Skinny Shamrock Shake

Skip the drive-thru and make homemade Shamrock Milkshakes instead! This Skinny Shamrock Shake recipe is thick, creamy and minty with a fraction of the calories of the original.

Looking for decadence? Splurge on our copycat Portillos chocolate cake shake. Use homemade vanilla ice cream to achieve the perfect flavor.

Shamrock shake in a glass mugs with whipped cream and a cherry.


Why This Recipe is Best

Did you know you can use bananas to make one ingredient ice cream? We decided to use that concept to make copycat Shamrock Shakes, a seasonal favorite.

  • No green food coloring!
  • The perfect mint chip flavor.
  • Naturally sweetened with bananas.
  • Rich in calcium.
  • Virtually fat free!

If you want a more classic shamrock shake, feel free to blend vanilla ice cream with mint and milk until creamy. Today’s version is just a healthy indulgence!

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients needed to make skinny shamrock shakes.

For the mint milkshake base, you’ll need:

  • Frozen bananas – Sweetens the shake and mimics the consistency of ice cream.
  • Fat free milk – Or use 2% or whole milk if you’re not concerned about the calorie content.
  • Peppermint extract – You need less than a teaspoon. It’s strong!

Most copycat shamrock milkshake recipes use artificial food dye for the light green color. I wanted to keep this recipe all-natural without compromising the familiar color of the original.

You won’t believe what I used.

Spinach leaves!

Before you panic and click away. . . I only added in about 3 leaves to achieve the light green color. It doesn’t give the shakes a spinach taste at all.

The mint outshines everything!

I topped the blended shakes with some fat free whipped cream and a handful of mini chocolate morsels, too.

Blender with mint ice cream inside.

Tips and Tricks

Skinny Shamrock Shakes take just minutes to blend together. Toss the ingredients in your blender and blend away!

  • The amount of blending time you need depends on the strength of your equipment. Mine took about 5 minutes to reach the smooth, blended consistency I like.
  • Make it dairy free by using your favorite nondairy milk. Plain or vanilla almond, soy and oat milk would all be delicious alternatives.
  • For an even mintier treat, swap the spinach leaves for fresh mint leaves! Add as many as you like to achieve the perfect color.
  • I used a blender to make these milkshakes. A food processor would work too.
  • Like most milkshake recipes, you may need to scrape down the sides of the blender or processor bowl a few times to get everything combined.
Clear glass mugs with green ice cream inside.

Recipe FAQs

Is this skinny shamrock shake recipe sugar free?

This recipe contains no processed sugars. The bananas have natural sugars which gives the shakes their sweetness.
It would not be considered a low carb or truly sugar free treat, but is a healthier alternative to the sugar-laden fast food version!

Do I use spearmint or peppermint extract to make shamrock shakes?

I use peppermint in this recipe. In my opinion spearmint makes the shakes taste like toothpaste. Some readers have enjoyed it with spearmint though, so use what you prefer. Or try it both ways!

Can I double this recipe?

Absolutely! You may need to blend it in two batches to fit all the ingredients in your blender.

More Frozen Desserts

Skinny Shamrock Shake

4.75 from 8 votes
By: Aimee
Skip the drive-thru and make homemade Shamrock Milkshakes instead! This Skinny Shamrock Shake recipe is thick, creamy and minty with a fraction of the calories of the original.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2 servings

Ingredients 

  • 3 frozen bananas peeled
  • Β½ cup fat free milk
  • ΒΎ teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 3 small spinach leaves for coloring
  • 2 Tablespoons fat free whipped cream
  • 1 Tablespoon mini chocolate chips
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Instructions 

  • In a large blender, combine frozen bananas with milk and extract.
  • Blend for about 5 minutes, scraping down the sides, until smooth. Add in spinach leaves and blend until desired color.
  • Pour into two glasses and top with whipped cream and chocolate chips.

Notes

  • You can also use a food processor to blend the bananas too!
  • Substitute fresh mint leaves for the spinach for an even mintier treat!
  • The amount of blending time you need depends on the strength of your equipment. Mine took about 5 minutes to reach the smooth, blended consistency I like.
  • Make it dairy free by using your favorite nondairy milk. Plain or vanilla almond, soy and oat milk would all be delicious alternatives.
  • For an even mintier treat, swap the spinach leaves for fresh mint leaves! Add as many as you like to achieve the perfect color.
  • I used a blender to make these milkshakes. A food processor would work too.
  • Like most milkshake recipes, you may need to scrape down the sides of the blender or processor bowl a few times to get everything combined.

Nutrition

Calories: 277kcal, Carbohydrates: 58g, Protein: 12g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 2mg, Sodium: 220mg, Fiber: 11g, Sugar: 30g
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!


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About Aimee

Aimee is a dessert lover (specifically rice krispie treats), workout enthusiast, self-taught foodie, and recipe creator.

Learn more about Aimee.

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Posted on March 15, 2023

Comments & Reviews

  1. I’m in love. . .with this shake. I love that you can take frozen bananas and transform them into an ice cream-like treat. I cannot wait to try and fool my family with this trick. Brilliant!

  2. I may have to give this a try… I used to love McD’s Shamrock Shakes too…now they taste way too chemical-minty. Blehyeuch.

    However, Arby’s mint shake is great and reminiscent of what a McD’s used to be, and they use Andes mints. Although, if it’s the lactose that causes issues…stick with your version. =)

  3. I made this today and I felt it was way too much peppermint. The consistency was great. Next time I will add less peppermint and see how thst works out.

  4. Ok so I never liked them but my mom freaking loves those shakes, and I’m going to have to show her this recipe when I visit next week for sure! πŸ˜€ Thanks Aimee!

  5. This sounds insanely good! And perfect for right now that we’re trying to stick to a diet. I wouldn’t feel guilty with this at all unlike a McD’s shake. Great idea with the frozen bananas and the spinach for color.

    I’ve never had a shamrock shake so I wouldn’t know what I’ll be missing. Also, I don’t judge you at all for planning that peace and quiet. Honestly, I freaking bow to you! Breaking your peace time down to almost a science. I’m jelly.

  6. Crazy – I just made this yesterday! And I didn’t know you had this live – I’m going to try the mint and chocolate chip addition today. It sounds incredible!

  7. YESSS! GENIUS!!!! My mom loves those shamrock shakes like…A LOT! so I should make her these and AFTER

    1. (OMG I AM TYPING WAY TOO QUICKLY! I hit the enter key again!)

      I was saaaaying…after she tastes and falls in love. THEN I’ll tell her it’s healthy. hoooray!

  8. I must have this shake in my life! I love how you added frozen bananas…awesome idea. I’ll cut you slack that there’s spinach in there, seeing that it’s only 4 or 5 leaves. πŸ˜‰ Definitely a must try! πŸ™‚

  9. Well you are clever girl. turning the shamrock shakes into something skinny! Now I can drink several right?

  10. Awesome adjustments to make a healthier version. I love it! And I won’t argue one bit on the chocolate chips!

  11. I am loving the sneaky addition of spinach to give it that minty green look! And of course the chocolate chips are never optional…never!!!!

  12. I would never guess that it’s spinach that gave you the green color! And I love that banana ice cream trick – so tasty! I definitely want to make this. Great idea Aimee!

  13. Love this combo! I used to drop my oldest off and circle with a coffee, just until my youngest fell asleep πŸ™‚

  14. I love the sound of this skinny shamrock shake! I can’t wait to try making this – way to go with the spinach leaves – such a sneaky and healthy addition in here πŸ™‚ Pinning!

  15. Oh my gosh!!! You are so sneaky with you banana and spinach! I think the ladies in my weight watcher group might freak out about this recipe! I haven’t had a McDonalds shake is SO long, and when I busted my front tooth I decided to stop and get a soft serve. Now I crave it and I am worried that I won’t be able to hold out. Love this version of the Shamrock Shake!

  16. Gasp! These sound so good and I love that they are healthy! P.S. If you use dark chocolate chips, they are good for you, so pile them on! πŸ˜‰

  17. I have tried over and over the frozen bananas blended and try to eat it plan. Let’s just say it did work out between us. BUT you added milk and vanilla and some other goodies, so I think I will give it another go and see how it turns out!

    1. It is very very thick for sure. I don’t think alone it tastes anything like ice cream (you can’t fool me), but with the milk and the mint it really is tasty! Maybe more like a smoothie?

  18. Umm…yes. I need this daily until St. Patty’s Day. And then every day after too. πŸ™‚

    Thanks for the link love! <3

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