We’re counting down to consistently warmer here in Chicago and I’ve been dreaming about all my healthy smoothie recipes to sip on. In fact, my daily spring & summer breakfast of choice is typically a smoothie or shake because it’s refreshing, there’s no cooking involved, and I can pack them with nutrition.
For a couple of years now, I’ve been obsessed with recreating smoothies that taste like dessert. Because why the hell not? Remember my tahini snickerdoodle smoothie? Everyone agrees that it totally tastes like a snickerdoodle cookie. And now, I’m here to reintroduce one of my fav creations: peanut butter oatmeal cookie shake…or smoothie. Call it what you want, but I liked the sound of shake better.
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Peanut butter oatmeal cookie shake ingredients
This easy, healthy peanut butter cookie shake is made with under 10 ingredients that you might already have in your fridge and pantry. Plus, it’s naturally sweetened without any banana! You’ll need:
- Medjool dates: I love using dates as a natural sweetener in smoothies, shakes and desserts. You’ll only need three and they pack in a great fiber boost! Feel free to only do 2 if you prefer it less sweet.
- Almond milk: feel free to use any milk you’d like. I prefer unsweetened vanilla almond milk, but coconut, cashew or oat milk would also be super yummy.
- Frozen cauliflower: yes, this oatmeal cookie shake recipe has cauliflower in it! You’ll get a nice boost of veggies but won’t be able to taste the cauliflower at all. PROMISE!
- Oats: for that delicious oatmeal cookie flavor. I recommend using rolled oats or quick oats and feel free to use gluten free. Do not use steel cut oats, they will not blend properly.
- Peanut butter: you’ll love the creamy peanut butter blended with all of these ingredients. You can also use any other nut butter you’d like.
- Vanilla extract: for a little additional flavor boost.
- Cinnamon: the hint of cinnamon really brings out the oatmeal cookie flavor.
- Salt: a pinch of salt makes this taste AMAZING.
The result is a creamy shake that tastes just like a peanut butter oatmeal cookie, with a pinch of sea salt on top. DAMN GOOD INDEED.
Optional peanut butter cookie shake nutrition boosters
- Flaxseed meal: this is one of my favorite ingredients to add to shakes and smoothies for a little boost of fiber and minerals. It’s especially great for nursing mamas as flaxseed can help increase milk supply. Usually a tablespoon is plenty! Here’s a brand I love.
- Chia seeds: add in a tablespoon of chia seeds for a boost of healthy fats and fiber.
- Hemp seeds: feel free to throw in those hemp seeds lurking in your cupboard for a boost of healthy fats, omegas and minerals.
- Organic spinach: if you’re looking to get more greens in your shake or smoothie, try adding a few cups of spinach. It may turn the smoothie a slightly off-putting color, but you won’t be able to taste the spinach at all.
- Greek yogurt: add a boost of protein with a scoop of Greek yogurt (or your favorite dairy free yogurt). You may have to reduce the almond milk to 3/4 cup in this recipe when adding yogurt.
- Protein: easily add more protein to a smoothie by adding some greek yogurt or 1 scoop of your favorite protein powder. I recommend Vital Protein collagen peptides or Four Sigmatic Plant-Based Protein Powder.
- Cacao powder: this would add a delicious, chocolatey flavor to the peanut butter cookie smoothie along with a great source of antioxidants. I recommend 1 tablespoon.
Tips for the perfect oatmeal cookie shake
Here are a few of my favorite tips for making this oatmeal cookie shake creamy and delicious:
- Use frozen produce. Using frozen cauliflower helps keep the smoothie cold and thick. Sometimes ice doesn’t blend as well, so it’s best to skip unless absolutely necessary.
- Add liquid as needed. Don’t be afraid to add more liquid if your smoothie is too thick or won’t fully blend. High powered blenders tend to blend frozen ingredients much better, so if you have a regular or personal-size blender, you may need to add more milk.
- Start on low speed. Start the blender on low speed, then gradually increase the speed to high to help blend all ingredients. End with the blender on low speed.
- Have fun with toppings. Add your favorite toppings like extra peanut butter, a sprinkle of oats, the above mix-ins or a handful of homemade granola!
How to soften your dates
You’ll simply soak your pitted dates in 1 cup of warm water for at least 5 minutes. This will help them soften up and make sure that you can easily blend them into the shake.
Meal prep this healthy oatmeal cookie shake
Try making this vegan peanut butter cookie shake ahead of time to enjoy later! I have three amazing methods for prepping and storing smoothies & shakes right in your freezer. You’ll learn the ice cube tray method, the mason jar method and the freezer pack method. Get all of my tips & tricks here!
Our go-to smoothie tools
Check out more of our favorite go-to kitchen essentials here.
More smoothie recipes to try
- Get Your Greens in Smoothie (the best green smoothie!)
- Peanut Butter Blueberry Banana Smoothie
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
- Good Morning Coffee Lover’s Smoothie
- Snickerdoodle Tahini Date Smoothie
Get all of our amazing smoothie recipes here!
I hope you love this healthy peanut butter oatmeal cookie shake recipe! If you make it be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Enjoy, xo!
Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Shake (with sneaky veggies!)
Ingredients
- For the date smoothie:
- 3 pitted Medjool dates (about ¼ cup packed pitted Medjool dates)
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or dairy free milk of choice), plus more to thin smoothie as necessary
- 1 cup frozen cauliflower
- ¼ cup oats
- 1 ½ tablespoons peanut butter (or 2 tablespoons peanut butter powder)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of salt (if your PB isn’t salted)
- Optional smoothie add-ins:
- 1 tablespoon cacao powder
- 1 scoop your favorite protein powder
- 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal
- 1 cup spinach
Instructions
- First soak your pitted dates in 1 cup of very warm water for at least 5 minutes. This will help them soften up and perfect for blending. While the dates are soaking you can get all your other ingredients out, measured and ready.
- Next add all ingredients to a high powered blender: pitted dates, almond milk, cauliflower, oats, peanut butter, vanilla extract and cinnamon. Feel free to add any optional add-ins to your smoothie if you’d like. Blend until smooth, adding more almond milk to thin, if necessary. Pour into a glass and enjoy! Serves 1. Feel free to double the recipe to serve 2.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by: Eat Love Eats
This post was originally published on July 5th, 2021, republished on March 1st, 2023, and republished on March 25th, 2025.
This looks amazing, but I can’t eat cauliflower. Any suggestions on a substitute?
I have used frozen zucchini instead of cauliflower before, and I don’t taste it at all.
You could try just using 1/2 cup ice!
Delicious! I didn’t waste any time making this one… usually I stockpile recipes for the future, but this one had to happen today and I’m glad it did! I only used two dates and thought it was delicious!
Amazing! So glad you loved it!
I used ice instead of cauliflower, my son still loved it! Would be better and creamier with cauliflower but still tastes good without.
Would definitely recommend!!
I’m glad the ice still worked out well!
I went to the store immediately to get ingredients for this! It is DELICIOUS! I only used 2 dates and it was plenty sweet for me. I might use slightly less cinnamon next time but all around, I love this!!! Cauliflower and oats give it a nice texture. Thank you, Monique!
Perfect! Glad you loved this one!
Love that this actually looks satiating for a smoothie! You always pull through with the amazing flavor combos but also make smoothies actually nourishing! Will have to give this a go on a work day where I need something fast! Thank you 🙂
Absolutely! No point in having one for breakfast if you’ll be hungry right after 😉 let me know how you like it!
I’ve had this smoothie the last 3 mornings and am loving it! I use just 1 date, and add flax meal and protein powder
Perfect! The best breakfast 🙂
This is amazing! It seriously tastes like a cookie and is the perfect thickness.
Absolutely! Glad you enjoyed 🙂
I didn’t have dates on hand, but I will be getting some for the next time I make this smoothie! I substituted about a quarter of frozen banana, which definitely carried through for a pb banana cookie flavor. Absolutely delicious, not too sweet and filing for me with a scoop of vegan protein powder. I keep riced cauliflower in my freezer for smoothies – worked great in this. I recommend!!
Amazing! So glad you loved this one! And great idea with the banana 🙂
This is delicious! Made it with some ground flaxseed. Can’t wait to try it next time with some cocoa powder.
Perfect! Glad you enjoyed 🙂
My, what a crazy good shake!! I was very curious about the use of cauliflower but couldn’t taste it at all, and one date was more than enough sweetener for me. Also used homemade sunflower seed milk, which I totally recommend. I absolutely loved the taste of this shake and I can’t wait to have it again for breakfast!
Thank you so much for the recipe 🙂
So glad you loved it! Such a great snack or breakfast 🙂 also sunflower seed milk sounds delicious!
I just made this smoothie for dinner! I used almond butter instead of PB, and zucchini instead of cauliflower. I also cooked the oatmeal and the zucchini slightly because I wanted the mix to be warm (it cold here and warm spiced food just sounds so good right now!). I also used pumpkin spice mix instead of cinnamon. yum! I love the result!
I’m glad that worked out well! Love a good breakfast for dinner 🙂
Hey, just letting you know of a little mistake… at the top of the recipe, it says it serves 1, but then you end the recipe by saying it serves 2.
Thank you for the catch!
I was really looking forward to this because of all the positive reviews (and because I love all your other recipes!), but I just wasn’t a fan. I drank a glass of it as a late-night snack, and I did finish the glass – so it wasn’t horrible (but I wouldn’t make it again). I saved the second serving to let my husband try in the morning. However, warning: Do NOT save this overnight unless you really love cauliflower, because mannnn that cauliflower gets STRONG overnight. When I first made the smoothie the night before, I couldn’t really taste the cauliflower, but in the morning it was overpowering! We had to dump it down the sink 🙁
Hi Melinda! Sorry to hear that – I wish I could troubleshoot for you! I haven’t found the cauliflower flavor to be too overwhelming but everyone’s taste preferences are a bit different.
So good! This is so similar to a shake I get at a restaurant near me in Chicago, except this is so much healthier and cheaper! I love the addition of using frozen cauliflower over using ice. Will definitely make this again.
Amazing! Glad you found a cheaper DIY option 🙂
This is one of the best things I’ve ever tasted! I was a bit hesitant about the cauliflower but you cannot taste it and it makes drink thick just like a milkshake. The flavor is SO great and I sent this recipe to literally everyone I know after making it.
Absolutely! So glad you loved it!
I love smoothies in the morning and this one takes the cake! The cauliflower in this smoothie makes a creamy and velvety texture. I also added a tablespoon of hemp seeds for extra omega 3. Nice changeup from my typical green smoothies.
This was delicious!! I love how creative your smoothie recipes are 🙂
So glad you loved it! We have so much fun experimenting with different flavors 🙂
I’m in love with this smoothie! Thank you for creating and sharing it.
I’m so happy to hear that, Tiffany!! So happy you’re a fan 🙂
Sorry just saw this now will be making this soon can i use maple syrup instead as am not a big fan of dates i never had peanut butter oatmeal cookie shake before perfect for hot days in Singapore will dm you if i make this and let you know how it goes Thanks Ramya
No need to apologize! You can definitely use maple syrup. Enjoy!
Thank you for you recipe. I love your ingredient list that includes a cup of frozen cauliflower. I would never of thought to add that!
LOVE cauliflower in shakes and smoothies! Hope you enjoy this one 🙂
Delicious! I added 1/2 c strawberries and 1/2 banana with vanilla protein powder. So good!
Yummy!! So happy you enjoyed it!
Delicious and healthy?! This is a winner! I added spinach and flaxseed to mine. I can’t wait to make this again 🙂
Yay!! So happy you loved it, Hayley 🙂
I’ve never used cauliflower in a smoothie,,,,wondering if it is raw or cooked? (then frozen)
Thanks!!
I buy frozen cauliflower florets, which I believe are blanched before freezing. If you freeze your own, you can either blanch/steam it or freeze it raw–whatever works best for you!
The smoothie is amazing! I love your recipes. Thanks for the great content! I love how you cover the different subs and alternate ingredient ideas as well!
I’m so happy to hear it’s helpful 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the smoothie!
So delicious and simple to wip up! I added a little less milk for a thicker smoothie to make into a smoothie bowl 🙂 Added some granola on top!
Yummm love the idea of turning this into a smoothie bowl! Glad you enjoyed it, Maddy 🙂
Sooooo good! I added protein powder, chia seeds and spinach and it tasted amazing! Definitely one of my fav smoothies that will be going into regular rotation.
So good! I subbed honey for the dates and frozen zucchini for the cauliflower.
Great subs, so happy to hear you’re loving it! 🙂
WOW! This shake is delicious and tastes like dessert!! I almost, ALMOST, feel guilty for having it for breakfast today but then I remembered that it had cauliflower in it. Score! I can tell this one is going to definitely hold me over til lunch. Thank you!
Woohooo! So happy you’re loving it, Christie!!
This tastes so good! I was definitely intimidated by the cauliflower and I can confirm you can’t taste it at all (as long as you buy the right kind—I use the Good and Gather frozen cauli and when I used a different brand, I could taste it.) It feels like such a good way to start my day as it gets my digestive track moving and it keeps me full for a long time! It’s become a big staple in my smoothie rotation. So so good!
Good to know that certain brands vary! So happy you’re loving this recipe 🙂
I have made this a couple of times and it is great. I have been trying to incorporate dates into my daily intake in late pregnancy and this does the trick! I think it could be better if I had a high powered blender, but even without it the consistency is good and the flavors are balanced. Thank you for another great recipe!
Yay! I’m so glad you’re loving this one, mama 🙂
just made his for lunch and added some vanilla protein powder. needed to add some banana because i think it tasted better and made a better texture!! shared a little with my brother and we both really liked it
Good call on the protein powder and banana! So happy that you both enjoyed it 🙂
Yummo!!! Love that Monique gives GF and DF alternatives. Give this one a try.
Yummo!!! LOVE that Monique gives GF and DF options!!! Give this one a try.
Tastes exactly like an oatmeal cookie! Great flavor and texture.
just tried this today and it really tasted like an oatmeal peanut butter cookie! added flaxseed in mine too. however, it was also very heavy and too filling for me, I only managed to drink a couple of sips and I was done.
Glad you liked it! And yeah, it’s definitely filling (in a good way, I think!) because of all the fiber + healthy fats. Thanks for sharing, though 🙂
Very good smoothie! Made with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter and the flavor was still excellent. May soak the dates for more than five minutes next time since there were still chunks of dates in the smoothie. Made with vanilla protein.
So glad to hear you loved it! And yes soaking or blending for a little longer may help with that!
This is my new favorite smoothie recipe. I love it and it is a combination I would have never thought of. SOOOOO good
I swapped out the cauliflower for a little bit of avocado, added chia and flax seeds, and used mazafati dates instead of mejdool, whole milk instead of oat milk and it was bomb!!! Thanks so much!
That all sounds incredible! Thanks for sharing 🙂
My gosh these are amazing. What a great alternative to oatmeal! I love that these are super quick and guilt free, great for a weekday morning but good enough for guests and a weekend fix. Cooked using butter flavored coconut oil, drizzled with pb ‘n a little syrup and a few cacao nibs tossed on top. 100 different ways to go with this, in my top 5 fave recipes of all time! Thank you!!!
Uh. Might wanna delete that – I reviewed the wrong recipe! (Eye roll) 🙁
Hahaha no worries!!
I can’t recall if I’ve reviewed this recipe before but I had to today. This has become one of my top 3 smoothies ever! I have it on weekly rotation! Thank you for a great smoothie!
It’s good! Thanks, you are right and you cannot taste the cauliflower. My picky kids didn’t like it though 🙁
Happy you enjoyed it! Sorry the kids didn’t, though. They might like this one!
DANG this is so good!!
You are the smoothie queen! I added spinach – so delicious!
Thank youuu!
Giiiiiirl this smoothie is bomb. I added collagen and spinach and loved the texture it gives from the oats. It’s salty and sweet which I love. Thank you!
This smoothie is out of this world. I’m obsessed with all of Monique’s smoothies. I have one everyday for breakfast, and this one is one of the best ones I’ve had so far. SO good!
Perfection. Thank you so much, glad you are loving this smoothie ❤️🙂
Wow! This looks delish and I’m so surprised about the cauliflower! Will for sure try this!
Excellent! So glad, enjoy!
Love all her recipes, this one was just okay. I added maple syrup as I found the dates not enough sweetness and I think you need like 50% more milk, but it’s very much personal preference. I love how healthy this is but I’m not sure I’d make it again. Or I might soak the oats in advance as well.
Was it too thick for you liking? or was there something else? Wondering if it was blended thoroughly/long enough.
I just made this for dinner as I had a late lunch. It was very good. I did think it was going to have more of a frozen texture like a Wendy’s Frosty; however, it was nice and creamy. I’m going to try it again soon for breakfast.
YUM! Sounds great, glad you are loving this smoothie 🙂
I am obsessed with this protein shake!!!
Yay! I am so glad to hear this!
Is the cauliflower previously cooked??
I just use frozen cauliflower but if you want to freeze your own, you can steam it first and then freeze. Enjoy!
Love you I’m good I haven’t eaten peanut butter except for Reese’s it’s my teenage years is my favorite meal food etc so I love it 🙂
Question! Do you have any tips for avoiding / preventing a slimy shake? Any time I’ve tried an oat smoothie it’s resulted in this very unfortunate unpleasant texture. It’s a common problem with homemade oat milk, but I’m wondering if you may have found a way to prevent it here. Thank you!
I haven’t had that problem, what type of oats are you using?
Super yummy, Monique! Thick and creamy. Perfect oatmeal cookie flavor!
YUM! Glad to hear you are loving this shake ❤️
I made mine without peanut butter. It came out delicious. It tasted like a cinnamon oatmeal cookie.
YUM! so glad you this smoothie turned out great for you 🙂
This smoothie was amazing!! I added cocoa powder, half banana, bee pollen and honey and substituted the cauliflower for ice and it tasted DELICIOUS! Thank you for another amazing smoothie recipe! I love all of your smoothies with dates- they actually taste surprisingly good in smoothies! ❤️❤️❤️
I was hesitant considering I don’t like dates or cauliflower and this recipe proved me wrong. So good. I add spinach which does not impact flavor.
Sneaky ingredients!! Glad you gave this recipe a try and are loving the smoothie!
This recipe is so versatile, I love it! I make it as is and is delicious, definitely can’t taste the cauliflower! Today I made with 10 oz unsweetened almond and coconut milk, almond butter and added 1/2 cup frozen blueberries. Thank you for posting this recipe – so easy and always have ingredients on hand so has become my go to when I’m not sure what I want.
Love it! Great idea to add blueberries, too 🙂
I haven’t made this yet but I want to because it looks great. But just to clarify, should I cook the cauliflower before putting it in freezer or should it be raw? Thanks so much!
Hi! I typically buy frozen cauliflower (which is blanched and frozen) but you can either blanch it and then freeze it or just freeze it directly 🙂
So delicious!! I actually made extra for my toddler who LOVED it as well. Really great way (for both of us) to get some vegetables
Amazing! So happy to hear that 🙂
What would be a good substitute for the cauliflower if I don’t have any on hand?
Feel free to use 1/2 cup ice!
Better than the herbalife shake and way better for me. I added protein and collagen powder but super delicious.
Absolutely!!
So delicious! I added chocolate protein powder. Perfect.
Love that!
I made these this morning for myself and my two kids, 6 and 8. We all loved them! We couldn’t taste the cauliflower at all, it just tastes like a peanut butter cookie! Delicious!
Such a great breakfast!
Really tastes like a liquid peanut butter cookie! So good!
So much delicious PB flavor!