A delightful dairy-free, nut-free milk substitute is banana milk. It takes just two ingredients to make, and it's simple to prepare at home. All you need is a blender, water, and bananas.
There are several alternatives available when it comes to non-dairy milks. Yet the majority are produced from nuts, including the perennially well-liked almond milk.
A Nut-Free Dairy-Free Milk Option
If you are like me and have a nut allergy or sensitivity, finding a milk alternative can be a bit of a challenge. Thankfully, there are a variety of plant-based milks on the market that can be used as an alternative to dairy milk. In my experience, some of the best options are coconut milk, flax milk, hemp milk, quinoa milk, and oat milk. I try to avoid soy milk because it is typically genetically modified and contains pesticides, in addition to having high levels of estrogen.
Recently, I discovered a new option that's easy to make at home and only takes 30 seconds: banana milk. All you need is a ripe banana, water, and a blender. It's a cost-effective and tasty alternative to dairy milk and other plant-based milks. Plus, it's rich in potassium and other essential vitamins and minerals that are good for your health. Give it a try and see if it's the right milk alternative for you.
Easy Banana Milk Recipe
A s a child, I was a big fan of anything banana-flavored and I fondly remember drinking banana milk. However, the banana flavoring back then was not the healthiest option - it was just dairy milk mixed with artificial banana flavoring from Nestle Quik. It wasn't even available in the US, so my family used to bring it back from our trips to New Zealand. Recently, I looked up the ingredients of that old Nestle Banana Quik product and was shocked to find out that it was basically just sugar, chemicals, and emulsifiers.
Yikes! But now, I have a much better and healthier option for you; homemade banana milk! It's made with just two simple ingredients - bananas and water - and it's super easy to make. Plus, it's a great alternative for those who have nut allergies or just want to switch things up from traditional nut milks. What's more, bananas are a great source of potassium, electrolytes, and other important nutrients, so you can enjoy the delicious banana flavor while still reaping some health benefits.
Just remember not to go overboard on the sugar and carbs - don't add banana slices on top of your cereal if you are using banana milk. Instead, opt for a variety of other toppings to balance it out.
Banana Milk Tips
If you haven't made homemade banana milk before, let me share a few tips with you. First of all, I always slice my bananas and freeze them before blending. This ensures that my milk stays cool even if my high-powered blender heats things up pretty fast. In case you forget to freeze your bananas, don't worry, just add half a cup of water and half a cup of ice to the blender. It's important to note that banana milk is not a shelf-stable milk and will separate and discolor quite quickly.
That's why I suggest making it only when you're ready to drink it or top it on your cereal. Also, keep in mind that banana milk is not a banana smoothie, so it won't be as thick. Instead, it has a more watery, milky consistency. To make the banana milk naturally sweet, use ripe bananas. I usually don't need to add anything else to mine, but you could add a smidge of maple syrup, 1-2 dates or a splash of vanilla extract.
For an added boost of nutrition, I like to sprinkle in some chia or flax seeds and/or cinnamon or nutmeg spices as well. Now, when it comes to using my banana milk, I usually add a tablespoon of almond butter or cashew butter along with a sprinkle of chia seeds and top it on my cereal and oatmeal. If you are not sensitive to nuts, this is a great way to enjoy it. Alternatively, I will keep it plain and top it on my Macadamia Muesli or Paleo Porridge for a lovely banana flavor that takes me back to my childhood.
But the best part? This healthy new approach to my childhood favorite. Go ahead and give it a try, and enjoy!
How to Refrigerate, Freeze or Reheat Banana Milk:
I'm sorry, but as banana milk is not shelf-stable milk and will separate and discolor quite quickly, it's not recommended to refrigerate or freeze it. It's best to make banana milk right before you plan to drink it or use it as a topping on your cereal or oatmeal. If you have leftover banana milk, it's not recommended to reheat it as it may affect the texture and taste. Instead, it's best to discard any leftover milk and make a fresh batch when needed.
FAQs
What can I add to banana milk to enhance its flavor?
Ripe bananas are naturally sweet, but you can add a smidge of maple syrup, 1-2 dates, or a splash of vanilla extract. You could also add a sprinkle of chia or flax seeds and/or cinnamon or nutmeg spices as well.
Conclusion
Homemade banana milk is a quick and healthful substitute for standard nut or dairy milk. You can simply produce your own tasty, healthy, additive- and preservative-free banana milk by following the offered instructions.
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