Chocolate Tahini Smoothie

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!

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

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Chocolate Tahini Smoothie

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 for this Chocolate Tahini Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup unsweetened original almond milk
• 2 tablespoons tahini
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 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

 

Substitutions and variations

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, 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.

You drink faster than you eat, so you might drink more than you need before your tummy can tell your brain it’s full.

Plus, it’s easy to drink them mindlessly while doing something else.

For a long while I didn’t get smoothies.

If I’m hungry, I want food. If I’m thirsty, I want a beverage.

This in-between option – more filling than a beverage or a snack, not quite a meal – just didn’t fit my needs.

Plus I had a cheap blender that couldn’t really crush ice.

But then two things happened.

I discovered the magic that is frozen banana (replaces ice AND adds natural sweetness AND gives it a thick, frosty texture!).

And I got a much better blender.

So now I can enjoy this Chocolate Tahini Smoothie. Creamy, chocolate-y, rich in healthy fats and fiber, it’s like getting to drink a Frosty without having to subject your body to everything that’s in a Frosty.

It’s a joy-sparker for sure.

 

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

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