Banana Milkshake with the Ninja Slushi

The banana milkshake is my go-to when overripe bananas are sitting in the fruit bowl. No need to freeze them the night before like with a blender: the Slushi freezes the milk and fresh fruit straight into an icy dessert. You get the real taste of the fruit, in a thick drink you sip through a straw. Simple, quick, and the kids keep asking for more.

Banana Milkshake with the Ninja Slushi

Recipe by Camille Roos

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: MilkshakeCuisine: Difficulty: Easy

Servings

4

people

Prep

5

minutes

Freeze time

30

minutes

Total time

35

minutes

A frozen milkshake made with fresh bananas and milk, without the need to add store-bought ice cream. The dedicated program freezes the drink for a nice, thick texture.

Ingredients

• 700 ml whole milk (or semi-skimmed)

• 3 very ripe bananas

• 50 ml heavy cream (optional, for extra richness)

• 20 g vanilla sugar (or 2 tablespoons agave syrup)

Instructions

• Peel the bananas and blend them finely with the milk, cream, and vanilla sugar using a blender or immersion blender until you get a perfectly smooth liquid. A liquid base without chunks is essential to avoid blocking the auger.
• Pour this smooth mixture into the Ninja Slushi bowl, making sure the level is between the MIN and MAX marks.
• Select the Milkshake program. The machine will cool and churn the mixture continuously.
• Let it set until you reach a thick, frozen texture, then serve immediately with a wide straw.

100% Plant-based Version

100% Plant-based Version : Replace cow’s milk with oat or soy milk (higher in protein for a nice foam), and use maple syrup instead of vanilla sugar. The Milkshake program remains the same.

The advantage of fresh milk for a homemade milkshake

I’ve made frozen drinks with a blender for a long time. To give the preparation body, I always had to use sliced bananas frozen the day before, or add large scoops of store-bought ice cream. With this machine, everything changes: you use fresh liquid ingredients and the constant churning creates that thick, frozen consistency. The Milkshake program cools the mixture while incorporating air to make it frothy. This results in a dense, airy dessert, with the true taste of the fruit, without needing to plan for freezing. If you enjoy varying fruity flavors using this same principle, feel free to try my Strawberry Banana Smoothie with the Ninja Slushi.

The role of sugar and fat

Even though bananas are very sweet, it is crucial not to skip the added sugar. In the bowl, sugar acts as a natural antifreeze. It prevents the milk from crystallizing and forming a hard block of ice around the auger. A very ripe banana provides good flexibility, but the vanilla sugar ensures the texture stays fluid enough for a straw. Regarding fat, using whole milk or cream also plays a crucial role. The fat coats the ice crystals, resulting in a much rounder mouthfeel. For those with a real sweet tooth who want something extra rich, take a look at my Nutella Milkshake in the Ninja Slushi.

Do you like adding a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce to the bottom of your glass before serving?

Frequently asked questions

Can you use already frozen bananas in the Slushi?

No, the Slushi requires a 100% liquid preparation at the start. Frozen fruit or chunks would jam the motor. Always blend fresh fruit with your milk to obtain a fluid base.

How long does it take for the milkshake to thicken?

With ingredients straight from the refrigerator, allow about 30 minutes on the dedicated program. This time may increase slightly if your milk was at room temperature.

My milkshake is too liquid, how can I fix it?

This often happens if the room is very warm. Let the machine run a bit longer on its Milkshake program so it can continue to freeze and thicken the preparation.