Dalgona Coffee Smoothie
Banana Foster Flavor
Vegan / Gluten Free / Dairy Free
JUMP TO RECIPE
(Discloser: This is a sponsored post, and I received free product from Nature’s Flavors; However, all opinions and thoughts are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep Inspiration Apron running!)
What is dalgona coffee?
Remember when Dalgona coffee was trending in 2020? I finally decided to try it and personally, I wasn’t a complete fan of the taste. However, I adore the look and texture of the light and creamy whip and find it visually appealing. Dalgona coffee was inspired by a Korean candy made from sugar and baking soda that has a honey and toffee flavor. You may have even seen it used in the popular Netflix series Squid Game. The dalgona coffee whip is created using equal parts sugar, instant coffee and hot water and is added over top of iced milk.
Can you make dalgona coffee whip without using granulated sugar?
YES! How to make a gluten free dalgona coffee without granulated sugar:
This gluten free dalgona whip was made using equal parts maple syrup, instant coffee and hot water that was mixed together on high speed until light and airy, then spooned over top of dairy-free unsweetened vanilla almond milk and ice.
Dalgona coffee was said to have been created by a Macanese man by the name of Leong Kam Hon that made a drink at the request of some tourist visiting his coffee shop in 1997. (source) The drink didn’t gain much interest until 2004 when it started picking up traction under the menu name of “hand beaten coffee.” The “dalgona” name was given to this coffee concoction only after a famous South Korean actor ordered the drink during the filming of a tv show and likened it to the toffee-like honeycomb dalgona candy. After the episode aired, it blew up online and in popularity all over the globe. Fun fact: Since it was during Covid, dalgona coffee was also nicked-named “the quarantine drink.”
How to make a dalgona coffee smoothie
Since I wasn’t fond of the taste, but still found dalgona coffee whip intriguing, I truly wanted to transform it into something delicious that I would enjoy, but still had the dalgona flavor infused. Also, I didn’t want to use processed granulated sugar, so I started experimenting with alternative ways to make the dalgona coffee whip. I found that if I substituted maple syrup for the sugar it worked just as well to make the dalgona whip. Then I decided to make a coffee smoothie using bananas, protein powder, dairy-free yogurt and almond milk. At last, my delicious Banana Foster Dalgona Coffee Smoothie was born. It is super creamy with a hint of the toffee dalgona flavor, along with a flavor of banana foster rum sauce. You can drink as is, or garnish with fresh bananas or dust with cocoa powder, nutmeg or cinnamon. Another fun idea is to reserve or make extra whip to add on top and sauté a few banana slices in maple syrup and plant butter for an extra special touch.
For the “rum flavor” part of the banana foster, I used Nature’s Flavors Organic Rum Flavor Extract.
Visit Nature’s Flavors to find the Organic Rum Flavor Extract. Their products are all-natural and made in the USA. Use my coupon code: APRNT3N to receive 20% off all orders, no expiration!
Let’s begin!
Ingredients:
1 tbsp instant coffee granules
1 tbsp pure maple syrup (if stored in the fridge, heat before using)
1 tsp boiling or very hot water
1 large banana, frozen
1 tbsp Aloha vanilla plant protein
1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/2 cup So Delicious coconut yogurt alternative (or dairy-free yogurt)
2-3 large ice cubes
Optional garnishes: Extra dalgona whip, fresh or sautéed bananas, chocolate covered espresso beans, cocoa powder or ground cinnamon.
Instructions:
How to make dalgona coffee whip without granulated sugar
To a small bowl, add instant coffee, maple syrup and hot water. Use a hand mixer on high speed to whip together until soft peaks form and mixture is light and airy.
To a smoothie cup or blender, add all other ingredients along with dalgona whip and use smoothie setting or pulse a few times, then blend on high for one minute.
Transfer to a drinking glass and garnish, if desired.
For the coffee shop experience, make some extra dalgona whip to add to top and garnish with some banana slices sautéed in maple syrup and plant butter.
This is a great way to enjoy a caffeinated coffee drink in the summer, while adding some nutritional value and sustainment with the fruit, yogurt and protein powder.
Wonderful for fulling a light appetite during the summer heat and getting your caffeine also. You can easily substitute this for an all-in-one breakfast or afternoon pick-me-up.
Enjoy!
💜Julie
Dalgona Coffee Smoothie, Banana Foster Flavor (vegan)
Ingredients
Instructions
- First make the dalgona coffee whip: To a small bowl, add instant coffee, maple syrup and hot water. Use a hand mixer on high speed to whip together until soft peaks form and mixture is light and airy.
- To a smoothie cup or blender, add all other ingredients along with dalgona whip and use smoothie setting or pulse a few times, then blend on high for one minute. Transfer to a drinking glass and enjoy as is, or garnish with desired toppings or extra dalgona whip.
Notes
For the coffee shop experience, make some extra dalgona whip to add to top and garnish with some banana slices sautéed in maple syrup and plant butter.
