Dairy free, dairy free, dairy free – I can do this. If I say it enough times will it work? I hope so – my digestive health depends on it.
Most of the smoothies I’ve made in the past have contained some form of whey protein powder or yogurt, making them a no-go for me while I’m on my dairy-free test run. This recipe was an experiment of sorts. One recent morning I fumbled around the kitchen in my jammers to see if I could get a creamy texture without any dairy and it was a total score. I think the jammies helped.
PB&J has always been one of my favorite flavor combinations, ever since I was a kiddo eating a triangle cut sandwich with eyes locked on a TV playing Woody the Woodpecker. And this smoothie is a a refreshing presentation of that. Dates and bananas provide natural sweetness, blueberries plenty of of antioxidants, peanut butter protein and healthy fat, and flaxseed fiber and omega 3s. The almond milk adds virtually zero calories and a dreamy amount of creaminess. One sip in and I knew it was a win. I see this smoothie happening many more mornings in 2013. After all, if I can have a PB&J twice in one day, why wouldn’t I? Psh, that’s what I thought.
- 4 deglet nour or medjoul dates, pitted
- 1 Tbsp creamy natural peanut butter
- 1 small banana, frozen without the peel and quartered
- ½ – ¾ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (depending on preferred thickness)
- ⅓ cup frozen blueberries
- 1 Tbsp flax seed meal
- Add all ingredients to blender and mix until well combined. Add more frozen blueberries or banana to make it thicker, or more almond milk to thin it out.
Katie January 10, 2013 at 8:42 am
PERFECT. Need to go stock up on dates.
Ashley January 10, 2013 at 9:29 am
PB+J is and will always be a favorite combination of mine, so I am all about this recipe. Great lighting in these photos!
Dana January 10, 2013 at 9:41 pm
thanks, friend!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) January 10, 2013 at 9:48 am
I love the addition of blueberries to this smoothie! I bet this is one smooth and tasty drink!
Leisa January 10, 2013 at 9:51 am
I would never have thought to put dates in a smoothie–what a great idea! Yum!
Heather January 10, 2013 at 9:54 am
I think you are going to have this dairy free thing down to a science before you know it – this smoothie sounds like an amazing way to start the day- loving the pics!
Dana January 10, 2013 at 9:43 pm
it’s been surprisingly easier than I thought! Not only that, I feel it’s opened a whole other world of baking and cooking opportunities. Kind of a win-win if you ask me :D
Sara January 10, 2013 at 10:14 am
I had no idea about this site! (how did i miss that?) I have been looking for you on mylittlecelebration. So glad I found you!
Dana January 10, 2013 at 9:43 pm
Glad you found me over here, Sara. I’ll be posting at both camps from now on : )
Averie @ Averie Cooks January 10, 2013 at 11:35 am
PB & J in any form is a win! As well as dates + PB!
McKenna Ryan January 10, 2013 at 12:15 pm
This looks mouth watering! I want to eat it right now. xx. McKenna Lou
Sara @ The Cozy Herbivore January 10, 2013 at 5:39 pm
I discovered your blog through Take a Megabite, and boy am I glad I did! Really lovely stuff.
I too am a huge fan of pb & j’s AND I’m going vegan for the month of January, so this is just perfect to get me through a month without milkshakes. Looks so yummy, I can’t wait to whirl it up!
Dana January 10, 2013 at 9:44 pm
It’s totally milkshake-substitute worthy. I’ve already downed like 3 since the first experiment. SO good.
Sarah January 10, 2013 at 6:53 pm
What a great recipe. love the twist on a traditional date shake. Kind of healthy too, right?
Dana January 10, 2013 at 9:45 pm
Yes! The sugar content is a little high but it’s all from fruit so I’m totally OK with that.
T January 10, 2013 at 9:27 pm
I am still recovering from the almond joy butter bonanza that occurred our house. This looks really decadent and is on my list for the weekend.
sally @ sallys baking addiction January 11, 2013 at 2:59 pm
peanut butter and jelly will always be one of my favorite flavor combinations. i love the sounds it in a healthy smoothie. i eat/drink smoothies SO often and always want new combinations to try. i can’t wait to add dates to my next one!
T January 12, 2013 at 8:21 am
Ok. While hubby is out getting ingredients for your Oreo pancake recipe, I whipped these up for the kiddos. I didn’t have dates so I used dried plums and added spinach to sneak in some greens. They are asking for more. Great recipe.
Tammy January 21, 2013 at 11:32 am
I am drinking my smoothie as I write this and it’s so yummy! You are saving us from a very expensive smoothie store trip! I had my teenager search for the recipe for me as I was collecting ingredients and she was freaking out about all your recipes. You are “the bomb” she says!
Tammy
Jaz February 16, 2013 at 4:43 pm
This was delicious! Thank you! Just went dairy free because my newborn is allergic. I’ve missed milkshakes and this hit the spot!
Kait @ yogabeautylife March 7, 2013 at 10:04 pm
1) I really need to go do homework but clearly your blog is way more interesting.
2) This sounds heavenly.
3) Have you ever thrown greens in? I’m going to try it (b/c I toss greens into any and every smoothie I can…seriously I see a smoothie and my first thought is “Spinach!”) but I’m interested if you have or not. ;)
Dana March 7, 2013 at 10:33 pm
haha, Kait, you’re awesome! yes, I generally thrown greens in. But for the sake of pretty PB&J photo opp, I left them out :D
Kait @ yogabeautylife March 7, 2013 at 11:21 pm
Why thank you! And I totally understand about leaving them out for photos…I still remember my horror the first time I put blueberries into a green smoothie and saw what color it turned out…but I’m glad to know it tastes just as good with another dose of nutrients!
Also thanks for responding so quickly…and providing another form of procrastination. ;)
PS In case my comment-rampage didn’t give it away, I’m kind of obsessed with this space you’ve created here. I may have pinned, on average, every other recipe. #truestory
Sara P. March 16, 2013 at 11:03 am
This is my new favorite smoothie! I have had it 3 times this week. I have also been throwing in a couple frozen sweet cherries. Yum!
Janina May 21, 2013 at 6:21 pm
WOW! This was amazing! My 9 year old said it was ranks in the top 3 smoothies EVER! That is high praise!