When you have a craving for a milkshake, try this decadent and super creamy Coconut Shake. Coconut milk and coconut ice cream get blended together for a frosty frozen dessert drink. This recipe is made vegan and dairy-free.

coconut shake in a glass with toasted coconut on top.

This creamy coconut shake is rich and delicious! You won’t miss the dairy in this vegan-friendly recipe.

Canned coconut milk, bananas, and coconut ice cream make this Vanilla Coconut Milkshake perfectly sweet, thick, and creamy. Coconut milkshakes are the perfect tropical treat to satisfy your sweet tooth on a hot summer day.

Why You Need This Recipe

  • It’s only four ingredients and easy to make!
  • This tropical shake is also dairy-free, vegan, & gluten-free.
  • It’s made with bananas and canned coconut milk which makes it better for you than a regular shake that usually has conventional dairy (see my article on the reasons to go dairy-free).

Key Ingredients

coconut shake ingredients

Canned coconut milk is much richer than the kind found in the carton and has a ton of coconut flavor to it. It’s perfect for milkshakes or even smoothies.

Purchase the light coconut milk and opposed to full fat coconut milk for slightly less fat per serving. Or, try making your own Vitamix coconut milk to save money (it’s actually really easy to make with simple ingredients).

Vanilla coconut milk ice cream makes this recipe dairy-free but also gives it another punch of coconut flavor! If you aren’t on a dairy-free diet, feel free to use regular vanilla ice cream.

Frozen bananas add natural sweetness and help thicken up the smoothie since they’re frozen. Bananas are great in this coconut milkshake recipe because they add natural sugars and thickness.

Ice cubes make this shake just a little bit thicker!

Toasted coconut is optional but recommended. It’s made from coconut flesh and has a great natural flavor. Plus, it adds texture to the top of the shake.

Recipe Steps

how to make a coconut shake,

Step One

In the base of a high speed blender combine the coconut milk, vanilla ice cream, frozen bananas, and ice cubes.

Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

Step Two

Turn on high and use the tamper to push the ingredients into the blade of the blender. Blend until creamy, about 45 seconds.

Step Three

Pour into two glasses and enjoy immediately!

I hope your whole family agrees that this is one of their favorite vegan milkshakes.

pouring a shake into a cup.

Recipe Tips & Substitutions

  • If you aren’t on a vegan or dairy-free diet, feel free to use dairy-based vanilla ice cream in this recipe.
  • To freeze your bananas, let them get ripe and spotted. Break them or slice them into chunks and freeze flat on a baking sheet. Then, transfer the frozen banana chunks to a ziptop bag for storage or use them right away. See my complete guide on how to freeze bananas.
  • If you want a lower fat version of this recipe, you can use unsweetened almond milk instead of coconut milk. You can also make this a meal replacement smoothie by adding a scoop or two of your favorite protein powder (see my list of the best clean protein powders).
  • To toast your coconut shreds, place 1-2 tablespoons in a dry skillet over low heat. The coconut will turn a golden brown after a few minutes. Keep an eye on the skillet so the coconut doesn’t burn!

Recipe FAQs

What benefits does coconut milk have?

Coconut milk is a high-calorie food but it also contains essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, magnesium, and selenium. It also contains lauric acid which helps fight disease-causing organisms. It is also high in fat and experts recommend to consume it in moderation.

Can I use coconut cream instead of coconut milk?

Technically, yes, but your shake may come out too rich and thick. Coconut cream is much thicker and richer than coconut milk.

Can I use coconut water in this recipe?

No, because coconut water has no creaminess to it.

two glasses of creamy coconut shake.

Other Healthy Ice Cream & Shake Recipes You Might Like

Or, see my round-up of the best vegan ice cream recipes.

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

And, consider following me on social media so we can stay connected. I’m on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!

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vegan coconut shake

Coconut Shake

When you have a craving for a milkshake, try this decadent and super creamy Coconut Shake. Coconut milk and coconut ice cream get blended together for a frosty frozen dessert drink. This recipe is made vegan and dairy-free.

  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 cup lite canned coconut milk
  • 2 scoops vanilla coconut milk ice cream
  • 2 frozen bananas, broken into chunks
  • 34 ice cubes
  • Toasted coconut shreds (optional, for topping)

Instructions

  1. In the base of a high-speed blender like a Vitamix, combine the coconut milk, vanilla ice cream, frozen banana chunks, and ice cubes.
  2. Turn on high and use a tamper to push the ice cream and frozen fruit into the blade of the blender. Blend until creamy, about 45 seconds.
  3. Pour into two glasses and serve immediately.

Notes

  1. If you aren’t on a vegan or dairy-free diet, feel free to use dairy-based vanilla ice cream.
  2. This recipe can be easily doubled or even tripled for more servings.
  3. To freeze your bananas, let them get ripe and spotted. Break them or slice them into chunks and freeze flat on a baking sheet. Then, transfer the frozen banana chunks to a ziptop bag for storage or use them right away.
  4. To toast your coconut shreds, place 1-2 tablespoons in a dry skillet over low heat. The coconut will turn a golden brown after a few minutes. Keep an eye on the skillet so the coconut doesn’t burn!

Keywords: coconut shake recipe, vegan coconut shake, vegan shake

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