A vegan Chocolate Hummus Shake is a refreshingly cool treat for a hot summer’s day! Made with cocoa powder, chickpeas, tahini, frozen banana, and almond milk, this delicious smoothie can be served for a snack or even dessert! This super easy recipe is vegan and gluten-free.
The Hummus Shake
Did you know that hummus shakes are a thing? It seems that they’ve been around for a while, but I only just discovered them when reading about a restaurant in New York City that is going to start serving them. I don’t live too far from New York City, but I’m not about to trek in just for a shake. So why not make one at home?
When you think about it, it makes sense to turn hummus into a shake. Hummus is made with chickpeas and tahini, which lend themselves nicely to a blended beverage. When I make shakes or smoothies, I like to use protein powder. In this hummus shake, I’ve used chickpeas for protein. They puree nice and smoothly in a blender. I often add a nut butter to my smoothies, too. Since tahini is ground sesame seeds, it makes a nice nut butter substitute.
What is Tahini?
Tahini is a paste that’s made from ground sesame seeds. It can be bitter straight of out the jar, but when mixed with other ingredients, it magically transforms into a lush and creamy paste. It's an essential ingredient in making hummus. I also use it regularly to make salad dressing, but it can be used in many different ways.
In most grocery stores, tahini can be found near the peanut butter. Some grocery stores also keep it in the ethnic food area.
Cacao vs Cocao
I’ve made chocolate dessert hummus in the past, and it’s a thing of beauty. And because because chocolate and tahini pair well together, I’ve added raw cacao powder to my shake.
Cacao is considered raw, and it’s made my cold pressing raw cocoa beans. Cocoa powder has been roasted at a high temperature. Cacao is said to have many health benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease and lowering insulin resistance. And of course, it’s a mood booster!
Cacao powder can be pricy, although I’ve found it reasonably priced at Trader Joe’s. If you can’t find it, dairy-free cocoa powder can be used instead, and your shake will be just as tasty.
How to Make a Vegan Hummus Shake
Making a hummus shake takes a little forethought because you have to freeze a banana first. If you’re feeling impatient and you want your shake now you throw a few ice cubes into your blender.
This recipe couldn't be easier! You just throw everything in to a blender and blend until it's smooth and creamy. It whips up in seconds in my Blendtec!
If you’re not going to serve it right away, pour it into a jar or bottle with a lid and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to drink it. It will keep for a day or so.
Sip your vegan Chocolate Hummus Shake while enjoying a great summer read on a hot afternoon, or enjoy it for dessert after a light meal.
Vegan Chocolate Hummus Shake
Ingredients
- 2 cups unsweetened, plain almond milk or your favorite non-dairy milk
- 1 frozen banana
- 1½ cup cooked chickpeas
- ½ cup tahini
- ¼ cup cocoa or cacao powder
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract
- cacao nibs and sesame seeds for serving, optional
Instructions
- Mix all of the ingredients together in a blender until smooth and creamy.
- Top with cacao nibs and sesame seeds. Serve cold.
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Other shake recipes you might enjoy include:
Becky Striepe
Oh wow! I love the idea of sneaking chickpeas into a smoothie. I bet it keeps you full for way longer!
Dianne
It definitely does!
Julie
Hey Dianne what if you left out the tahini? This looks so yummy!
Dianne
Hi, Julie. You can try it without the tahini, but I can't guarantee that it'll taste the way I intended. Tahini is an integral part of hummus (and this shake), so I don't know what it will taste like without it.
jacquie
that looks delicious! i have a question though you said if one was impatient to just throw in a couple of ice cubes - did you mean in addition to the bananas? or as a substitute? I do hope if was the later since i don't use bananas but would love to try this. Thanks.
Susan
This sounds exactly like the sort of silly sounding drink that I am into! Though the ingredients themselves are very sensible. A great way to get a really filling smoothie. I will try this.
Dianne
Thanks, Susan! I hope you enjoy it!
Dianne
Thank you, Jacquie! I suggest using ice cubes if the banana is fresh rather than frozen. You could try to use avocado instead of banana, but I can’t guarantee that it’ll taste the way I intended.
Kathy Hester
Beans in smoothies is a wonderful idea!!
Dianne
Thank you, Kathy!
Alisa Fleming
My first thought when I saw the shake title was "that's crazy!" But it looked so good that I was intrigued, and had to check out the ingredients. It sounds delicious! Does the tahini add much bitterness? I often find it too bitter.
Dianne
It is a little crazy, but it's also crazy good! The tahini doesn't add bitterness at all. It can be bitter right out of the jar, but the taste mellows out once it's mixed with other ingredients.
Kristin
interesting. i have to admit that i am intrigued. may have to give this a go!
Dianne
I hope you get a chance to try it, Kristin!
Sujatha
Hi, this looks very yummy. Instead of maple syrup what will be good?
Dianne
Hi, Sujatha! I've never made it without maple syrup, so I can't say. You can try another liquid sweetener, but it might affect the taste.