkshake.
Tools and Equipment
All you need to make this milkshake is your blender. I use my Vitamix which is awesome to make creamy smoothies and milkshakes, but any blender you have will do for this recipe!
Recipe FAQS
This milkshake is thickened with frozen banana. Frozen banana adds sweetness and natural creaminess to the shake. If you want a thicker texture, you can add a few ice cubes. Just be sure to drink the shake right away, as the ice will melt, and leave you with more of a drink than a shake.
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 milks. 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.
How to Make a Coconut Milkshake – Step by Step
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.
Start by adding your liquid, in this case, the coconut milk.
Then add any solid ingredients that are not frozen. In this instance, you’ll want to add your coconut flakes.
Last add your frozen ingredients on the very top. Your frozen fruit, or banana.
Blend until smooth and creamy. If adding ice, add it at this time, and blend for a few seconds until combined. Don’t over bland which can cause a watery texture.
Pour into a glass of your choice, and top with your favorite topping!
Strawberry, Chocolate, and Vanilla Coconut Vegan Milkshake Variations
This recipe is easily adaptable to make a variety of milkshake flavors.
Turn this recipe into a strawberry milkshake by substituting the banana, with a ½ cup of frozen strawberries.
Make this milkshake into a chocolate milkshake by adding 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder.
This recipe can easily become a vanilla coconut milkshake by adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract!
How to Serve a Vegan Milkshake
Make sure to serve your milkshakes right away. This is not the type of dessert you want to make in advance, and store 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!
Here are some other cool and creamy vegan desserts you might like to try!
- Vegan Strawberry Ice Cream
- Chocolate Nice Cream
- Vegan Popsicles with Mango and Spinach
- Watermelon Popsicles
If you’ve tried this recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it turned out. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for more plant-based family recipes your whole family will enjoy!
Coconut Milkshake (Vegan) | 4 Flavor Ideas
Ingredients
Coconut Milkshake (Almond Joy)
- 1 cup coconut milk beverage or canned coconut milk
- 2 tbsp desiccated coconut
- 1 frozen banana chopped
- ½ cup ice cubes optional
- 1 tsp dark chocolate shavings optional for topping
- 1 tsp 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 tbsp 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 tbsp unsweetened desiccated coconut
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup ice cubes optional
Instructions
- Add the coconut milk beverage first. Then add the other ingredients, and top with the frozen fruit. Blend well.
- If you desire, add the ice, and blend again until combined. 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 optional toppings if you desire. Enjoy!
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.
Nutrition
Such a refreshing drink with so many flavors to choose from.
This was such a luscious and yummy coconut milkshake! Love all the variations too!
I can’t wait to try this. I love how you gave different options for flavors.
Love the different way to make these coconut based milkshakes, yum!
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.