Chick-fil-A's Banana Pudding Milkshake Is Back, And It's Even Better Without Dairy. Here's How to Make It

In 2011, Chick-fil-A debuted its Banana Pudding Milkshake, and for the first time, it’s making a comeback. After a 13-year hiatus, the fast-food chain’s Banana Pudding Milkshake is officially back on the menu as of August 26, albeit only for a limited time while supplies last. 

Jump to the Dairy-Free recipes

The milkshake, which isn’t suitable for vegans, combines Chick-fil-A’s dairy-based Icedream (the chain’s signature ice cream), bananas, and vanilla wafer crumbles. The dessert is then topped off with dairy-based whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.

Luckily, for vegans looking to get a taste of this treat, recreating Chick-fil-A’s Banana Pudding Milkshake is incredibly easy. In fact, recreating it at home can even help make the dessert slightly healthier.

Is Chick-fil-A vegan-friendly?

Known for its chicken sandwiches, Chick-fil-A isn’t the first place most people think of when they’re 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, and as such, are suitable for vegans. For more plant-based options at Chick-fil-A, check out our vegan ordering guide.

Chick-fil-A

RELATED: 25 Most Popular Vegan Desserts to Make Before You Die

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. Swapping out the milkshake’s ice cream, whipped cream, and vanilla wafer crumbles for vegan-friendly alternatives, however, still yields a delicious frozen dessert perfect for the end of summer. 

Are vegan milkshakes healthy?

Just like dairy-based milkshakes, vegan milkshakes aren’t exactly considered a health food, and as such, they are best enjoyed in moderation. But, for those looking to make a slightly healthier milkshake with reduced sugar and lower saturated fat, choosing the right ice cream can make a big difference. 

“Choosing non-dairy ice cream can offer some health benefits that include saving you calories, sugar, and saturated fat, which can contribute to high cholesterol … [It] comes down to the ingredients, including the plant-based milk they contain,” Julie Upton, RD, writes for ’Health.’

The registered dietitian recommends opting for dairy-free pints made with soy or nut milks and recommends So Delicious’ nut-based varieties. 

Aside from low-calorie vegan ice cream, opting for unsweetened plant-based milk and omitting the whipped cream topping will also help decrease the amount of sugar in a milkshake recipe.

How to make Chick-fil-A’s Banana Pudding Milkshake without dairy

86Eats

1Vegan Banana Pudding Milkshake by 86Eats

Kat Ott, the blogger behind 86Eats, asserts that banana pudding is her favorite dessert. So, we trust that this recipe for the fusion dessert is next level. Plus, Ott’s ingredient list is near-identical to Chick-fil-A’s, simply swapping out the dairy-based ingredients for vegan alternatives. 
Get the recipe

Crazy Vegan Kitchen

2Banana Pudding Shake by Crazy Vegan Kitchen

This three-ingredient banana milkshake recipe offers a quick and easy swap to help transform your dessert into a banana pudding shake. Use a cup of your favorite dairy-free vanilla yogurt in place of plant milk and top off your shake with whipped cream and caramel sauce.
Get the recipe

Savoring the Flavoring

3Vegan Banana Puddin’ Milkshake by Savoring the Flavoring

If you have a little extra time on your hands and want to indulge in an over-the-top treat, look no further than this decadent recipe. It calls for homemade vanilla bean cashew milk and homemade salted caramel sauce, but with Katy Allan—the blogger behind Savoring the Flavoring—as your guide, it’s sure to be delicious! Best of all, she tops off the shake with caramel-drizzled popcorn!
Get the recipe

@dccancook Vegan Banana Pudding Milkshake I’ve been wanting to make this for a while and I’m so happy that I finally got a chance to do it. This is way better than what I expected it to taste like. All ingredients except for the Lorna Doone Shortbread Cookies were purchased at @Trader Joe’s I got the cookies at Walmart #dessert #milkshake #food #foodie #plantbased #bananpudding #bananapuddingmilkshake #vegan #veganfood #plantbased #dairyfree #fyp #foryou #diy #makethisgoviral ♬ I’ll Be Around (feat. Timbaland) (Radio Mix) – Cee-Lo

4Vegan Banana Pudding Milkshake by @DCcanCook

TikToker @DCcanCook relies on Trader Joe’s staple vegan products for this tasty recipe. She combines the grocer’s Non-Dairy Vanilla Bean Oat Frozen Dessert, Vegan Cream Cheese Alternative, and Non-Dairy Almond Beverage with bananas and vegan-friendly Lorna Doone shortbread cookies. Blend together and serve with coconut whipped cream and even more Lorna Doone cookies. 
Get the recipe

@vegmomgo Savoring 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 the recipe straight to you! #veganfood #veganrecipes #veganism #vegancommunity #healthyvegan #whatveganseat #veganpower #veganeats #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: luscious layers. TikTok user @veganmomgo first makes plant-based pudding. Next, she whips 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 between layers of her milkshake base, crushed Biscoff cookies, and Cocowhip for a tasty, crunchy dessert. 
Get the recipe