Oh my gosh, do you ever get that *deep* craving for a classic ice cream sundae but you know a mountain of whipped cream and syrup isn’t going to fly on a Tuesday morning? Me too! That’s exactly why I spent way too long tweaking this recipe until I cracked the code. I needed that nostalgic hit of strawberry, chocolate, and banana—all the yummy parts—without the sugar crash and giant sticky dish to clean up later. Trust me when I say this Banana Split Smoothie is the answer! It’s unbelievably quick, captures every iconic flavor note, and I swear it tastes like dessert, even though it’s packed with good stuff. It’s become my go-to when sanity needs a quick, delicious rescue!

Why You Will Love This Banana Split Smoothie Recipe

I’m telling you, this isn’t just another boring fruit blend. It hits all the right notes, and it’s unbelievably fast. It’s my favorite because:

It whips up faster than you can find a spoon for actual ice cream—seriously, under five minutes!
You get that decadent chocolate-and-fruit combo without any guilty feeling.
It uses simple ingredients you probably already have lurking in your freezer or pantry. Talk about convenience!
It’s thick, creamy, and tastes exactly like diving into a massive, messy banana split, but in a glass.

Essential Ingredients for Your Banana Split Smoothie

You only need a handful of fantastic things to make this happen! Don’t skip the frozen banana; that’s what gives us that thick, ice-cream-like base without watering it down with ice. We’re also balancing the richness with Greek yogurt, which is a secret weapon for texture, I think. The cocoa powder needs to be good quality because that’s where the primary chocolate flavor comes from. If you want other great banana ideas, check out this peanut butter banana smoothie recipe while you’re thinking about those frozen fruits!

Here’s the basic lineup you’ll need for one perfect serving:

One large banana, absolutely frozen solid
Half a cup of your favorite milk—seriously, any kind works!
A quarter cup of vanilla Greek yogurt for that creamy body
One tablespoon of cocoa powder (unsweetened is best)
Half a teaspoon of vanilla extract for that classic flavor
A quarter cup of fresh or frozen sliced strawberries
Just one tablespoon of chopped walnuts for crunch on top

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for the Banana Split Smoothie

Listen, substitutions are part of home cooking, but the frozen banana is non-negotiable for texture; use two small ones if you don’t have a large one. If you’re using plant-based milk, I find soy or oat milk give you a little more body than plain almond milk. And about that Greek yogurt? Always go for the full-fat vanilla flavor if you can find it. It makes the smoothie so much thicker and stops it from being thin and watery. If you don’t have walnuts, pecans work beautifully too!

Step-by-Step Instructions for the Banana Split Smoothie

It’s going to take you longer to grab the right glass than it takes to actually blend this, I promise! We start by loading up the blender. You want to get all the creamy stuff in first: the frozen banana chunks, your milk of choice, that dollop of vanilla Greek yogurt, the cocoa powder, and the vanilla extract. Get all those heavy hitters in there before you even think about the fruit topping.

Now, seal it up tight and hit the blend button! You’re looking for this to get completely velvety and smooth. If your blender is struggling or the mixture looks like it’s getting stuck around the blades—which happens easily with frozen bananas—don’t panic! Just add another quick splash of milk, maybe a tablespoon at a time, until everything starts whirling nicely. Remember how I mentioned freezing the strawberries? If you did that, they’re going right in during this step for an extra cold treat!

Once it’s perfectly smooth, pour that marvelous chocolatey goodness into your favorite tall glass. We save the fun bits for last! Scatter those sliced strawberries over the top, and then sprinkle on your chopped walnuts. That crunch against the creamy smoothie? Perfection!

Tips for Achieving the Perfect Banana Split Smoothie Texture

Hey, blenders can be fickle, right? The biggest thing is that frozen banana. If you forgot to freeze it, you’ll need a few ice cubes to get that chill, but it might dilute the flavor just a tiny bit. If your final result is just too thick—like trying to eat soft-serve with a straw—add liquid slowly! A teaspoon of milk at a time is all it takes to get it moving again without making it runny.

Also, make sure you scrape down the sides once if the cocoa powder is clinging up there. We want zero chalky bits in our dessert experience. If you want to see how creamy you can get things, check out my recipe for a creamy coconut banana smoothie next!

Serving Suggestions for Your Banana Split Smoothie

Okay, so the base smoothie is done, but we can’t serve a banana split without its signature flair, right? Since this is a fast breakfast, we keep the toppings quick, too! Those walnuts and strawberries we added are just the starting point.

If you want to really lean into the dessert vibe, grab some low-sugar chocolate syrup—you know, the kind you might put on ice cream—and just drizzle a tiny bit over the top before you dig in. Wow! Or, if you have a maraschino cherry hanging around from making cocktails, pop that right on the edge of the glass. It adds the perfect pop of color!

I also love sprinkling a little bit of toasted coconut flakes on top. It adds a texture that reminds me of the pineapple pieces in the real deal. For more decadent but still quick flavor ideas, you absolutely have to try out this avocado cocoa smoothie recipe sometime!

Storage and Make-Ahead Guidance for the Banana Split Smoothie

Smoothies really hate waiting around, don’t they? The second you stop blending, they start separating, and the color goes a little dull. Because this Banana Split Smoothie is so fresh, I always recommend making it right before you eat it. If you just have a tiny bit left over—and I mean tiny because it’s huge—pour it into a jar, screw the lid on as tight as you possibly can, and fill that jar right to the very top to keep air out.

Now for the real make-ahead secret: prepping those smoothie packs! I take small freezer bags and put the frozen banana, strawberries, and walnuts into them. In the morning, all you have to do is dump the frozen contents into the blender, add your milk, yogurt, cocoa, and vanilla, and hit blend. It saves so much time when you’re rushing out the door!

Common Questions About Making a Banana Split Smoothie

I get so many questions about tweaking this recipe, and honestly, I love hearing how you all adapt it! People often ask if we can sneak in some greens without turning our beautiful chocolate-and-strawberry mix into swamp water. You absolutely can add a handful of spinach—seriously, you won’t taste it at all, I swear! It’s a great way to boost the nutrition in this quick breakfast.

Another big one is sugar control. Since we rely on the banana for sweetness, it’s naturally lower than a real sundae, but if you want less, just use an unsweetened plant milk and skip adding any sweetened yogurt. You still get plenty of flavor from the cocoa and fruit!

If you’re looking for more ways to make fruit drinks exciting, you have to try my banana blueberry breakfast smoothie when you’re done with this version.

Can I make this Banana Split Smoothie vegan?

Yes, making this plant-based is super simple! You just swap out the dairy milk for something like unsweetened almond or soy milk. For the yogurt, I always recommend using a plain or vanilla soy yogurt, as it tends to be the thickest non-dairy option. That way, you keep that luscious body we talked about earlier!

How do I make this Banana Split Smoothie thicker?

If you are obsessed with a thick texture, the number one trick is to just use less liquid upfront—start with just a quarter cup of milk and only add more if the blender absolutely refuses to spin. Also, throwing in a teaspoon of chia seeds along with the other ingredients when you blend really helps soak up any extra liquid and makes it super dense later on.

Estimated Nutritional Snapshot for the Banana Split Smoothie

I always feel better knowing the basic rundown of what I’m sipping, even if it tastes like a treat! Since we’re all using different brands of milk or yogurt, remember these numbers are just a starting guess. This snapshot is based on the exact ingredients listed in the recipe, so if you swap things out, expect these numbers to shift just a bit.

For an idea of how this stacks up against a real dessert, here’s the breakdown per serving:

Calories: About 350
Fat: Roughly 10 grams
Protein: A solid 18 grams—that yogurt really helps!
Carbohydrates: Around 55 grams
Sugar: About 40 grams (mostly from the fruit, naturally)
Fiber: A nice boost at 7 grams

If you’re curious about adding even more veggies to your drinks without sacrificing flavor, you should really peek at this spinach green apple detox smoothie recipe sometime. But for now, enjoy this sweet treat!

Share Your Perfect Banana Split Smoothie Creation

Alright friends, now it’s your turn! I’ve shared my secrets for making this amazing creamy strawberry oat smoothie sister recipe—and this one too—so please tell me what you think!

If you loved this quick fix, throw five stars up top so others know it’s worth making. I’m dying to know what topping variation you tried! Did you use pineapple instead of walnuts? Tell me everything in the comments below. Don’t forget to snap a pic and tag me on social media so I can see your beautiful creation!

Banana Split Smoothie

Author: cocktailmixguide.com
Total Time: 5 min
Yield: 1 serving 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A simple smoothie mimicking the flavors of a banana split dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

1 large frozen banana
1/2 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
1/4 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup sliced strawberries
1 tablespoon chopped walnuts

Instructions

Place the frozen banana, milk, Greek yogurt, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract into a blender.
Blend until completely smooth. Add a splash more milk if the mixture is too thick.
Pour the smoothie into a glass.
Top with the sliced strawberries and chopped walnuts.

Notes

For a colder smoothie, freeze the strawberries ahead of time.
You can substitute any milk you prefer.

Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 0 min
Category: Breakfast
Method: Blending
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 glass
Calories: 350
Sugar: 40
Sodium: 80
Fat: 10
Saturated Fat: 3
Unsaturated Fat: 7
Trans Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 55
Fiber: 7
Protein: 18
Cholesterol: 15

Keywords: banana split, smoothie, quick breakfast, fruit drink, chocolate banana