Creamy Pineapple Milkshake Recipe You’ll Love

A sweet, creamy, and tropical Pineapple Milkshake is a delightful way to enjoy fresh fruit combined with ice cream.

Serve in stemmed or hurricane glasses to give these milkshakes a beachy, vacation-style presentation.

This recipe is naturally gluten-free and nut-free, and it can easily be made dairy-free with simple substitutions.

Two pineapple milkshakes in hurricane glasses garnished with a pineapple leaf, whipped cream, cherries, and fresh pineapple wedges.

Pineapple is one of our favorite ice cream flavors and makes an exceptional milkshake ingredient.

These shakes are delicious with or without whipped cream and garnishes; pineapple leaves and wedges add an extra tropical touch.

Why You’ll Love This Pineapple Milkshake Recipe

No Added Sugar – The ice cream provides sweetness, so no extra sugar is needed. The natural sweetness and slight tartness of pineapple create a balanced, flavorful shake.

Customizable – Make it vegan with dairy-free ice cream and milk, or cut calories by using frozen yogurt or no-sugar-added ice cream.

Quick and Easy – Toss the ingredients into a blender and you’ll have a milkshake in about five minutes. Using frozen pineapple chunks eliminates prep time.

a large bowl of scooped vanilla ice cream, a smaller bowl of diced pineapple, and a measuring cup holding milk, on a marble counter, viewed from above.

Ingredients For Pineapple Milkshake

Whole Milk – For the creamiest texture, whole milk is recommended. If using dairy-free ice cream, choose a rich non-dairy milk like oat or full-fat canned coconut milk for best results.

Ice Cream – Vanilla ice cream blends beautifully with pineapple for a smooth, flavorful shake. Use store-bought or homemade vanilla, or swap in pineapple ice cream for a bolder pineapple flavor.

Pineapple – Fresh or frozen pineapple chunks work well. Adjust the amount to taste. If using frozen pineapple, you may need a little extra milk or allow it to thaw slightly.

Pineapple pieces and vanilla ice cream in a blender, viewed from overhead

How to Make a Pineapple Milkshake

Add the ingredients to the blender in this order: milk, ice cream, then pineapple chunks.
Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Pour into a glass and, if desired, top with whipped cream and garnishes such as pineapple wedges, leaves, or a cherry.

See the recipe card below for exact measurements and a printable version of the method.

Overhead view of a pineapple milkshake in a blender jar

Which Milk Is Best for Making Milkshakes

For a rich, non-icy texture use whole milk. The higher fat content helps keep the shake smooth. Low-fat or skim milk will produce a thinner, less creamy result.

Dairy-free milks like oat or almond can also be used. They work well, though the texture can be slightly less rich than dairy milk. If using a lighter milk, reduce the amount and allow the ice cream to soften a bit before blending to avoid an icy shake.

What Other Fruits Go Well in a Pineapple Milkshake?

Pineapple pairs wonderfully with banana, mango, strawberries, or peaches. Mixing in another fruit creates a new flavor profile—mango and banana give a tropical, creamy finish while strawberries or peaches add a bright, summery twist.

For a creamsicle-like flavor, substitute creamsicle or orange ice cream for vanilla.

Looking down on two pineapple milkshakes garnished with cherries, pineapple slices, and bamboo straws

How to Make a Vegan Pineapple Milkshake

Use vegan vanilla ice cream and your creamiest non-dairy milk (oat, soy, or a full-fat coconut milk alternative). Many grocery stores carry excellent dairy-free ice creams, or you can make coconut cream or oat milk ice cream at home for a richer plant-based shake.

Pineapple Milkshake Mix-Ins and Extras

This shake is delicious as written, but you can customize it easily:

Pina Colada Twist: Replace milk with cream of coconut and use coconut ice cream. For adults, a splash of rum works well.
Textural Add-ins: Blend in shredded coconut or a few fresh mint leaves for added complexity.

Is It OK to Mix Pineapple with Milk?

Yes. The idea that pineapple and milk are unsafe together is a myth. For most people, pineapple and milk combine safely and taste great together in a milkshake.

Fresh pineapple contains enzymes and acid that can sometimes cause curdling in low-fat or skim milk. Using full-fat milk and ice cream, which contain more fat, prevents curdling and keeps the texture smooth.

What Is the Best Blender for Making Milkshakes?

Any blender will do. A high-powered blender can be quicker and smoother with frozen fruit, but an inexpensive, standard blender will still make a great milkshake. Add milk first, then ice cream, then fruit, and blend until combined.

How to Make a Milkshake Without a Blender

If you don’t have a blender, soften the ice cream slightly in a jar, chop or mash the pineapple finely (canned crushed pineapple without extra sugar also works), add it to the jar, secure the lid, and shake vigorously. Break up any large pieces with a spoon and add a splash of milk if needed.

How to Make a Thick Milkshake

Use only slightly softened ice cream and omit or minimize the milk. Add milk a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency. Using frozen pineapple or adding ice will also thicken the shake.

Can I Use Frozen Pineapple to Make a Milkshake?

Yes. Frozen pineapple is convenient and works well. Because frozen fruit makes the shake thicker, keep the milk in the recipe or add a little extra to reach your preferred consistency.

Two hurricane glasses filled with bright pineapple milkshake, topped with whipped cream, cherries, and pineapple wedges. Text at top of image says "best ever pineapple milkshake" in varied fonts

More Milkshake Recipes

Strawberry Shake Recipe
Strawberry Banana Milkshake
Peach Milkshake
Mango Milkshake

We have a full collection of milkshake recipes to explore for more inspiration.

LET’S GET SOCIAL — feel free to comment below with questions or share how you customized your shake.

Did you make this Homemade Pineapple Milkshake Recipe? Leave a comment below to let us know what you thought and which add-ins you tried.

Pineapple Milkshake

Yield:
1 serving

Prep Time:
5 minutes

Total Time:
5 minutes

A sweet, creamy, and tropical Pineapple Milkshake ready in just a few minutes.

Ingredients

¼ cup (2 oz.) whole milk
2 cups vanilla ice cream
1 cup pineapple chunks (or more if you like), fresh or frozen

Instructions

Add the ingredients to the jar of a blender in the order listed (milk, then ice cream, then pineapple).
Blend until combined and creamy.
Serve immediately with optional garnishes like whipped cream, cherries, and pineapple wedges.

Notes

For a thicker milkshake, let the ice cream soften for 5–10 minutes and omit the milk.
Frozen pineapple makes a very thick shake; include milk to reach the right consistency.
Use dairy-free milk and ice cream to make a vegan version.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 1
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 726Total Fat: 30gSaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 121mgSodium: 242mgCarbohydrates: 104gFiber: 4gSugar: 95gProtein: 12g