Chick-fil-A launched its Banana Pudding Milkshake in 2011 and is now making its comeback for the first time. After a 13-year hiatus, the fast-food chain’s Banana Pudding Milkshake is officially back on the menu as of August 26, but only for a limited time while supplies last.
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The milkshake, which is not vegan-friendly, is made with Chick-fil-A’s milk-based Icedream (the chain’s signature ice cream), bananas, and vanilla wafer crumbs. The dessert is then topped off with milk-based whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.
Luckily, for vegans who want to try this treat, Chick-fil-A’s Banana Pudding Milkshake is incredibly easy to recreate. In fact, recreating it at home can even help make the dessert a little healthier.
Is Chick-fil-A vegan friendly?
Known for its chicken sandwiches, Chick-fil-A isn’t necessarily the first place most people think of when looking for a plant-based meal. However, the fast-food chain does offer a handful of vegan-friendly sides. Chick-fil-A’s waffle fries, fruit cups, and Kale Crunch side salad are all free of animal ingredients, making them vegan-friendly. For more plant-based options at Chick-fil-A, check out our vegan ordering guide.
Chick-fil-A
It’s important to note that, at the time of writing, all of the chain’s desserts are made with dairy—including the banana pudding milkshake. Replacing the milkshake’s ice cream, whipped cream, and vanilla waffle crumbs with vegan-friendly alternatives still makes for a delicious frozen dessert that’s perfect for the end of summer.
Are vegan milkshakes healthy?
Just like dairy-based milkshakes, vegan milkshakes aren’t necessarily considered a health food and are best enjoyed in moderation. But for those looking to make a slightly healthier milkshake with less sugar and less saturated fat, choosing the right ice cream can make a big difference.
“Choosing dairy-free ice cream may offer some health benefits, including saving calories, sugar and saturated fat, which can contribute to high cholesterol… (It) comes down to the ingredients, including the plant-based milk it contains,” writes Julie Upton, RD, for “Health.’
The registered dietitian recommends choosing dairy-free pints with soy or nut milk and recommends So Delicious’s nut-based varieties.
In addition to low-calorie vegan ice cream, choosing unsweetened plant-based milk and avoiding whipped cream also helps reduce the amount of sugar in a milkshake recipe.
How to make Chick-fil-A’s Banana Pudding Milkshake without Dairy
Even if you’re dairy-free and plant-based, you don’t have to miss out on Chick-fil-A’s banana pudding milkshake. With the following recipes, you can recreate this dessert without any animal ingredients.
86Food
1Vegan Banana Pudding Milkshake by 86Eats
Kat Ott, the blogger behind 86Eats, claims banana pudding is her favorite dessert, so we’re sure this fusion dessert recipe takes it to the next level. Plus, Ott’s ingredient list is almost identical to Chick-fil-A’s, with the exception of replacing the dairy-based ingredients with vegan alternatives.
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Crazy Vegan Kitchen
2Banana Pudding Shake from Crazy Vegan Kitchen
This three-ingredient banana milkshake recipe offers a quick and easy way to transform your dessert into a banana pudding shake. Use a cup of your favorite dairy-free vanilla yogurt instead of plant-based milk and top off your shake with whipped cream and caramel sauce.
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Enjoy the taste
3Vegan Banana Pudding Milkshake by Savoring the Flavoring
If you have a little extra time and want to indulge in an exceptional treat, this decadent recipe is for you. It calls for homemade vanilla cashew milk and homemade salted caramel sauce, but with Katy Allan – the blogger behind Savoring the Flavoring – on hand to guide you, it’s guaranteed to be delicious! And best of all, she tops the shake off with caramel-soaked popcorn!
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@dccancook Vegan Banana Pudding Milkshake I’ve been wanting to make this for a while and I’m so glad I finally got the chance. It tastes way better than I expected. I bought all the ingredients except the Lorna Doone shortbread cookies at @Trader Joe’s. I bought the cookies at Walmart. #dessert #milkshake #food #foodie #plantbased #bananapudding #bananapuddingmilkshake #vegan #veganfood #plantbased #dairyfree #fyp #foryou #diy #makethisviral ♬ I’ll Be Around (feat. Timbaland) (Radio Mix) – Cee-Lo
4Vegan Banana Pudding Milkshake by @DCcanCook
TikToker @DCcanCook relies on Trader Joe’s vegan staples for this delicious recipe. She combines the grocer’s dairy-free vanilla oat ice cream dessert, vegan cream cheese alternative, and dairy-free almond drink with bananas and Lorna Doone vegan shortbread cookies. Mix everything together and serve with coconut whipped cream and more Lorna Doone cookies.
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@vegmomgo I’m enjoying my vegan banana pudding milkshake – because sometimes you just need a sweet, creamy treat that’s also plant-based! 👋🏾 Comment “BANANA” below and I’ll send you the recipe straight away! #veganfood #veganrecipes #veganism #vegancommunity #healthyvegan #whatveganseat #veganpower #veganfood #veganinspiration #veganblogger #veganinfluencer #veganlifestyle #blackvegan #nutritioncoach #blackinfluencer #milkshake ♬ Let’s Groove – Earth, Wind & Fire
5Banana pudding milkshake by @veganmomgo
We have two words for you: delicious layers. TikTok user @veganmomgo first makes a plant-based pudding. Next, she mixes up her milkshake base using frozen bananas, vanilla extract, maple syrup, pudding, and Cocowhip. After blending until smooth, it’s time to serve! She alternates layers of her milkshake base, crumbled Biscoff cookies, and Cocowhip for a delicious, crunchy dessert.
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