Chocolate cravings have been in full force and I like to keep it plant-based friendly while getting my chocolate fix. That was made possible with my Sugar-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie.
Similar to my chocolate chia seed pudding, I wanted to keep this recipe refined sugar-free. All the thanks to an edible, sweet fruit called dates.
They appear similar to raisins - just much larger. They have wrinkly skins and typically have pits or seeds, which are sometimes removed.
They are the perfect alternative to sugar or sweeteners - especially in recipes where the ingredients are being blended, like homemade applesauce.
If your dates are a little dried up, they can be brought back to a juicy life in minutes.
This recipe has been updated and improved.
In the spirit of keeping things plant-based in this recipe, we’re going dairy-free, sugar-free, gluten-free, and we are only using 5 ingredients: soy milk, banana, peanut butter, dates, and cocoa powder.
I am currently in the middle of moving to another place, so I am emptying my freezer and pantry as much as I can. Especially since there’s no way any of my frozen food will keep frozen with this move - unless I bother with a cooler.
I think making a healthy, delicious smoothie was a better decision.
Why You’ll Love This Smoothie
- We’re only working with 5 ingredients here.
- This smoothie is extra creamy. No need for heavy cream, yogurt, or avocado - we’re getting a creamy smoothie with the ingredients listed. I highly suggest using a high-powered blender with good blades. Vitamix and Nutribullet are great blenders for smoothies.
- We’re sweetening up the smoothie naturally. Instead of using sugar, syrup, or honey, we’re going with dates. It’s a great way to sweeten up smoothies with the addition of fiber, potassium, and copper.
If you need a protein pick-me-up instead, go for our Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie. It’s protein powder-free and loaded with plant-based protein.
Recipe FAQs
How To Make Smoothies Creamy & Thick
No matter the flavor, whether you’re going for a raspberry or a coffee banana smoothie bowl - the trick to getting a creamy smoothie is by using frozen ingredients.
Here are more ways to thicken up your smoothies.
- Add protein powder. Protein powder can add some texture and thickness to your smoothie. It’s also a great way to add protein to your diet.
- Add vegan yogurt. Instead of using vegan milk altogether, go for 1 part vegan milk and one part vegan yogurt. Even better if it’s greek yogurt.
- Go for frozen fruit instead of fresh. Frozen bananas are a given. But if you’re opting out of bananas, any fruit you might be adding to your smoothie can benefit from frozen fruit - whether it’s strawberries, avocado, or raspberries.
- Swap out the vegan milk for vegan ice cream. Add a scoop of your favorite ice cream. Vanilla works well since it has more of a mild flavor that can thicken up your smoothies, without changing the recipe too much.
- Use a good blender. It’s important to use a high-speed blender with good-working blades. Otherwise, you might have a smoothie with an inconsistent smoothie texture.
- Add a dash of chia seeds. If you ever made chia pudding before, you’ll know that chia seeds are awesome at becoming gel-like up when resting in the water. The same concept applies here. Use chia seeds in your smoothie and they will gel up, creating a thicker texture.
This chocolate peanut butter smoothie is the perfect breakfast recipe that’s kid-friendly, easy to make, using affordable ingredients.
It’s also a great afternoon snack to serve up during the toastier months. I for one, rely on smoothies during the summer to avoid the hot kitchen.
How To Soften Dates
If your dates have been sitting around for a while and they’ve dried up a bit, you can rehydrate them. Simply place the date fruit into a bowl and cover with boiling water. Let the fruit sit for about 10 minutes. Drain the water and use.
Sugar-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie
Ingredients
- ½ cup soy milk
- 1 large frozen ripe banana ~150 grams
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 4 pitted dates chopped
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
Instructions
- Add the soy milk, banana, peanut butter, dates, and cocoa powder into the blender. Blend for a few minutes, until smooth and creamy.
- Pour and service in a short glass and top with natural peanut butter and crushed chocolate chips (optional).
Video
Notes
- For best results, use a high-powered blender like Vitamix or Nutribullet to get the perfect creamy smoothie texture.
- Use any date variety you prefer. The more common ones include Medjool and noor - I use both depending on what’s available at the store and what my mood is. However, I would say that Medjool has a softer, chewier texture than noor. It’s also sweeter.
- If your dates have been sitting around for a while and they’ve dried up a bit, you can rehydrate them. Simply place the date fruit into a bowl and cover it with boiling water. Let the fruit sit for about 10 minutes. Drain the water and use.
Nutrition
Did you try out this Sugar-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie recipe?
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