This dreamy and frothy banana latte features rich shots of espresso layered beneath a cloud of blended banana cold foam, with little flecks of cinnamon swirled throughout. It's a simple, plant-based take on the trendy banana coffee drinks taking over social media that delivers all the dessert-like flavor of banana bread in a glass but without any dairy or refined sugar.
This vegan banana latte uses overripe bananas, a splash of maple syrup as a natural sweetener, and a touch of vanilla and cinnamon to bring out the warm, banana-bread flavor in every sip. Once you try it, you'll understand the hype. Serve it with a slice of my Spelt Flour Banana Bread, and you've got yourself an unforgettable pairing!
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Ingredients To Make This Creamy Banana Latte:
- Espresso: Two shots of espresso form the strong coffee base of this drink. I always recommend using the freshest possible coffee. Cold-brew coffee also works well here if you don't have an espresso machine.
- Milk Of Choice: Oat milk is my go-to here, but feel free to use almond milk, soy milk, or full-fat coconut milk depending on what you have on hand.
- Ice Cubes: These keep the drink cold and help create those beautiful layers in a tall glass.
- Overripe Bananas: The riper the banana, the sweeter and more flavorful your banana cold foam will be. This is also one of my favorite ways to use up overripe bananas or toss them in my Banana Cream Pie Overnight Oats.
- Vegan Half-And-Half: This is what gives the cold foam its rich, creamy texture. Full-fat coconut milk is a great substitute if that's what you have.
- Ground Cinnamon: Just a pinch of cinnamon adds warmth and that classic banana bread flavor.
- Vanilla Extract: This rounds out the sweetness and adds depth to the banana cream layer.
- Maple Syrup: My go-to natural sweetener for this drink. I prefer it over sugar syrup or coffee creamer because it keeps things refined-sugar-free while still giving you that perfect sweet fix.
See the recipe card for quantities.
How To Make It:
- 1. Brew the Espresso: Brew your espresso shots and let them cool slightly while you prep everything else.
- 2. Build the Coffee Base: Fill a tall glass with ice cubes, pour in the espresso, then slowly add the milk of choice without stirring so the layers stay distinct.
- 3. Blend the Banana Cold Foam: Add the banana, vegan half-and-half, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and maple syrup to a blender and blend until completely smooth, creamy, and frothy.
- 4. Top the Latte: Pour the banana cold foam over the top of the iced coffee.
- 5. Finish and Serve: Sprinkle with a pinch of extra cinnamon if desired, then serve immediately. Stir just before drinking to combine the layers and enjoy.
Top Tips:
- Use Very Ripe Bananas: Overripe bananas blend smoother and add way more natural sweetness to your cold foam.
- Don't Stir Right Away: Pour gently and let the layers sit for a moment. It makes for a much prettier drink and a fun reveal when you finally stir it together.
- Chill Your Espresso First: Letting your espresso shots cool before pouring keeps your ice cubes from melting too fast and watering down the drink.
Variations And Substitutions:
- Make It a Hot Drink: Swap the iced coffee base for hot coffee and gently warm the banana cream over low heat for a cozy version on chilly mornings.
- Try a Different Milk: Almond milk, soy milk, or coconut milk all work beautifully in place of oat milk, depending on the flavor you're after.
- Add a Coffee Boost: If you want a stronger coffee drink, add an extra shot of espresso or use cold brew coffee instead.
- Make It a Dessert: Add an extra drizzle of maple syrup on top or drizzle with some dairy-free whipped cream, similar to my Vegan Sunbutter Hot Chocolate, and you have a banana dessert disguised as a drink.
Storage:
- Refrigeration: Store any leftover banana cold foam in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Best Texture: This drink truly is best enjoyed immediately. The cold foam loses its frothy texture the longer it sits.
Equipment Needed:
- High-Speed Blender: For blending the banana cold foam until completely smooth and frothy.
- Espresso Machine: For pulling fresh shots of espresso right at home.
- Tall Glass: For showing off those beautiful banana latte layers.
Recipe FAQs:
Yes! Strong brewed coffee or cold brew coffee both work well in place of espresso shots if you don't have a machine at home. Just make sure your coffee is strong enough to hold its own against the creamy banana layer.
This usually comes down to blending time or banana ripeness. Blend a little longer until the mixture looks light and airy, and always use a very ripe banana for the best texture.
Yes, banana coffee (sometimes called a banana latte) has had some unexpected viral moments online, with people trying all kinds of fun variations. This recipe is my own plant-based, refined-sugar-free spin on it.
Maple syrup is my preferred natural sweetener here, but you can experiment with other liquid sweeteners if needed. Just note that the flavor and sweetness level may shift slightly.
More Amazing Vegan Drinks To Try Next:
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
If you try this Iced Banana Cream Latte (Banana Coffee) Recipe, I'd really love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. I'd also really appreciate a recipe card rating! Thank you for supporting The All Natural Vegan!
Iced Banana Cream Latte (Banana Coffee)
Equipment
- 1 blender
Ingredients
For the Latte
- 2 shots espresso chilled
- ½ cup milk of choice oat milk recommended
- Ice
For the Banana Cold Foam
- ½ ripe banana very ripe for the best flavor and texture
- ¼ cup vegan half-and-half or full-fat coconut milk
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
Instructions
- Brew the espresso and allow it to cool slightly.
- Fill a serving glass with ice. Pour in the espresso, then slowly add the milk. Do not stir.
- Add the banana, vegan half-and-half, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and maple syrup to a blender.
- Blend until completely smooth, creamy, and frothy.
- Pour the banana cold foam over the top of the iced coffee.
- Sprinkle with additional cinnamon if desired.
- Serve immediately. Stir just before drinking to combine the layers and enjoy.
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