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

  • This Coconut Shake has only four main ingredients and is so 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 and tons of added sugar (see my article on the reasons to go dairy-free).

Key Ingredients

coconut shake ingredients with labels.
  • 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. See my guide on freezing bananas for smoothies.
  • 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.

See my full recipe card below for the exact measurements.

Recipe Steps

how to make a coconut shake in four steps.

Step One

Toast your coconut shreds or coconut flakes in a dry skillet.

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

Step Two

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

Step Three

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

Step Four

Pour into two glasses or a mason jar and enjoy immediately!

I hope your whole family agrees that this is one of their favorite shakes, perfect for a beach vacation or for any summer day.

pouring a coconut shake from blender into a cup.

Recipe Tips

  • 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 or coconut beverage instead of coconut milk. You can also make this a meal replacement smoothie or protein shake 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

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. I like using the “light” type of canned coconut milk in this recipe.

Can I use coconut water in this recipe?

No, because coconut water has no creaminess to it.

two glasses of creamy coconut shake.

More Ice Cream & Shake Recipes You Might Like

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

Don’t Miss These Coconut Recipes

Instant Pot Coconut Rice Recipe (2-Ingredients)

Dairy-Free Coconut Milk Pancakes (Gluten-Free Option)

How to Make Coconut Milk in a Vitamix

Dairy-Free Matcha Latte Recipe

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

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vegan coconut shake

Coconut Shake (Vegan & Dairy-Free)

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5 from 1 review

Print Recipe

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
  • 3–4 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!

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/2 of recipe
  • Calories: 312
  • Sugar: 30.2 g
  • Sodium: 54 mg
  • Fat: 14.6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10.7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 44.3 g
  • Fiber: 3.5 g
  • Protein: 3.6 g
  • Cholesterol: 29 mg

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About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition and is a certified holistic nutritionist. She is a top wellness and food blogger with over 5 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send her a message through her contact form.