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.
Peanut Butter & Jelly Date Smoothie
Ingredients
- 4 whole deglet noor or medjool dates (pitted)
- 1 Tbsp creamy natural peanut butter
- 1 small banana (frozen without the peel and quartered)
- 1/2-3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (depending on preferred thickness)
- 1/3 cup frozen blueberries
- 1 Tbsp flaxseed meal
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a blender and mix until well combined. Add more frozen blueberries or banana to make it thicker or more almond milk to thin it out.
Jula says
Hey Dana & Team,
I have shared this post in my round-up post
“63 insane ways how to add protein to your smoothie”
Hope that’s okay! I linked back to this recipe and used one picture.
Hope you like it! Feel free to share it or link back or it if it fits in :)
Thank you, Jula (hip-hap-healthy.com)
Abbye Pates says
I’m enjoying the flavor of this smoothie! (Drinking it as I type.:) I’ve never used dates in a smoothie and after reading the comments (which I should have done before), I’m either going to soak my dates or blend longer next time. I prefer a less chunky smoothie. BUT – still great taste, and I will make this smoothie again!
Thank you for sharing your experience, Abbye!
Nicole says
This smoothie blew my mind – it truly hit the PB&J spot. I halved the dates and am glad I did, it was plenty sweet for me even after adding a big handful of spinach and some hemp hearts along with the flax.
Yay! Thanks for sharing, Nicole.
Juliana says
Used regular dates, bananas that weren’t frozen, home made oat milk and extra strawberries that were going bad :)
Very delicious but a bit too sweet for me, so kept a little bit left for the next day! :))
Rebekah says
I recently had a date shake at a smoothie shop and loved it. I have been dying to make a similar one at home. I just tried your recipe and it tastes amazing. It’s super creamy and flavorful. I made it exactly as the recipe stated except for the flaxseed. The only thing is it barely made any liquid. I would have to possibly triple the recipe just to fill a small glass. Did I do something wrong or was this recipe supposed to be for a very small smoothie. I absolutely loved it though and would love your feedback! Thanks for taking time to create and share this recipe with us!
Depending on the size of your glass, you may have to adjust the recipe size to accommodate it but it should make enough for 1 serving!
Shirine says
This is so good! I’m on a smoothie diet and this is so comforting in the evening. Thank you so much for writing this recipe. It’s perfect when I need a peanut butter fix.
Carly says
I am trying to make this recipe without bananas due to a food sensitivity. Any ideas for how to keep the same taste and texture. Is there something else I can add or adjust?
Hi Carly! You could try applesauce, or chia seeds!
Carly says
Thanks! I tried applesauce but it was a little too liquid so added 1/4 cup chopped frozen apples instead and it worked perfectly.
Sharon S says
Yummy. It’s really good! I used PB2 instead of regular peanut butter. I can totally taste the peanut butter and jelly! Even though my dates are fresh, I think it would be better to soak and maybe chop. I still get pieces in my Blendtec.
Soha Indian says
Wow nice… My hubby try this….
Kathleen says
This is so creamy; such a treat, and I’m so glad I made it.
Faux Leather says
What a unique and yet familiar recipe! I love the idea of a “peanut butter and jelly” smoothie. My local health foods store has a new kind of flaxseed from Denmark which I will try next time I make it. I try to add 25-28 blueberries, but I’m not certain the exact amount I use to make the perfect smoothie.
Alena says
Yeah, I thought that this would be a good one, but my husband couldn’t even drink it. He hated finding chunks of dates in his smoothie among other gripes. Just in general, he did not care for the combo of flavors even though he loves pb & j sandwiches! My hubby gives this a “1 Star”, and I thought it was only ok and would give it a “3 Star” rating equaling 2 stars. Sorry, this wasn’t the smoothie for us!
Hi Alena! If your dates were dry, they probably didn’t blend as well. If that was the as, soaking them in warm water for 10 minutes, then draining would make them softer! Also, blend on high for 2-3 minutes to make it ultra creamy. Better luck next time!
Jessica says
^ oops that was supposed to go on the world’s easiest cinnamon roll post. Ah!
Jessica says
I showed these to my husband, who has been searching for the perfect cinnamon roll recipe, and he made them last night. BEST. CINNAMON. ROLLS. EVER! thank you!
Gabby says
I just tried his one for the first time. I followed the recipe, but sadly it tastes mostly like banana. The peanut butter is virtually nonexistent :( I love the idea though, and will keep experimenting with it :)
It may depend on the type of PB you used. Was it salted? If not, the peanut butter can fall flat. I’d suggest adding MORE peanut butter next time along with a pinch of salt. Hope that helps!
tasos says
just perfect!!!
Jessica says
I can’t wait to make this!! Can I use Chia seeds instead of flax? If so how much? Will it change the flavor?
Thanks!
You can use flax, no problem!
Stacie says
Wow, this is so yummy that it’s not helping erase my vacation eating binge guilt! In fact, I feel guilty having it, and I shouldn’t! Fantastic recipe! The Hubby is loving it too. Win win for me! Yay!
Jess says
Drinking this now as I type and I have to say it is super yummy! The blueberries and peanut butter together are awesome and I never thought to add dates to my smoothie. I did use coconut water since I don’t have almond milk but it is delish. Also, this morning I made your peach oatmeal smoothie for my hubby before he left for work. Also tasted wonderful! I’ll be checking out all your smoothie recipes. Thanks!
Jess says
I used to always make my smoothies with greek yogurt and milk and since I am now following a Paleo diet I have substituted coconut water and honestly I can’t even tell the difference. I still find my smoothies to be somewhat creamy. Maybe it’s because I add 2-3 bananas to mine plus chia seeds. Anyway, many of your smoothies are similar to what I make but there are a few yummy ones I am looking forward to trying :)
Jess, I have to steer clear of the dairy, too, but my smoothies don’t suffer. Let me know if you try this and what you think!
Andrea says
A nice shake up to my smoothie routine!
Sloane says
Absolute perfection! I made it and it looked appetizing and was just plain yummy. When I calculated the nutrition, I got all of the same numbers as stated above. And as an added bonus, this little shake has:
9% Vitamin A
11.3% Iron
22.8% Vitamin C
40.5% Calcium
of your Daily Value. That’s crazy a lot! Now, if only the sugar count was lower… yet as she stated, it’s all from good fruits and wholesome peanut butter. This recipe is a definite winner.
Holly says
This is another home run! It tastes like a peanut butter/jelly sandwich; only better! Yummy!
Janina says
WOW! This was amazing! My 9 year old said it was ranks in the top 3 smoothies EVER! That is high praise!
Sara P. says
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!
Kait @ yogabeautylife says
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. ;)
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 says
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
Jaz says
This was delicious! Thank you! Just went dairy free because my newborn is allergic. I’ve missed milkshakes and this hit the spot!
Tammy says
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
T says
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.
sally @ sallys baking addiction says
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 says
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.
Sarah says
What a great recipe. love the twist on a traditional date shake. Kind of healthy too, right?
Yes! The sugar content is a little high but it’s all from fruit so I’m totally OK with that.
Sara @ The Cozy Herbivore says
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!
It’s totally milkshake-substitute worthy. I’ve already downed like 3 since the first experiment. SO good.
McKenna Ryan says
This looks mouth watering! I want to eat it right now. xx. McKenna Lou
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
PB & J in any form is a win! As well as dates + PB!
Sara says
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!
Glad you found me over here, Sara. I’ll be posting at both camps from now on : )
Heather says
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!
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
Leisa says
I would never have thought to put dates in a smoothie–what a great idea! Yum!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
I love the addition of blueberries to this smoothie! I bet this is one smooth and tasty drink!
Ashley says
PB+J is and will always be a favorite combination of mine, so I am all about this recipe. Great lighting in these photos!
thanks, friend!
Katie says
PERFECT. Need to go stock up on dates.