Thick, indulgent, and genuinely good for you. With Zest & Zing Tahini and Madagascan Vanilla Powder, this is no ordinary banana smoothie.
Why you'll love this
If you're looking for a quick, satisfying breakfast or post-workout drink that genuinely tastes indulgent, this almond butter and chocolate banana smoothie is exactly what you need. It's thick, creamy, naturally sweet, and properly filling thanks to a brilliant combination of wholesome nut butters and two seriously premium pantry staples from Zest & Zing.
Whether you're following a vegan diet, eating gluten-free, or simply trying to eat a little better without sacrificing flavour, this recipe ticks every box. The secret? Two game-changing ingredients that transform an everyday smoothie into something truly special.
The star ingredients
Zest & Zing
Tahini is a smooth paste made from toasted sesame seeds a staple of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cooking that's been quietly revolutionising UK kitchens for good reason. Zest & Zing's version is crafted with toasted sesame seeds, garlic, sea salt, black pepper, parsley, and a touch of citric acid for freshness.
In this smoothie, the tahini adds a rich, nutty depth that makes the chocolate flavour rounder and more complex. It also brings calcium, healthy fats, and plant-based protein. Think of it as almond butter's more interesting, Middle Eastern cousin and a jar that absolutely earns its place in your fridge.
Zest & Zing
Forget vanilla extract this is the real thing. Zest & Zing's Vanilla Powder is 100% pure organic vanilla bean, sourced from fragrant Madagascan black seed pods and freshly ground in small batches. Madagascar Bourbon vanilla is widely considered the finest in the world, grown in volcanic soil that produces beans rich in natural vanillin and deeply fragrant.
Just half a teaspoon is all you need. Because it's pure ground vanilla bean with no carriers, no anti-caking agents, and no artificial additives whatsoever, the flavour is far more powerful than standard vanilla extract. It's also completely alcohol-free making it ideal for smoothies and cold drinks.
Step-by-step
Peel and break your bananas into rough chunks. For the thickest, creamiest result, freeze them for at least 2 hours beforehand even overnight is brilliant. Frozen bananas give you that thick, milkshake-like texture without watering the smoothie down with loads of ice.
Keep a bag of peeled banana chunks in your freezer at all times you'll always be one minute away from a great smoothie.
Place the banana chunks into your blender, then add the almond butter, cocoa powder, Zest & Zing Tahini Paste, and Zest & Zing Vanilla Powder. No need to measure too precisely this recipe is wonderfully forgiving. A generous tablespoon of tahini and a good pinch of vanilla powder, and you're away.
Add around 1 cup of milk to start you can always add more to loosen the consistency. Here's your guide:
| MILK | RESULT |
|---|---|
| Oat milk Our Pick | Extra creamy, slightly sweet |
| Almond milk | Lighter, nutty, lower calorie |
| Semi-skimmed | Classic rich milkshake feel |
| Coconut milk | Tropical twist, very indulgent |
Give everything a brief blitz, then taste. If your bananas are properly ripe with those lovely brown spots you likely won't need any extra sweetener at all. If you'd like it a touch sweeter, drizzle in a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup.
Blend on full speed for 45–60 seconds until completely smooth and creamy. If the mixture is too thick, splash in a little more milk and blend for another 10 seconds. You're aiming for a rich, pourable consistency thick enough to feel indulgent, smooth enough to drink easily.
Pour into two chilled glasses and enjoy straight away. For a café-worthy finish, dust a tiny pinch of Zest & Zing Vanilla Powder or cocoa powder across the top it looks gorgeous and smells incredible. Smoothies are always best fresh, so drink up!
What's inside
Per serving using oat milk, no added sweetener. Values are approximate and will vary depending on your
choice of milk and optional additions.
Common questions
Comments will be approved before showing up.
