Oh my gosh, stop what you are doing right now and grab your blender! If you’re like me, you crave that perfect little dance between sweet and salty, and I have found the absolute peak of that flavor profile. This recipe for the Salted Caramel Banana Milkshake is, without exaggeration, the quickest and most satisfying thing you will whip up this week. Seriously, five minutes, max! It’s my go-to emergency dessert after a long day. I used to just throw bananas and milk in there, but adding that salty caramel kick? Total game changer. This milkshake proves you don’t need fancy ingredients to make something truly special.
Gathering Ingredients for Your Salted Caramel Banana Milkshake
Okay, getting ready for this masterpiece is almost as fun as drinking it! The secret to a truly great shake is having everything measured and ready to go right by the blender. Since this is a super fast recipe, you don’t want to be hunting for things once you start blending. Don’t sweat the milk choice—whatever you normally use works fine. But those bananas? They need to be perfect! Trust me on this one, it makes all the difference in texture and flavor.
Essential Components for the Salted Caramel Banana Milkshake
- 2 ripe bananas, frozen
- 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 scoops vanilla ice cream (optional, for thicker shake)
If you ever run into issues with your milk choice, like maybe you only have whole milk when the recipe calls for something else, I’ve got a handy little guide on how to handle buttermilk swaps, though hopefully, you won’t need it for this shake!
Tips for the Perfect Salted Caramel Banana Milkshake
Making a good milkshake is easy, but making this Salted Caramel Banana Milkshake absolutely *perfect* requires just a couple of tricks I’ve picked up over the years. It’s all about paying attention to your fruit and how you balance that salty element. I have a whole post about general baking tips that really apply here too—it’s about control and quality!
Choosing Bananas for Your Salted Caramel Banana Milkshake
You absolutely must use bananas that are on the edge of being too ripe before you freeze them. I mean it—they should be spotty and sweet! That extra ripeness concentrates the banana flavor, so when you blend those frozen chunks, you get that intense, sweet foundation needed to cut through the caramel. If you use hard, slightly green bananas, your shake will taste icy, not rich.
Adjusting Salt and Sweetness in the Salted Caramel Banana Milkshake
That pinch of salt is what makes this a Salted Caramel Banana Milkshake instead of just a caramel shake. That salty kick wakes up the sweet notes! Start with the 1/4 teaspoon, blend it up, and taste it. If your caramel sauce is already super salty, you might use less. If you love that bold sweet-then-salty finish, try a tiny extra pinch at the very end. Quality caramel sauce really matters here; a thin, watery sauce just won’t give you the deep flavor you’re after.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make the Salted Caramel Banana Milkshake
This is the fun part, and honestly, it feels like cheating because it’s so fast. We’re using the blender to create magic! The order you drop things in sometimes matters, especially when you’re working with frozen fruit, so pay attention here so you don’t burn out your machine. We want this Salted Caramel Banana Milkshake to be perfectly blended, not chunky, so make sure your blender has a good motor!
Blending the Base of the Salted Caramel Banana Milkshake
First things first: always start with your hardest items. Get those frozen banana chunks into the blender jug. Next goes in the caramel sauce, the milk, the vanilla, and that crucial little bit of salt. If you are adding the optional vanilla ice cream for an extra thick treat, toss that right on top of the fruit. We’re layering for success here!
Achieving the Ideal Consistency for Your Salted Caramel Banana Milkshake
Now, blend it! Start slow, then ramp it up to high speed. You need to blend until it’s completely smooth and creamy—you shouldn’t see any banana chunks at all. This usually takes about 45 seconds to a minute, depending on your blender. If it struggles or looks too dense, don’t panic! Just splash in a teensy bit more milk, maybe a tablespoon at a time, and blend again until it pours nicely.
Garnishing Your Finished Salted Caramel Banana Milkshake
Once it’s perfectly smooth, pour that gorgeous drink into your favorite tall glass. Presentation matters, even when it’s just for you! Take that extra caramel sauce we saved and drizzle it generously over the top. Finish it off with just one tiny, final pinch of salt right over the caramel swirl. That last salty burst is what completes your Salted Caramel Banana Milkshake!

Making Variations of the Salted Caramel Banana Milkshake
Sometimes you want this deliciousness but need to tweak it slightly, and that’s perfectly fine! This Salted Caramel Banana Milkshake recipe is so simple that it’s incredibly easy to customize based on what you have or what you’re craving. It’s all about keeping that core sweet-and-salty vibe intact while making it fit your needs.
Vegan and Dairy-Free Salted Caramel Banana Milkshake Options
If you’re skipping dairy, this is an easy fix! Just swap out your regular milk for any non-dairy alternative you like—oat milk and almond milk work beautifully. If you aren’t using the ice cream, you might want to add an extra splash of milk to keep things moving in the blender. If you want that creamy texture without the dairy ice cream, try using a cup of frozen coconut cream cubes instead. Wow, talk about rich!
Flavor Add-ins for Your Salted Caramel Banana Milkshake
When I’m feeling extra decadent, I love tossing in just a teaspoon of cinnamon. It marries so nicely with the banana and caramel! Another huge hit if you’re a true chocoholic is a handful of semi-sweet chocolate chips before you blend. Check out my recipe for chocolate peanut butter banana smoothie for more ideas on flavor additions to frozen fruit bases. They all blend up so nicely!
Serving Suggestions for a Salted Caramel Banana Milkshake
Since this Salted Caramel Banana Milkshake is so rich and perfectly balanced, it really shines as a standalone treat. Honestly, it needs no side dish! I usually serve it right after dinner when I need a quick sugar fix, or sometimes I just make a slightly lighter version for an afternoon pick-me-up. If you are serving this at a party, pour them into cute little mason jars and stick a striped straw in them. Pair it with something simple like homemade cookies or brownies if you absolutely must have a side. For more great dessert ideas, you can browse my full desserts category!

Storage and Reheating Instructions for Salted Caramel Banana Milkshake
Okay, let’s talk about saving leftovers, but I’m going to be honest with you: you really don’t want to save this one! Milkshakes, especially ones loaded with fruit and ice cream, just don’t behave well sitting around. The texture separates almost immediately, and that beautiful creamy consistency turns icy or watery.
My absolute best advice is to make exactly what you intend to drink right then and there. If you’re worried about having enough for seconds, just blend a smaller second batch later. If you absolutely must store a small amount, you can pour the remainder into a tiny container—like a small glass jar with a tight lid—and pop it straight into the deepest part of your freezer.
When you pull it out later, don’t even try to reheat it! That’s a recipe for disaster. It will have hardened into a sweet, salty banana ice block. To bring it back to life, you’ll need to treat it like a very thick, flavor-packed smoothie base. Let it thaw on the counter for about 15 to 20 minutes, then scrape it back into the blender with just a tiny splash of extra cold milk to get it moving again. Honestly, though, it’s always best enjoyed immediately!
Frequently Asked Questions About the Salted Caramel Banana Milkshake
You know how it goes—when you find a recipe this good, you instantly have a million little questions! I’ve gathered up the most common things people ask about making the perfect Salted Caramel Banana Milkshake. Don’t worry if you’re missing an ingredient or two; we can usually work around it, though the results might vary slightly from that perfect five-minute treat.
Can I make a Salted Caramel Banana Milkshake without a blender?
Oh, honey, I really wouldn’t recommend it! You need that blending power to break down the frozen bananas into that utterly smooth and creamy texture. If you tried to use a food processor, you’d likely end up with chunky banana bits, and it just won’t incorporate the salt and caramel evenly. For this specific cold drink, the blender is your best friend. If I were making something less intensive, maybe I’d suggest my simple banana muffin recipe as an alternative!
How do I make this Salted Caramel Banana Milkshake thicker?
The thickest shakes come from frozen bananas, so make sure your fruit is rock solid! If you need it thicker right away, toss in an extra scoop of your vanilla ice cream. Less milk is also a game-changer; start with less than you think you need, maybe just half a cup, and only add more a tablespoon at a time if the blades are really struggling. That way, you control the density perfectly.
What is the best caramel sauce to use in a Salted Caramel Banana Milkshake?
You want a sauce with some body to it! A really high-quality, thick caramel sauce is going to give you that deep, rich flavor that stands up to the banana and salt. Avoid those thin, pourable supermarket toppings if you can. If you happen to make your own caramel, make it on the thicker side—it just coats the tongue better and makes the whole dessert shake taste more luxurious.
Estimated Nutritional Snapshot of the Salted Caramel Banana Milkshake
Now, let’s take a quick look at the numbers, because sometimes you want to know what you’re getting into with this fantastic cold drink! I always stress that these are just rough estimates, though. Think of this like a starting point! If you use skim milk instead of whole milk, or swap out the ice cream for creamy oat milk, those numbers are going to jump around a bit.
For instance, if you skip the optional ice cream entirely—which you totally can do—you’ll slash the fat and calorie count significantly. It really depends on the brand of caramel sauce you decide to drizzle on top too! But for the standard recipe, here is a good guideline:
- Serving Size: 1 milkshake
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 55 grams (That’s the banana and caramel doing their magic!)
- Sodium: 300 milligrams
- Fat: 10 grams
- Saturated Fat: 6 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 65 grams
- Fiber: 4 grams
- Protein: 6 grams
- Cholesterol: 25 milligrams
Take these numbers with a grain of salt—literally! They are based on typical grocery store ingredients, so keep that in mind when you’re tracking things. As long as you are making something this delicious at home, you’re already winning!
Share Your Salted Caramel Banana Milkshake Creations
Now that you’ve experienced the sheer joy of blending up the ultimate Salted Caramel Banana Milkshake, I absolutely need to hear all about it! Seriously, don’t keep that deliciousness to yourself!
Did you try adding cinnamon? Did you use oat milk? Tell me everything! Leave a quick rating and a comment right below this section. Hearing what you thought—whether you loved the sweet and salty balance or how fast it came together—makes my whole day. I truly read every single bit of feedback.
If you snapped a picture of your masterpiece, please tag me on social media! Seeing my recipes come to life in your kitchens is the best part of doing this whole crazy recipe thing. Just tag me and use the recipe hashtag! If you have any questions that weren’t covered here, or if you want to collaborate on a recipe idea, feel free to reach out on my contact page. Happy shaking!
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Salted Caramel Banana Milkshake
- Total Time: 5 min
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple recipe for a sweet and salty banana milkshake with caramel flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas, frozen
- 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 scoops vanilla ice cream (optional, for thicker shake)
Instructions
- Place the frozen bananas, milk, caramel sauce, salt, and vanilla extract into a blender.
- Add ice cream if you are using it.
- Blend on high speed until completely smooth and creamy.
- If the shake is too thick, add a small amount of extra milk and blend again.
- Pour the milkshake into a glass.
- Drizzle extra caramel sauce and a pinch of salt on top before serving.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for the best flavor.
- Adjust the amount of salt to your taste preference.
- For a vegan version, use non-dairy milk and vegan ice cream or omit the ice cream.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 milkshake
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 55
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Unsaturated Fat: 4
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 65
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 6
- Cholesterol: 25
Keywords: salted caramel, banana milkshake, sweet, salty, cold drink, dessert shake

