Infant

    The Best Homemade Flavored Milks (3 Minutes)

    Making your own homemade flavored milk will feel like a treat – and they’re healthier than store-bought versions. With just 4 simple ingredients and a couple of minutes, you’ll have flavorful milk to enjoy with breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a snack.

    Medically reviewed and co-written by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).

    Easy Flavored Milks

    Flavored milks are a great way to add a little boost of nutrients and flavor to traditional milk. They’re incredibly easy to make, use ingredients that you likely already have on hand in your kitchen, and are naturally sweetened. Plus, flavored milks can be a great way to help kids learn to like milk, if they typically haven’t been a fan of regular milk.

    Feel free to make up a big batch and you’ll find yourself enjoying these delicious homemade flavored milks all week long. They’re a perfect addition to breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even for a quick snack.

    Reasons to Love These Homemade Flavored Milks

    • Easy to make – less than 3 minutes each
    • Good source of calcium, protein, and vitamin D
    • Fun flavors are a great way to get kids to drink more milk
    • Naturally sweetened
    • Perfect for a quick snack or as part of lunch or dinner
    • Can be made ahead of time
    • Great beginner recipe for kids to help in the kitchen
    A line of clear glass cups filled with different flavors of milk – chocolate milk, strawberry milk, vanilla milk, mango milk, blueberry milk, and mango milk with colorful straws coming out against a white background.

    Ingredients Needed

    • Milk: use whole milk or any plain unsweetened plant-based milk, such as soy, almond, coconut, etc.
    • Bananas, Strawberries, Blueberries, Cocoa Powder, or Mango, depending on the recipe you choose.
    • Maple Syrup or Honey: can be adjusted to your liking; you can also use agave nectar.
    • Vanilla Extract: use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.

    Health Benefits of Flavored Milks: Milk by itself is a good source of protein, calcium, phosphorus, fats for brain development (if choosing a fuller fat version), and can be a good source of vitamin D if it has been added. Depending on what you choose to flavor your milk, you could get a boost of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.

    An overhead shot of different flavored milks and colorful napkins.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is flavored milk healthy?

    Flavored milk can be a healthy alternative to juices, soda, or sports drinks for kids. It’s a great source of protein, calcium, and vitamin D. As with any drink or food, be sure to serve it in moderation.

    Do you have to add sweetener to this flavored milk?

    You could skip the sweetener; however, I don’t recommend it. The amount used is small compared to the portion of milk and it does add flavor. You can definitely adjust the amount used to your liking.

    Instructions for Strawberry Milk

    Ingredients for strawberrry milk on a marble countertop.
    Ingredients – milk, strawberries, pure maple syrup, and strawberries.
    Clean ble
    Add all to a blender.
    clear blender on a marble counter with strawberry milk inside.
    Puree until smooth.
    Clear blender pouring strawberry milk inside a clear class on a marble white counter.
    Pour into a kid friendly glass and serve.

    Creamy, fruity, and healthier than store-bought versions, this strawberry milk is a good source of protein, calcium, vitamins C and D and fiber.

    How to Make

    Place all ingredients into a blender and puree for 1-2 minutes or until smooth. Pour and serve.

    Clear glass filled with a pink strawberry milk with a strawberry on the lip and a striped straw.

    Instructions for Chocolate Milk

    Ingredients for chocolate milk spread on a marble countertop.
    Ingredients – milk, cocoa powder, maple syrup.
    A clear blender with milk.
    Add milk to a blender.
    A clear blender with ingredients for homemade chocolate milk.
    Then add in the cooca powder and maple syrup.
    Clear blender pouring chocolate milk into a clear glass on a marble counte
    Puree until smooth. Pour and serve!

    Made with simple ingredients, like cocoa powder and naturally sweetened with maple syrup, homemade chocolate milk is a good source of protein, calcium, vitamin D and antioxidants.

    How to Make

    Place all ingredients into a blender and puree for 30 seconds or until smooth. Pour and serve.

    Clear glass full of chocolate milk for kids on a colorful napkin and striped job.

    Instructions for Vanilla Milk

    Ingredients for vanilla milk – milk, maple syrup and vanilla extract any marble countertop.
    Ingredients – milk, pure maple syrup and vanilla extract.
    A clear blender with milk.
    Place milk into a blender or large glass with lid.
    A hand pouring in Maple syrup syrup blender full of milk on a white marble countertop.
    Add in the vanilla extract and maple syrup. Puree or shake ingredients until all ingredients are incorporated.
    A clear glass blender point in vanilla milk to a clear glass on a white marble countertop.
    Pour and serve.

    A simple and creamy combination of just 3 ingredients, this vanilla milk also works great for adults as a coffee creamer.

    How to Make

    Place all ingredients into a blender or large jar with a lid. Puree or shake until all ingredients are incorporated. Pour, serve, and enjoy!

    Clear glass full of vanilla milk with on top of a striped napkin with a striped straw.

    The Best Homemade Vanilla Milk (2 Minutes)

    Who would have thought something so simple could taste so good? We’re talking about homemade vanilla milk, and I’ll bet you have all 3 ingredients in your kitchen right now! This milk is made in 2 minutes and is a great addition to any toddler or kid’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner!

    Get the recipe

    Ingredients needed to make blueberry milk spread on the counter – milk, vanilla, maple syrup and blueberries.
    Ingredients – milk, blueberries, maple syrup and vanilla extract.
    Hand pouring syrup into a blender full of blueberries, and milk.
    Place all ingredients into blender.
    A clear glass blender with blueberry milk with bubbles on top.
    Puree on high for 1-2 minutes or until smooth.
    Clear glass blender pouring blueberry milk into a clear glass jar against a marble countertop.
    Pour and enjoy!

    Blueberry Milk

    Kids and parents will both love this easy, healthy blueberry milk recipe. Plus you can use fresh or frozen blueberries for this recipe

    How to Make

    Place all ingredients into a blender and puree for 1-2 minutes or until smooth. Pour and serve.

    A clear glass bowl of blueberry milk against a white background with blueberries in front and a green striped straw coming out of the glass.
    Ingredients needed for banana milk – milk, bananas, vanilla extract, and maple syrup, on a marble countertop.
    Ingredients – milk, banana, maple syrup and vanilla extract.
    A clear blender with bananas and a hand pouring in Maple syrup.
    Place all ingredients into blender.
    A clear blender full of milk against a white marble back ground countertop.
    Blend until smooth.
    A clear blender pouring banana milk into a clear cup on a white marble background.
    Pour into a kid friendly cup and serve!

    Banana Milk

    Banana milk is a great source of protein, calcium, and potassium. It’s delicious on its own or with a dash of cinnamon or powdered peanut butter mixed in.

    How to Make

    Place all ingredients into a blender and puree for 1-2 minutes or until smooth. Pour and serve.

    The Best Banana Milk (3 Minutes)

    Need a fun and refreshing twist on regular milk? This homemade banana milk is quick to make and a great source of protein, calcium and potassium. Great for toddlers, kids, and adults alike!

    Get the recipe

    Ingredients for mango milk countertop – milk, vanilla extract, maple syrup and mangoes. Against a white marble background.
    Ingredients – milk, maple syrup, mango and vanilla extract.
    A clear glass blender with mango, milk and maple syrup with a hand pouring in vanilla extract.
    Place all ingredients into a blender.
    Mango milk in a clear blender against a white background.
    Blend until smooth.
    A clear blender pie mango milk into a clear glass and a marble backgrounds.
    Pour, serve and enjoy!

    Mango Milk

    For a fun, tropical twist on flavored milks! This mango milk is a great source of protein, calcium, and vitamins A and D.

    How to Make

    Place all ingredients into a blender and puree for 1-2 minutes or until smooth. Pour and serve.

    A clear glass full of mango back with a red straw and pieces of mango next to it.

    The Best Homemade Mango Milk (3 Minutes)

    Need a fruity and refreshing twist on regular milk? This mango milk is quick to make and a great source of protein and calcium. Plus, it can be made with fresh or frozen mangoes. Great for toddlers, kids and even adults!

    Get the recipe

    How to Store

    Store flavored milk in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Give it a good shake or stir to re-mix any settling that may have occurred before serving.

    A line of clear glass cups filled with different flavors of milk – chocolate milk, strawberry milk, vanilla milk, mango milk, blueberry milk, and mango milk with colorful straws coming out against a white background.

    What Type of Milk to Use

    The best milk for toddlers 1-2 years old is whole cow’s milk, assuming they do not have an allergy or intolerance. However, you can also use plant-based milk, such as coconut, almond, soy, hemp, or oat milk. Regardless of the plant-based milk, choose one that has no added sugar and has been fortified with calcium and vitamin D.

    Add-Ins

    While these flavored milks are delicious, you can add a few other ingredients to create your own unique flavored milk! Here are some options to try:

    • pinch of cinnamon
    • drizzle of peanut butter
    • a teaspoon of hemp seeds
    • pinch of cloves
    • a teaspoon of cocoa powder
    • half of a banana
    • small handful of spinach

    Expert Tips

    • Do not give cow’s milk as a drink to babies under one year of age.
    • Limit dairy consumption to 16-24 ounces a day for kids 12-24 months of age and 2-2.5 cups for kids 2-5 years of age. Too much milk can make bellies too full for other foods and displace other nutrients in the diet, including iron.
    • Feel free to adjust the amount of vanilla or sweetener to your liking.

    Chocolate Milk

    • 2 cups milk
    • 2 tsp cocoa powder
    • 2-3 tbsp maple syrup, honey, or agave nectar
    • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

    Strawberry Milk

    • 2 cups milk
    • 1 cup strawberries, thawed from frozen with juices, or fresh
    • 2-3 tbsp maple syrup, honey, or agave nectar
    • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

    Vanilla Milk

    • 2 cups milk
    • 2-3 tbsp maple syrup, honey, or agave nectar
    • 2 tsp vanilla extract

    Banana Milk

    • 2 cups milk
    • 2 medium ripe bananas
    • 2-3 tbsp maple syrup, honey, or agave nectar
    • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

    Blueberry Milk

    • 2 cups milk
    • 1 cup blueberries thawed from frozen with juices, or fresh
    • 2-3 tbsp maple syrup, honey, or agave nectar
    • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

    Mango Milk

    • 2 cups milk
    • 1 cup mango,, thawed from frozen with juices, or fresh
    • 2-3 tbsp maple syrup, honey, or agave nectar
    • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
    Age: 1+ years
    Milk Notes: you can use whole milk or any plain unsweetened plant-based milk, such as soy, almond, coconut, etc.
    Note on Fruit: frozen fruit that has been thawed along with its natural juices will provide a more intense fruit flavor. Fresh fruit will work, but depending on the ripeness and season, they will taste lighter and fresher.
     

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