Last Updated on June 10, 2025 by Christin Gillespie

This Cacao Coconut Date Shake is a rich, creamy, & protein-packed recipe that is a must-make! It’s a decadent blend of cacao plant protein, 4 forms of coconut, & sweet Medjool dates. The end result of this shake tastes like a dessert, but it’s created with healthy ingredients & includes over 25 grams of plant protein, which makes it post-workout approved!

Cacao Coconut Date Shake with a straw in it, sitting on a white marble counter with coconut flakes in the background.

Who can pass up a post-workout shake that tastes like a dessert?!

A major bonus is that this dreamy blend is made with wholesome ingredients, full of healthy fats, & includes over 25 grams of plant-based protein. Thus, you, as well as your taste buds, will be nourished & satisfied.

Needless to say, this Cacao Coconut Date Shake is truly a next-level combination that will be your new favorite breakfast or dessert.

Why You’ll Love This Cacao Coconut Date Shake Recipe

Loaded with Superfoods: A scoop of cacao plant protein, along with 4 forms of coconut, does the trick to add some superfood nutrients to this date shake.
Perfect Protein Shake: Whether you’re making it post-workout or for breakfast, this shake will have you fully satisfied, as it is packed with over 25 grams of plant protein.
Tastes like a Dessert: This Cacao Coconut Date Shake is a decadent breakfast option that can be classified as a real treat!

Organic Coconut Health Benefits

We’ll be using 4 forms of coconut: organic coconut water, organic unsweetened coconut, organic extra-virgin coconut oil, & an organic frozen coconut smoothie packet. It may be a little excessive, but it sure does make this cacao protein shake taste incredible. Organic coconut is not only delicious, but it also provides your body with incredible benefits from the inside out. Literally! Hair, skin, nails & your body. Organic coconut has it all. Here are just a few of the many benefits of consuming coconut:

Enhanced Cognitive Function
Improved Digestion
Strengthened Immune System
Increased Energy Levels
Glowing Skin

Cacao Coconut Date Protein Shake with a straw in it, sitting on a white marble counter with coconut flakes in the background.

Ingredients

Organic Coconut Water: The perfect liquid to get things blended. My go-to brand is Harmless Harvest. It’s just one ingredient: organic coconut water. Oh & it’s pink! So cute.
Organic Chia Seeds: Organic chia seeds add some omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, selenium, phosphorus, calcium, & so much more.
Organic Unsweetened Coconut: Shredded or flakes, both work, as they will be blended.
Organic Extra-Virgin Coconut Oil: To add some healthy fats that keep you full, energized, & focused.
Organic Cacao Plant Protein: Adding a scoop of protein powder helps to keep you full & satisfied longer. When selecting a protein powder brand, it’s crucial to look at the protein content and, most importantly, the ingredients. Check out this Cleanest Plant-Based & Vegan Protein Powders post to learn what to look for, the best brands, & recommended daily protein intake.
Organic Cacao Powder: To be clear, cacao powder is different from regular Dutch cocoa powder. Check out this Cacao Powder 101 post to learn more!
Sea Salt: A healthy pinch of sea salt is rich in a ton of minerals & beautifully enhances the flavor.
Organic Medjool Dates: I recommend buying pitted dates; that way you don’t have to remove the pits yourself. My favorite brand of dates is Joolies!
Organic Coconut Smoothie Pack: No ice is needed, as Pitaya Foods has created a coconut smoothie pack that contains organic coconut meat & organic coconut water to ensure that your shake is cold & thick. However, if you don’t have an organic coconut smoothie pack, you can fill 4–6 ice cubes with organic unsweetened full-fat coconut milk in the freezer overnight.

How to Make

Blend the Liquids & Powders. To a high-speed blender, add the coconut water, seeds, unsweetened coconut, coconut oil, plant protein, cacao powder, & sea salt. Blend these ingredients until smooth.
Blend the Medjool Dates. Next, add in the pitted Medjool dates & blend until smooth. If needed, you can pause the blender, remove the lid, & scrape down the sides so that everything is fully incorporated. You may need to add a little more liquid depending on how thick/thin you like your shakes.
Blend the Frozen Ingredients. Add the Pitaya Foods Organic Coconut Smoothie Pack. Blend until smooth & creamy.
Serve. Pour into a chilled glass & enjoy!

Cacao Coconut Date Shake in a Vitamix on a white marble counter.

Optional Shake Recipe Add-Ins

Feel free to truly make this protein shake your own! Here are a few suggestions to amp up this Cacao Coconut Date Shake recipe:

Organic Hemp Seeds: Add in a tablespoon of organic hemp seeds for a boost of healthy fats, protein, omegas, & minerals.
Organic Ground Flax Seeds: Incorporate a tablespoon of organic ground flax seeds for a boost of fiber & minerals.
Organic Coconut Yogurt: Enhance the creaminess with a scoop of organic plain coconut yogurt.
Organic Cacao Nibs: Wanting a little crunch to your date shake? Add anywhere between 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of organic cacao nibs. Simply add organic cacao nibs at the last minute to your shake, then blend once more.

Tips for Making the Perfect Shake Recipe

Interested in how to make the absolute perfect Cacao Coconut Date Shake recipe? As someone who makes shakes daily, here are my TOP tips:

Soak Medjool Dates: If your dates are hard, I highly recommend soaking them in very warm water for 5 minutes so that they can blend nicely.
Adjust Liquid Amount: If you find that your shake is too thick to blend, not to worry! Just add a bit more liquid, blend, open the cover, scrape down the sides if needed, & blend again. When possible, always use a larger high-speed blender instead, as it will blend the ingredients much better.
How To Make: Add your liquid first & blend your powders first, then the medjool dates, before adding your frozen ingredients. This is my personal favorite way of preparing my shakes. By blending the liquid & powders first, it ensures that your powders blend completely.
Shake Blending Tip: Start your blender on low to medium speed. If you blend the shake too quickly from the beginning, it’s really hard for the blender to properly blend the frozen ingredients—so start lower & then gradually increase the speed.
Chill Your Glass: There’s nothing better than a cold post-workout shake. Put your serving glass in the fridge or freezer while you’re making your blend to ensure a chilled shake at every sip.

Protein Shake FAQs

Do I have to use Pitaya Foods Organic Coconut Smoothie Pack?

If you don’t have Pitaya Foods Organic Coconut Smoothie Pack, you can fill 4–6 ice cubes with organic full-fat unsweetened coconut milk & place in the freezer overnight.

Is it healthy to have a shake?

Duh! I wouldn’t post something that was unhealthy, even though this shake does taste like a dessert. Having a shake full of protein, healthy fats, & superfoods for a post-workout breakfast is great because you’ll be getting essential vitamins, nutrients, & protein first thing. However, some shakes on the market or on the web can be loaded with tons of fruit, added sugar, & nonsense, making them a less healthy option.

What is the best protein powder to use?

I used an organic cacao plant protein powder for this coconut date shake recipe. When selecting a protein powder brand, it’s crucial to look at the protein content and, most importantly, the ingredients. Check out this Cleanest Plant-Based & Vegan Protein Powders post to learn what to look for, the best brands, & recommended daily protein intake.

How can I add protein without using protein powder?

If you don’t have cacao protein powder on hand, no worries. To increase the richness, use a total of 5 tsp of organic cacao powder. To amp up the protein content, you can add a tablespoon of organic hemp seeds and/or a tablespoon of organic raw cashew butter without changing the taste that much.

Can I make this shake recipe in advance?

Yes! Feel free to make this post-workout shake recipe as is or double it for later. Check out this How to Prepare Smoothies in Advance post to achieve the best results.

Cacao Coconut Date Shake Recipe with a straw in it, sitting on a white marble counter with coconut flakes in the background.

More Chocolate Protein Shake Recipes You’ll Love

If you make this Cacao Coconut Date Shake recipe, please leave a review & rating below. I love hearing from you, & it helps others learn more about the blog as well. Be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram, & TikTok for even more healthy content!

Xoxo.

CMG.