By You may have seen the viral date shake, but how about an even better chickpea smoothie with the same cozy date-sweetened flavors?! This one has more fiber, 21 grams of protein, and no protein powder. Plus, you only need 7 ingredients, all of which are totally plant-based!
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Dan and I are big high-protein shake fans, especially in the summer! They don't require heating up an oven, and you can take them on the go. Plus, we can pack in all the protein and nutrients we need, like we do with this chickpea smoothie.
Which you might be like, chickpeas in a shake - really?! Yes, really! They add the best creaminess and texture. The recipe is actually inspired by one I had in New York City at the Hummus House, but mine has way less calories - ha! We made it our own to bring it down to a more reasonable calorie count while keeping that perfectly milkshake-like texture and flavor.
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Recipe
high-protein chickpea smoothie (dairy free!)
Ingredients
- ¾ cup chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
- 1 banana (frozen)
- 1.25 cups soy milk (unsweetened)
- 3 medjool dates
- 4 tablespoon peanut butter powder (PBfit preferred )
- ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Before you start!
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Instructions
- Drain and rinse the chickpeas and remove pits from dates (if needed). Make sure your banana is frozen!
- Add ¾ cup chickpeas, 1 banana, 1.25 cups soy milk3 medjool dates, 4 tablespoon peanut butter powder, ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon, and ⅛ teaspoon pure vanilla extract to a blender and blend until everything is smooth (at least 30 seconds). Optional to add a pinch of salt.
- Enjoy!
Video
Notes
You can, but it will alter the nutritional profile, adding more fat and calories. If you do, start with 1-2 tablespoons and adjust to your taste. It might also make the smoothie a bit thicker, so you might need a splash more milk. If you forgot to freeze a banana... Just add ice cubes! It won't be as creamy but it'll still be delicious.
Looking for more information?
Additional substitution information can be found above in the substitution section of this post.
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and for informational purposes only.
Nutrition
blend, blend, and then keep blending
The #1 tip for this chickpea smoothie is to blend it longer than you think you need to. We're talking a good 30 seconds to a full minute, depending on your blender. This ensures the chickpeas break down completely, giving you an ultra-creamy texture without any hint of graininess.
ingredient notes & substitutions
All substitutions are a 1:1 substitute unless otherwise noted. See the recipe card for quantities.
- Chickpeas: Rinse and drain them well to remove any "canned" flavor. No need to remove the shells. This is also one of our favorite ingredients to use in our other high-protein high-fiber recipes!
- PB powder: This delivers that classic peanut butter flavor we all love, but with less fat and calories than regular peanut butter. It also contributes to the protein content and that creamy texture. PBfit has the most protein of any powdered option, so we use that.
- Medjool dates: These are the softest dates around and will result in the best texture!! Remove the pits (or just by Joolies pitted because they are the best)! If your dates are dry, soak them in hot water for 10 minutes before blending.
- Soy milk: This has more protein than most dairy-free milks (8g per serving). You can substitute with almond, oat, or another plant-based milk, but the protein content may vary. If you avoid dairy, be sure to see our full list of high-protein dairy-free recipes!
- Frozen ripe banana: This is key for a thick, cold smoothie. The ripeness adds sweetness, and freezing it eliminates the need for ice, which can dilute the flavor.
- Cinnamon and vanilla extract: The best complements to dates and chickpeas.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
high protein ingredient spotlight: chickpeas
Let's talk about chickpeas! These humble legumes, also known as garbanzo beans, are a powerhouse of plant-based protein. A 1 cup serving packs 15g of protein, contributing nicely to this smoothies overall 21g! They have a mild, nutty flavor that blends surprisingly well into sweet applications when combined with the right ingredients. Beyond smoothies, chickpeas are fantastic in our green goddess salad, almond croissant blondies, and roasted in cinnamon sugar!
here's how to make a chickpea smoothie
Be sure to scroll to the recipe card for the full smoothie recipe!
- Drain and rinse your chickpeas thoroughly. If your dates have pits, now's the time to remove them.
- Blend all the ingredients in a blender on high for at least 30-60 seconds, or until everything is completely smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides if needed.
- Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately!
quick recipe video
some notes on freezing bananas
- How we freeze bananas: We just peel them, break them in half, and pop them in a ziplock bag to freeze. Easy as that.
- Option to freeze the milk: You can also freeze the soy milk in an ice cube tray for extra creaminess, but in our testing, we didn't find it made enough of a difference to warrant the extra work.
what if I forgot to freeze bananas?!
No worries! Just add ½ a cup to a cup of ice instead. It won't be as creamy, but it'll still be delicious!
troubleshooting & testing notes
date check
Make sure your dates are pitted. Dan made this with pitted dates once and the blender sounded like it was broken, ha!
thickness
This smoothie is a bit on the thicker side. If you prefer a thinner drink, simply add some more soy milk!
how to store & meal prep it
I like to make a double batch of this smoothie and enjoy one right away, and also the next day for a protein make-ahead breakfast. I just store the other half in an airtight container (like a mason jar) in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. It may separate, so give it a good shake or a quick whiz with a spoon or immersion blender before drinking.
One of my new favorite smoothies!
So delicious! I added chia seeds & ground flax! Made it a bunch of times! I didn't add the peanut butter. Tastes like a milk shake
Glad to hear you like it!
Really good and creamy! Would not have expected chickpeas to taste so good!
This smoothie is delicious! I calculate 32g protein though. PB 2 has 12g for the 4 tablespoons; the soymilk I used has 9g per cup (this is typical, some have more than that)so 1.25 cups is 11.25g; the chic peas are 6g per 1/2 cup so 3/4 cup is 9g. So total without the banana is 32.25g. That is awesome and it tastes so good.😋
So glad you enjoyed it! It will definitely vary based on your products! For our products (from the labels) we have 15g protein for chickpeas, soy milk 10g, PB fit powder (this has more than PB2) 16g for a total of 41 for 2 servings or 20.5 for 1 without the banana or dates.
Very good with no bean taste. Also very thick. I added ice to dilute it. I prefer it a little thinner and had used the last of my soy milk.
That's awesome!
The taste is great, but my smoothie is very thin. I'll add less milk if I make it again. (I used almond)
Thanks for letting us know!