Craving something sweet that satiates like a meal? This peanut butter chocolate date smoothie recipe joins the natural sweetness of dates with cocoa powder, banana, peanut butter, and more for a thick and creamy date protein drink with a seriously delicious flavor. Great as a breakfast, snack, or even dessert smoothie!
I'll be brief: this peanut butter chocolate date smoothie is a really tasty recipe if you're wanting to eat more dates.
Looking for another option beyond blended chocolate chia pudding to enjoy at the end of my pregnancy, I started tinkering with a date smoothie recipe that had both nutritional heft and a rich chocolate flavor. And boy, does this one deliver.
Honestly saying "rich chocolate flavor" actually sells this indulgent smoothie short. Dates have a caramel-ish flavor which combines with chocolate protein powder, cocoa powder, and peanut butter to land somewhere in the flavor vicinity of a Snickers bar. Uh, YUM.
Whether you're wanting to use more naturally sweet ingredients, looking for a new fiber-rich smoothie, or bumping up your date consumption in late pregnancy (no pun intended!), this smoothie recipe is a delicious way to do it.
Recipe Ingredients
- Dates: This date smoothie recipe calls for three Medjool dates. These are the largest, soft kind often found near to the supermarket produce section. See the section below for substitutions if you can't find them.
- Milk: Use your preferred. I'm partial to unsweetened almond milk as the banana and dates provide sufficient sweetness on their own. Oat milk is another good option. And if your chosen milk comes in a chocolate flavor? Even better!
- Banana: Using a frozen banana brings a frosty cold element without needing ice, which can dilute a smoothie's flavor. Ideally use a medium overripe banana as its flavor is less pronounced than ones that are less ripe.
- Peanut butter: Another nut butter can be used if you'd like a milder flavor, such as almond butter. I like to use no-stir/creamy peanut butter in smoothies versus "natural" varieties which are more oily.
- Protein powder: Your favorite chocolate variety is a wonderful flavor complement here, but this is optional.
- Cocoa powder: This amplifies the chocolate flavor even more. It might seem redundant if using chocolate almond milk and chocolate protein powder, but boosting the cocoa note takes this chocolate date smoothie over the top. I recommend using Dutch-process cocoa powder for its decadent, rich flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Step 1: Add all ingredients to a blender, starting with the milk on the bottom.
- Step 2: Blend on medium to high speed for 45-60 seconds or until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed.
Do You Have to Soak Dates?
You don't necessarily need to soak Medjool dates before blending in a smoothie, but it does help if you'd prefer the smoothest, creamiest texture.
Simply soak dates in hot water for 5-10 minutes before adding to the blender. I recommend doing this if your Medjool dates are older (they can dry out), you don't have a high-powered blender, or if using non-Medjool dates - more on this below.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Date substitutions - You can use regular dates (often Deglet Noor but the non-Medjool ones at my grocery store have no variety listed, just "dates"), but you'll need to use more of them as they're smaller. About 6-7 regular dates equal 3 Medjool dates - roughly 47 grams in total. They're also drier, so don't skip a pre-soak.
- Check for pits anyway - After having found several pits in a container of pitted dates, I always check just in case!
- Staying power - Extra portions can be refrigerated for a day before enjoying. Stir well before serving if separation occurs.
Related Recipes
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Chocolate Date Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (chocolate recommended!) or other milk
- 3 (47g) pitted Medjool dates roughly chopped
- 1 medium frozen banana
- 1 Tablespoon peanut butter
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder optional
- 1 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-process recommended)
- Ice if the banana isn't frozen
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a blender. Blend on medium to high speed for 45-60 seconds or until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. Pour as one large or two smaller smoothies to serve.
Notes
- Milk - Dairy or non-dairy (almond or oat milk) work great.
- Peanut Butter - Can be replaced with almond butter. Creamy/no-stir is recommended as it's less oily.
- Using Regular Dates - Deglet Noor (or just "dates") can be subbed in but you'll need to use more of them as they're smaller. About 6-7 regular dates equal 3 Medjool dates.
- Soaking Dates - Not strictly necessary but results in the smoothest, creamiest texture. If doing so, soak dates in hot water for 5-10 minutes before chopping once cool enough to handle. I recommend doing this if your Medjool dates are older (they can dry out), you don't have a high-powered blender, or if using non-Medjool dates.
- Storage - Extra portions can stay in the fridge for 24 hours. Stir well before serving if separation occurs.
- Nutrition - This does not include the optional protein powder as they all vary.
- Yield - This recipe yields roughly 14.5 ounces in total, resulting in one large or two smaller smoothies.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as an estimate. As it can vary due to many factors (brands used, quantities, etc.), we cannot guarantee its accuracy.
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