The first time I skipped my usual Egg McMuffin and tried McDonald’s Strawberry Banana Smoothie, I was genuinely surprised. Here was a fast food option that felt good to drink it was refreshing, fruity, and satisfying without the usual post-drive-thru regret. I quickly made special trips just for that smooth, perfectly blended treat.
Then, one particularly hectic morning, facing a long line at the drive-thru and an even longer day ahead, I wondered: could I recreate this at home? After some experimentation, I discovered not only could I make it myself, but the homemade version was even better—fresher tasting, customizable to my sweetness preference, and ready in less time than it takes to wait in the drive-thru line. Now, this three-ingredient wonder has become my go-to breakfast when I need something quick, nutritious, and delicious to power through busy mornings.
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Table of Contents
Why This McDonald’s Strawberry Banana Smoothie Recipe Is The One You Must Try
This isn’t just another smoothie recipe—it’s the perfect replica of McDonald’s popular version that actually improves on the original. What makes it special? First, the simplicity. With just three ingredients, it’s incredibly accessible, even on your busiest mornings. Unlike other copycat recipes that overcomplicate things with unnecessary additions, this version stays true to the clean, refreshing profile that made the McDonald’s original so popular.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Effortless: Ready in just 3 minutes from start to finish
- Budget-Friendly: Costs a fraction of the drive-thru price
- Naturally Dairy-Free: Perfect for those with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies
- Customizable: It is Easy to adjust sweetness and consistency to your preference
- Nutritious Start: Provides natural fruit servings first thing in the morning
- Kid-Approved: A sneaky way to get fruit into picky eaters
- Travel-Friendly: Pour into a travel cup for an on-the-go breakfast
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How to Make McDonald’s Strawberry Banana Smoothie
It really doesn’t get any easier than this recipe.
- Frozen strawberries – Provide natural sweetness, vibrant color, and the perfect thick, frosty consistency without diluting flavor
- Fresh banana – Creates a creamy texture and adds natural sweetness while delivering potassium and other nutrients
- Crushed ice – Adds volume and enhances the frosty texture without watering down the flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing Your Ingredients
- Peel one medium-sized ripe banana (slightly speckled bananas offer the best sweetness).
- Measure out approximately 1 cup of frozen strawberries.
- Prepare about ½ cup of crushed ice.
Blending the Smoothie
- Place the frozen strawberries in the blender first (placing frozen ingredients closest to the blade helps blend).
- Add the peeled banana, breaking it into chunks for more effortless blending.
- Top with crushed ice.
- Secure the blender lid tightly.
Achieving the Perfect Consistency
- Start blending on low speed for 10-15 seconds to break down the frozen ingredients.
- Gradually increase to medium speed for about 30 seconds.
- Finally, blend on high until the mixture is completely smooth with no visible fruit chunks for approximately 30-45 seconds.
- If the mixture is too thick, add a tablespoon of water at a time and pulse until you reach your desired consistency.
- If the mixture is too thin, add more frozen strawberries or ice cubes and blend again.
Serving
- Pour immediately into a chilled glass for the most refreshing experience.
- Serve with a straw for the authentic McDonald’s experience.
- Enjoy it right away while the texture is at its peak.
Want to Make this Smoothie even healthier?
You can add so many other ingredients to a smoothie to make it even better. Vary up this recipe to add some extra nutrients like these ingredients:
- Leafy greens like fresh spinach or kale
- Avocado
- Greek Yogurt
- Additional fruits like mango, pineapple, or other berries
Check out these McDonald’s Copycat Recipes
- Big Mac
- Secret Sauce
- McDonalds Hamburger
- McDonalds Quarter Pounder
- McDonalds McMuffin
- McDonald’s Burrito
- Peppermint Mocha Coffee
- Sweet Tea
- McDonalds Cappuccino
- Tartar Sauce
- Hot Mustard
More Fruity Frozen Drinks
Take a look at more of my easy drink recipes and the best copycat McDonald’s recipes.
What is your favorite smoothie recipe? Let us know in the comments below. And remember to follow us on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK. And don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter below so you never miss a copycat recipe.
3-Ingredient McDonald’s Strawberry Banana Smoothie Copycat
Ingredients
- 1 cup crushed ice
- 1/2 cup banana slices
- 10 ounces frozen sliced strawberries
Instructions
- In a blender, combine the ice, banana, and strawberries. Puree until smooth and creamy.
Video
Notes
Expert Tips for the Perfect Strawberry Banana Smoothie
- Frozen fruit first: Always add frozen ingredients closest to the blades for easier blending
- Banana ripeness matters: Choose bananas with light spotting for optimal sweetness
- Pre-portion for convenience: Freeze bananas in chunks to skip a step in the morning
- Blending technique: Start slow and gradually increase speed for the smoothest texture
- Chill your glass: Serving in a pre-chilled glass keeps your smoothie colder longer
- Ingredient quality: The better your fruit, the better your smoothie—look for fully ripe, sweet strawberries to freeze
- Optimal timing: Drink immediately after blending for the best texture and flavor
This is the list of ingredients from Macdonalds website – yours is much healthier!
Strawberry & Banana Smoothie Mix :
Fruit Juice and Puree (partly from concentrates) (Apple, Pear,
Banana, Strawberry), Stabilisers (Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum, Pectin),
Natural Flavouring, Fruit and Vegetable Concentrates (Black Carrot,
Safflower, Cherry), Acidifier (Citric Acid).
Yogurt Base Mix :
Skimmed MILK, Cream (MILK), Lactose (from MILK), MILK Proteins, Skimmed MILK Powder, Modified Maize Starch, Stabiliser (Pectin), Bacterial Cultures.
I have a lot less ingredients.
I’ve been using your recipe and my daughter loves it/
Sounds awesome. Does it really taste the same as McDonalds with only 3 recipes?
No. Not at all!
No yogurt in McD’s strawberry banana smoothies – made with the obvious 2 fruits plus peaches, white grape juice and honey.
I didn’t know they put peaches and white grape juice in the strawberry banana smoothie.
cool i was making it for my family with only stephanie’s recipe btw im 12 =p
McDonald’s puts plain Greek yougurt in theirs, just saying , and I think they taste better than Dairy Queen’s .
why is copykat recipes
you did by a ninga
i love it
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe.
We just bought a Ninja blender tonight. I searched for a recipe that didnt require milk and yogurt. Found this and YUMMY! Thought you should know that your recipe was the first! Thank you so much for sharing!
I am honored. Thank you!
I hope you gave this recipe a try.
Awesome job, I just love this recipe, Thanks for posting this for us.
You are welcome. I hope you try other recipes.
this is mad gee
I hope that is a good thing.
Thank you for putting this recipe! I have a small single serve blender and this recipe worked perfectly!! It taste great
I am happy to hear it worked out well for you!
My blender won’t do anything with this. 🙁 It needs more liquid to blend.
Why don’t you add a little more liquid. You could add some fruit juice or even a little water?
Haha. By the time I added enough liquid for it to start blending, it totally watered down the smoothie to grossness. I might start letting the strawberries thaw or something. It works alright when I make it with fresh bananas and strawberries but it’s easier/cheaper to buy frozen.
hey love it
look’s delicious
It’s pretty tasty. Let me know if you give it a try.
how much yorget?
The smoothies at McDonald’s are made with yogurt, but you can easily ask for NO yogurt. The only sugars are the naturally occurring sugars in the fruit. Mango pineapple is better then strawberry banana though, in my opinion.
It would be nice if this really was McDonald’s strawberry banana smoothie…they would have a lot less calories if it were lol. They add sweeteners and yogurt to theirs.
u forgot the yogurt!
u forgot the yogurt!
right, is it the same recipe but added yogurt?
It always tastes better when you make it yourself anyway, who needs mcdonalds 😉
You are so right, things do taste better when you make them from scratch.
Do you know how many calories?
Looks delicious and healthy, thanks very much!