• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Paleo Gluten-Free Guy logo
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • The Paleo Pantry
  • About
    • About Don Baiocchi
    • What is Paleo?
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok

Chocolate Tahini Smoothie

Apr 20, 2019 · 25 Comments

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
2 images of healthy chocolate smoothie with tahini in a tall glass, topped with cacao nibs, on a white platter with bananas, cocoa powder and a jar of tahini
2 images of healthy chocolate smoothie with tahini in a tall glass, topped with cacao nibs, on a white platter with bananas, cocoa powder and a jar of tahini

This Chocolate Tahini Smoothie is a thick, creamy, indulgent treat. No, it doesn’t taste like chocolate hummus and no, no one has to know it’s actually healthy!

Plus it’s dairy-free, vegan and Paleo friendly!

This was originally published on April 20, 2019. Photos were updated on April 6, 2020.

A vegan chocolate smoothie in a tall glass, topped with cacao nibs, on a white platter with bananas, cocoa powder and a jar of tahini

(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link, I’ll automatically receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.)

Why this recipe works

I’ll admit lately I’ve been indulging a wee bit too much. I need to simplify. Pare down. Marie Kondo my mouth. Throwing pantry and freezer staples into a blender can spark joy, right? And then you get to drink that joy? Is that how this works?

If so, this Chocolate Tahini Smoothie is sparking a whole lotta joy in my face.

The formula is pretty simple: unsweetened cocoa or raw cacao, tahini (or any nut butter) and your non-dairy milk of choice. Blend it up with a frozen banana for a thick, frosty treat.

Want this paleo smoothie without banana or don’t have a frozen one ready to go? Use dates and ice instead. The dates add a deep, almost caramel flavor without adding, you know, caramel.

It’s fun enough for kids and adults alike. It makes enough to share if you feel like being a good person. I often don’t, so I don’t (sorry, honey!).

This smoothie can spark so much joy your kitchen will make Disney look like the DMV.

And it doesn’t taste like that chocolate dessert hummus that’s dividing the internet.

Tahini is the supporting actor to the lead star: chocolate. It’s Ed McMahon to Johnny Carson. The hair-blowing fan to Beyoncé. The Cristal to the Nomi. It’s part of the show but knows its place.

What you need

Ingredients:

  • ¾ cup unsweetened original almond milk
  • 2 tablespoons tahini
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • with banana:
    • 1 large banana, peeled, chopped and frozen
  • with dates:
    • 4 large pitted dates, such as Deglet Noor or Medjool
    • 4-6 large ice cubes

Equipment:

  • blender
  • measuring spoons
  • measuring cups
  • measuring glass

How to make a Chocolate Tahini Smoothie

Chocolate Tahini Smoothie with banana:

Step 1: Add the milk, banana, cocoa powder, tahini and salt to a blender. Blitz until smooth. Depending on your blender, you may first have to use the ice crush function to blend the banana. Add more milk if it’s too thick.

Chocolate Tahini Smoothie with dates:

Step 1: Add the ice cubes and blend again, using the ice crush function if necessary. Add more milk if it’s too thick. 

Step 2: Add your pitted dates to a small bowl and cover with boiling water. Let sit for 10 minutes to soften the dates. Drain. (If you have a really powerful blender, you can probably skip this step. For the rest of us, it’s necessary for a smooth consistency.) Rinse briefly in cold water and drain again.

Step 3: Blend the dates, almond milk, tahini, cocoa powder and salt until smooth. Depending on your blender, you may first have to use the ice crush function to really break down and blend the dates.

Chocolate Tahini Smoothie in a tall glass, topped with cacao nibs, on a white platter with bananas, cocoa powder and a jar of tahini

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I make substitutions?

Don’t want to use almond milk? Try full-fat unsweetened coconut milk. It’ll provide an even thicker texture and mild coconut flavor while keeping this a dairy-free smoothie.

No tahini? Peanut butter, almond butter or sunbutter are all fantastic here as well.

Add a pinch of cinnamon, ginger, maca or even cayenne to spice things up.

Throw in a handful of cacao nibs if you want crunchy chocolate bits without the extra sugar.

Add whatever fruit you like with chocolate: raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, cherries or oranges.

Turn this into a Chocolate Smoothie Bowl and top it with your favorite goodies. Granola, unsweetened coconut, nuts, fruit and cacao nibs would all work great.

But why tahini?

You might be wondering if this is like drinking a hummus smoothie. After all, don’t most people know tahini as the creamy counterpart to chickpeas in that famous dip? Sure, but it’s used for many other things, both sweet and savory.

It’s a sesame seed paste, so it’s a nut-free substitute for peanut or other nut butters. Mix it with lemon juice and garlic for a quick sauce over chicken kebabs. Mix it with honey to pour over ice cream. Blend it into muffins, breads and cookies.

Plus, just like cocoa powder, tahini is really good for you, which is why I use it in recipes like this Grilled Avocado Hummus. Healthy fats, protein, vitamins, minerals – tahini’s got it all. It’s a good source of iron and copper!

You actually need those for your health. Then when someone asks you why you’re using tahini, you can honestly say, “because I like to drink metal.” Or if someone is bragging about something, like how much they benched at the gym or how many times they’ve re-read Harry Potter, you can honestly respond, “Yeah? Well I drink metal.”

Are smoothies Paleo?

Depends on who you ask. Drinking a meals’ worth of calories isn’t always the best idea. It’s easy to drink them mindlessly while doing something else. You drink faster than you eat, so you might drink more than you need before your tummy can tell your brain it’s full.

But being Paleo isn’t about being perfect 100% of the time. Sometimes we’re in a rush, sometimes we’re not in the mood for a full meal, sometimes we just need an extra serving of protein…there’s lots of reasons why a smoothie might fit your needs.

Other recipes you might like:

  1. Chocolate Ricotta Pudding
  2. Strawberry Banana Smoothie
  3. Banana Berry Protein Smoothie
  4. Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
  5. Sweet Potato Smoothie Bowls
A vegan chocolate smoothie in a tall glass, topped with cacao nibs, on a white platter with bananas, cocoa powder and a jar of tahini

Chocolate Tahini Smoothie

Don Baiocchi
This Chocolate Tahini Smoothie is rich, creamy and sweetened only with bananas or dates, making it a healthful and fun treat. Plus it's dairy-free, vegan and Paleo friendly.
5 from 11 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 1 serving
Calories 332 kcal

Ingredients
  

Chocolate Tahini Smoothie

  • ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk, plus more as necessary
  • 2 tablespoons tahini (or nut butter of your choice)
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder or raw cacao
  • ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt

with banana:

  • 1 large banana, peeled, chopped and frozen

with dates:

  • 4 large pitted dates, such as Deglet Noor or Medjool
  • 4-6 large ice cubes

Instructions
 

Chocolate Tahini Smoothie with banana:

  • Add the milk, banana, cocoa powder, tahini and salt to a blender. Blitz until smooth. Depending on your blender, you may first have to use the ice crush function to blend the banana. Add more milk if it's too thick.

Chocolate Tahini Smoothie with dates:

  • Add your pitted dates to a small bowl and cover with boiling water. Let sit for 10 minutes to soften the dates. Drain. (If you have a really powerful blender, you can probably skip this step. For the rest of us, it’s necessary for a smooth consistency.) Rinse briefly in cold water and drain again.
  • Blend the dates, almond milk, tahini, cocoa powder and salt until smooth. Depending on your blender, you may first have to use the ice crush function to really break down and blend the dates.
  • Add the ice cubes and blend again, using the ice crush function if necessary. Add more milk if it's too thick.

Notes

Nutrition note: The nutrition info includes 1 banana and no dates.
You can swap out the tahini for almond, cashew or peanut butter.
It’s hard to say exactly how much ice to use since everyone’s ice cube trays are different sizes. I like the date smoothie with 4 ice cubes. It’s cold and thick enough for me, but you might want more. If so, add more ice, then taste the smoothie. You may need to add more tahini and/or cocoa powder if the ice has watered down the flavor. 
You can also leave the ice out of the date version to make a really good Tahini Chocolate Milk.
These keep really well in the fridge for up to 3 days. It can actually get even thicker after a day or so.

Nutrition

Calories: 332kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 9gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 839mgPotassium: 712mgFiber: 9gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 96IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 286mgIron: 3mg
Keyword almond milk, banana, chocolate, dates, smoothie, tahini
Tried this recipe?Mention @paleoglutenfreeguy or tag #paleoglutenfreeguy!

For more recipes, inspiration and just good stuff, join me on:

Instagram,

Facebook,

TikTok

and Pinterest!

Related Posts

  • An apple and carrot smoothie in a tall glass topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
    Morning Glory Smoothie
  • A vegan sweet potato smoothie in a tall glass topped with cinnamon, next to a cinnamon stick and half a nutmeg.
    Sweet Potato Protein Smoothie
  • Paleo Pumpkin Pie Smoothie in a glass topped with whipped coconut cream and a cinnamon stick.
    Pumpkin Pie Smoothie (Paleo, vegan)

5 Ingredients or Less, Beverages, Recipes almond milk, banana, chocolate, dates, smoothie, tahini, vegan, vegan smoothie

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mimi says

    April 29, 2019 at 10:51 am

    5 stars
    I love how simple the formula for this delicious smoothie is. I am using frozen bananas a lot, particularly to give my smoothies that special texture. Love the recipe.

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      April 29, 2019 at 2:33 pm

      I hardly every make a smoothie without a frozen banana (or frozen mango – also good for sweetness and texture). Thanks!

      Reply
  2. Katie says

    April 28, 2019 at 11:34 pm

    5 stars
    This is such a delicious idea- and tastes so much better than I could have imagined! When I read the line about drinking a hummus smoothie I laughed out loud, but no worries- it didn’t taste like that at all. So delicious!

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      April 29, 2019 at 2:33 pm

      Oh good! Glad you liked it. Thanks!

      Reply
  3. heather says

    April 28, 2019 at 8:09 am

    5 stars
    I love tahini, but NEVER would have thought to put it into a smoothie! What a great idea!

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      April 29, 2019 at 2:34 pm

      Tahini is great in so many kinds of smoothies!

      Reply
  4. chihyu says

    April 27, 2019 at 9:24 pm

    5 stars
    OMG, Don! you had me at chocolate! And I love tahini, too! This will be my breakfast and I know I’ll be making it over and over again!

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      April 29, 2019 at 2:34 pm

      Chocolate and tahini are so good together! Hope you enjoy!

      Reply
  5. STACEY CRAWFORD says

    April 27, 2019 at 9:23 am

    5 stars
    You’re killing me with the “hair blowing fan to Beyonce”. I laughed so hard at that. I love tahini in sauces and dressing but have not added it to a smoothie before. It looks just like a thick and chocolaty frosty! I think I will drink this while using a hair blowing fan 😉

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      April 29, 2019 at 2:35 pm

      I thought of a frosty, too! But this is just a little healthier. 😉

      Reply
  6. Anne says

    April 26, 2019 at 3:55 pm

    5 stars
    This looks so good! Just like a milkshake but it’s good for you!

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      April 29, 2019 at 2:35 pm

      Exactly!

      Reply
  7. Raia Todd says

    April 24, 2019 at 9:50 am

    5 stars
    I LOVE tahini, but I have never put it in a smoothie before. Guess I better try and see if it *sparks joy* for my mouth…. 😉

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      April 25, 2019 at 10:53 am

      I think it might!

      Reply
  8. linda spiker says

    April 23, 2019 at 8:45 pm

    5 stars
    A man after my own heart…dates all the way!

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      April 25, 2019 at 10:52 am

      I threw the date version in there for the banana-haters but I think I might like it better. 😉

      Reply
  9. Linda says

    April 23, 2019 at 6:40 pm

    5 stars
    This is my kind of smoothie – with tahini and dates. How awesome!

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      April 25, 2019 at 10:52 am

      You have good taste! 🙂

      Reply
  10. tina says

    April 23, 2019 at 4:06 pm

    yum! this is soooooooooo tasty lookin’ – can’t wait to try next time my chocolate cravings hit!

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      April 25, 2019 at 10:52 am

      It’s perfect for that since it’s so easy to have all these ingredients on hand. 🙂

      Reply
  11. Jean says

    April 22, 2019 at 10:59 pm

    5 stars
    Oh wow, this sounds divine! I love that it’s sweetened with fruits and the chocolate sounds amazing.

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      April 23, 2019 at 1:41 pm

      Thanks! Yep, sugar is just not needed when you already have naturally sweet ingredients. 🙂

      Reply
  12. Tessa Simpson says

    April 22, 2019 at 7:56 pm

    5 stars
    Sign me up for the date version!! And I have never thought to put tahini in my smoothie, you’ve inspired me!

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      April 23, 2019 at 1:40 pm

      The date version is good! I hope you enjoy the tahini!

      Reply
5 from 11 votes

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

About Don

Headshot photo of Don Baiocchi

Well hello there! I’m Don, the creator behind Paleo Gluten Free Guy. I share fun, vibrant recipes for good health and pure enjoyment. All of my recipes are gluten-free and the majority of them are also Paleo, meaning they’re free of grains, dairy, refined sugar and legumes.

Categories

Sign-up for Freebie!

Most Recent Posts

A gluten free dairy free banana cake in a square baking dish with some cream cheese frosting spread over part of the cake.

Gluten-Free Banana Cake (Paleo)

A spicy salmon poke bowl with chunks of salmon, shredded carrots, sugar snap peas and red bell pepper strips.

Cooked Salmon Poke Bowl (gluten-free, Paleo)

High protein chocolate pudding in mason jars topped with sliced banana and chocolate chips.

Chocolate Protein Chia Pudding

Gluten free and dairy free banana bread sliced on a platter next to a bread knife.

Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Banana Bread

Beet kale salad in a large bowl drizzled with green goddess dressing.

Kale Beet Salad with Avocado Green Goddess Dressing

Footer

For Recipe Tips & More!

Menu

  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Blog
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Follow Me

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok

Copyright © 2025 Paleo Gluten-Free Guy on the Seasoned Pro Theme

702 shares
  • 230

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.