Creamy Coconut Smoothie — Between the coconut milk, coconut extract, and shredded coconut, this smoothie packs in the coconut flavor! Enjoy this smoothie for breakfast, or blend it up for a refreshing poolside drink.
Creamy Coconut Milk Smoothie Recipe
When in Rome, do as the Romans. When in the Caribbean, consume as much coconut and as many cold creamy beverages made using coconut as possible.
I really liked the Cinnamon Raisin Bread Smoothies using graham crackers blended into them, and figured what the heck, let’s try it again.
This time, graham crackers are the ‘pie crust’ of a coconut cream pie. A stretch? Maybe a little, but not really.
I happen to love coconut cream pie and wanted to recreate it without turning on my oven. Baking pie crusts and pies and messing with meringue is not something to do on vacation.
With this coconut smoothie, I focused on the natural wonderfulness of coconut and coconut milk and the smoothie turned out so creamy and rich.
There’s a time and place for Chocolate Cake Batter Milkshakes and the like, but feeling like you just drank your dessert and 789 calories in 3.7 seconds is fun of course, but not something you’d probably want to make a habit of for breakfast or for an afternoon pick-me-up.
And in Aruba, I have a tendency to chug-a-lug at warp speed and try not to drink my desserts on a daily basis because I’d rather eat them.
It’s just a wee bit toasty here in August, or really any month of the year. Aruba is just north of the Equator so it’s really not much hotter in August than it is in December and staying hydrated, preferably with lots of coconut beverages, is key.
This banana coconut milk smoothie hit the spot after a day at the beach. There was a bit of texture retained from the graham crackers and coconut flakes blended in, and the bananas added perfect creaminess. I loved every coconutty second while I was guzzling!
And convinced myself, without much effort, that I was indeed drinking a coconut cream pie.
What’s in the Coconut Smoothie?
Although this is a banana coconut smoothie, you can hardly taste the banana! It’s pure coconut flavor, believe me. The banana just sweetens it up.
Here’s what you’ll need to make the coconut milk smoothie:
- Frozen bananas
- Graham cracker
- Coconut milk
- Sweetened shredded coconut flakes
- Sweetener of choice (optional)
- Coconut extract (or vanilla extract)
How to Make a Coconut Smoothie
I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how this creamy banana coconut smoothie gets made.
Simply combine the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
I like to garnish my smoothie with graham cracker crumbs and extra shredded coconut!
Can the Graham Cracker Be Substituted?
If you live in a place that doesn’t sell graham crackers, try substituting another mildly sweet biscuit. In the UK, a digestive biscuit or something similar would work.
Tips for Making a Coconut Milk Smoothie
You can use either canned coconut milk or the kind that comes in a carton to make this banana coconut milk smoothie. Use whichever you have on hand, noting that canned coconut milk is much creamier and richer.
To amp up the coconut flavor, I like to add a splash of coconut extract to the smoothie. If you don’t keep coconut extract on hand, feel free to use vanilla extract instead.
This recipe makes two servings. You can halve the recipe to feed one, or freeze the second portion for later if needed.
Pin This Recipe
Creamy Coconut Smothie
Between the coconut milk, coconut extract, and shredded coconut, this smoothie packs in the coconut flavor! Enjoy this smoothie for breakfast, or blend it up for a refreshing poolside drink.
Ingredients
- 2 ripe small/medium or 1 1/2 large bananas (previously frozen in chunks is ideal so you don’t need ice)
- 1 standard full-size graham cracker
- 1/2 to 2/3 cup chilled coconut milk
- 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut flakes
- sweetener, optional and to taste (zero-calorie, stevia, etc.)
- 1/2 teaspoon coconut or vanilla extract (or both)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of coconut or graham cracker crumbs. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nabisco Honey Maid Original Graham Crackers are ‘accidentally vegan’ or use gluten-free graham crackers as necessary.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 303Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 102mgCarbohydrates: 42gFiber: 5gSugar: 23gProtein: 3g
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Thick and Fudgy Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie — You’d never guess this fudgy peanut butter smoothie is actually healthy for you! Warning: you’ll need a spoon for this smoothie that tastes like drinkable fudge!
I stumbled on this while searching for healthy coconut flavored treats. I shy away from smoothies because I despise bananas (I KNOW I’m weird!). Do you think a discerning palate would notice it or does the coconut cover it up well enough?
I think if you’re THAT sensitive to bananas, you’ll probably notice the flavor.
I don’t post comments very often but I just had to for this smoothie. Wow is it tasty. Made it for me this afternoon while making the kids Mac n Chz…. I had to keep pausing to take another gulp that it took me twice as long to finish their lunch! Oops! However they liked it too and I had to whip up more….at least I was able to finish 90% of mine before they noticed. Haha. Thank you, I will make this regularly now.
Thanks for trying the recipe and glad it came out great for you!
Summer the season of coconut inspired recipe. But this baby will always hot. And i love it. Coconut cream pie smoothie, definitely going to make it!
Hi! This looks delicious! I just have one problem; I live in Belgium and we don’t have Graham Crackers here. Is there anything I can substitute them with?
I always feel sad when I find a delicious-looking recipe and it turns out we don’t have the ingredients over here (or they’re exceptionally expensive).
Any sweet cracker/biscuit will be fine and if you don’t have any, you can omit in this recipe.
This was great! I used regular milk and vanilla extract, and there was still a good amount of coconut flavor. Thanks for sharing!
Glad you liked it!
Love this drink and this is what I would make for my concoction. I’d add some rum for something a little special.
Glad to hear you love this one! Rum sounds perfect in it :)
I love your drinks! I also go to Aruba :). Where exactly is this beach?
We usually go to Palm Beach. Fun that you go to Aruba, too!
I love both, coconut and coconut oil. I make soaps, lotions etc as gifts for people in need, and use coconut oil in them, plus I like a bit of the oil in my cereal in the mornings, it is good from our bodies and brains.
Love this! Linking back to this post in an upcoming FFC post :)
Have been dreaming about this since I read about it and just made it. So good! Thanks for sharing the great recipe!!!
Glad you made it after dreaming about it! Thanks for LMK!
This smoothie sounds wonderful! I love coconut cream pie, but don’t always want to go through the work of making one, so this would be perfect :)!
it’s the cheater’s version of coconut cream pie, for sure! :)
PLEASE please please please please do NOT stop the coconut recipes from coming ok?!?!? I love baking with coconut and until recently, I had never used toasted coconut in a recipe before. My tropical granola is overloaded with the stuff and it is, by far, the BEST part of the granola! And coconut oil is another all-star for me! CCK posted a 3 ingredient chocolate bar recipe using it and I remade it… phenomenal. I’m sure you’ve seen it on SBA but it’s cocoa powder, coconut oil, and some sweetener. AMAZING. Dark, rich chocolate and so creamy. I’ve never had or cooked with coconut milk before, Averie! I am intrigued.
I feel like my coconut-baking-world is opening up lately by reading about all your Aruba recipes!!! LOVE it.
you’ve never baked with coconut milk or cooked (or smoothie’ed) with it? omg you have to change that, asap!!! you will love it!
you mean this 3 ingredient coconut oil chocolate – early 2010 I was all over that :)
http://www.loveveggiesandyoga.com/2010/02/raw-vegan-coconut-oil-chocolate-mailbox.html
I wish you could come down here and help me cook! we’d have so much fun!!
You are one step ahead of the game with the chocolate bar recipe!! Should’ve known you were all over that a long time ago. I wish we could do a meet up in ARUBA! Lots of coconut and peanut butter would be used up lol
I heart coconut like nothing else!! Keep on bringing the fun coconut recipes!!! I so wish I was on a fun island drinking this yummy smoothie!!! It looks so awesome!!!
I posted the coconut blondies today too – I am just in a big coconut-love fest :)
Oh, yes please! I’ll be making this asap!
Finally made this! I don’t know what took me so long. It is SO good! Even yummier than the raisin bread smoothie (although they’re both divine).
That’s so good to hear you liked it and yes, very different than the raisin bread smoothie (which is more fall-like) to me; depending on my mood, I dig them both!
Agreed, on both counts! I liked this one so much I had to share it on FB while I was still sipping. ;)
Great idea! Coconut is delicious and it has lots of health benefits!
The only thing more beautiful than your pictures of San Diego are pictures of Aruba! Love coconut cream pie — it’s one of my all-time favorite desserts! I love the smoothie idea, so much less fuss than an entire pie!
awww you’re too sweet re my pics! If you like Coc Cream Pie, then this is for you!
I LOVE using coconut juice in smoothies.
It is so good for you, especially after a workout.
I am addicted to pure coconut juice and water.
I know – the stuff is SO refreshing!
Beautiful! Not only do I want to go to the beach, but I also want to make one dozen of these smoothies! I love coconut (in all forms) and I can’t wait to try this. Thank you for sharing!
Oh wow! I absolutely love all things coconut. And I love that you put graham cracker into the smoothie so it’s floating around in the shake – PERFECT. There should be texture in all yummy desserts, and this is definitely dessert in a glass! This is definitely going on my list of treats to make my family, soon! The pics of that smoothie are outstanding, too, btw!! :-)
Surprisingly yes, I love coconut water, milk,and coconut in general. I guess because it’s a nut, not a dessert :) And I am nuts about nuts, any nuts except peanut. Although, peanut technically belongs to legumes species.
Funny how I fell in love with coconut water: I was after workout, all thirsty, in the store to pick up something, and there it was, a carton of coconut water staring at me, asking me to give it a try… :) I am sure that coconut water from fresh coconut is much better, so enjoy! :)
crazy that you love all nuts except peanuts and they are my #1 nut! I like raw/unbaking with cashews but for eating, peanuts lead the way. Well I didn’t have fresh coconut water for this smoothie – but have had it in the past – super good!
I love cashews too, although my #1 is walnut. Just love it! Then “naked” almonds: I soak raw almonds in the water overnight, and in the morning the skin pills off easy: those almonds are the best! Have a good weekend, well, you are on vacations, so have a good time off… :)
Anything with coconut milk is an automatic winner for me!
and i saw your drunken shortcake bars on every food site, pinterest, etc and am thinking about those things – love cherries!
Most of the time when I read your blog posts I think, “Oh No She Didn’t!” That is one of my all time favorite desserts…and in drinkable healthy form. Oh Yes Please! Glad that trip is doing you well and many thanks for sharing your temptations!
Oh yes I did :) And glad this is one of your fave desserts (in a cup now!)
Those shakes look SO rich and creamy, it must be like a little island getaway in a glass. The only thing missing now is my gorgeous beach view! ;)
and congrats on the Top 100 list – saw your name on that earlier today!
I like coconut and coconut oil a lot but always forget to use my coconut oil for cooking/baking etc..
Oooo yum. Coconut Cream Pie is my all time favorite :) I make one every Thanksgiving – my mom’s recipe! I always add a little nutmeg to the mix. I think that would work here as well!
And if I had any, I was going to use it – then right after I made it, I thought well cinnamon would have worked, but I was so thirsty I chugged before thinking the minute the pics were done :)
I’m going to need one of these coconut cream pie smoothies. They look so good. I can hear them calling my name.
Oh my, this looks like heaven!
I love coconut anything! I could happily drink this everyday!
I just made a glass of this up for lunch……would it be too much to have it again for dinner? Awesome. I used Almond Milk but will try it soon with the coconut. Love it!
Love that you made it so fast! Thanks for the quick field report and glad you loved it!
Yea, you know it’s a fantastic recipe when you get up from the computer and go make it right then
I never would have put shredded coconut in a drink like that but it was perfect. Really creamy mixed with the banana and then you get little bits of the coconut. Loved it!
exactly! ‘Really creamy mixed with the banana and then you get little bits of the coconut’ — glad you liked it so much and got right up from your computer!
I have been wanting to try coconut oil, but haven’t gotten around to it yet. This smoothie looks so yummy and sounds super healthy, always a bonus. I haven’t had a smoothie in years, but you’re making me crave one.
This looks delicious! Pie in a smoothie? I’m in!
That coconut smoothie looks good enough to be used in a commercial, the real question is does it taste as good? I guess I’ll have to find out ;)
definitely wouldn’t have posted it if it wasn’t delish!
I am at some point going to try this recipe. I need to find or make graham crackers without sugar in it.
there are lots of DIY graham recipes floating around – you need to buy graham flour (Bobs Red Mill makes it) and it’s usually an online-only purchase and then just doctor that up with an egg, water/milk, cinnamon & spices, roll out your dough, bake off!
I want to dunk my head in this RIGHT NOW! How luscious is that smoothie!
I want to dunk my head in your whole roundup – and thanks again for the linky love!
my mouth is watering. literally watering! it looks so creamy and delicious! genius idea with the graham crackers! so glad you’re having fun on your trip!
we’re having a blast – thanks!! :)
I’d love like 10 of those cute little shooters, please! so perfect for the Caribbean!!
I found those glasses for $1 each at a little grocery store here! Perfect for photography!
I’m a die hard coconut fan… And now you’re telling me I can drink it! HALLELUJAH!!
you’d be happy with this one and yesterday I made some Malibu Rum Fruit Loops bars and was thinking of your Kahlua RKTreats the whole time!
Coconut drinks at the beach…does it get much better than that? I don’t think so. I’ll trade you my front porch for your beach ;)
I still drool over your tack-sharp images every.day. They are so light, airy, just perfect! Never change your camera body, lens, or lighting conditions – you have the equivalent of your Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe for photography :)
I’m really not a coconut fan – except for in those darn Girl Scout cookies LOL. But I find that I can handle it more now than when I was a kid as long as it’s not overpowering.
anyone who can turn down Samoas is nuts :)
I’m surprised you didnt suggest throwing some of that leftover malibu in there!
I just edited to add :) Normally I rattle off a laundry list of optional ideas and realized I didn’t do that on this one so just put rum as an optional tweak (but a fun one!)
I have a little love affair with all things coconut. Homemade coconut butter is on my to-do list this weekend so shredded coconut is on the grocery list. It is cool today for August and it is supposed to rain. I think I’ll make this smoothie and stay in this afternoon! Bummer that you can’t get some coconut oil in Aruba.
Looks gorgeous. The drink and the beach!!
I definitely love coconut. I love using it in curries. Unfortunately my husband doesn’t agree, so when we make it at home we don’t tend to use coconut milk in curries.
Looks like a fantastic smoothie- and definitely appropriate to your surroundings!
My hubs says he doesn’t like things or that he’s not the biggest fan and then I just serve it and half the time he’s like oh this is great! And I just smile. I do make so.many.things that he can’t even keep it all straight and has learned to just partake and enjoy…ha!
LOVE coconut! This looks so creamy and delicious. A dream drink!
I know you are a coconut fan and I bet little Kay would like it, too :)
Wow I LOVE coconut! Amazing! I am very keen to make one Or ten of these!!! :)
enjoy, Jess!