This black sesame smoothie is like a drinkable therapy session. It’s creamy, earthy, and nutty, almost like peanut butter, with a deep roasted flavor from black sesame.

I first discovered black sesame smoothies at a bakery inside Omotesando Station in Tokyo when I was going through a smoothie phase. When I lived nearby, stopping there on Saturday mornings became one of my favorite routines. After a little tweaking, I finally recreated it at home. But something was missing. And it was blueberries.

It takes just five minutes to make, and you can easily adjust the sweetness to your taste.

Why You'll Love This Black Sesame Smoothie

Rich and Creamy
Frozen banana, milk, and black sesame paste create a naturally smooth and creamy texture.

Ready in 5 Minutes
A quick breakfast or snack made with just 4–5 simple ingredients.

Nutty and Roasted
Black sesame gives this smoothie a deep, earthy flavor that's unlike your usual fruit smoothie.

Easy to Customize
Use your favorite milk, adjust the sweetness, or add ice for a thicker smoothie.

What Does Black Sesame Taste Like?

Black sesame has a rich, nutty, roasted flavor with a subtle earthiness and a mild, pleasant bitterness. If you like peanut butter or tahini, black sesame is definitely worth trying.

I sometimes wonder if I fell in love with black sesame so quickly because I grew up eating peanut butter. This smoothie reminds me of a peanut butter, banana, and honey sandwich, but with the deeper, toastier flavor of black sesame.

One of the things I love most about black sesame is how mellow it becomes in creamy recipes like this one. The banana adds natural sweetness while the milk softens the roasted flavor, creating a smoothie that's creamy, comforting, and just sweet enough.

Ingredients

This black sesame smoothie comes together with just a handful of simple ingredients. Here's what you'll need:

Black Sesame Paste

The star of this smoothie. Black sesame paste adds a rich, roasted flavor and creamy texture.

New to black sesame paste? Check out my complete guide to black sesame paste.

Banana

A frozen banana naturally sweetens the smoothie while creating a thick, creamy texture.

Blueberries

A handful of fresh or frozen blueberries adds a subtle purple hue and berry flavor that pairs surprisingly well with the roasted flavor of black sesame.

Milk

Whole milk creates the creamiest smoothie, but oat milk, almond milk, and soy milk all work well. Adjust the amount to reach your preferred consistency.

Honey or Maple Syrup (Optional)

If your banana isn't very ripe, add a little honey or maple syrup for extra sweetness.

Ice

Add a handful of ice if you'd like a thicker, frostier smoothie.

Black Sesame Paste

This recipe uses natural black sesame paste made from 100% roasted black sesame seeds with no added sugar. Its rich, nutty flavor makes it easy to control the sweetness of the smoothie.

I haven't tested this recipe with sweetened black sesame paste. If you decide to use it, you may need to use less honey since the paste already contains added sugar.

Don't have black sesame paste? You can easily make your own with my Homemade Black Sesame Paste recipe.

Essential Equipment

You only need a few basic kitchen tools to make this smoothie:

• Blender
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Glass

When I'm in the U.S., I use my mom's Vitamix. Back home in Japan, I use my Ninja. Both make this smoothie perfectly smooth, so use whatever blender you have.

Tips for the Creamiest Smoothie

Use a Frozen Banana—Don’t Skip It

A frozen banana makes the smoothie thicker, creamier, and naturally cold without needing as much ice. For the best texture, I highly recommend freezing the banana ahead of time rather than using a fresh one.

Add the Milk Gradually

Start with the amount in the recipe, then add more milk if needed until you reach your preferred consistency.

Blend Until Smooth

Blend until there are no chunks of frozen banana or ice and the smoothie is completely smooth and creamy. If you have a high-powered blender, you can blend everything at once, including the ice.

Variations

Once you've made my version, here are a few easy ways to switch it up:

Skip the Blueberries Leave out the blueberries if you want the black sesame flavor to really shine. The smoothie will turn a deeper, darker gray and taste closer to a straight black sesame banana shake. I personally love the fruity contrast the blueberries add. But this one's worth trying if you really want the roasted sesame flavor.

Make It a Protein Smoothie Stir in a spoonful of Greek yogurt to turn this into a more filling breakfast or post-workout smoothie.

Make It Extra Thick Use a scant ½ cup of milk (about 100 ml) instead of the full amount for a thicker, soft-serve-style texture you can eat with a spoon. It won't pour, but it's like having a really good malt or milkshake. You can also use this version to make a smoothie bowl.

Common Mistakes

Using Too Much Black Sesame Paste

Black sesame has a bold, roasted flavor that can easily overpower the other ingredients. Stick to the amount in the recipe for the best balance.

Adding Too Much Liquid

Too much milk can thin out the smoothie and dilute the roasted flavor of the black sesame. Start with the recommended amount, then add more gradually if needed to reach the consistency you like.

Using an Underripe Banana

A ripe banana adds natural sweetness and a creamy texture. If your banana isn't fully ripe, you may need a little more honey or maple syrup to reach your preferred level of sweetness.

Not Blending Until Smooth

Blend long enough to break down the frozen banana and ice completely. You want a smooth, creamy texture without any chunks.

Not Adjusting the Sweetness

Black sesame paste has a rich, roasted flavor but isn't sweetened. If you prefer a sweeter smoothie, add a little honey or maple syrup. Start with a small amount. You can always add more.

More Black Sesame Recipes

Love the flavor of black sesame? Explore more beginner-friendly recipes that make it easy to enjoy its rich, nutty flavor at home.