6-Ingredient Vegan Vanilla Date Smoothie

Pitted dates - The primary ingredient (as the recipe name suggests). I love using Medjool dates, for their rich, sweet taste. You can easily find them in the produce section of most grocery stores. Buy pitted dates if you want to save a few extra minutes (pitting them yourself is also really easy, though). My Favourite Brands for Dates: Joolies and Natural Delights. See Tips 1 and 2.

Medium banana. I used frozen bananas instead of vanilla ice cream to replicate that authentic creamy texture. You can either buy store-bought frozen bananas or freeze them at home, like this.

Oat milk. Though any plant-based milk works, I prefer oat milk for its ultra-creamy texture. And the best part is, you can even make it at home, all by yourself! See tip 5.

Silken tofu. Probably sounds like a weird ingredient for a vegan date smoothie, but it’s so important, seriously. If you want the ultimate thick texture—and an extra protein boost—don’t skip it out. See tips 3 and 4.

Vanilla extract. Its sweet, fragrant taste beautifully complements the banana and dates—adding an additional layer of flavour.

Ice cubes. To thicken up the smoothie. You can also use crushed ice to make measuring (and blending) easier.