Espresso Date Caramel Smoothie Bowl

Directions

1. 1Soak the pitted Medjool dates in the cooled espresso for 5 minutes to soften them, then stir together with the oat milk, tahini, vanilla extract, and sea salt until the dates are broken down and the mixture is well combined.
2. 2Pour the base into your Ninja Creami pint container. Add the frozen banana pieces and press them gently into the liquid so the mixture reaches just below the max fill line. Seal the lid and place the pint on a flat, level surface in the freezer.
3. 3Freeze for 24 hours until the base is completely solid throughout.
4. 4Remove the pint from the freezer and let it sit on the counter for 5 minutes. Install the pint into the Ninja Creami machine and run the SMOOTHIE_BOWL preset.
5. 5If the result appears crumbly or powdery after processing, add a small splash of oat milk directly to the pint and run the Re-spin function until the texture is thick, creamy, and scoopable.
6. 6Transfer to a bowl and top with granola, sliced banana, a drizzle of date syrup, and crushed walnuts. Serve immediately.

Tips

• Freeze your pint completely flat for the full 16-24 hours so the Creami can process it evenly into that smooth, creamy texture you're after.
• If your smoothie bowl comes out too icy or crumbly after spinning, add a splash of oat milk and re-spin on the Smoothie Bowl program to get it creamier.
• Make sure your espresso is completely cooled before pouring into the pint container, or it won't freeze solid properly.

Variations

• Swap tahini for almond butter for a nuttier flavor, using the same amount.
• Use strong cold brew coffee instead of hot espresso, which works great since it's already cooled and adds a smoother coffee taste.
• Add 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder to the base for a mocha date version.

FAQ

Can I use regular milk instead of oat milk?

Yes, any milk works fine - dairy, almond, soy, whatever you have on hand. The freezing and spinning process stays the same.

Why did my pint come out too crumbly when I spun it?

Your pint probably wasn't frozen solid all the way through. Make sure it sits flat in the freezer for the full 16-24 hours, and if it's still crumbly after spinning, add a small splash of milk and re-spin.

Can I make this lighter or less sweet?

Cut the dates down to 3 or 4 instead of 5 and add an extra 1/4 cup of oat milk to the base. Freeze and spin as normal.

How long does a frozen pint last in my freezer?

It'll stay good for about a week before the texture starts to break down and ice crystals form. Spin it fresh when you're ready to eat it.

Nutrition

Per serving · makes about 2 servings · estimated