Back when she was running Smart Monkey Foods and writing her first raw cookbooks, chef Ani Phyo shared this recipe for date almond smoothies with us. It’s a fresh, raw treat that you can enjoy for breakfast, after a workout, or when you’re craving a cool, healthy treat.

Cinnamon Banana Date Almond Smoothies made with Raw Ingredients

Rather than store-bought almond milk, this recipe uses almonds and water for a fresh, homemade almond milk blend. Ani uses fresh bananas, but we like frozen for a thicker, cooler smoothie. Here are some more tips for making this smoothie with what you have on hand.

No Almonds? If you don’t have any on hand, or are allergic, you can substitute another nut. I recommend cashews, hazelnuts, or macadamia nuts for making these date almond smoothies. They all work well. If you need nut-free, you can use sunflower seeds or hemp seeds, but they will lend a more pronounced flavor.

No Dates? I recommend substitute prunes or figs. Figs are surprisingly high in calcium, and prunes have been touted for bone health in studies. Both blend well with the flavors in this recipe. Whichever fruit you use, your smoothie will have some tiny little bits like shown in the photo.

We originally posted this recipe back in 2006. It was sent to us by Ani Phyo. We have just updated recipe and post!

Special Diet Notes: Cinnamon Banana Date Almond Smoothies

By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, plant-based, paleo-friendly, and vegetarian.

Adapted from Ani Phyo