Banana Oatmeal Smoothie

Fuel up for the day with this delicious and satisfying Banana Oatmeal Smoothie! It combines the heart-healthy benefits of oats with the natural sweetness of bananas for a quick, nutritious breakfast option.

FYI - This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. All links are products I use when making my recipes.

Breakfast Smoothies

Do you want to kickstart your mornings with a delicious, healthy breakfast solution? Start your day off right with a tasty, nutritious, easy-to-make breakfast smoothie! Breakfast smoothies are a great way to get your daily dose of essential vitamins and minerals that will keep you energized and powering through until lunch.

And they’re easy to customize to suit your tastes. Like coffee? Try my Coffee Banana Smoothie. Feel like pancakes but don’t have the time, this Pancake Smoothie meets you halfway. Whether it’s with yogurt or without, protein powder or not, or served in a glass or bowl, breakfast smoothies will give you a breakfast that is quick, healthy, and delicious.

Why You'll Love This Oatmeal Smoothie with Banana

It's so much more than just an oatmeal banana smoothie. It's also:

• Banana oatmeal peanut butter smoothie (if you use peanut butter).
• Creamy smoothie with yogurt and oats.
• Cinnamon oat smoothie that almost tastes like a cinnamon bun.
• Oatmeal green smoothie with spinach (or kale if you want).
• Oatmeal protein smoothie with protein powder, Greek yogurt, oats, and nut butter.

Oatmeal Smoothie Benefits

There are both nutritional and practical benefits. These are some of the nutritional benefits:

• Rich in Fiber: Oats are packed with dietary fiber, especially beta-glucan, a type of soluble fiber that helps in maintaining gut health, lowering cholesterol levels, and controlling blood sugar levels.
• High in Protein: Compared to many other grains, oats have a higher protein content. This makes oatmeal smoothies an excellent choice for a protein-rich start to your day or as a post-workout recovery drink.
• Provide Essential Vitamins and Minerals: Oats are a good source of many essential vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins, iron, zinc, and magnesium. When combined with fruits or vegetables in a smoothie, the nutrient content increases even further.
• Controlled Release of Energy: Oats have a low glycemic index (GI) meaning they slowly release energy over a prolonged period. This can help control appetite and energy levels throughout the day, reducing the temptation to snack on unhealthy foods.
• Weight Management: The high fiber and protein content in oatmeal can make you feel fuller for longer, potentially helping with weight management by reducing the overall caloric intake.

These are some of the practical benefits:

• Easy and Quick to Prepare: Oatmeal smoothies are quick and easy to prepare, making them an excellent option for busy mornings or when you're on the go.
• Versatile: You can experiment with various ingredients, from fruits and berries to nuts, seeds, and spices, to make your smoothie taste different each time.
• Portable: Smoothies are a great portable meal or snack. You can easily take them with you to work, school, or the gym.
• Customizable for Dietary Needs: Whether you're vegan, gluten-free, or following a specific diet, you can easily adjust the ingredients in an oatmeal smoothie to suit your dietary needs.

Ingredients

• Banana
• Old-fashioned rolled oats
• Oat milk
• Greek yogurt
• Nut butter
• Fresh spinach
• Vanilla extract
• Vanilla whey protein powder
• Ground cinnamon
• Sweetener such as honey, agave, or stevia (optional)

Best Oats for Smoothies

When it comes to choosing oats for your smoothies, it ultimately depends on your personal preference and dietary needs. Here are the common types of oats and notes on each:

• Rolled Oats: Also known as old-fashioned oats, rolled oats are created by steaming and rolling oat groats. They have a mild flavor and a semi-chewy texture. They blend well into smoothies without having to be pre-soaked and also provide a nice thickness.
• Quick Oats: These oats are pre-cooked, dried, and then rolled. They are thinner and smaller than rolled oats, which makes them quicker to cook and softer in texture. They can be used in smoothies in the same way as rolled oats. They might blend a bit smoother due to their smaller size.
• Instant Oats: These are the most processed of the lot. They are pre-cooked, dried, rolled, and then pressed slightly thinner than quick oats. They cook more quickly, but the texture is mushier. They can be used in a smoothie, but keep in mind they might not provide as much thickness as the other types.
• Steel-cut Oats: These are whole oat groats that have been chopped into pieces but not rolled. They have a much chewier texture and a nuttier flavor compared to rolled or quick oats. However, they don't blend well into smoothies unless soaked overnight.
• Oat Flour: If you want a completely smooth texture in your smoothie without any graininess, oat flour can be a great option. It's essentially oats that have been ground into a fine powder.

Among all these types, rolled oats and quick oats are most commonly used in smoothies because they blend well and provide a nice, thick texture.

If you're following a gluten-free diet, make sure to choose oats that are certified gluten-free, as oats are often processed in facilities that also process wheat, which may lead to cross-contamination.

Remember to always look for unsweetened, unflavored versions of these oats to avoid unnecessary sugars and additives.

Raw vs Cooked Oats in Smoothies

There are differences in using raw versus cooked oats in a smoothie:

• Texture: Raw oats, especially when ground, can help thicken a smoothie and give it a slightly grainy texture. Cooked oats, on the other hand, will make your smoothie creamier and smoother.
• Digestion: Some people find raw oats harder to digest than cooked oats. Soaking raw oats before using them in a smoothie can help with this, as can using oat flour or quick oats, which are more easily digested.
• Taste: Cooked oats have a softer, more mellow flavor than raw oats, which can have a slightly nutty taste. Some people prefer one over the other.

So, deciding whether to use raw or cooked oats in your smoothie comes down to personal preference, digestion, and the kind of texture you prefer. You can experiment with both and see which one you like best. Due to the ease of use and nutritional benefits, most people tend to use raw rolled oats or quick oats in their smoothies.

3. Pour the smoothie into a glass and serve it with a smoothie straw.

Option: Make it thicker by adding less oat milk or more frozen bananas then spoon it into a bowl and top it with fruit or granola for a delicious oatmeal smoothie bowl.

Recipe Variations

• Almond Banana Oatmeal Smoothie - Use almond milk and almond butter.
• Blueberry Banana Oatmeal Smoothie - Add 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries.
• Strawberry Banana Oatmeal Smoothie - Add 1 cup of fresh or frozen strawberries.
• Vegan Banana Oatmeal Smoothie - Substitute Greek yogurt with a plant-based yogurt.

How to Store and Freeze

Smoothies are best when enjoyed right after they are blended. However, if you happen to have leftovers and you want to save them, here's what to do:

Store any smoothie leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Stir or shake it before drinking because it may separate.

Freeze smoothie leftovers in a freezer-safe container or plastic freezer bags for up to 3 months. Thaw the smoothie in the fridge overnight. For a typical smoothie texture, blend it again with ice cubes (regular water ice cubes or for this smoothie with oat milk use frozen milk cubes).

You can also freeze smoothie leftovers in popsicle molds to make popsicles like these chocolate cherry smoothie popsicles. Or make a double batch of the smoothie so you'll have plenty to enjoy now and make popsicles.

More Smoothie Recipes

• Key Lime Smoothie
• Lemon Smoothie
• Orange Creamsicle Smoothie
• Raspberry Smoothie
• Strawberry Chocolate Smoothie

Find lots of easy and delicious smoothie recipes right here on 2CM!

LOVE QUICK & EASY RECIPES? FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, & PINTEREST FOR ALL THE LATEST RECIPE INSPIRATION! PLUS JOIN MY EMAIL LIST AND RECEIVE A FREE E-BOOK.