Milkshakes are a delicious and refreshing treat that can be made either in a blender or a food processor. Both appliances have their pros and cons when it comes to making the perfect milkshake. In this article, we’ll compare blenders and food processors for making milkshakes and help you decide which is best for your needs.
Blenders vs Food Processors for Milkshakes
Blenders and food processors work differently when making milkshakes. Here’s a quick overview:
- Blenders use fast-spinning blades to liquefy ingredients.
- Food processors use sharp blades and mixing action to chop and mix ingredients.
Blenders are generally better for combining liquids and making smooth purees. Food processors excel at chopping and mixing solid ingredients. For milkshakes, you want smooth, creamy results – so blenders have an advantage.
However, food processors can still make decent milkshakes. The key is to know the strengths and weaknesses of each appliance.
Benefits of Using a Blender for Milkshakes
Here are some of the biggest benefits of using a blender to make milkshakes:
1. Blenders Liquefy Ingredients Smoothly
A blender’s fast-spinning blades are designed to combine liquids and soft ingredients into smooth purées. This makes them perfect for getting a creamy, consistent milkshake texture.
The blades incorporate air into the milkshake as well, resulting in a light, frothy texture. Food processors don’t achieve the same level of smoothness and air incorporation.
2. Broad Range of Milkshake Ingredients
Blenders can handle a wide variety of milkshake ingredients. Here are some examples:
- Ice cream or frozen yogurt
- Milk or alternative milk like almond milk
- Fruit like strawberries, bananas, pineapple
- Vegetables like spinach, avocado
- Nut butters like peanut butter or almond butter
- Extracts like vanilla, almond, coconut
- Sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, chocolate syrup
- Thickeners like protein powder, yogurt, instant pudding mix
- Crunchy mix-ins like cookies, candy, nuts or granola
Almost any milkshake ingredients can be combined into smooth liquid form with a blender. Food processors may struggle with some harder ingredients.
3. Thick, Milkshake-Like Consistency
Blenders are excellent for achieving the ideal thick, milkshake-like consistency. The blending action incorporates air which lightens the texture. You can also add thickeners like protein powder or yogurt to make it as thick as you want.
With a food processor, it’s more difficult to achieve a thick, shake-like pourable consistency. The mixing action doesn’t incorporate as much air. The milkshake often ends up either too thin and icy or too thick like soft serve.
4. Faster Clean Up
Blenders generally have a smoother interior surface compared to food processor bowls. This makes cleaning easier as ingredients don’t get lodged in cracks and crevices.
Many blender jars are dishwasher safe. Blender blades also come out for easy cleaning. Food processor bowls and blades are more challenging to clean by hand or in the dishwasher.
Benefits of Using a Food Processor for Milkshakes
While blenders perform better for most milkshakes, food processors do have some benefits in certain situations:
1. Cooked Milkshakes
Food processors can heat up ingredients through friction as they mix. This allows you to make hot or “cooked” milkshakes.
Try recipes with melted chocolate or caramel. The food processor can melt these ingredients directly in the milkshake. Blenders can’t heat up ingredients.
2. Thick Milkshakes
Food processors excel at chopping and mixing thicker, dense ingredients. For very thick milkshakes, a food processor may work better than a blender.
Add lots of nut butters, cookies, brownies or ice cream for thick, concrete-like milkshake consistency. The food processor will chop and mash it all together.
3. Large Batches
Most food processors have larger bowls than blenders, allowing you to double or triple milkshake recipes. Blenders top out at around 64 ounces. Food processors can do 128 ounces or more.
For large gatherings or meal prepping milkshakes, a food processor lets you make big batches. Just keep thickness in mind, as consistency may vary.
4. Precise Mixing
The on/off function of a food processor gives more control compared to blenders. You can pulse to roughly chop any mix-ins, then let it run to combine.
This helps maintain any crunchy bits or textures you want. Blenders fully liquefy everything on high speed.
Milkshake Texture Comparison
Here’s a quick look at the different milkshake consistencies achieved with each appliance:
| Appliance | Milkshake Texture |
|---|---|
| Blender | Smooth, creamy, thick, milkshake-like consistency. Light and fluffy texture. |
| Food Processor | Thick and icy or thin and icy. Difficult to achieve ideal creamy milkshake texture. |
As you can see, blenders produce the light, creamy, shake-like texture that makes milkshakes so enjoyable. Food processors tend to struggle recreating that quintessential milkshake mouthfeel.
Choosing the Right Appliance for Your Needs
Deciding between a blender vs food processor for your milkshake needs depends on a few factors:
Your Main Goal
If you’ll primarily make traditional creamy milkshakes, a blender is likely the best choice. For occasional milkshakes plus tasks like chopping or purees, consider a food processor.
Types of Milkshakes
For basic fruit and ice cream milkshakes, you’ll want a blender. If making thick, cooked milkshakes with lots of mix-ins, a food processor may work.
Frequency
If you’ll make milkshakes often, invest in a good blender. For occasional milkshakes, a food processor may suffice.
Batch Size
For larger batches of milkshakes, a food processor’s bigger capacity can be useful. But keep texture in mind.
Budget
You can find basic blenders and food processors for $30-50. High-performance blenders cost $200+. Evaluate features vs your budget.
Tips for Making Milkshakes
Here are some tips for making smooth, delicious milkshakes in either a blender or food processor:
Use Cold Ingredients
Make sure ice cream/frozen yogurt and milk are right out of the fridge or freezer. Cold ingredients help achieve an ultra thick, frosty texture.
Add Air
Whipped cream or a small amount of gelatin can add lightness and air to your milkshake. Or whip the milkshake on high speed for 30+ seconds.
Use Thickeners
A small amount of protein powder, pudding mix, yogurt or nut butter helps make an ultra thick milkshake.
Chill Glassware
For frosty milkshakes at home, store glasses in the freezer until ready to pour shakes into them. A chilled glass keeps it cold.
Work in Stages (Food Processor)
If using a food processor, blend wet ingredients first then add chunky mix-ins like cookies. Pulse to roughly incorporate without liquefying them.
Don’t Overfill (Blender)
Leave room at the top of the blender jar for ingredients to move around. This creates an airy, shake-like texture.
Blender and Food Processor Milkshake Recipes
Here are some delicious milkshake recipes to try in your blender or food processor:
Classic Vanilla Milkshake
Blender
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1-2 tsp vanilla extract
- Whipped cream for topping
Blend until smooth and creamy. Top with whipped cream and Enjoy!
Food Processor
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1-2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup crushed cookies or chocolate chips (pulse to incorporate)
Blend then pulse in mix-ins. May have thicker, icier texture.
Cookies & Cream Milkshake
Blender
- 1 1/2 cups cookies & cream ice cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup crushed Oreo cookies
Blend until smooth and creamy. Pulse in some cookies for extra crunch.
Food Processor
- 2 cups cookies & cream ice cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup crushed Oreo cookies
Blend then pulse cookies to roughly incorporate them.
Chunky Monkey Milkshake
Blender
- 2 scoops chocolate ice cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1 banana
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
- Whipped cream for topping
Blend until smooth and creamy then drizzle with chocolate sauce.
Food Processor
- 2 scoops chocolate ice cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1 banana, broken into chunks
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
- 1/4 cup crushed walnuts
Chop banana, blend, then pulse in walnuts and peanut butter.
The Bottom Line
Blenders and food processors both make milkshakes – but blenders are better suited for the job. Their fast spinning blades fully incorporate air and ingredients for a light, creamy milkshake texture.
Food processors struggle to achieve an ideal shake consistency. But they can still work in a pinch – just don’t expect the same smooth results as a blender.
Consider how often you’ll use each appliance and types of recipes when deciding between a blender or food processor. For milkshakes, blenders win hands down for their versatility and delicious results.
