Indulge Your Cravings: The Ultimate Chocolate Tahini Oat Milk Smoothie Recipe
Imagine starting your day with a rich, creamy, and utterly satisfying chocolate treat that’s actually good for you. No, it’s not a dream – it’s this incredible Chocolate Tahini Oat Milk Smoothie! Forget boring breakfasts; this delightful blend is the perfect way to kickstart your morning, offering a decadent taste that feels like a dessert but is packed with wholesome goodness. In just minutes, you can whip up this sweet, nutty, and intensely chocolatey breakfast smoothie using simple ingredients like ripe bananas, luxurious homemade chocolate tahini butter, and creamy oat milk.
Who says you can’t have a milkshake for breakfast? This chocolate tahini oat milk smoothie truly tastes like a rich, nutty, and creamy cocoa dream. What’s even better is that it’s incredibly simple to make, relying on just a few key ingredients to achieve its irresistible flavor and silky texture. It’s perfect for satisfying those early morning chocolate cravings without compromising on health or convenience.
The inspiration for this delightful breakfast smoothie came from my recent recipe for homemade chocolate tahini. Since homemade chocolate tahini stays fresh in the fridge for up to a month, it’s become a versatile staple in my kitchen, perfect for spreading on toast, drizzling over oatmeal, or in this case, blending into a truly exceptional smoothie. This smoothie has quickly become my new obsession, and I’m sure it will be yours too!
Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy breakfast, a post-workout refuel, or a healthy snack, this chocolate tahini oat milk smoothie delivers on all fronts. Its unique blend of flavors and nutrient-rich ingredients makes it a smart choice for any time of day.
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Why Choose Oat Milk for Your Smoothie?
Oat milk has rapidly grown in popularity, and for good reason! It’s a fantastic plant-based, lactose-free, and vegan-friendly alternative to traditional cow’s milk. Made from oats that are soaked, blended, and then strained, oat milk offers a unique set of benefits that make it ideal for smoothies.
One of the primary reasons we love using oat milk in this chocolate tahini smoothie (and in oatmeal!) is its incredible ability to add a subtle, natural nuttiness and a luxurious creaminess without overpowering the other flavors. Unlike some other plant milks, oat milk has a mild, slightly sweet profile that complements chocolate and tahini beautifully, enhancing the overall taste and mouthfeel of your smoothie. It provides a velvety smooth texture that makes every sip feel indulgent.
Beyond its taste and texture, oat milk is also a great source of fiber, and many brands are fortified with essential vitamins and minerals like Vitamin D, calcium, and B vitamins. This means your delicious smoothie isn’t just a treat for your taste buds, but also contributes to your daily nutritional intake.
While oat milk is our top recommendation for this particular recipe due to its exceptional creaminess and flavor profile, don’t feel limited. Smoothies are wonderfully adaptable! You can absolutely use any milk you prefer – be it almond milk, soy milk, cashew milk, or even traditional dairy milk. We often keep both cow’s milk and oat milk in our fridge to cater to different preferences and recipes (we don’t strictly adhere to any particular diet), so feel free to experiment and find what works best for you and your family. For an extra creamy experience, look for “extra creamy” varieties of oat milk, like the one we’re currently obsessing over!
The Star Ingredient: Chocolate Tahini
The secret weapon in this smoothie is the incredible chocolate tahini. If you haven’t tried it before, prepare to be amazed! Tahini, a paste made from ground sesame seeds, is a staple in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines, known for its rich, earthy, and slightly bitter flavor. When combined with chocolate, it transforms into a uniquely decadent spread that’s both sweet and savory, with an irresistible depth of flavor.
The combination of sesame’s nutty profile and chocolate’s classic richness creates a sophisticated taste that’s far more interesting than plain chocolate or plain tahini. It’s an excellent source of healthy fats, protein, and essential minerals, making it a more nutritious alternative to many sugary chocolate spreads. Using chocolate tahini in this smoothie adds not just an amazing flavor, but also a wonderful creamy texture and a nutritional boost. Its healthy fats help keep you feeling full and satisfied, making this a truly balanced breakfast option.
While I highly recommend making your own homemade chocolate tahini (it’s surprisingly easy and keeps well!), there are also fantastic store-bought options available online or in specialty stores. Just choose your favorite and get ready for a taste sensation!
Essential Ingredients for Your Chocolate Tahini Smoothie
Crafting this delicious chocolate tahini smoothie requires only a few simple yet powerful ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role in achieving that perfect balance of sweetness, creaminess, and rich chocolate flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:
- Chocolate Tahini: As highlighted, this is the star of the show. You can use my homemade chocolate tahini spread for the freshest flavor, or choose your favorite store-bought brand. The quality of your chocolate tahini will significantly impact the final taste, so opt for a good one!
- Oat Milk: Our preferred liquid base for its unmatched creaminess and subtle nutty undertones. We’re currently loving Chobani Extra Creamy Oatmilk for its luxurious texture. Remember, you can substitute with any milk of your choice – dairy or non-dairy.
- Bananas: The key to a thick, naturally sweet, and frosty smoothie is using ripe and, most importantly, frozen bananas. They eliminate the need for excessive ice, preventing a watered-down taste.
- Ice (Optional): Only necessary if you don’t have frozen bananas on hand. While it works, frozen fruit always yields a creamier result. We’ll discuss how to perfectly freeze bananas in our expert tips!
Essential Equipment for Your Smoothie
Making this delicious chocolate tahini smoothie is wonderfully straightforward, requiring just one primary piece of equipment: a reliable blender. The power of your blender can make a big difference in achieving that perfectly smooth and creamy consistency.
For the best results, especially when using frozen fruit, a high-powered blender is recommended. These blenders can effortlessly break down ice and frozen bananas into a silky-smooth liquid without leaving any chunks. If you have a less powerful blender, you might need to blend for a bit longer, stop and scrape down the sides more frequently, or add a tiny bit more liquid to help it along. Regardless of your blender type, the goal is to achieve a uniform, creamy texture, free from any lumps. This simple tool is all you need to transform your ingredients into a delectable morning treat!
Crafting Your Chocolate Tahini Oat Milk Smoothie: A Quick Guide
This chocolate tahini oat milk smoothie is designed for maximum flavor with minimum effort, making it ideal for busy mornings. You can have this delicious and nutritious drink ready in just minutes. The key to speed and creaminess lies in having frozen banana slices prepared ahead of time – simply grab them from the freezer and toss them directly into your blender. If you haven’t had a chance to freeze bananas, don’t worry, you can still make this smoothie by adding some ice.
Step 1: Combine Ingredients. Add the frozen banana slices, your chosen oat milk, and the delicious chocolate tahini into your blender. For optimal blending, always add the liquid first, then softer ingredients, and finally frozen items on top. This helps the blades catch everything effectively.
Step 2: Blend Until Smooth. Secure the lid on your blender and blend on high speed. Start with the lower amount of oat milk, then slowly add more if needed until you reach your desired consistency. Some prefer a thicker, spoonable smoothie, while others like it easily drinkable. Blend until absolutely smooth and creamy, with no banana chunks remaining.
Once blended to perfection, pour your luscious chocolate tahini oat milk smoothie into a tall glass and enjoy it immediately. For a full list of ingredients and precise measurements, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card below.
👩🍳 Expert Tips for the Best Smoothie
- Perfectly Frozen Bananas are Key: The secret to a super creamy, thick smoothie (that doesn’t taste watered down) lies in frozen bananas. To freeze them, start with ripe bananas – those with a few brown spots are ideal as they are sweeter. Peel the bananas, then cut them into 1-inch slices or chunks. Arrange the slices in a single layer on a parchment-lined sheet pan, ensuring they don’t touch (this prevents them from sticking together). Place the sheet pan in the freezer for about 2-3 hours, or until completely solid. Once frozen, transfer the banana pieces to a freezer-safe plastic bag or airtight container. They will keep beautifully in the freezer for up to 3 months, ready whenever a smoothie craving strikes!
- Batch Prep for Convenience: To make smoothie mornings even faster, I like to freeze a large batch of banana slices at once. Once frozen, I portion them out into individual freezer-safe bags. Each bag contains the amount needed for one smoothie, making it incredibly easy to just “grab and go” and blend whenever you’re in a hurry.
- Adjusting Consistency: Start with the smaller amount of oat milk specified in the recipe. If your smoothie is too thick for your liking after blending, add more oat milk (one tablespoon at a time) and blend again until you reach your desired drinkable consistency. If you prefer a thicker, almost spoonable smoothie bowl texture, use less liquid or add a few more frozen banana pieces.
- Sweetness Control: This recipe relies on the natural sweetness of ripe bananas and the chocolate tahini. If you prefer a sweeter smoothie, you can add a touch of maple syrup, honey (if not vegan), or a pitted Medjool date before blending. Taste and adjust to your preference.
- Boost the Nutrition: Feel free to add a scoop of your favorite protein powder, a tablespoon of chia seeds or flax seeds for extra fiber and omega-3s, or a handful of spinach (you won’t taste it, promise!) for an extra nutrient kick.
Creative Substitutions & Delicious Variations
One of the best things about smoothies is their incredible versatility. This chocolate tahini oat milk smoothie is a fantastic base, but don’t hesitate to get creative with substitutions to suit your dietary needs, pantry staples, or simply your mood! Below are some suggestions to inspire your next blend:
- For Chocolate Tahini:
- Nutella: For a more classic chocolate-hazelnut flavor, Nutella or any other chocolate-hazelnut spread is an excellent swap. It will provide a similar richness and sweetness.
- Chocolate Nut Butters: Chocolate almond butter or chocolate peanut butter can be used for a similar indulgent chocolatey taste with a different nut profile.
- Plain Nut Butters: If chocolate isn’t what you’re craving, simply use plain peanut butter, almond butter, or even plain tahini for a classic peanut butter and banana or tahini banana smoothie.
- Cocoa Powder + Sweetener: If you don’t have chocolate tahini, you can combine 1-2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder with 1 tablespoon of regular tahini and a touch of maple syrup or honey to achieve a similar flavor profile.
- For Oat Milk:
- Any Milk Works: As mentioned, this smoothie is very forgiving. Feel free to use any milk you like. Almond milk, soy milk, cashew milk, or even coconut milk (for a tropical twist) are all great plant-based options. Dairy milk will also work perfectly.
- Adjust for Creaminess: Keep in mind that different milks have varying levels of creaminess. Oat milk is naturally quite creamy. Almond milk tends to be lighter, so you might want to use slightly less or add a touch of yogurt for extra body if you’re looking for a thicker smoothie.
- Adding Yogurt for Extra Boost: For an even thicker, protein-rich, and tangy smoothie, consider adding plain or Greek yogurt. You can use it in place of some of the milk, or combine both for a super creamy result. Greek yogurt will significantly boost the protein content and add a pleasant tang.
- Making it Vegan-Friendly: If you’re using a store-bought chocolate tahini, double-check its ingredients to ensure it’s vegan. If you’re making your own chocolate tahini recipe, simply swap the honey for maple syrup or date syrup to ensure your entire smoothie is 100% vegan. Also, ensure your choice of oat milk (or any other milk) is certified vegan.
- Sweetener Alternatives: If your bananas aren’t super ripe or you prefer a sweeter smoothie, add a natural sweetener like a Medjool date (pitted), a dash of maple syrup, agave nectar, or a few drops of stevia.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
While smoothies are undeniably at their best when served immediately after blending – vibrant, cold, and perfectly creamy – sometimes life calls for a little prep work. Thankfully, with a few clever strategies, you can enjoy this chocolate tahini oat milk smoothie even on your busiest days.
Immediate Enjoyment is Best: For the ultimate experience, we always recommend drinking your smoothie right after you blend it. This ensures the freshest flavor, the coldest temperature, and the thickest, creamiest texture. As smoothies sit, especially those with fruit, they can sometimes oxidize, change color, and the ingredients might separate a bit.
Make-Ahead for Busy Mornings: If you’re someone who loves to prepare things in advance, you can definitely make this smoothie the night before. Simply blend all the ingredients as directed. Once blended, pour the smoothie into an airtight container or a lidded cup. Fill it as close to the top as possible to minimize air exposure, which helps reduce oxidation. Store it in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, give it a good shake or a quick stir. You might find the consistency slightly thinner, or some separation may have occurred, but it will still be delicious and a great grab-and-go breakfast option.
Optimal Banana Prep: The real key to efficient make-ahead smoothies is prepping your frozen bananas. As detailed in our “Expert Tips” section, freezing ripe banana slices in advance allows you to quickly dump them into the blender on demand. This saves precious time in the morning and guarantees that desirable frosty, thick consistency without relying solely on ice, which can dilute the flavor over time.
By preparing your frozen fruit in advance, you’re always just a blend away from a refreshing and nutritious chocolate tahini oat milk smoothie!
Frequently Asked Questions About This Smoothie
Tahini (also known as tahin, tahine, or tahina) is a creamy paste made from finely ground sesame seeds. It’s a fundamental ingredient in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines, much like peanut butter is in Western cooking. To make tahini, sesame seeds are typically toasted to enhance their flavor, then ground into a smooth, rich, and slightly oily consistency. It’s known for its distinctive nutty, earthy flavor with a hint of bitterness, which pairs beautifully with both sweet and savory dishes.
The ultimate secret to a wonderfully thick and creamy smoothie is the use of frozen fruit, especially frozen bananas in this recipe. While ice is commonly added to smoothies, it tends to melt quickly, watering down the flavor and resulting in a more “icy” rather than creamy texture. Frozen bananas, on the other hand, provide both the desired chill and a fantastic, smooth body without diluting the taste. For the best results, always aim to use pre-frozen banana slices. If you make smoothies often, taking a few minutes to prep and freeze your fruit ahead of time will significantly elevate your smoothie game!
Yes, you can use fresh, ripe bananas, but the texture of your smoothie will be significantly different. It will be thinner and less frosty. To compensate for the lack of frozen fruit, you will need to add a generous amount of ice to achieve a cold temperature and some thickness. Be aware that too much ice can sometimes dilute the flavors, so adjust the amount of liquid and other ingredients as needed to maintain a balanced taste.
Absolutely! This smoothie is packed with beneficial ingredients. Bananas provide natural sweetness, potassium, and fiber. Tahini is rich in healthy fats, protein, and minerals like calcium and iron. Oat milk is a good source of fiber and often fortified with vitamins. It’s a balanced drink that offers sustained energy, keeps you full, and satisfies cravings without excessive added sugars (especially if using homemade chocolate tahini with controlled sweetness). It’s a much healthier alternative to many conventional breakfast options.
Perfect Pairings for Your Smoothie
While this chocolate tahini oat milk smoothie is a complete and satisfying meal on its own, sometimes you crave a little something extra to complement its rich flavors. Here are a few perfect pairings that will elevate your breakfast or snack experience:
- Pumpkin Bread with Maple Cream Cheese FrostingThe earthy spices of pumpkin bread and the sweet tang of maple cream cheese would be a delightful contrast to the smoothie’s chocolatey richness.
- Lemon Ricotta Raspberry ToastA bright and zesty lemon ricotta toast with fresh raspberries offers a wonderful refreshing counterpoint to the deep chocolate and nutty flavors.
- Fresh Strawberry Bread with ButtermilkThe light, fruity sweetness of fresh strawberry bread complements the rich smoothie without being overly heavy, creating a balanced and satisfying meal.
- Cream Cheese Grits with Everything Bagel SeasoningFor those who love a sweet and savory breakfast, the creamy, savory grits with the unique ‘everything bagel’ seasoning would pair unexpectedly well with the sweet chocolate smoothie.
Did you make this delicious recipe? We’d absolutely love to hear about your experience! Please take a moment to leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and a thoughtful comment just below the recipe card. If you capture a photo of your fantastic creation, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @brunchandbatter. Your feedback and shares truly make our day!
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Tahini Oat Milk Smoothie
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Pin Recipe
5 minutes
0 minutes
0 minutes
5 minutes
Breakfast, Dessert, Drinks, Snack
American
1
smoothie (about 12 ounces)
470
kcal
Equipment
-
blender
Ingredients
-
1
cup (about 1½ medium bananas)
ripe bananas, sliced and frozen -
2
tablespoon
chocolate tahini
homemade or store-bought -
½-¾
cup (4-6 ounces)
oat milk
can substitute any milk, dairy, or non-dairy -
ice
optional, if not using frozen bananas
see notes
Instructions
-
Add all ingredients to a high-powered blender. Blend on high until smooth, adding more milk if needed to reach your desired consistency.1 cup (about 1½ medium bananas) ripe bananas, sliced and frozen,
2 tablespoon chocolate tahini,
½-¾ cup (4-6 ounces) oat milk
Notes
To freeze banana slices:
To freeze banana slices, start with ripe bananas. Those brown spots on your bananas are ok. Remove the peel and cut into slices or even chunks. Place the bananas on a parchment-lined sheet pan, separated. Place the sheet pan in the freezer. Remove when the bananas are completely frozen, about 2-3 hours. Remove from the pan, and store them in a freezer-safe plastic bag. They will keep in the freezer for about 3 months
Nutrition*
Serving:
1
smoothie
Calories:
470
kcal
Carbohydrates:
56.3
g
Protein:
10.3
g
Fat:
27
g
Saturated Fat:
6
g
Sodium:
84
mg
Potassium:
358
mg
Fiber:
9.2
g
Sugar:
32.2
g
Calcium:
114
mg
*Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. Nutrition information can vary depending on many factors, such as products used, measurements and substitutions, therefore it is recommended that you obtain nutritional calculations based on your own finished recipe.
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