Date and Banana Smoothie
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!

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!
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

- 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.

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.)

Step 3
Divide the smoothie between two glasses and enjoy!

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
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.
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.

Date and Banana Smoothie
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 smoothies 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Blend
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This date and banana smoothie is healthy and easy to make but tastes like a caramel milkshake!
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
Instructions
-
Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender, starting with ½ cup of almond milk.
-
Blend until smooth and creamy, adding more milk as needed to reach your desired consistency.
-
Divide between two glasses and enjoy!
Notes
- Use ripe frozen bananas for natural sweetness and a creamy texture.
- Soak dates if they’re dry to help them blend smoothly.
- Start with ½ cup almond milk and add more as needed.
- Add protein powder, cocoa, or cauliflower for a boost.
- Store in the fridge for up to 24 hours—just shake before drinking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 recipe
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 29g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 12g
Super delicious and filling!!
Thanks Amanda!
Deliciously healthy!!
Thanks Karen!
Love love love this recipe. I live in Italy where nut butters are difficult to find, but tahini is in abundance. I used only one banana and two dates, and felt that the shake was still very sweet. I think next time I will take it down to one date, and may experiment with adding a veggie to the mix like spinach or micro – greens to get a lil green action in there! Grazie Mile!
Happy you love the recipe!
I added a pinch of sea salt to finish it off and it was delicious. Will be using this recipe regularly
Thanks for the review scott! Glad you enjoyed 🙂
I rarely leave reviews for recipes but I had to come back around and take the time to review this one. It. Is FABULOUS!! So much better than I expected. I was nervous to try it, but I love tahini so I figured, why not? So glad I did! Even my 12 year old daughter loved it and asked to have it for breakfast the next morning! More tahini shake recipes please!!
Hi Brandi, thank you for the review! I’m so happy to hear both you and your daughter loved this recipe! I find it really tastes like a creamy milkshake, but much healthier and perfect for breakfast! If you love tahini stay tuned for a delicious tahini granola recipe that will be coming out soon!