Looking for a healthier version of the classic Strawberry Milk? Then this homemade recipe is for you. With just 4 simple ingredients and made in less than 5-minutes, you’ll have a flavorful kid-friendly milk to enjoy with breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snack!
Medically reviewed and co-written by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).
Easy Strawberry Milk
Are your kids getting bored of drinking plain milk?
Then this healthy Strawberry Milk recipe will be their new favorite drink!
This flavored milk is super easy to make – strawberries, milk, vanilla extract (optional), and naturally sweetened with maple syrup are blended into a creamy and delicious milk. It’s also easy to make up a big batch to enjoy this delicious homemade strawberry milk all week. It’s a perfect addition to lunch, dinner, or even for a quick snack.
Plus, drinking this homemade strawberry milk will have you feeling like a kid again (yes, it’s your house and your rules – you get to have some flavored milk too!).
Feeding kids can be tricky! But don’t worry; we’ve got you covered! Here you can find 40 Family Dinner Ideas, over 100 Kid Snack Ideas, great Hidden-Veggie Recipes, 50 Cooking with Kids Recipes, and so much more! And for even more family-friendly recipes, check out my best-selling cookbook Little Foodies: Recipes for Babies and Toddlers with Taste.
Reasons to Love This Healthy Strawberry Milk
- Easy to make
- Good source of calcium, protein and vitamin D
- Less sugar than store-bought brands
- 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
- Kid favorite
Health Benefits of Strawberry Milk: 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. Add strawberries and you’re getting a good dose of vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants.
Ingredients Needed
- Milk: use whole milk or any plain unsweetened plant-based milk, such as soy, almond, coconut, etc.
- Frozen Strawberries: frozen strawberries that have been thawed along with their natural juices will provide a more intense strawberry flavor. Fresh strawberries will work, but depending on the ripeness and season, they will have a lighter and fresher taste.
- Maple Syrup or Honey: for a little sweetness. You can also use agave nectar.
- Vanilla Extract: use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Add Ingredients: to a blender, add the milk, strawberries, maple syrup and vanilla extract.
- Blend: on medium-high speed, blend for 60-90 seconds or until the strawberry milk is completely smooth.
- Enjoy: Pour into a glass and serve!
How to Store
Store strawberry 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.
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.
Cooking with Kids
You can easily have your kids help you make this flavored milk.
Toddlers
- Toddlers can help measure and pour the ingredients into the blender.
- They can help put the lid on the blender and push start. Note: make sure to talk about not touching the blender blade while making something in the blender, as it can be sharp.
- Have them pour their milk into their cup.
Kids
- You can pretty much let older kids make this recipe by themselves.
- They can pick out and measure all of the ingredients. Note: make sure to talk about not touching the blender blade while making something in the blender, as it can be sharp.
- Have them pour the strawberry milk into their own cup as well as a second cup for you!
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 2-24 months and 2-2.5 cups for kids 2-5 years of age. Too much milk consumption can make bellies too full for other foods and displace other nutrients in the diet, including iron.
- You can use fresh or frozen (and thawed) strawberries, but frozen will give the best flavor.
- Try adding in a few slices of banana for a yummy strawberry banana milk – like a milkshake but lighter.
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup strawberries, thawed from frozen with juices, or fresh
- 2-3 tbsp maple syrup, honey (babies over 1) or agave nectar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Milk Notes: you can use whole milk or any plain unsweetened plant-based milk, such as soy, almond, coconut, etc.
Note on Strawberries: frozen strawberries that have been thawed along with their natural juices will provide a more intense strawberry flavor. Fresh strawberries will work, but depending on the ripeness and season, they will taste lighter and fresher.