Chocolate Tahini Smoothie

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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

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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:

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:

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

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Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Servings 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