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When your sweet tooth strikes, this cinnamon date smoothie is your secret weapon. Naturally sweet from medjool dates, creamy with non-dairy milk, and packed with satisfying oats, it’s like sipping a cinnamon roll—without the sugar crash. Not a fan of dates? You won’t even notice once it’s blended into this dreamy, dessert-like treat.
Why This Recipe Rawks
If you’ve ever wanted a sweet smoothie that actually does your body good, this one’s for you. It’s powered by dates—nature’s candy with benefits. Not only do they bring a rich, caramel-like sweetness, but they also deliver fiber, potassium, and long-lasting energy. Here are a few reasons this cinnamon date smoothie is a total win:
- Tastes like dessert: With warm cinnamon, sweet medjool dates, and a splash of vanilla, it’s basically a cinnamon roll in a glass—without the sugar crash.
- Ridiculously easy: Just toss everything in the blender and go. No chopping, peeling, or fancy ingredients.
- Naturally sweet: Medjool dates bring that rich, caramel-like sweetness—no need for added sugar. Plus, dates offer good-for-you dietary fiber, creating lasting energy without the crashes often associated with other sweeteners. Use any leftover dates in my Chocolate Covered Dates recipe.
- Actually filling: Rolled oats add a creamy texture and fiber boost, helping to keep you full longer.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This cinnamon date smoothie may be simple to make, but knowing exactly what to look for can make your shopping trip a breeze—and your smoothie even better.
- Medjool dates: Look for these in the produce section near the bananas or in the refrigerated area with dried fruits. They’re soft, sweet, and caramel-like—perfect for smoothies or snacking.
- Rolled oats: Find these in the cereal or baking aisle. Be sure to grab rolled oats (sometimes labeled as old-fashioned oats), not steel-cut or quick oats, for the best texture. If you want a smoother blend, soak them in water for 10–15 minutes before blending.
- Ground cinnamon & vanilla extract: Check the spice and baking aisle. Go for pure vanilla extract or use vanilla bean powder, not imitation, for the best flavor. Cinnamon adds that warm, cozy cinnamon roll vibe with zero added sugar.
- Non-dairy milk: Head to the refrigerated section or the shelf-stable milk aisle. Check out Best Almond Milk Brands and Best Oat Milk Brands to help you find a winner. Bonus if it says “no added sugar” and has 5+ grams of protein per serving.
- Protein powder: This is optional, but a simple way to add more protein in your diet and help you stay full longer. Try adding my homemade protein powder or a scoop of collagen—or both!
Storage Tip
Store any leftover cinnamon date smoothie in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 24 hours. Before drinking, make sure to shake it well, as the ingredients may naturally separate. For the best texture, consider blending it again for a few seconds to bring back the creamy consistency.
If you make this Date Smoothie recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your feedback helps me and all the readers in this community. And if you’re interested in more plant-based recipes (and exclusive content), sign up for my weekly recipe newsletter.
Cinnamon Date Smoothie
Ingredients
- ½ cup rolled oats
- 3 medjool dates pitted
- 1 ½ cups dairy-free milk ex: cashew, almond, or oat
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup ice optional
Instructions
- Blend rolled oats until powdery. I do this in my Vitamix blender. (You can also pre-soak the oats in non-dairy milk to soften them up and blend them with the liquid first, creating a fiber-rich smoothie.)
- Add dates, non-dairy milk, vanilla extract, and cinnamon to the blender, and blend again.
- Pour into a glass with ice. Since we’re not using any frozen fruit in this cinnamon date smoothie, the ice chills it down a bit.
Equipment
Video
Notes
- Remove date pits before blending— I learned this hard way.
- Add a serving of my homemade protein powder or collagen for a protein boost.
- Ice can be added to blender, yet blades tend to dull over time when blending ice, so I like to pour the smoothie over ice to chill it down.
- Soak dates if they’re dry and brittle. Soaking in warm water for 10-15 minutes will soften them, making it easier for your blender to get it creamy.
- Watching sugar? Start with just one date and add more as needed to achieve your desired level.
Nutrition
Common Questions
Yes, dates are an excellent addition to smoothies. They provide natural sweetness, are packed with dietary fiber, and help sustain energy levels throughout the day. Medjool dates in smoothies also add a caramel-like flavor when blended, making them a healthier alternative to processed sweeteners.Additionally, dates are rich in potassium, which aids in muscle recovery, making them ideal for pre- or post-workout smoothies.
Medjool dates are the best kind to use in smoothies. They’re naturally soft, sweet, and have a rich, caramel-like flavor that blends beautifully. Unlike other dates that can be drier or tougher (like Deglet Noor), Medjool dates are moist and easy to blend—no soaking required in most cases. Just be sure to remove the pits before tossing them in!
I suggested adding 1 to 3 dates to a smoothie, depending what other fruits you’re using and how sweet you like it. Begin with one, blend, and taste—then add more if needed. It’s easier to sweeten gradually than to tone it down if it gets too sugary.
More Smoothies with Dates To Try
Enjoying dates in your smoothie? I have a whole collection of date smoothie recipes for you to enjoy:
I actually had a hard time finding Medjool dates: every store just had dates, so I used regular ones instead. Now I’ll look again that I know all you said about them on your post! One drawback was in cinnamon: I love it, but it turned out to be a really weird flavor to have in the summer: SHOCKING!
Taste pretty good, not exactly expected. Wasn’t sure what to expect but better than I thought.
Enjoyed the taste but will definitely cool in the freezer before serving next time.
I enjoyed the smoothie. It was not a recipe I would usually pick so it pushed me outside of my box. Variety is the spice of life.
Oh yum! This smoothie is yet another dessert level smoothie! So easy to make. Thank you!
The smoothie is ok. I like the cinnamon and vanilla extract flavors with the almond milk. I froze my milk so I didn’t need to add any ice. I did care fire the chalky taste of the oats. I will try cooked and cooked oats next time. Maybe the chalky taste will be minimized. All in all the smoothie was good. Thank you.
I added hemp powder, flax and chia seeds to the oats.
Not a fan of this flavor. After tasting, I managed to drink some with chocolate syrup, coconut water and milk added. I was able to drink the rest later when well chilled. It tasted a bit better then. I was looking forward to this smoothie as I like all of the ingredients except almond milk which, for me, is “just okay” in smoothies. I was really disappointed. I have not given up on this one as it still has possibilities. I may try it without the almond milk, perhaps half the oats and with a nut butter.
I had all these dates and never thought about using them in a smoothie before. Different, but delicious!
I love Cinnamon! The dates were delicious with this combination and the oats gave it enough to oomph to keep me full.
I have never, ever, in my whole 59 years of living, ate a date!! ( Unless he wasn’t at least a gentleman that is! ). Just kidding!! But seriously!! These things are AMAZING!!! They are so sweet and plump!!! Better than raisins ever thought of being!! And to put them in a smoothie is pure GENIUS!!! I mean,! Com’On!!! This is what I was worried about all week because I never tasted a date before?!! WOW!!! I have found my new dessert!!! Y-U-M-M-Y!!!
That spells YUMMY!!!! Also DUMMY for not trying these sooner!!!!
Hi Jan – I laughed while reading your comment. Love it! And I am so excited that you got out of your comfort zone, tried a new fruit and LOVED IT! You totally RAWK, Jan!
Nice switch, I need to make the next one a little thicker.
Well, I had to leave out the dates because they are extremely high oxalate & used 3/4 of a small banana instead. I used scottish stone ground oats instead of rolled oats because I forgot to buy rolled oats. We liked it. My son complained but drank it with a little extra milk added. My grandson said it was pretty good. Not our favorite but pretty good.
Nice change up, but I prefer fruit/spinach smoothies. Used only two dates, 1 tsp cinnamon and protein powder.
Like a milk shake. Thick and creamy. I love cinnamon but actually use a little less because it is very over powering. I use Penzey’s Cinnamon
I really enjoyed this smoothie for breakfast and like the flavor. It is thick and creamy and tastes great and keeps you full through the morning.
Wow, this is a sweet delight