Breakfast Coffee Banana Smoothie
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This creamy coffee banana smoothie is the perfect solution for when you are debating between having coffee in the morning or chugging down a healthy smoothie.
The coffee banana smoothie is a delicious smoothie inspired by Naturals ice cream – a popular ice cream chain in India.
While the obvious ingredients are coffee and bananas, this healthy coffee smoothie also includes nutrition-rich dates and walnuts, along with a hint of hot cocoa powder to up the deliciousness quotient.
The best part is that you don’t have to choose between drinking a healthy smoothie or having your coffee.
Why choose a coffee banana smoothie?
Lots of folks love to start their day with a cup of coffee and a fresh banana. It’s a classic and satisfying combo that never gets old! When these ingredients are combined, they offer several benefits, such as
- Boost of energy – The coffee from the caffeine and the carbs from the banana make it a perfect pick-me-up breakfast.
- Nutrient-rich drink – The delightful combination of coffee, dates, and bananas is packed with essential nutrients, antioxidants, and healthy fats, which will leave you feeling energized and ready to take on the day.
- No added sugar – The natural sweetness of ripe bananas and dates means no need to add any processed sugar.
How to make a coffee smoothie
As I mentioned above, the main ingredients in this banana coffee smoothie recipe are – coffee, walnuts, dates, bananas, and cocoa mix. The dates have been added as a sweetener and also because it is a nutrition powerhouse.
Ingredient notes/swaps
- Bananas (fresh or frozen) –You can use fresh bananas but using frozen ones gives this smoothie a creamy consistency. Chop the ripe bananas the previous night and freeze the banana slices for at least 6-8 hours before using.
- Seedless dates – Adds natural sweetness as well as protein to the smoothie. You can also use other sweeteners such as sugar, honey, and maple syrup.
- Instant coffee – I love Nescafe, but you can also use ground coffee or even leftover cold coffee.
- Hot cocoa mix (optional) – you can substitute it with unsweetened cocoa, too. Make sure to increase the amount of sweeteners used.
- Whole milk or milk of choice – You can also use non-dairy milk, such as almond milk or oat milk, instead of regular milk. Plain Greek yogurt is also a good substitute.
- Walnuts (optional) – for a dose of nutrients.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below.
Recommended Tools
The blender I recommend
This blender is not only great for smoothies but also makes fine purees and spice powders.
How to prep ahead
To prepare for this easy coffee smoothie recipe, chop the bananas, place them in a freezer-safe bag, and freeze them. Remove it from the freezer just before making the smoothie – no need to thaw.
Recipe Notes
- To make a creamy coffee smoothie, use chopped, frozen bananas.
- Repurpose leftover brewed coffee – Let your morning coffee cool down and then refrigerate or freeze it in ice cube trays. Use coffee ice cubes instead of instant coffee to get that coffee flavor.
- Feel free to use decaffeinated coffee instead of regular coffee.
- Use a high-performance blender, if possible, to ensure that the dates and frozen bananas get pureed properly without leaving any unsightly bits behind.
FAQs
Absolutely! The sweetness of the bananas balances the bitter notes of coffee really well.
Yes, feel free to skip the walnuts.
Yes! Make sure the coffee is finely ground, or the smoothie will be gritty.
Some of the most common ways to sweeten a smoothie naturally include using fruit, which is naturally sweet, like ripe bananas or dates.
Yes, totally. It tastes great for a day or two (at the max) in the refrigerator, after which it loses its taste.
If you’re tired of the same old boring morning routine, it’s time to switch things up with a coffee banana smoothie. It’s the perfect drink for those who love coffee and also want to start their day with a healthy breakfast.
Plus, you’ll feel like a smoothie-making pro with how easy and quick it is to whip up. So, what are you waiting for? Get blending and impress yourself with your newfound smoothie skills!
Healthy Coffee Banana Smoothie Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk or milk of your choice
- 6-7 pitted dates
- ½ cup walnuts
- 1 medium-sized banana fresh or frozen
- 1 teaspoon instant coffee powder
- 3 teaspoons hot cocoa mix
Instructions
- Add milk (or liquid of your choice) in to the blender.
- Add the remaining ingredients – dates, bananas, instant coffee powder, hot cocoa mix and walnuts.
- Blend until smooth.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate it for later.
Disclaimer: Approximate nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and can vary depending on the exact ingredients/brands used. If you have health issues, please work with a registered dietician or nutritionist.
Nutrition
Variations
One of the best ways to enjoy coffee banana smoothies is by customizing them to your taste. Here are some ideas for personalization:
- Increase the coffee content. I do not prefer strong coffee, so a teaspoon of coffee was sufficient.
- Use sugar instead of dates -You could always use sugar, but I prefer using dates or honey to sweeten my smoothie.
- Increase/decrease hot cocoa mix – I love adding hot cocoa mix to this smoothie – it feels like you are having an ice-cold mocha.
- Substitute hot cocoa with unsweetened cocoa or cacao powder – It makes it a tad bitter, so go easy and start with a teaspoon. You may need to increase the amount of sweetener as well.
- Use ice cubes to make it extra foamy, just like iced coffee.
- Optional mix-ins
- Add a tablespoon of flax seeds, hemp seeds, or chia seeds for added fiber and protein before blending.
- Like it sweeter? Add a dash of maple syrup for that caramel flavor.
- Adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract really brings in the flavor.
- Nut butter – add a tablespoon of almond butter or any nut butter of your choice for a dose of protein
Serving suggestions
Serve this breakfast coffee smoothie in a mason jar.
Leftover ideas
Pour the leftover smoothie into popsicle molds and freeze. Makes for a delicious frozen treat during summer.
How to store
Refrigerator: Smoothies taste best when freshly made. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to two days in an airtight container. Stir well before serving.
Freezer: You can freeze this coffee smoothie in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Other healthy smoothie recipes worth checking out
Looking for more smoothie ideas that your family will love? Here are my top picks –
Pistachio smoothie with saffron
Experience the unique blend of saffron and pistachios in this kesar pista smoothie. Makes for a nutritious treat for kids or a post-workout drink.
Experience the healthful goodness of dates and chikoo in this chikoo (sapota) smoothie! It is a delicious treat that is perfect any time of the day.
Enjoy a creamy dry fruit smoothie that’s loaded with flavor and nutrition! It’s ready in just 5 minutes with only 6 ingredients.
Get ready to delight your kids with a banana Nutella smoothie. It is a perfect sweet treat for your entire family!
Craving a sweet treat? Our 5-minute chocolate banana smoothie recipe gives you all the deliciousness of a milkshake but with fewer calories!
Need more smoothie recipes? Check out this list of 10+ fruit smoothie recipes for when you need fresh ideas to keep your smoothie-drinking routine interesting.
This post was originally published on 12/31/2017 and was completely updated with pictures and new text on 9/21/2023.
