Kids and parents will both love this easy, healthy blueberry milk recipe. It’s a great source of nutrients and a perfect addition to breakfast or for an after-school snack.
Medically reviewed and cowritten by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).
Easy Blueberry Milk
Yes, you read that correctly – blueberry milk. 🫐
Not strawberry, not chocolate, and definitely not plain ol’ regular milk. We’re talking about a homemade, naturally sweetened drink that’s delicious and healthy.
I love that this blueberry milk works just as well with frozen blueberries versus fresh, so you don’t have to worry if blueberries aren’t in season where you live or if the cost of fresh blueberries feels a little too high at the moment.
And might I add, this blueberry milk is probably the most beautifully blueish/purplish hue you’ll ever find in a flavored milk! That lovely color comes from all those antioxidants in blueberries, in addition to being a great source of protein, calcium, and vitamins C and D.
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 Homemade Blueberry Milk
- Great for toddlers, kids, and adults
- So simple to make
- Good source of calcium, protein, and vitamin D
- 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
Ingredients Needed
- Milk: use whole milk or any plain unsweetened plant-based milk, such as soy, almond, coconut, etc.
- Blueberries: thawed from frozen blueberries with their juices, or fresh blueberries will also work great in this recipe.
- Maple Syrup: for natural sweetness, but you can also use honey, agave nectar or pitted dates.
- Vanilla Extract: use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
Health Benefits of Blueberry 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 blueberries and you’re getting a good dose of vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Add Ingredients: to a blender, add the milk, blueberries, maple syrup and vanilla extract.
- Blend: on medium-high speed, blend for 60-90 seconds or until the blueberry milk is completely smooth.
- Enjoy: Pour into a glass and serve!
How to Store
Store Blueberry 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 blueberry 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 12-24 months 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.
- For the best flavor, I like using frozen wild blueberries. Smaller in size than traditional blueberries, they have a much more intense blueberry flavor.
- Add in a few slices of banana to this blueberry milk for a lighter version of a blueberry banana smoothie.
- 2 cups milk, regular or plant-base
- 1 cup blueberries, thawed from frozen with juices, or fresh
- 2-3 tbsp maple syrup, honey, agave nectar or pitted dates
- 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 Blueberries: frozen blueberries that have been thawed along with their natural juices will provide a more intense blueberry flavor. Fresh blueberries will work, but depending on the ripeness and season, they will taste lighter and fresher.