Caramel-Smooth Banana Date Almond Milk Smoothie

Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR)

• Yield: 2 servings (about 2 medium glasses)
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 10 minutes

Quick Ingredients

• 2 ripe bananas (spotty, room temp or frozen)
• 6 soft Medjool dates, pitted
• 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tablespoon almond butter
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of fine sea salt
• 1/2–1 cup ice cubes (optional, for chilling and thickening)
• Banana slices, chopped dates, and sliced almonds for garnish (optional)

Do This

• 1. Pit the dates and roughly break them into pieces so they blend easily.
• 2. Add almond milk, bananas, dates, almond butter, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt to a blender.
• 3. Blend on high for 45–60 seconds until the dates are fully broken down and the drink is silky.
• 4. Add ice (if using) and blend again until smooth and frosty, adjusting thickness with more milk or ice.
• 5. Taste and adjust: add an extra date for more sweetness or a pinch more salt/cinnamon for balance.
• 6. Pour into chilled glasses, letting the natural foam sit on top like a light mousse.
• 7. Garnish with banana slices, chopped dates, and sliced almonds, then serve immediately.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Naturally sweetened with bananas and dates only, no refined sugar needed.
• Creamy, caramel-smooth texture that feels like a dessert but is made from wholesome ingredients.
• Quick to make in one blender, perfect for breakfast, a snack, or a cozy evening drink.
• Easily customizable: make it thicker, lighter, cooler, or warmly spiced to suit your mood.

Grocery List

• Produce: Ripe bananas, soft Medjool dates
• Dairy: None (use unsweetened almond milk from the non-dairy section)
• Pantry: Unsweetened almond milk, almond butter, pure vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, fine sea salt, ice cubes, sliced almonds (optional)

Full Ingredients

Main Drink (2 servings)

• 2 medium ripe bananas, peeled (spotty for best sweetness; about 220 g total)
• 6 soft Medjool dates, pitted (about 90 g)
• 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tablespoon (16 g) almond butter (smooth or crunchy)
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 small pinch fine sea salt (about 1/16 teaspoon)
• 1/2–1 cup ice cubes (about 6–10 standard cubes), optional for a chilled, thicker drink

Optional Garnishes

• Banana slices
• Chopped dates
• Sliced almonds, toasted or plain
• Extra pinch of cinnamon for dusting on top

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep the bananas and dates

Peel the bananas and break them into large chunks so they fit easily in your blender jar. If you like a thicker, colder drink, you can use frozen banana chunks instead; just peel and slice bananas ahead of time and freeze them in a single layer. For the dates, remove and discard the pits, then tear each date into 2–3 pieces with your fingers. This gives your blender a head start and helps ensure there are no chewy bits left in the final drink.

Step 2: Load the blender in the right order

Pour the unsweetened almond milk into the blender first. Adding the liquid at the bottom helps everything circulate smoothly. Add the banana pieces and torn dates on top of the milk. Spoon in the almond butter, then add the vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and a small pinch of fine sea salt. The salt will not make the drink taste salty; instead, it deepens the caramel notes from the dates and balances the sweetness.

Step 3: Blend until completely silky

Secure the lid and start blending on low speed, then gradually increase to high. Blend on high for 45–60 seconds, or until the mixture looks completely smooth, creamy, and uniform in color. You should not see distinct pieces of dates. If you are using a lower-powered blender, pause once or twice to scrape down the sides with a spatula and blend again so all the dates are fully incorporated.

Step 4: Adjust thickness and chill with ice

If you prefer a cool, milkshake-like drink, add 1/2–1 cup of ice cubes to the blender. Start with 1/2 cup and blend again until the ice is crushed and the drink is frothy and slightly thickened. For an extra-thick texture, add more ice a few cubes at a time. If at any point the mixture becomes too thick for your taste or difficult to blend, add a splash or two of additional almond milk, then blend again until smooth.

Step 5: Taste and fine-tune the flavor

Turn off the blender and taste the drink with a spoon. For more sweetness, add 1 extra Medjool date and blend again until smooth. For a warmer, spiced flavor, add another pinch of cinnamon. If the drink tastes overly sweet or flat, add the tiniest extra pinch of sea salt and blend briefly. This step lets you tailor the balance of sweetness, spice, and creaminess exactly to your liking.

Step 6: Serve with simple rustic garnishes

Pour the banana–date almond drink into two chilled glasses, letting some of the natural foam collect on top. For a cozy, rustic look, top each glass with a few banana slices, a sprinkle of chopped dates, and a scattering of sliced almonds. Finish with a light dusting of cinnamon if you like. Serve immediately while it is cool and frothy. If the drink sits for a while, give it a quick stir before sipping to recombine any slight separation.

Pro Tips

• Use very ripe bananas: Bananas with plenty of brown spots are sweeter and blend more smoothly, giving the drink a natural caramel-banana flavor.
• Soften firmer dates: If your dates are a bit dry, soak them in hot water for 5–10 minutes, drain well, and then blend. This makes the drink silkier and prevents any gritty texture.
• Chill everything for a thicker shake: Use frozen banana pieces and cold almond milk for a naturally thick and frosty drink without needing much ice.
• Balance sweetness with salt: Do not skip the tiny pinch of sea salt; it makes the dates taste more caramel-like and keeps the drink from tasting one-note sweet.
• Blend long enough: Give the blender time to fully break down the dates. If you still see specks, keep blending in 15-second bursts until ultra-smooth.

Variations

• Mocha Banana–Date Almond Drink: Add 1 shot (30 ml) of cooled espresso or 1 tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder before blending. This adds a deep coffee-chocolate note that pairs beautifully with the dates.
• Protein-Packed Breakfast Version: Add 1 scoop (about 25–30 g) of vanilla or unflavored protein powder and an extra 1/4 cup almond milk. Blend very well to avoid any chalky texture.
• Warm Spiced Drink: Gently heat the almond milk until steaming but not boiling (about 60–70°C / 140–160°F). Let it cool slightly, then blend with the other ingredients (skip the ice). Add a pinch of nutmeg alongside the cinnamon for a cozy, latte-style drink.

Storage & Make-Ahead

This banana–date almond drink is best enjoyed immediately, when it is at its frothiest and the flavors are brightest. If you need to make it ahead, store it in a tightly sealed jar or bottle in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Because bananas can darken slightly over time, expect a small change in color, but the flavor will remain delicious. Shake or stir very well before serving to recombine any separation. If the drink thickens in the fridge, simply add a splash of almond milk and stir or shake until you reach your desired consistency. For the best texture and to avoid ice melt, add any ice cubes just before serving rather than during make-ahead prep.

Nutrition (per serving)

Approximate values per serving (1 of 2), using unsweetened almond milk and including the almond butter but no optional garnishes: about 360–380 calories; 7–9 g protein; 11–13 g total fat; 65–75 g carbohydrates; 8–10 g dietary fiber; 45–55 g natural sugars (from fruit and dates); very low in saturated fat and sodium. Actual values will vary based on the exact size of the bananas and dates, the brand of almond milk, and any additions or garnishes.