Black Sesame Smoothie (vegan, gluten free)
Mar 17, 2021 • Updated Jun 20, 2023
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Black Sesame Smoothie
This creamy and rich Black Sesame Smoothie is full of flavour and makes for an amazing vegan breakfast, snack or dessert. Black sesame is a flavour that in many Asian cuisines, is enjoyed sweet. I love black sesame desserts because the natural nutty flavour and slight bitterness helps to balance out sweetness, and of course the bold colour (or rather, lack of colour) is always a fun visual element. Personally, I find that black sesame desserts really remind me of a cookies and cream flavour. It may sound odd, but trust me when I say it’s absolutely delicious! The taste is similar to halva (a sweet sesame dessert made with white sesame seeds) but something about black sesame seeds specifically create this cookies and cream experience.
This banana black sesame smoothie takes less than 10 minutes to make and it’s a must try especially if you’re looking to try something a little different and less fruity. It’s vegan, gluten free, refined sugar free and paleo. It can be made without bananas as well!
How to Make a Black Smoothie
To make this black sesame smoothie, the process is fairly straightforward but there is one preliminary step that I would highly recommend for ultimate flavour. Before adding everything to a blender, I recommend dry toasting your black sesame seeds on the stove. It takes only a few minutes, and it really helps to add depth to the black smoothie. You can skip it if you’d like, but if you have the time, do it!
- Toast your black sesame seeds on the stove. Add sesame seeds to a dry pan on low heat and using a spatula, move the seeds around. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until you start to smell a toasty sesame flavour and immediately remove from the heat.
- As an optional step, you can grind your sesame seeds using a mortar and pestle or a spice/coffee grinder, however I find this to be unnecessary if using a high power blender.
- Add sesame seeds, banana, plant milk of choice, vanilla bean, cacao powder and medjool date if using. Blend until completely smooth, adjusting plant milk as desired to achieve texture of choice.
- Top your black smoothie with toasted coconut flakes and additional sesame seeds if desired.
Health Benefits of Black Sesame Seeds
- Black sesame seeds are a source of protein, with 3 grams per 2 tablespoons. It’s also a wonderful source of healthy fats, calcium, iron, magnesium, copper and more.
- Compared to white sesame seeds, which are hulled, black sesame seeds contain lignans in the hull and may have more antioxidants and amino acid proteins.
- Black sesame seeds have been linked to hair and skin health, healthy blood pressure and may boast anticancer properties.
Can I Make a Black Sesame Smoothie Bowl?
If you’d like to turn this into a banana black sesame smoothie bowl, I recommend holding back on the plant milk to achieve a thicker, spoonable texture. You can also add additional frozen banana or even ice cubes, and be sure to use a tamper to help blend without added liquid. The less liquid the better!
For additional tips on creating a black sesame smoothie bowl, check out this Smoothie Styling Guide. You might also consider adding plant protein powder, as it does help to add body to a smoothie and creates a gorgeous, ice cream like texture.
More Colorful Vegan Smoothie Recipes
- Healthy Shamrock Shake
- Red Velvet Smoothie
- Spiced Persimmon Smoothie
- Pineapple Coconut Smoothie
- Blue Spirulina Smoothie
- Japanese Sweet Potato Smoothie (via Okonomi Kitchen)
Black Sesame Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup black sesame seeds
- 1 frozen banana see notes for banana-free option*
- plant milk of choice
- vanilla bean
- optional
- tablespoon cacao or cocoa powder
- medjool dates to taste
- toasted coconut to top
- vanilla plant protein
Instructions
- Toast your black sesame seeds on the stove. Add sesame seeds to a dry pan on low heat and using a spatula, move the seeds around. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until you start to smell a toasty sesame flavour and immediately remove from the heat.
- As an optional step, you can grind your sesame seeds using a mortar and pestle or a spice/coffee grinder, however I find this to be unnecessary if using a high power blender.
- Add sesame seeds, banana, plant milk of choice, vanilla bean, cacao powder and medjool date if using. Blend until completely smooth, adjusting plant milk as desired to achieve texture of choice.
- Top with toasted coconut flakes and additional sesame seeds if desired. Enjoy immediately.
Video
@veggiekins Reply to @sad_papi it’s kinda grey but black sesame smoothie 🖤✨ #vegan #vegantiktok #smoothie #smoothierecipe #veganrecipes #homecafe #glutenfree
♬ Why Are There Boundaries - FKJ
Notes
- If you would like to make this smoothie banana free, freeze full fat coconut milk in an ice cube tray and use 2-3 cubes to add frozen texture to the smoothie. I recommend adding medjool dates to sweeten if excluding bananas.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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