No Ice Cream? No Problem.
This is a recipe I learned out of necessity on one particularly hot day with no ice cream in sight. Surprisingly, my first attempt was successful.
At first, I took the cookies and milk and put them in a bowl, but I quickly realized I needed something cold, sweet, and vanilla flavored in the absence of ice cream. So I used a couple of ice cubes, a generous tablespoon of sugar, and a few drops of vanilla extract. The result was so good that I stopped using ice cream altogether.
Don’t get me wrong. I still purchase ice cream regularly, especially during summer. And sometimes I make it on my own, but I no longer have to run to the store whenever the kids ask for an Oreo milkshake.
I was so thrilled by my first Oreo milkshake without ice cream that I kept experimenting, googling, and trying all possible combinations. Did you know that there are plenty of terrific recipes you can try - and none involve using ice cream?
You can even make an Oreo milkshake without ice! Throughout my research, I noticed some people using raw egg yolks, but I must admit I never tried that. Raw eggs may contain salmonella, and that’s a risk I didn’t see worth taking.
Luckily, there are other options. My favorite Oreo milkshake without either ice cream or ice cubes is the banana-Oreo milkshake by far. I’ve experimented with all kinds of fruits and creams, though, and I’d love to share my full catalog of recipes.
Oreo Milkshake Recipes Without Ice Cream
Like I said, if you’re making a basic Oreo milkshake (the one that usually has vanilla ice cream as an ingredient), simply add Oreo cookies, milk, sugar, ice cubes, and vanilla extract into a blender and blend until a smooth consistency is reached.
Alternatively, if you prefer an intense chocolate taste (usually this recipe uses chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla), you can add chocolate syrup, cacao powder, or chocolate milk powder instead of the vanilla extract.
The combinations are endless, and I’ve spent lots of time exploring them. Here are my favorite recipes.
Strawberry Oreo Milkshake
For this refreshing fruity drink you’ll need:
- 4 Oreo cookies
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup frozen strawberries (or 1 cup fresh strawberries and 4 ice cubes)
- 1/3 cups sugar
Put everything in a blender (or a bowl if you use a stick blender) and mix until smooth. Instead of strawberries, you can use raspberries, blackberries, or any other kind of berries you like.
Creamy Chocolate Oreo Milkshake
Quite different from the previous recipe, this one will satisfy all the chocolate lovers out there.
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 4 Oreo cookies
- 4 ice cubes
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup melted chocolate
Put whipping cream and sugar into a bowl and mix for about a minute. Add milk, chopped cookies, ice cubes, and chocolate then blend with a stick blender (or electric one). If the consistency is too thick, try adding more milk.
Creamy Strawberry Oreo Milkshake
This recipe is a combination of the previous two. It is both fruity and creamy (and you’re going to love it).
- 4 Oreo cookies
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 4 ice cubes
- 1 cup strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries (if you use frozen fruit, 2 ice cubes will be enough)
Blend cream and sugar for about half a minute. Add milk, Oreos, ice, and fruit then continue blending until smooth.
Banana Oreo Milkshake
If you need to make your OreoOrea milkshake without ice cream OR ice, the short answer is bananas.
If you love bananas, you’ll be thrilled with this type of milkshake. Bananas give a special velvety texture to the drink, and you don’t need to add ice cubes at all. You’ll need:
- 2 cup milk
- 2 ripe bananas
- 6 Oreo cookies
Peel and cut bananas, add cookies and milk, then blend until nice and creamy.
You’ve probably noticed there’s no mention of sugar in this recipe. That’s because I’ve found the bananas and Oreos are sweet enough. If the bananas aren’t fully ripe, you can add some sugar or honey.
Choco Banana Oreo Milkshake
This one is my kids’ favorite. It’s pretty much the same as the previous one, but with the addition of a chocolate taste.
- 2 cup milk
- 4 tablespoons chocolate milk powder
- 2 ripe bananas
- 4 Oreo cookies
Crush the cookies, peel the bananas, add the rest of the ingredients, then blend well. Instead of chocolate milk powder, you can use a smaller amount of melted chocolate or cacao powder. In this case, you might need to add up to 2 tablespoons of sugar.
Vegan Avocado Oreo Milkshake with Almond Milk
Avocado is another food that gives a nice, smooth texture to the milkshake. However, unlike bananas, it is not creamy enough to replace using ice cubes.
This recipe contains almond milk, which makes it vegan friendly. If you’re not on a vegan diet, you can always use other kinds of milk. You’ll need:
- 4 Oreo cookies
- 2 cups almond milk (or just milk)
- 1 avocado
- 4 ice cubes
- 2 tablespoons of honey (non-vegans may use sugar)
- 1 cup strawberries
Peel the avocado, remove the seed, and chop it. Add the other ingredients, then blend until smooth.
Other ways to make an Oreo milkshake without ice cream
There are other ingredients that can be added to get the nice creamy texture of the milkshake.
Many culinary influencers use raw egg yolks to thicken the milkshake and get a desirable texture.
If you’re not comfortable with eating raw eggs, you can mix the yolks with some milk (2 tablespoons of milk per yolk) and cook at a low temperature. Let it cool then add more milk, sugar, and other ingredients of your choice (chocolate powder, fruit, vanilla extract, etc). Since you need to cook the yolks first, prep time is a bit longer with this kind of milkshake.
Another option, although with a still longer prep time, is custard. Yes, people use custard as a basis for milkshakes – and these milkshakes are actually delicious. The taste is rich, and the structure is super-smooth.
So, how to make an Oreo milkshake without ice cream and with custard? Gather ice cubes first (this will become clear later). Make the custard. Once that’s done, put it in an ice bath to cool it down.
Whisk four egg yolks in a bowl. Pour one cup of milk into a small pot. Add one-third cup of sugar and some vanilla (seeds, bean, or vanilla extract) to the milk. Warm it carefully. Before it begins to boil, put it aside, and add the yolks very slowly and carefully. Stir constantly. Cook at a medium-low temperature for a couple of minutes, then put the pot into the ice bath (a large bowl with ice and water), and don’t stop stirring.
When it’s cool enough (in 10 minutes or so), pour in some whipping cream, 4-6 Oreo cookies, and at least six ice cubes (preferably more). Blend it for about half a minute, and you’ve got an epic Oreo milkshake.
Final thoughts
I hope my experience has helped you learn how to make Oreo milkshake without ice cream. As you’ve seen, there are plenty of options for you to try. You can use ice cubes, bananas, whipping cream, or even custard to make your delicious, cold drink.
Preparation time can be anywhere from half a minute (when you just have to blend everything for a split second) to half an hour (if you decide to cook the custard). Some recipes contain fruits and others chocolate.
Why wait? Pick the recipe with ingredients that you already have at home, follow my tips, and enjoy your fabulous Oreo milkshake. Don’t be afraid to experiment like I have and get creative with it. Be sure to check out my other articles for great recipes and tips!