Craving something sweet and creamy? This easy Korean banana milk recipe takes just 5 minutes and 4 ingredients to make. Blend everything together for a thick, chilled drink that tastes like a banana dessert in a glass.
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I always crave banana milk when watching K-dramas, so I recreated the famous Binggrae-inspired flavor at home. This version isn't an exact copy because I use oat milk instead of dairy. Fresh bananas contain enzymes that can interact with milk proteins and contribute to separation over time, especially when the mixture isn't kept very cold. Oat milk avoids this issue while keeping the drink creamy and smooth.
Why My Recipe Works
- Ripe bananas: Brown-spotted bananas are sweeter and softer as starch converts to sugar during ripening, giving the drink a naturally rich banana flavor.
- White sugar balance: Granulated sugar enhances the banana's natural sweetness without overpowering its delicate fruit flavor.
- Vanilla + high-speed blending: Vanilla enhances the banana's dessert-like aroma, while high-speed blending creates a smooth, creamy texture.
Ingredients & Substitutes
Exact ingredient measurements are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
- Large Ripe Banana: Spotted bananas work best because they are sweeter and softer, making them easy to blend into a smooth drink. Avoid underripe bananas, which are firmer and less sweet.
- Plain Oat Milk: Cold oat milk creates a smooth, creamy base without overpowering the banana flavor. (Sub: Plain almond milk or use ice-cold dairy milk and drink immediately)
- White Granulated Sugar: Fine granulated sugar dissolves easily and boosts the banana's natural sweetness without adding competing flavors.
- Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract enhances the banana's sweet, dessert-like aroma.
Instructions
Below are step-by-step instructions on how to make Korean banana milk:
- Add ingredients to a blender: Place the banana, sugar, vanilla extract, and oat milk in a high-powered blender.
- Blend: Blend on high speed until completely smooth.
- Serve and enjoy: Pour into a glass and drink cold.
Expert Tips
- Avoid completely black bananas: Very overripe bananas can darken the drink and give it a muddy brown color.
- Chill your serving glass: Place the glass in the freezer for 5 minutes to keep the banana milk extra cold.
- Drink immediately: Fresh banana solids naturally settle over time, so give the drink a quick stir and enjoy it right away.
Variations
- Strawberry option: Swap out the banana for fresh, hulled strawberries. Refer to my strawberry milk recipe for details.
- Watermelon option: Swap out the banana for seedless red melon chunks. Refer to my watermelon milk recipe for details.
Pairing Suggestions
Serve banana milk with:
- Baked Goods: Dry cakes and cookies balance the smooth, liquid texture.
- Mango Pudding: Mango flavors contrast the deep banana taste.
- Strawberry Sago: Chewy tapioca pearls add a fun texture contrast to the drink.
Storage
- Fridge storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. Stir well before drinking, as some separation is natural.
- Do not freeze: Freezing and thawing can cause the banana milk to become grainy and lose its smooth texture.
FAQ
Yes. Use very cold dairy milk and serve the banana milk immediately for the best texture. Fresh bananas can cause dairy milk to separate over time, which is why I prefer oat milk for this recipe.
Bananas naturally brown when exposed to air due to oxidation. This can darken the banana milk over time, but the color change is harmless and doesn't mean the drink has spoiled.
Simply skip the white sugar and rely on the natural sweetness of a ripe, yellow banana with light brown spots.
📖 Recipe
5-min. Easy Korean Banana Milk
Ingredients
- 1 large banana ripe & peeled
- 1 tablespoon white granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups oat milk plain
Instructions
- Place the banana, sugar, vanilla extract, and oat milk in a high-powered blender.
- Blend on high speed until completely smooth.
- Pour into a glass and drink cold.
PackMama
Can I use frozen bananas? I plan on using this milk to make some banana pudding.
Christie Lai
Yes. Thaw the banana slightly before blending, then use it in the same amount as fresh banana. The finished banana milk will be colder and thicker, with a slightly more smoothie-like texture.
Annie
I used the plant based milk does that work?
Annie
What type of milk did you use? Which type of milk is the most recommended?
Christie Lai
I prefer using oat milk as it doesn't cause separation in the milk, but if you prefer to use dairy, use ice-cold milk and drink it immediately.
Annie
How is the banana milk Korean if I put American ingredient.
I served this to everyone and all of them enjoyed it, this is the first recipe of yours and I loved this recipe so much SO Good.
Anne
I loved this banana milk I made it recently and it was SO good I love how your recipes are easy Your recipes are healthy and insspiring
Christie Lai
Thanks so much for making my recipe, Anne! So glad you enjoyed this recipe and my other ones as well 🙂
Monica
Love this recipe. What is the shelf life if I made half gallon? lol
Christie Lai
Thank you so much Monica for the positive review! Glad you love it so much! I would say up to 4 days when stored properly in an airtight container in the fridge and you would have to give it a stir before enjoying.
Ashe
Amazing! the vanilla extract adds a subtle taste, and its so creamy! I made it for me and my twin, and it didn't last a minute! Me and my twin love banana milk, But sometimes we cant buy it, so i make this. Thanks again for it!!! 🙂
Christie Lai
The pleasure is all mine! Thank YOU for making my recipe and so glad you and your twin enjoyed it! Appreciate the kind and positive review too!
Abigail
I am going to make banana milk on spring break, but I have a question what kind of bananas to buy the Korean or American banana
Christie Lai
The American kind or any long banana that is about 7 inches in length.
S.K
This banana milk is a huge hit with my whole family! It tastes so good and is so easy to make!
Christie Lai
I'm so glad to hear this, S.K! Thanks so much for making my recipe and for the positive review 🙂 Have a wonderful day!
KOOKIEEE
OMG i dont like mil bt this gave me a xcuse to drink milk . i wanna drink milk cuz it grows hieght but i dont like it but this recipe is soo tasty and includs milk yeaaaa really recoment this recipe
christieathome
Thanks so much for making my recipe, Kookie! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Josh
I added some extra vanilla, sugar and a pinch of turmeric and it was fantastic!
christieathome
Awesome to hear Josh, glad you enjoyed it and thanks for making my recipe!
Luba
Love this! I make it with a very ripe banana and no sugar. Tastes great
christieathome
Amazing! Thanks for making my recipe Luba and so glad you enjoyed it without sugar.
Anudi Sandeera
wow! I enjoyed it a lot. Thank you very much!
christieathome
Thanks so much for making my recipe Anudi! I am so glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Haylo
It was super good! I was wondering if you knew, if I make a gallon amount of this, how long it would last? Or if I just shouldn’t do that? Thanks!
christieathome
Thank you so much for these kind words and for making my recipe! I wouldn't recommend that since the bananas tend to solidify within a few hours.
Mickee
Now I'm gonna make this!! Thank you so much for uploading this!! 🥰❤️
christieathome
You're very welcome! I hope you enjoy this natural homemade version of it 🙂
Yue Nguyen
this is a good recipe for homemade banana milk
christieathome
So glad you enjoyed this! Thank you for making my recipe!
Heidi | The Frugal Girls
I really like how the banana creates a creamy rich texture for this lovely flavored drink!