Date and Banana Smoothie

Name: Date and Banana Smoothie
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2- 1 cup almond milk; 2 bananas, frozen; 2-3 pitted medjool dates; 1/2 cup cottage cheese or Greek yogurt; 2 tbsp tahini; 1/2 tsp vanilla extract; Pinch of salt

Jump To Recipe 4 reviews posted Sep 20, 2019 by Jessica Hoffman

This Date and Banana Smoothie is the perfect naturally sweet and creamy drink to kickstart your day! Made with wholesome ingredients, It’s only takes 5 minutes to make and tastes like dessert but fuels you like breakfast!

A banana date smoothie in a glass topped with hemp seeds and a striped beige napkin on the side.

High-protein smoothies like my Green Protein Smoothie and Berry Protein Smoothie are some my go-to breakfasts. But when I’m in the mood for a high-protein smoothie that tastes like a milkshake? This Date and Banana Smoothie is my go-to!

It has the perfect blend of natural sweetness from Medjool dates, creaminess from frozen banana and tahini, and a hint of vanilla for a rich and creamy smoothie that you’ll love!

Table of Contents hide

1. Why You’ll Love This Recipe

2. Key Ingredients and Substitutions

3. Mix-in Ideas

4. How to Make a Date and Banana Smoothie

5. Jess’s Tips

6. Frequently Asked Questions

7. Try These Smoothie Recipes next!

8. Date and Banana Smoothie

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Naturally sweetened – Bananas and dates both give a natural sweetness, and the medjool dates also give a caramel flavor. If you love the caramel-like taste of dates make sure to give these Salted Caramel Bliss Balls a try next!
Creamy and satisfying – Thanks to tahini and optional cottage cheese or yogurt, this smoothie packed with protein and healthy fats to keep you feeling full all morning long.
Customizable – You can easily add in protein, veggies, or cocoa for different flavour variations or a nutrition boost!
Perfect anytime – Enjoy it as a quick breakfast, afternoon pick-me-up, or healthy dessert.

Key Ingredients and Substitutions

Ingredients to make a banana date smoothie.

Frozen bananas: Using ripe frozen bananas gives the smoothie its creamy texture and natural sweetness. Make sure to peel and chop your bananas before freezing so they’re blender-ready.
Medjool dates: I recommend Medjool dates because they’re extra soft, sweet, and have a rich, caramel-like flavor, though you can use any dates you have on hand. (If you have a pack of medjool dates to use up make sure to try my Raw Salted Caramel Slice and Snicker Dates.
Tahini: this adds a dose of healthy fats to the smoothie which will help keep you full. It also adds creaminess and a delicious sesame taste. You can substitute with any nut or seed butter you love.
Cottage cheese: Adding a scoop of cottage cheese makes the smoothie extra creamy and boosts the protein. Substitute with plain Greek yogurt or dairy-free yogurt.

*This is just a recipe overview. The full recipe with instructions and measurements can be found below in the recipe card.

Mix-in Ideas

Want to mix it up? Try adding one (or more!) of these mix-ins to your Banana Date Smoothie!

Protein boost: Add a scoop of your favorite vanilla or unflavored protein powder.
Chocolate version: Blend in 1 tbsp of cocoa powder or cacao for a healthy chocolate twist. If you love chocolate shakes you can also try this Chocolate Banana Smoothie.
Hidden veggies: I’m a huge fan of Veggie Smoothies! Toss in a handful of frozen cauliflower for extra fiber and nutrients—promise you won’t taste it!
Nut butter swap: Try almond butter or peanut butter in place of tahini for a different flavor.
Spices: Add cinnamon, cardamom, or even a pinch of espresso powder for a fun twist.

How to Make a Date and Banana Smoothie

Step 1

Add the almond milk, frozen banana, dates, cottage cheese, tahini, vanilla extract, salt and ice to a high speed blender.

Cottage cheese, banana, dates, tahini and almond milk in a blender.

Step 2

Blend until smooth and creamy, adding more almond as needed until the smoothie reaches your desired texture. (If you prefer a thicker smoothie, add less almond milk. If you prefer a thinner smoothie, add more.)

A date and banana smoothie in a blender.

Step 3

Divide the smoothie between two glasses and enjoy!

A banana date smoothie in a glass with a glass straw.

Jess’s Tips

Soak your dates if needed – If your dates are dry or firm, soak them in warm water for 5–10 minutes to soften.
Use ripe bananas – The riper your bananas before freezing, the sweeter and creamier the smoothie will be. Use bananas that are your desired ripeness. (I like mine yellow with just a few brown spots. If your bananas are overripe try turning them into Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars.)
Start with less milk – Begin with ½ cup of almond milk and add more as needed to reach your ideal consistency.
Add the ice last – This helps keep the smoothie thick and cold without watering it down too quickly.
Make it ahead – Blend the smoothie and store it in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Give it a shake before drinking!
Top it off – Pour it into a glass and top with hemp seeds, granola, or a drizzle of tahini for a café-style feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it ok to eat banana and dates together in a smoothie?

Yes of course! These two fruits pair well together. Just keep in mind they are both high in sugar if you are watching your daily sugar intake.

What does a date and banana smoothie taste like?

It tastes like a creamy caramel milkshake thanks to the natural sweetness of the dates and bananas. It’s rich, sweet, and slightly nutty from the tahini.

A glass of banana date smoothie topped with hemp seeds.

Try These Smoothie Recipes next!

If you tried this Date and Banana Smoothie or any other recipe on the blog let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment/rating below! Be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook for even more deliciousness!