This salted caramel banana cream latte drink is inspired by one of my favorite desserts, the banana salted caramel pie. Specifically, the banana cream pie from Tartine in Santa Monica, I religiously have that pie every time I’m in the area, it’s that good. It has this amazing custard, with a crunchy pie crust, chocolate shavings, and, most importantly, ripe slices of banana and salted caramel. So, I thought, why not make it into a drink?

Yes, it takes some effort to make the fresh salted caramel, cream, and espresso, but trust me, it’s worth it.

Here’s how to make this salted caramel banana cream latte at home!

Why Banana Loves Salted Caramel

The first thing that comes to mind to pair with a banana is usually chocolate or cinnamon, while caramel is a perfect match for coffee or apple. However, salted caramel and banana work really well! And it’s a simple culinary fact: sweet, salt, and fat are an irresistible trio!

The salted caramel adds this rich buttery flavor, and the salt cuts through the sweetness nicely, which gives the flavor a lot of dimension. The banana cuts through nicely and even balances out the slight bitterness! This combination is truly addictive. I don’t know how else to describe it other than sublime!

It’s a surprisingly fancy yet simple combination. It’s such a fun combination to sneak into desserts or drinks, and it always makes a pleasant surprise.

Sourcing Ingredients: Tips for the Best Flavor

The secret to making this latte taste amazing is using high-quality ingredients. Like any delicious dessert or meal, you want the components to shine.

Choose the Right (Ripe) Banana: Look for bananas that are ripe or slightly overripe for maximum flavor and natural sweetness. The peels should have plenty of brown spots and be slightly soft. A green banana will give you a starchy texture and tart flavor that won’t blend well with caramel.

Get Good Coffee Beans: Use freshly roasted, good-quality coffee beans that are appropriate for espresso (ex., a medium or dark roast and a fine grind size). A poor-quality or stale shot of coffee will be weak and leave a bitter aftertaste. No one wants that in a fresh latte!

Make the Salted Caramel: If possible, I highly recommend making homemade salted caramel sauce. Store-bought caramel tastes artificial, flat, and overly sugary. Freshly made salted caramel, with butter, cream, and sugar, has a complex, buttery richness that isn’t too sweet. It’s often more buttery than sweet, which is ironic considering caramel is known to be sweet.

Quality Milk: The milk forms the majority of this drink, so don’t overlook its quality! Regardless of whether you use dairy or a non-dairy alternative, select a brand you enjoy the flavor of and that uses good ingredients. A high-quality milk or creamer will always taste and feel better, in my opinion!

Ingredients & Essential Equipment

What You’ll Need:

To successfully create both the drink base and the creamy banana topping, you will want to have the following equipment on hand:

• Espresso Machine: You’ll need a way to make a strong coffee concentrate. This could be a dedicated espresso machine (automatic or semi-automatic), or a reliable manual method like a Moka pot or AeroPress. If you don’t have those, instant espresso powder also works!
• A Good Saucepan or Pot: A small, heavy-bottomed saucepan or pot is necessary for making the homemade salted caramel sauce. This helps distribute heat evenly and prevents the sugar from burning.
• Handheld Frother: A handheld milk frother (or a countertop electric frother) helps achieve a fluffy, soft cream topping. You could also use a high-speed blender, but the texture won’t be as airy.

Ingredients:

• 1-2 shots of espresso
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup ice
• Salted Caramel Banana Cream
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp salted caramel
• 1 pecan garnish
• 1 tsp sweetener (optional)
• Salted Caramel Sauce
• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp salt
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract (optional)

Salted Caramel Banana Cream Latte Recipe

1. Make Salted Caramel Sauce. Homemade salted caramel is 1000x better than any store-bought caramel, and it’s super easy to make. Use my recipe here to make the caramel, then come back to this recipe!
2. Brew Espresso. Brew 1-2 shots of espresso using your favorite method and beans. If you don’t have an espresso machine, you can use instant espresso powder.
3. Whip Banana Caramel Cream. Mash up half a banana and add it to some heavy cream, milk, and salted caramel. Then, whip using a handheld frother until soft and fluffy.
4. Assemble Drink. Add ice and milk in a separate glass, then add the espresso and banana caramel cream. Garnish with a pecan!
5. Mix and Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of banana should I use?

You can use any banana you’d like, apple banana, lady finger, etc. As long as it’s ripe and sweet, it will work for this drink! You could technically try using a platain, but it will have a different flavor and texture. You could also use freeze dried bananas in a pinch.

Can I use a non-dairy milk?

Of course, I actually use pecan milk in the recipe video to bring out some extra nutty flavor, but feel free to use your favorite! Oat milk is always a strong option for something creamy but smooth.

Do I need an espresso machine?

Nope! While an espresso machine helps make great concentrated coffee, you can use other methods. My favorite besides an espresso machine is a Moka pot, which is basically a stove-top espresso maker that makes great, strong, espresso-like coffee. A pot will run you about $20 on the cheaper end!

Can I make a batch of the banana cream ahead of time?

Yes, make sure to store it somewhere cool or in the fridge until you need it, though. It might also deflate over time so give it a quick whip before serving it for optimal fluffiness!

What are some good toppings/garnishes?

I love how a single pecan looks on the cream, but you can also use banana slices, a sprinkle of brown sugar, a drizzle of caramel, or cookie crumbles for the same effect. Use whatever you have!

Other Banana Drinks to Try

If you love banana in drinks, then you need to try some other combinations! Here are some of my favorites:

• Banana Cream Matcha Latte
• Banana Hojicha Latte
• Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding Latte
• Banana Bread Coffee
• Banana Milk Matcha Latte