Banana Milk vs Coconut Milk: Which is Better?

Banana milk and coconut milk are two awesome milk types that are both plant-based, and provide dairy-free alternatives to things like regular milk!

They each have very unique flavor profiles, and are very distinct – you won’t mistake these for anything else! Plus, they have some solid nutritional profiles, and great versatility in the kitchen!

But, which one of these is better?

Well, we’ll take a deep dive into these two wonderful and flavorful milks (we’ll be referencing unsweetened coconut milk), taking a look at everything we need that’ll tell us exactly which one of these is worth the price!

So, without further ado, let’s jump in!

Comparing banana milk vs coconut milk 

Coconut milk and banana milk are both solid alternatives to regular cow’s milk, providing plant-based options that are both great for vegan and paleo diets. Coconut milk is also good for keto diets, making it an all-around perfect milk for special diets.

Banana milk has no allergens, while coconut milk technically has tree nuts as one – check out the note underneath the chart for a closer look at this…

Otherwise, both milks are quite similar!

	Banana milk	Coconut milk
Type	Plant-based (legumes)	Plant-based (nut milk)
Allergens	None	Tree nuts*
Vegan?	Yes	Yes
Paleo?	Yes	Yes
Keto?	No	Yes

*Most people with tree nut allergies can consume coconut products, so talk to your physician!

Differences between banana milk and coconut milk

The main difference between banana milk and coconut milk lie in what they’re made from, which creates differences in taste.

Coconut milk comes in two types: carton coconut milk and canned coconut milk.

Carton coconut milk is that liquid stuff that you drink, being the main dairy-replacement people buy. It’s made by blending thick coconut milk or coconut cream with water – coconut cream is even fattier than canned coconut milk…and you can easily make coconut milk at home!

Canned coconut milk is fattier than carton coconut milk, being rich, creamy, and mostly solid at room temperature. It’s mostly used for cooking and baking rather than drinking like carton coconut milk. It’s made by heating high-fat coconut pulp in hot water before extracting the liquid from the solid pulp. 

Banana milk is made by mixing up bananas, sunflower seeds, and cinnamon, creating a blend of delicious flavors with a creamy texture! You can make banana milk at home, but some versions are made by blending bananas with milk, which is a little different – Mooala is a brand that has the banana milk we’re referencing (dairy-free).

How to use banana milk vs coconut milk 

You can use banana milk or coconut milk in many different ways, including: 

Banana milk:

• Add to your cereal and oatmeal.
• Mix into smoothies.
• Enjoy it as a dairy-free refreshment. 
• Put it in your coffee.
• Bake with it for a flavor twist.

Coconut milk:

• Enjoy it as a dairy-free beverage.
• Make coconut creamer with it.
• Add it to your smoothies.
• Splash it over your cereal or into your oatmeal.
• Bake and cook with it.
• Make coconut yogurt.

Can you substitute banana milk for coconut milk?

Generally speaking, you can use these two interchangeably! The only thing to keep in mind is that they’ll have different flavors and different textures in some cases, depending on the type of coconut milk you use.

Keep an eye on the allergens as well!

Nutrition: Banana milk vs coconut milk

Unsweetened coconut milk and banana milk are similar in calories, but coconut milk is higher in saturated fat – both milks contain similar amounts of the healthy monounsaturated fats. Banana milk is a fair bit higher in carbs, and also has more sugar. You’ll find that both banana milk and coconut milk are very poor in protein. 

Banana milk has 25% of your daily calcium value, but no vitamin D. Coconut milk, on the other hand, often comes fortified with calcium and vitamin D, giving it 45% and 20% of your daily values, respectively. 

Per 1 cup (237 ml/8 oz.)	Banana milk	Coconut milk
Calories	60	40
Total fat (saturated)	3 g (0 g)	4 g (3.5 g)
Total carbs	9 g	2 g
Total sugars (incl. added)	4 g (0 g)	<1 g (0 g)
Protein	1 g	0 g
Calcium	25% DV	45% DV
Vit D	0% DV	20% DV

How to store banana milk and coconut milk

Canned coconut milk should be transferred to an airtight container after being opened, and can be kept in the fridge for up to 7 days. If you want to keep it for longer, freeze your coconut milk to store it for up to a month!

Carton coconut milk is a bit different, and should be stored in the fridge. It usually lasts up to 5-7 days once opened, but that can depend on the type – full-fat coconut milk lasts longer than low-fat coconut milk, for example. 

Banana milk comes in shelf-stable versions, which can be kept in the pantry until they are opened – after which you should store it in the fridge!

If you’re making it home, or bought a specific type, it may have dairy or other milks in it. This means that it’s best stored in the fridge even if it’s unopened, and should be consumed within a few days for the best flavors!

Banana milk vs coconut milk: Which is better?

Both milks are wonderful, and offer advantages over one another. 

Coconut milk is a popular dairy-alternative, and has a creamy texture that accentuates its coconuty taste! It boasts healthy fats, and is a great addition to many different recipes! There are also a lot of coconut milks to choose from!

Banana milk is more unique, providing a flavor that many people love – banana-flavored things are absolutely delicious! It’s also creamy, and boasts some solid nutritional qualities that make this one worth looking at.

Overall, both are awesome, but I recommend coconut milk for its greater versatility in diets, different types of textures, and accessibility – it’s much more common in stores than banana milk!

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