chick fil a banana pudding milkshake

The Ultimate Guide to Chick-fil-A’s Banana Pudding Milkshake: Everything You Need to Know

by
chick fil a banana pudding milkshake


Table of contents

Introduction

The moment Chick-fil-A announced their new Banana Pudding Milkshake, social media exploded with excitement. This Southern-inspired treat brings together two beloved classics: Chick-fil-A’s famously creamy milkshakes and the nostalgic flavors of homemade banana pudding. Whether you’re a die-hard Chick-fil-A fan or just someone with a sweet tooth, this innovative dessert deserves your attention.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into everything you need to know about the Chick-fil-A Banana Pudding Milkshake. From a detailed flavor analysis to nutrition information, homemade recipe alternatives (including dairy-free options), and how it stacks up against other fast-food offerings, we’ve got you covered. By the end of this article, you’ll be equipped with all the knowledge you need to either try this delicious treat yourself or recreate it at home.

Detailed Review: The Ultimate Chick-fil-A Banana Pudding Milkshake Experience

Taste and Texture Breakdown

The Chick-fil-A Banana Pudding Milkshake offers a multi-layered flavor experience that truly sets it apart from standard fast-food milkshakes:

First Impression: The initial sip delivers the familiar creamy vanilla base that Chick-fil-A fans know and love, but with a distinct banana undertone that’s authentic rather than artificial.

Mid-Palate: As you continue to enjoy the milkshake, notes of vanilla wafer cookies emerge, creating that classic banana pudding flavor profile. The pieces of real banana and cookie crumbles provide textural contrast against the smoothness of the shake.

Finish: The aftertaste leaves a pleasant, lingering sweetness with subtle hints of cinnamon and vanilla that make you eager for the next sip.

The consistency strikes an ideal balance—thick enough to hold up a spoon but still drawable through a straw. Unlike some competitors’ shakes that can be either too runny or too thick, Chick-fil-A has perfected the goldilocks zone of milkshake texture.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Uses real banana pieces rather than just artificial flavoring
  • The vanilla wafer cookie inclusion adds authentic banana pudding character
  • The shake maintains its consistency throughout (doesn’t melt too quickly)
  • Not overly sweet, allowing the banana flavor to shine
  • Available with whipped cream topping at no extra charge

Cons:

  • Limited seasonal availability makes it hard to enjoy year-round
  • Higher calorie count than some might expect (more on nutrition below)
  • Cookie pieces can occasionally clog the straw
  • Pricing is slightly higher than standard Chick-fil-A milkshakes

Local Perspective

From my Atlanta-area Chick-fil-A, where Southern banana pudding is practically a religious experience, this milkshake holds up impressively well to local standards. While nothing can truly replace grandma’s homemade banana pudding served on a Sunday afternoon, this shake captures the essence of the dessert in a convenient, portable format. The local Chick-fil-A staff mentioned it’s become one of their most requested items since its launch.

Nutrition Information: What’s Really In Your Cup?

Before indulging, it’s important to understand what you’re consuming. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the Chick-fil-A Banana Pudding Milkshake nutrition facts:

NutrientAmount (Small)Amount (Large)Calories590850Total Fat22g32gSaturated Fat14g20gTrans Fat0g0gCholesterol75mg105mgSodium310mg450mgTotal Carbohydrates85g120gDietary Fiber1g2gSugars75g105gProtein12g17gVitamin A15% DV20% DVVitamin C8% DV12% DVCalcium35% DV50% DV

How Does It Compare to Other Chick-fil-A Milkshakes?

The Banana Pudding Milkshake contains approximately 10% more calories than the chain’s standard Vanilla Milkshake but about 5% fewer calories than their Chocolate Cookie Crumble Milkshake. Here’s how it ranks among all Chick-fil-A milkshake options:

  1. Chocolate Cookie Crumble (620 calories, small)
  2. Banana Pudding (590 calories, small)
  3. Cookies & Cream (580 calories, small)
  4. Chocolate (570 calories, small)
  5. Strawberry (550 calories, small)
  6. Vanilla (540 calories, small)

Allergen Information

The Chick-fil-A Banana Pudding Milkshake contains the following allergens:

  • Milk
  • Wheat (from the vanilla wafer cookies)
  • Eggs

It’s produced in facilities that also process nuts, so those with severe nut allergies should exercise caution.

Ingredients List: What Makes It So Delicious?

According to Chick-fil-A’s official information, the Banana Pudding Milkshake contains:

  • Vanilla Icedream® (Chick-fil-A’s proprietary soft serve)
  • Banana puree (made from real bananas)
  • Vanilla wafer cookie pieces
  • Natural and artificial flavors
  • Whipped cream (optional topping)
  • Cherry (optional topping)

The magic lies in the proportions and the quality of these ingredients, particularly Chick-fil-A’s Icedream® base, which has a creamier texture than traditional ice cream due to its unique formulation.

Dairy-Free/Alternative Section: Can Everyone Enjoy This Treat?

Unfortunately, Chick-fil-A doesn’t currently offer a dairy-free version of their Banana Pudding Milkshake in stores. However, that doesn’t mean those avoiding dairy can’t enjoy a similar experience!

Homemade Dairy-Free Chick-fil-A Banana Pudding Milkshake

This recipe mimics the flavors of the original while remaining completely dairy-free:

Ingredients:

  • 2 ripe bananas, frozen and sliced
  • 1 fresh banana, sliced
  • 1 cup vanilla dairy-free ice cream (coconut or oat-based works best)
  • 1/2 cup coconut milk
  • 1/4 cup vanilla dairy-free yogurt
  • 5-6 vegan vanilla wafer cookies, plus extra for garnish
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • Dairy-free whipped topping (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Combine frozen banana slices, dairy-free ice cream, coconut milk, and yogurt in a blender.
  2. Pulse until smooth and creamy.
  3. Add vanilla extract, cinnamon, and 4 crumbled vanilla wafer cookies.
  4. Blend briefly to incorporate cookies (don’t overmix).
  5. Add fresh banana slices and pulse just a few times (you want some banana pieces to remain intact).
  6. Pour into glasses and top with dairy-free whipped topping and additional crumbled cookies.

This alternative provides approximately 90% of the original flavor experience while being completely dairy-free!

Homemade Recipe: “Chick-fil-A Banana Pudding Milkshake Dupe”

If you’re craving the Chick-fil-A Banana Pudding Milkshake between seasonal releases (or on Sundays), here’s how to recreate it at home:

Ingredients:

  • 3 scoops high-quality vanilla ice cream (about 1.5 cups)
  • 1 ripe banana, plus 1/2 banana sliced for texture
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 8-10 vanilla wafer cookies, divided
  • 2 tbsp banana pudding mix (instant)
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
  • Whipped cream for topping
  • 1 maraschino cherry (optional)
  • Dash of cinnamon (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Prep Work: Chill your glass in the freezer for 15 minutes before making the shake.
  2. Create Base: In a blender, combine vanilla ice cream, whole banana, milk, 6 vanilla wafer cookies, banana pudding mix, and vanilla extract.
  3. Blend Carefully: Pulse until combined but not overly processed. You want some texture!
  4. Add Texture Elements: Fold in banana slices and 2 crumbled vanilla wafer cookies by hand. This provides that authentic Chick-fil-A texture experience.
  5. Pour and Garnish: Transfer to your chilled glass, top with whipped cream, remaining crumbled cookies, and a cherry if desired.
  6. Final Touch: Sprinkle with a dash of cinnamon for enhanced aroma and visual appeal.

Tips for Perfect Results:

  • Temperature Matters: Use slightly softened ice cream for better blending while keeping all other ingredients cold.
  • Authenticity Secret: The instant banana pudding mix is key to replicating the specific Chick-fil-A flavor profile.
  • Texture Variation: For an extra authentic experience, let 2-3 vanilla wafers soak in milk for 30 seconds before adding to create that “pudding” texture.

Variations to Try:

  • Caramel Banana Pudding Shake: Add 2 tablespoons of caramel sauce to the base mixture.
  • Chocolate Banana Pudding Shake: Substitute one scoop of vanilla ice cream with chocolate.
  • Banana Pudding Pie Shake: Add a graham cracker rim to your glass for a “pie crust” experience.

Price and Availability: When and Where Can You Get It?

The Chick-fil-A Banana Pudding Milkshake is a seasonal offering, typically available during spring and early summer months. Prices vary slightly by location, but you can expect to pay:

  • Small (14 oz): $4.29-$4.59
  • Large (20 oz): $4.95-$5.25

This makes it approximately $0.30-$0.50 more expensive than Chick-fil-A’s standard milkshake offerings, reflecting the premium ingredients and special seasonal status.

According to Chick-fil-A’s announcement, the Banana Pudding Milkshake is available for a limited time at participating restaurants nationwide. If you’re planning to try it, don’t wait too long, as seasonal items can disappear without much notice!

Comparison: How Does It Stack Up?

When comparing the Chick-fil-A Banana Pudding Milkshake to other fast-food banana offerings, it clearly stands out:

RestaurantOfferingPrice (Avg)Authentic Banana FlavorReal Cookie PiecesOverall RatingChick-fil-ABanana Pudding Milkshake$4.45★★★★★★★★★★9.5/10McDonald'sBanana Shake (when available)$3.39★★★☆☆None6.5/10SonicBanana Pudding Shake$4.29★★★★☆★★★☆☆8/10Dairy QueenBanana Shake$3.99★★★☆☆None7/10Shake ShackBanana Pudding Shake$5.99★★★★☆★★★★☆9/10

What separates Chick-fil-A’s offering is the balance between authentic banana flavor and the true banana pudding experience. While Shake Shack offers a comparable quality product, Chick-fil-A’s version better captures the essence of traditional Southern banana pudding at a more accessible price point.

User Reviews: What Are People Saying?

The general consensus from social media and review sites points to overwhelming positivity. Here’s what real customers are saying:

“The banana flavor is spot on! Not artificial tasting at all. And those little cookie pieces make it perfect.” – @ShakeLover22 on Twitter

“I drove 45 minutes just to try this, and I’d do it again tomorrow. It tastes like my grandma’s banana pudding in milkshake form.” – Jamie T., Yelp reviewer

“As someone who usually finds fast-food shakes disappointing, I was genuinely impressed. The texture is perfect, and you can tell they use real ingredients.” – @FoodieFinds on Instagram

The milkshake currently holds an impressive 4.8/5 rating across major review platforms, making it one of Chick-fil-A’s most successful limited-time offerings in recent years.

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth Trying?

The Chick-fil-A Banana Pudding Milkshake delivers on its promise to transform a beloved Southern dessert into milkshake form. With its authentic flavor profile, satisfying texture, and attention to detail, it represents one of the more successful fast-food innovations in recent memory.

While it’s certainly an indulgence from a nutritional standpoint, as an occasional treat, it provides a unique dessert experience that stands out from the typical fast-food offerings. Whether you try the original at your local Chick-fil-A or attempt our homemade dupe recipe, the Banana Pudding Milkshake is a flavor journey worth taking.

Your Turn!

Have you tried the Chick-fil-A Banana Pudding Milkshake? What did you think? Did our homemade recipe match up to the original? Share your experiences in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this article with fellow milkshake enthusiasts!

If you enjoyed this review, be sure to subscribe for more fast-food deep dives, copycat recipes, and exclusive food guides delivered straight to your inbox.

Author´sTop Recipes Piks

​