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This creamy vanilla date smoothie blends Medjool dates, banana, and pineapple into a naturally sweet breakfast or snack. It tastes like a date shake, no ice cream needed!
If you love naturally sweet treats, I have the best smoothie for you: this creamy date smoothie! In many of my smoothie recipes I use maple syrup or honey, but dates are even better: they’re natural sweetener with a caramelly sweet flavor.
They also add a great source of fiber and enhance the creamy texture of a smoothie! Here’s how to make a naturally sweet smoothie using this tasty fruit: it comes out creamy and fruity, with a rich vanilla finish.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This vanilla date smoothie is inspired by a date shake I had in Palm Springs: it’s made with ice cream and a rich treat! I wanted to harness the flavor power of vanilla and dates, but make it into a healthier frozen smoothie instead, and I think I nailed the flavor. Here’s what you’ll need for this date smoothie:
- Medjool dates: Use only Medjool dates here: they are soft, blend easily, and add a caramel sweetness to this smoothie.
- Frozen banana: The only thing you have to remember: to freeze the banana in advance! You can also use purchased frozen bananas.
- Frozen pineapple: This helps to brighten the flavor and works with the frozen banana to provide a frosy base to the smoothie.
- Greek yogurt: This adds protein and a tangy flavor.
- Milk: This liquid helps to get the blender moving; you can substitute water or use any type of milk you like.
- Vanilla extract and cinnamon: Together these add irresistible cozy depth to the flavor.
Medjool Dates Vs Deglet Noor
Medjool dates are our top choice for this date smoothie. They’re very large, soft dates with an intense caramel sweet flavor. This type of date has become popular for their use in energy bars and they can be used in many types of recipes to add sweetness.
If you can’t find them, deglet noor dates can work too. However, this type of date is much harder in texture and not as sweet. How many deglet noor dates to substitute for Medjool? Use 8 deglet noor dates to equal 4 Medjool dates.
How To Get Dates To Blend Smoothly
Sometimes it’s hard to get dates to blend. Using Medjool dates is important because they’re softer than other types. Here are a few tips to make sure this smoothie blends up:
Soak dates if they are very dry. Older Medjool dates can dry out. If yours are dry, cover them with hot water for 10 minutes, then drain.
Blend longer than you think. This smoothie will likely take longer than you’re used to to blend up creamy, and that’s ok: keep the blender running. It’s also ok to have some very small sweet chunks of date — that’s the best part!
Vegan And Dairy-Free Variation
Want to make this date smoothie into a vegan smoothie? Simply substitute oat milk or almond milk for the milk and Greek yogurt. Use oat milk in place of the Greek yogurt and milk, starting with ¾ cup and adding more as needed.
You also may want consider adding a protein source, since Greek yogurt has lots of protein. Try 1 tablespoon almond butter, chia seeds or vanilla protein powder.
Variations And Add-Ins
- Pineapple swap: Frozen mango also works in place of the pineapple!
- Oats: Add ¼ cup oatmeal to make an oatmeal smoothie sweetened with dates.
- Chocolate: Add 1 to 2 tablespoons cocoa powder for a chocolate variation!
- Make it a shake: Use vanilla ice cream and you have a date shake, the dessert version!
Storage And Make-Ahead Notes
Smoothies are usually best right when they’re blended, but this one holds up about 1 day refrigerated. Shake or stir it before enjoying!
For make ahead, you can also make freezer packs: place the portioned frozen banana and pineapple into a ziplock bag, then add the other ingredients in the morning. (I wouldn’t add the dates or they’ll get too hard for blending.
More Smoothie Recipes With Dates
Want to make a different flavor fruit smoothie using dates as a sweetener? Here are a few great smoothie options where you can use dates as a substitute for the maple syrup or honey in the recipe:
- Try this Strawberry Smoothie with 3 Medjool dates (instead of honey)
- Go for a Spinach Smoothie with 2 Medjool dates (instead of honey)
- Try a Berry Smoothie with 3 Medjool dates (instead of honey)
- Grab a Cherry Smoothie with 1 to 2 Medjool dates (instead of maple syrup)
- Opt for this Glowing Green Smoothie with 2 Medjool dates (instead of maple syrup)
Frequently Asked Questions
About 2 to 3 Medjool dates per single-serve smoothie. This recipe uses 4 for two small servings.
Only if they’re dry or firm. Soft and fresh Medjool dates blend fine. Older Medjool dates can dry out, so you should soak them in hot water for 10 minutes, then drain.
Yes. Replace it with an equal amount of frozen mango.
Banana and pineapple work well, but dates can really work as the sweetener in any smoothie! Try them in my Strawberry Smoothie in place of the maple syrup or honey.
Creamy Date Smoothie
This creamy date smoothie blends Medjool dates, banana, and pineapple into a naturally sweet breakfast or snack. It tastes like a date shake, no ice cream needed!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 small or 1 large 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Blended
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Ingredients
- ¼ cup milk*
- ¾ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 frozen banana, sliced
- ½ cup frozen pineapple
- 4 Medjool dates**
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup ice cubes
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a blender in the order listed above, pitting the dates as you add them. Blend until smooth. Enjoy immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 day (shake if it separates).
Notes
*For a vegan date smoothie, use oat milk in place of the Greek yogurt and milk, starting with ¾ cup and adding more as needed. Consider adding a protein source like 1 tablespoon almond butter, chia seeds or protein powder.
*Medjool dates are the best for this smoothie. If you can’t find them, deglet noor dates can work too. However, this type of date is much harder in texture and not as sweet. Use 8 deglet noor dates to equal 4 Medjool dates.
what would be a good substitute for pineapple?
Great question! Frozen mango would be great here.
Let us know if you have any questions!