Creamy Strawberry Banana Smoothie (5 Minute Recipe)

The strawberry banana smoothie was the very first smoothie I ever learned to make, and it is still the one I come back to the most. It is thick, creamy, naturally sweet and tastes like a strawberry milkshake, but it is made with real fruit, yogurt and milk. My kids ask for it almost every morning in summer, and I love that it takes about 5 minutes from start to sipping.

Quick answer: To make a strawberry banana smoothie, add ¾ cup (180 ml) of milk and ½ cup (120g) of Greek yogurt to a blender, then 1½ cups (225g) of frozen strawberries and 1 ripe banana. Blend on high for 45 to 60 seconds until smooth and creamy. Taste and add 1 to 2 tsp of honey if you want it sweeter. Pour into 2 glasses and serve right away.

It makes 2 medium smoothies, and I share how to make it without yogurt, with more protein and as a smoothie bowl.

Why You Will Love This Strawberry Banana Smoothie

It tastes like a milkshake. Frozen fruit and yogurt make it thick, cold and creamy.
It is naturally sweet. A ripe banana does most of the sweetening, so you need little or no added sugar.
It is quick. Five minutes, one blender, almost no cleanup.
Kids love it. It is a sneaky way to get fruit into picky eaters.
It is easy to change. Add protein, greens, oats or nut butter to make it a full meal.

Ingredients

This makes 2 medium smoothies (about 12 oz / 350 ml each).

¾ cup (180 ml) milk of your choice
½ cup (120g) plain or vanilla Greek yogurt
1½ cups (225g) frozen strawberries
1 medium ripe banana, fresh or frozen
1 to 2 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
½ tsp vanilla extract (optional)
A few ice cubes if using fresh strawberries

Strawberry banana smoothie ingredients including frozen strawberries, a ripe banana, Greek yogurt, milk and honey

A few notes on the ingredients

Frozen strawberries: They make the smoothie thick and frosty without watering it down with ice. They are also often sweeter than out of season fresh berries.

Banana: Use a banana with brown spots for the best sweetness. I always keep peeled, halved ripe bananas in a freezer bag for smoothies. A frozen banana makes it even thicker.

Greek yogurt: It adds creaminess, a little tang and protein. Regular yogurt works too, but the smoothie will be thinner.

Milk: Any milk works. Whole milk is creamiest, almond milk is lightest, and oat milk adds a little sweetness. Orange juice or apple juice make a fruitier, lighter smoothie.

How to Make a Strawberry Banana Smoothie (Step by Step)

Add the liquids first. Pour the milk into the blender, then add the yogurt. Liquid at the bottom helps the blades spin freely.

Add the fruit. Add the banana, broken into a few pieces, then the frozen strawberries on top.

Blend. Start on low for 5 seconds, then turn to high and blend for 45 to 60 seconds, until completely smooth with no chunks.

Adjust the texture. Too thick? Add a splash more milk. Too thin? Add a few more frozen strawberries or ice cubes and blend again.

Taste and sweeten. Add honey or maple syrup only if needed.

Serve. Pour into glasses and enjoy right away. I like to top mine with a sliced strawberry on the rim.

Fresh vs frozen fruit

If you only have fresh strawberries and a fresh banana, the smoothie will taste great but be thinner, more like a juice. Add about 1 cup of ice to thicken it, or freeze your chopped fruit for 1 to 2 hours first. I find frozen fruit gives the best, most milkshake like texture every time.

Nutrition at a Glance

One smoothie (half the recipe) made with whole milk and Greek yogurt has roughly:

These are estimates. The numbers change with your milk, yogurt and any sweetener you add.

7 Easy Variations

Without yogurt. Use 1 cup (240 ml) of milk and a frozen banana. Add 1 tbsp of chia seeds or oats for thickness.
High protein. Add 1 scoop (about 30g) of vanilla protein powder and an extra splash of milk. For more ideas, see my protein smoothie recipes.
Strawberry banana oat. Add ¼ cup (25g) of rolled oats for a more filling breakfast smoothie.
Peanut butter strawberry banana. Add 1 tbsp of peanut butter. It tastes like a PB and J in a glass.
Hidden greens. Blend in a big handful of baby spinach. The pink color turns a little darker, but you will not taste it.
Tropical. Swap half the strawberries for frozen mango or pineapple. If you love mango, try my mango smoothie next.
Berry blast. Use a mix of strawberries, raspberries and blueberries. My blueberry smoothie is another favorite in our house.

Two glasses of creamy pink strawberry banana smoothie garnished with fresh strawberries

How to Make a Strawberry Banana Smoothie Bowl

Use only ⅓ cup (80 ml) of milk and frozen fruit so the smoothie is extra thick, almost like soft serve. Use the blender tamper or stop and stir a few times. Spoon it into a bowl and top with sliced banana, strawberries, granola, chia seeds, coconut and a drizzle of honey. Eat it with a spoon.

My Tips for the Best Smoothie

Freeze your bananas. Peel ripe bananas, break them in half and freeze them in a bag. They make every smoothie thicker and creamier.
Liquid first, frozen last. This order helps any blender blend smoothly.
Do not over blend. Blending too long warms the smoothie and makes it thin.
Taste before sweetening. Ripe fruit is often sweet enough.
Make freezer packs. Pack the strawberries and banana in freezer bags for the week. In the morning, just add milk and yogurt and blend.

Common Mistakes

Too much liquid. You end up with a thin, watery drink. Start with less and add more as needed.
Using unripe bananas. Green or plain yellow bananas taste starchy and are not very sweet.
Adding ice to frozen fruit. It is not needed and just waters it down.
Letting it sit. Smoothies separate and lose their texture after about 20 minutes.

How to Store Leftovers

Smoothies are best fresh, but you can keep leftovers in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 24 hours. It will separate, so shake or stir it well. You can also pour leftovers into ice pop molds for a healthy frozen treat, or freeze in ice cube trays and blend the cubes into your next smoothie.

Strawberry Banana Smoothie FAQs

Is a strawberry banana smoothie healthy?

Yes. It is made with whole fruit, yogurt and milk, so it gives you vitamin C, potassium, fiber, calcium and some protein. Keep added sweeteners low to keep it balanced.

Can I make it without a banana?

Yes. Use ½ cup of frozen mango, ½ avocado or extra yogurt to keep it creamy. It will be a little less sweet.

Can I make it without milk?

Yes. Use orange juice, apple juice, coconut water or plain water. Juice makes it sweeter and fruitier.

How do I make it thicker?

Use frozen fruit, less liquid and Greek yogurt. A tablespoon of chia seeds or oats also thickens it.

Can I make it the night before?

You can, but it tastes best fresh. A better option is to prep freezer packs the night before and blend in the morning.

Is it good for kids?

Yes. It is one of the most kid friendly smoothies. Skip the honey for babies under 1 year old.

Final Thoughts

This strawberry banana smoothie is simple, quick and always a hit. Keep frozen strawberries and bananas in your freezer, and you are 5 minutes away from a creamy, healthy breakfast any day of the week.