Banana Coffee Recipe: A Creamy Latte With a Surprise Twist

If you told me a few years ago that banana and coffee would become one of my favorite combinations, I would have laughed.

It sounds strange at first, almost wrong. But one slow morning, with one ripe banana on the counter and a strong craving for coffee, I tried it anyway. The result was smooth, lightly sweet, and comforting in a way regular lattes are not.

Banana doesn’t overpower the coffee. It softens it. It adds body, natural sweetness, and a milkshake-like texture without turning the drink into a dessert.

This banana coffee recipe is now something I make when I want a cozy drink that still feels special. It uses simple ingredients, takes only a few minutes, and somehow feels both familiar and new at the same time.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Banana Coffee

These are the exact ingredients used in this recipe:

• 1 banana
• 100 ml milk of choice
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• Brewed coffee or espresso
• Ice

That’s it. No syrups. No special equipment beyond a blender.

Why Banana Works With Coffee

At first, banana and coffee sound like an odd couple. Coffee is bitter and roasted. Banana is soft and sweet. But that contrast is exactly why it works.

Here’s what the banana adds:

Creaminess without cream: A ripe banana thickens the drink naturally, giving it a smooth mouthfeel similar to a café latte.

Gentle sweetness: Instead of sharp sugar sweetness, banana gives a mellow, rounded sweetness that blends into the coffee.

Balance: Coffee can sometimes taste harsh or acidic. Banana softens that edge and makes the drink easier to sip.

If you enjoy flavored lattes like vanilla or caramel, this is a more natural version of that idea.

Choosing the Right Banana

The banana matters more than you think.

Use one that is:

• Ripe
• Yellow with a few brown spots
• Soft when pressed

Pro tip: Avoid green bananas. They are starchy and won’t blend smoothly or taste sweet enough.

Overripe bananas (very brown) also work, but they will make the drink noticeably sweeter and stronger in banana flavor.

Step-by-Step Banana Coffee Recipe

Below is the full method explained in detail, so you get the best texture and flavor every time.

Step 1: Brew Your Coffee

Start by making your coffee first.

You can use one shot of espresso or about 60–120 ml of strong brewed coffee.

Note: The stronger the coffee, the better it stands up to the banana.

Once brewed, let it cool slightly if making iced banana coffee, or keep it hot if you want a warm version.

Set the coffee aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Banana

Peel 1 ripe banana.

Break it into chunks with your hands or slice it. Smaller pieces blend faster and more smoothly.

Place the banana into your blender.

Step 3: Add Milk

Pour in 100 ml milk of your choice.

This can be:

• Dairy milk
• Oat milk
• Almond milk
• Soy milk

Keep in mind that each one changes the flavor slightly. Oat milk makes it extra creamy. Almond milk makes it lighter.

Step 4: Add Vanilla and Sugar

To the blender, add:

• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla
• 1 teaspoon white sugar

The vanilla deepens the flavor and makes the drink smell amazing. The sugar boosts sweetness, but you can adjust later.

Step 5: Blend Until Smooth

Blend everything until completely smooth.

You should see no banana chunks ad a creamy, pale mixture. The texture should be similar to a milkshake but thinner.

This usually takes 20–30 seconds.

Pro tip: If your blender struggles, add a small splash of milk to help it along.

Step 6: Fill Your Glass With Ice

Take a tall glass and fill it halfway or more with ice.

The ice helps chill the drink, create that café-style layered look, and make the drink extra refreshing.

Step 7: Pour in the Banana Milk Mixture

Slowly pour the blended banana mixture over the ice.

Leave some space at the top for coffee.

Step 8: Add the Coffee

Now gently pour your brewed coffee or espresso over the banana mixture.

If poured slowly, you’ll see a beautiful layered effect:

• Light banana milk at the bottom
• Dark coffee floating on top

You can stir it or leave it layered for presentation.

Step 9: Taste and Adjust

Take a small sip.

If needed, add more sugar for sweetness, add more coffee for strength, or add more milk to soften

Stir well before drinking.

Warm Version Option

If you prefer warm drinks:

• Skip the ice
• Heat the milk before blending
• Blend banana, warm milk, vanilla, and sugar
• Pour into a mug
• Add hot coffee

The result is a cozy banana latte that feels perfect for colder days.

Common Mistakes to Avoid when Making Banana Coffee

• Using unripe banana – the drink will taste flat and grainy
• Too much banana – one is enough
• Weak coffee – it will disappear behind the banana
• Not blending enough – chunks ruin the texture

Is Banana Coffee Healthy?

It can be, depending on how you make it.

Benefits:

• Banana adds potassium and fiber
• Less need for syrups or heavy cream
• Naturally filling

You can lower calories by:

• Using less sugar
• Choosing low-fat milk
• Using half a banana