Date and Banana Smoothie

This Date and Banana Smoothie tastes like a creamy cinnamon vanilla milkshake, but with enough protein for a meal.

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Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe:

• Tastes like a milkshake – Creamy, cinnamon-vanilla vibes, and genuinely dessert-like, no “healthy-tasting” compromise here.
• 31 grams of protein – This isn’t a snack pretending to be breakfast, it’s an actual meal in a glass.
• Naturally sweetened – The medjool date and banana add the sweetness, in addition to any sweetness in the protein powder. No added sugar needed!
• Ready in 5 minutes – Everything goes in the blender at once — no prep, no cleanup drama.
• Kid-approved – Tastes like a treat, so nobody has to know it’s actually good for you!

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions:

For a full ingredient list with quantities, please check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

• Banana – Adds natural sweetness and that classic creamy milkshake texture; frozen banana makes it extra thick.
• Medjool date – The star of the sweetness here; if you don’t have medjool on hand, 2 smaller Deglet Noor dates work too, just soak them in warm water for 10 minutes first to soften.
• Milk – Any milk works here, dairy or your favorite non-dairy option like oat or almond milk.
• Vanilla protein powder – This is what turns the smoothie into a real meal; a plant-based vanilla protein works just as well if that’s your preference.
• Almond butter – Adds richness and healthy fats; cashew, peanut, or sunflower seed butter (for a nut-free option) are easy swaps.
• Vanilla extract – Rounds out the milkshake flavor; don’t skip it even if your protein powder is already vanilla.
• Cinnamon – Brings the warmth that makes this taste like a treat instead of a smoothie; a pinch on top is a fun addition too.

How to Make a Date and Banana Smoothie

For complete instructions, please check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

1. Add everything to a blender, blend until smooth, then pour into a cup and enjoy!

Tips and Variations

• Use a frozen banana – Skip the ice altogether and freeze your banana ahead of time for a thicker, milkshake-style texture.
• Make it chocolate – Add a tablespoon of cocoa powder for a chocolate-covered-date vibe.
• Boost the fiber – Stir in a tablespoon of chia or ground flaxseed for extra staying power.
• Prep smoothie packs ahead – Portion the banana, date, and dry ingredients into a freezer bag or container so you can dump and blend on busy mornings.
• Adjust the sweetness – Add a second date if you like it sweeter, or start with one and taste as you go.
• Turn it into a bowl – Use less milk and top with granola, extra cinnamon, and banana slices for a smoothie bowl instead.

Meal Prep & Storage

• Best fresh – Like most smoothies, this one is at its best straight out of the blender, texture-wise.
• Fridge storage – If needed, store in an airtight container for up to 24 hours for the best texture; it’s still food-safe up to 3-4 days, but expect some separation, just give it a good shake or quick re-blend.
• Freezer packs – For real meal prep, freeze the banana, date, and dry ingredients together in a bag or container, then just add milk and blend when you’re ready; keeps well for up to a month.
• Don’t freeze the blended smoothie – It won’t come back to the same creamy texture once thawed, so stick to freezing the components instead.
• Turn it into popsicles – if you have leftover smoothie and do want to freeze it, freeze it in popsicle molds for a creamy banana date popsicle!

FAQs

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More Smoothie Recipes to Love

• Berry Protein Shake
• Shamrock Protein Shake
• Kiwi Smoothie
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• Chocolate Strawberry Banana Smoothie
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