This Mexican banana smoothie recipe, also known as licuado de platano, is a delicious way to consume bananas! It has many variations, but the most traditional ingredients are milk, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. And, banana of course! This tasty breakfast smoothie can be made with fresh or frozen bananas. Either way, it's delicious!
Did you know it is recommended to have 25-30 grams of protein before noon? More importantly, do you know when and how you’re getting your protein?
I didn't and I figured out I wasn't getting enough. That's why I started having a banana smoothie in the morning to get that protein in early.
What time you eat your protein during the day can affect how your body uses it. So, instead of leaving your entire protein intake for the evening, many nutrition experts recommend having a protein-rich breakfast so that you can be more focused and energized in the morning!
This really is no surprise, since we all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day!
With 8 grams of protein per 8-ounce serving, milk is a good addition to your meal, and sure to make your breakfast hearty and nutritious.
Today, I’m sharing with you this delicious banana smoothie recipe that is an excellent way to incorporate protein into your breakfast!
I know this Mexican banana smoothie recipe is sure to be a hit this summer. It's the perfect way to cool down on those hot days. This licuado de platano is light, refreshing, and easy to make!
History Behind Smoothie Bars In My Hometown
Refresquería "La Bajadita", a traditional smoothie bar, is a very famous place in my hometown Tampico. It has been in business for decades!
Fruits shake (“licuados,” as we call them) are a very popular drink in Mexico, especially for breakfast. They’re fast, easy to prepare, and very versatile since you can use almost any type of fruit in them.
In large cities (and even in those not too big), there are certain snack bars known as “refresquerías” that sell fruit shakes from early in the morning until late afternoon. People will stop by to get one of these drinks for their breakfast, or even for their lunch.
And, the banana smoothie is one of the most popular ones!
You can get many fruit combinations in a single glass, although the most traditional fruit smoothies are those with a single fruit, such as banana, strawberries, mango, cantaloupe, or papaya. There are also many complex combinations using one or more fruits that can be mixed with granola, oats, honey, nuts, and even raw eggs and wheat.
There is also the Nopal (cactus leaves) smoothie with orange or pineapple juice, and the recently trending green smoothies.
This particular recipe is for the classic and ever-popular “Liquado de Platano” aka banana smoothie! It's also known as "Platanada" in the State of Oaxaca.
Frequently Asked Questions About Banana Smoothies
Before I share my recipe, here are a few questions I've been asked and wanted to answer.
What makes this banana smoothie taste like a Mexican licuado?
Aside from the flavor and color that comes from using different fruits to make it, what really sets my Mexican banana smoothies apart is adding cinnamon to it! This gives it an even more authentic feel.
I bet you can't resist taking another sip after tasting my recipe with cinnamon added!
Can I use a frozen banana?
Yes! I have found that using a frozen banana leaves your smoothie with a smoother texture. It's also a great reason to save and freeze ripe bananas instead of throwing them away.
Can I make this banana smoothie recipe dairy-free?
Yes, you can substitute almond milk for cow's milk. Soy milk works too.
How can I sweeten this licuado?
This recipe already has sugar in it. But, if you want it to be sweeter, you can add some more sugar or use honey. I know some people who like to sweeten their smoothies with agave syrup!
Back in my hometown, we sweeten the smoothies with red grenadine syrup instead of sugar. It gives a different flavor and color to the drink.
Though I should mention, the grenadine syrup sold here in the states is quite different in taste.
Can I add more fruit to this banana smoothie?
Yes, you can. Sometimes, I'll add in different berries, especially strawberries. I LOVE strawberry banana smoothies!
Sometimes, I'll also add in mangoes or papayas.
Mexican Banana Smoothie Recipe
My favorite part about making smoothies for breakfast is that they don't require many ingredients. This banana smoothie recipe only needs 6 ingredients!
Here's what you need:
- Milk
- Banana
- Ice cubes
- Sugar
- Vanilla
- Cinnamon
Please note: For exact measurements of the ingredients listed above, scroll down to the recipe card located at the bottom of this post!
How To Make A Banana Smoothie: Step By Step Tutorial
This smoothie recipe is so easy! All you need to do is:
- Add the milk, peeled banana, ice cubes, sugar, and vanilla to your blender.
- Blend until you have a very smooth consistency.
- Pour in glasses and dust with cinnamon.
- Enjoy!
Smoothie Tip:
- This is a lighter version of the original smoothie recipe served in my hometown. You can add more bananas if you’d like to give it a thicker consistency.
What To Serve With Licuado De Platano
To start your day off right, I recommend serving this banana smoothie with a bowl of old-fashioned creamy avena with some cinnamon and some fresh berries.
For a more protein-based breakfast, whip up some huevos a la Mexicana with a few strips of bacon or sausage. Delicious!
More Authentic Mexican Recipes To Enjoy
If you enjoyed this recipe for licuado de platano, take a look at some of these other authentic Mexican recipes:
I hope you make this Mexican banana smoothie! If this recipe was of any help to you, come back to let me know your experience. Please leave us a comment done below and tell us all about it!
¡Buen provecho!
Mely
Banana Smoothie
Ingredients
- 2 cup of milk
- 1 medium-size banana
- 1 cup of ice cubes
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1- teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Place milk, the peeled banana, ice cubes, sugar and vanilla in your blender glass.
- Process until you have a very smooth consistency.
- Pour in glasses and dust with cinnamon. And enjoy! It is so easy!
Notes
- This is a lighter version of the original served in my hometown; you can add more banana if you’d like to give it a thicker consistency.
- In my hometown, we sweeten the smoothies with grenadine syrup instead of sugar, it gives a different flavor and color to the drink. The grenadine syrup sold here in the states is quite different in taste.
Nutrition
Footnotes:
What We Eat in America, NHANES 2009-2010.
Layman D. Dietary guidelines should reflect new understandings about adult protein needs. Nutr Metab. 2009; 6: 12.
melissa
How do I subscribe to your website? I would love to learn more about cooking Mexican style. Mi esposo es de Michoacan. 🙂
Mely Martínez
Hello Melissa,
Check to the right-hand side column, there is a picture for a book. It says Join our free newsletter. Write down your email, and click sign up for free. Let me know if you were able to do it.