How many calories does an avocado milkshake have?

October 29, 2025 •

4 min read

An avocado milkshake can contain anywhere from 237 to over 580 calories per serving, highlighting a wide range depending on the specific ingredients used. This significant variance is influenced by the type of milk, the amount of sweetener, and any extra additions, making it crucial to know your recipe to determine how many calories does an avocado milkshake have.

Quick Summary

The calorie count of an avocado milkshake varies widely based on ingredients such as milk type, sweetener choice, and portion size. While a basic recipe might have around 270-320 calories per cup, additions like condensed milk or extra sugar can push the total much higher. Understanding these factors allows for better calorie control when enjoying this nutritious beverage.

Key Points

Calorie Range: An avocado milkshake's calorie count varies significantly, ranging from approximately 237 to over 580 calories per serving depending on ingredients.
Core Ingredients Matter: The type of milk (whole vs. almond) and sweetener (condensed milk vs. dates or honey) are the biggest factors affecting the total calories.
Recipe Customization: High-calorie additions like ice cream and nuts can push the count much higher, while low-calorie swaps like unsweetened plant-based milk can reduce it.
Avocado Contribution: The avocado itself is calorie-dense due to its healthy fats, with a medium-sized fruit containing around 240 calories.
Homemade vs. Store-Bought: Making your own milkshake allows for precise calorie calculation and control over sugar and fat content, as restaurant versions can be surprisingly high in calories.
Nutritional Value: Despite the potential for high calories, an avocado milkshake can be very nutritious, providing healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

The creamy and nutrient-dense avocado has become a popular base for milkshakes and smoothies worldwide. However, because recipes vary so widely, the exact caloric content can be surprisingly different from one milkshake to another. The question of "how many calories does an avocado milkshake have?" has no single answer, but rather a range determined by the choices made during its preparation.

Core Ingredients and Calorie Contributions

To understand the total calorie count, you must break down the core components. A standard avocado milkshake typically contains avocado, milk, and a sweetener. The calories from each of these ingredients add up to the final total.

Avocado

An average-sized avocado contains approximately 240 calories. These calories come primarily from healthy monounsaturated fats. The fat content is what gives the milkshake its rich, creamy texture without the need for high-fat dairy products like ice cream. However, using a large avocado or more than one can significantly increase the total calories.

Milk

The type of milk used is a major determinant of the calorie count. Whole milk contains more fat and calories than skim or low-fat milk. Plant-based alternatives like almond, soy, or coconut milk also have different calorie profiles. For example:

Whole Milk: Adds around 150 calories per cup.
Almond Milk (Unsweetened): Adds only 30-40 calories per cup.
Sweetened Condensed Milk: A traditional ingredient in some recipes, this adds a substantial number of calories. Just over 1/3 cup can add over 350 calories.

Sweeteners

Adding sugar, honey, or other sweeteners boosts the calorie content. A single tablespoon of sugar contains about 48 calories, while a tablespoon of honey has 64 calories. Many traditional recipes use condensed milk, which acts as both a sweetener and a source of dairy, but it also elevates the calorie and sugar content significantly. For a healthier option, using a few dates or honey in moderation can provide sweetness with added nutrients.

Customizations and Their Caloric Impact

Beyond the basic ingredients, many additions can either reduce or increase the final calorie count.

High-Calorie Additions

Ice Cream: Using a scoop of vanilla ice cream instead of milk transforms the drink into a decadent dessert, adding another 100-200 calories or more.
Nuts and Nut Butters: A tablespoon of peanut butter or a handful of almonds can add 90-100 calories, along with extra protein and healthy fats.
Chocolate or Cocoa Powder: While cocoa powder is relatively low in calories, adding sugar to make a chocolate version will add calories.

Low-Calorie Modifications

Water or Ice: Using water or more ice can dilute the mixture and reduce the total calorie count.
Plant-Based Milk: Substituting whole milk with unsweetened almond or soy milk lowers the overall calorie density significantly.
Natural Sweeteners: Opting for minimal amounts of honey or natural fruit sweeteners like dates offers a sweeter taste without the high-calorie impact of condensed milk.

Comparison Table: Calorie Counts of Different Avocado Milkshake Recipes


Ingredient Combination	Approximate Calories (per 16 oz serving)	Notes
Basic Recipe (Avocado, low-fat milk, a little honey)	~270-320 calories	A relatively moderate option.
Traditional Recipe (Avocado, sweetened condensed milk, whole milk)	~350-500+ calories	Richer and much higher in sugar.
Deluxe Recipe (Avocado, whole milk, ice cream)	~450-580+ calories	Dessert-level calories; higher fat and sugar.
Low-Calorie Recipe (Avocado, unsweetened almond milk, dates)	~250-300 calories	Health-conscious option with less sugar.

The Calculation: How to Figure Out Your Milkshake's Calories

For a homemade version, the best way to determine your milkshake's calorie count is to add up the calories of each individual ingredient. You can use a kitchen scale and a nutrition app to track the exact amounts. This allows for total control over the nutritional content, unlike a pre-made or restaurant version where you may not know the exact recipe. For example, a recipe using half an avocado (120 calories), one cup of skim milk (80 calories), and two dates (32 calories) would result in a milkshake with approximately 232 calories.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the calorie content of an avocado milkshake is not fixed but is highly dependent on the recipe and ingredients used. While a basic recipe can be a healthy and nutritious beverage, loaded with vitamins, fiber, and healthy fats, a version with high-calorie additions like condensed milk or ice cream can easily rival a full dessert. By being mindful of your ingredient choices and portion sizes, you can enjoy this creamy treat while controlling its impact on your daily caloric intake. The key is to customize the recipe to meet your specific dietary needs, whether your goal is weight management or simply a nutritious, satisfying drink. For a detailed breakdown of avocado's broader nutritional profile, the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has an excellent resource on the fruit's health benefits and composition.

Frequently Asked Questions

The type of milk and sweetener used have the biggest impact on an avocado milkshake's calorie count. Adding ingredients like whole milk and condensed milk will result in a much higher calorie total than using unsweetened almond milk and a natural sweetener like honey or dates.

Yes, an avocado milkshake can be a very healthy drink. Avocados are rich in healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins. By choosing low-sugar ingredients like unsweetened plant-based milk and natural sweeteners, you can create a nutritious and filling beverage.

To reduce the calories, use unsweetened, low-calorie plant-based milk (like almond milk) instead of whole milk or condensed milk. Use a minimal amount of a natural sweetener like honey, dates, or simply rely on the fruit's natural flavor. Limiting other high-calorie additions like ice cream or nut butters also helps.

An avocado milkshake can be adapted for either weight loss or weight gain. For weight gain, a high-calorie version with whole milk, condensed milk, or added nut butter is effective. For weight loss, a lower-calorie recipe with skim or almond milk and minimal sugar is filling and nutritious.

Avocado milkshakes are packed with healthy nutrients. They provide healthy monounsaturated fats, dietary fiber, and a variety of vitamins and minerals, including potassium, magnesium, and vitamins C, E, and K.

Restaurant or cafe avocado milkshakes often have a higher calorie count than homemade versions because they frequently use more sugar, condensed milk, or ice cream to make them more palatable and decadent. Making your own gives you full control over the ingredients and nutritional content.

A basic, low-sugar avocado milkshake made with half an avocado, low-fat milk, and a little honey can have a calorie count in the range of 270-320 calories per serving.