It’s true, you can make a vegan coconut pecan shake from things you probably have in your pantry right now. All you need to include is a blender and ice. You’ll be able to make a cold, sweet, thick and rich shake with pure ingredients whenever the mood hits you!
I’m using Mary Banker’s awesome idea of grinding chia seeds to make a binder for frozen drinks. She was a tester for The Easy Vegan Cookbook and came up with the idea for the salted caramel shake recipe.
In the past, I’ve used xanthan gum or pectin to keep my frozen coffees from separating into just liquid and ice. Some of you are avoiding those ingredients for one reason or another. You can make the same substitution in my other frozen coffee drink recipes.
It’s really a simple idea. First you make the milk by combining the pecans, coconut and water. I love the flavor combo and they both contribute thickness to the creamy base.
You can really use any nut combination or just one. If you use almonds or other hard nuts you need to soak them for a few hours. You could get away with using cashews without soaking if you’re in a pinch.
You can also just use nondairy milk that you already have made. Be aware that the natural fat in the pecans and the coconut make this thick and rich. If you use rice milk it will be less of a decadent treat, but oat milk would work well if you have a nut allergy.
You can strain the milk or not. If you like the texture of the little pieces of pecans and coconut in your shake don’t strain , or if you hate that texture, go ahead and strain. As you can see on my straw, I choose to not strain it.
Next you add the ground chia seeds and sweetener. I admit, I used the dry container of my Vitamix to grind mine, but you can use a coffee grinder.
Blend one more time. Now you’re ready to add the crushed ice. After you blend the ice you’ll have a vegan shake!
This is just a starting point. You can add in extracts like vanilla, a touch of alcohol like bourbon or Grand Marnier, even blend in some seasonal fresh fruit. You can make all your favorite combinations with the milk and sweeteners that fit with your dietary needs.
Vegan Coconut Pecan Shake from Your Pantry - No Ice Cream Needed!
You can make a vegan milkshake with no pre-made nondairy milk or ice cream! Crazy, right? You make your own milk in the blender, use ground chia seeds to bind everything together and ice to turn it into a shake! Double the recipe and save ½ of the mixture before you add the ice and you can make one in even less time tomorrow!
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 1/4 cup pecans
- 1/4 cup dried shredded coconut
- 1 teaspoon ground chia seeds, You can grind them in a spice or coffee grinder
- sweetener of choice, to taste (stevia, monk fruit, agave and soaked dates work great)
- 1/2 to 1 cup crushed ice
Instructions
- First we make our own nonmilk by adding the water, pecans and coconut to a blender and blend until mostly smooth.
- At this point, you can strain the mixture or leave the tiny bits of coconut and pecan in to add texture to the shake.
- Next we add the chia seeds and your choice of sweetener to the blender with the nondairy mixture. Blend until smooth, taste and add more sweetener if needed.
- Add ice and blend until it looks like a milkshake. Please note that if you do not have a powerful blender you may need to add the first ½ cup of ice and blend, then add more in ¼ cup increments until it's as thick as your blender will allow.
Nutrition Information
Amount Per Serving Calories 334Saturated Fat 14gSodium 28mgCarbohydrates 10gFiber 7gSugar 3gProtein 5g
chrysta@noshed says
Love this! I make smoothies all the time and I normally use xanthum gums. Will need to try some chia seeds next time. Great flavor combo!
Kathy Hester says
This is slightly less thick than using xanthan, but I like the mouth-feel more.
Kristina says
this sounds fantastic, I LOVE a quick ice cream from pantry ingredients!
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free says
I love the rich ingredients in this and that it can be so low sugar! I definitely love using chia seeds in cool and creamy recipes, too.
Florian @ContentednessCooking says
This looks so delicious! I’ll have to try this! Perfect for summer, want it! 🙂
Essie says
This shake sounds interesting, except I don’t like shredded sweetened coconut. Could I substitute the ‘lite’ coconut milk that comes in a can? If so, how much should I use? Thanks!
Kathy Hester says
The coconut I’m using is not sweetened. Basically you are making a pecan coconut milk and you can use any nondairy milk in its place. You will have to play with the ratios if you are using part nondairy milk.
Kristen says
WOW yum! This is totally something I would make! I love the use of chia seeds!
Rachel @ athletic avocado says
this looks so refreshing!!! yum!
Lauren @ Wicked Spatula says
This sounds fantastic! What a great sweet treat for summer!
jenna @ just j.faye says
Oh wow, this looks amazing! I would make it right now if it wasn’t so late, but I will definitely be trying it out later this week and I’m already excited about it 🙂
SANDRA THON says
send me the recipe
Kathy Hester says
The recipe is in the post.
Sferd says
If using Xantham Gum instead of chia seeds, do you still use 1 tsp?
Kathy Hester says
I use about 1/4 teaspoon of xantham gum.
Amber | Caleigh's Kitchen says
This sounds so delicious, healthy and refreshing!!! How easy?!
Sharon says
Delicious! I made a half batch and subbed coffee for the water as I was craving a sweet, frap alternative.
Kathy Hester says
Great idea! 🙂
riverodqes.dsiblogger.com says
Trust me, I wasn’t a believer at first.