A creamy banana oatmeal smoothie makes a quick and delicious breakfast, snack, or dessert. This healthy smoothie has a hint of cinnamon and nuttiness from almond butter. It's also packed with nutrients and ready in just minutes so you can enjoy it even as you’re running out the door!
Oatmeal has always been a staple in our house. I love making hot oatmeal cereal or strawberry banana baked oatmeal when it’s cold outside. I also like to give my blender a workout during the summer months by making some of my favorite oatmeal smoothies!
These healthy oatmeal smoothies are incredibly versatile. You can use a straightforward oatmeal smoothie base recipe and create lots of variations, so it always feels new and exciting.
No matter how you prefer oatmeal, you can enjoy this versatile ingredient all year long.
For today's post, I am going to be sharing my recipe for a banana oatmeal smoothie! This oatmeal smoothie reminds me of my favorite oatmeal cookie with a hint of cinnamon and nuttiness from the almond butter.
Next time you are craving an oatmeal cookie, make this smoothie instead! I hope you love it as much as I do.
Key Ingredients For Creamy Banana Oatmeal Smoothie
Here’s what you’ll need to make this yummy smoothie at home:
- Oats: You can use old-fashioned or rolled oats. Both work in this recipe. See recipe notes below for more information about your options when it comes to using oats.
- Bananas: Bananas are my absolute favorite fruit to add to smoothies. They pair well with nearly everything you would put in smoothies and help to thicken and sweeten it naturally. Plus, it's full of potassium and provides help with digestion.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds that caramel-y, fresh-out-of-the-oven taste to this smoothie that makes it seem like you’re cheating on your diet (you’re not!).
- Spices: Cinnamon and salt enhance the flavor of the other ingredients and add that special touch to make you feel like you’re drinking a delicious oatmeal cookie!
- Maple Syrup: Maple syrup is my go-to natural sweetener for smoothies. If the amount listed in the recipe isn’t quite enough, feel free to adjust it a little to your preferences. You can substitute honey for maple syrup if you prefer.
- Almond Butter: Make sure to not add too much, but just enough to add a little filling protein and a hint of nutty flavor.
- Unsweetened Almond Milk: I like using unsweetened almond milk because it’s low in calories and sugar but still adds a creamy, rich texture to the smoothie.
Note: Please check out the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for a complete list of ingredients and detailed instructions on how to make this smoothie recipe!
Recipe Tips and Ideas For This Oatmeal Smoothie Recipe
Here are a few tips to add variety to your smoothie so that you get a decadent treat every time you make it!
- Feel free to substitute any type of milk (dairy or non-dairy) for almond milk.
- To avoid lumps in this smoothie, simply pulse the oatmeal in a blender by itself first to create a fine powder. After that, you can add the rest of your ingredients and end up with a perfectly smooth smoothie!
- While both quick oats and instant oats can be used in a smoothie, raw rolled oats are the best. They’re less processed and provide the most nutritional benefit. If you’re using rolled oats or quick oats, use the blender trick. Instant oats don’t need that extra step.
- I like icy smoothies, so ice is a must for me. However, if you don’t, freeze your bananas and use them frozen to make a thick, creamy smoothie without the ice bits.
What To Serve With Healthy Oatmeal Cookie Smoothie
The possibilities are endless! You can enjoy this banana oatmeal smoothie with breakfast foods for a filling breakfast, drink solo for a nutritious snack, or sip it as a guilt-free dessert. No matter how you choose to enjoy this smoothie, it’s a satisfying drink that will keep you full for hours.
Here are a few ideas!
Breakfast
The great thing about this oatmeal smoothie is that you can have it by itself if you prefer a smaller breakfast. However, if you like to eat substantial breakfast meals, serve this smoothie alongside a slice of ham, cheese, and spinach casserole or a bowl of sweet potato breakfast hash to keep you full until lunch.
On The Go
A huge benefit of making smoothies is that they’re easy to take on the road if you’re on the way to work or dropping your kids off at school. Blend up a serving of this oatmeal smoothie to drink for a snack with a zucchini carrot muffin or a banana quinoa chia seed muffin for a grab-and-go option.
Frequently Asked Questions About Banana Oatmeal Smoothies
Here are some questions I frequently get asked about by some readers…
Can I use oats that haven’t been cooked in smoothies?
When oats soften in liquid, they are the easiest on your digestive system. Adding them to a liquid smoothie, in addition to breaking them down in the blender, makes them easier to digest in raw form.
If you find you have stomach issues, simply soak the oats overnight in milk before adding them to your smoothie in the morning.
Will the oatmeal make my smoothie taste chalky?
We don’t use enough oatmeal in this recipe to make it taste chalky. Instead, we have just the right amount of oatmeal to create a thick, flavorful smoothie that leaves you feeling satisfied.
All the benefits, none of the drawbacks.
Can I make oatmeal smoothies ahead of time?
Yes! To prep smoothies ahead of time, I recommend trying one of these two methods.
- Option 1: Add all your seeds, fruits, and veggies measured out for this recipe to a sealable plastic bag and put it in the freezer. Prep the oatmeal in the blender and store it in an airtight container at room temperature. When you’re ready to make your smoothie, combine all the ingredients to your blender and blend until smooth.
- Option 2: Prepare the smoothies in mason jars using the same prep for overnight oats (put everything into a mason jar and close it up). Then, when you’re ready to make your smoothie, dump the contents of your mason jar into the blender, add a little extra liquid if needed, and blend until smooth.
Enjoy!
More Delicious Smoothie Recipes You’ll Love:
- Overnight Oatmeal Smoothies
- Chocolate Oat Smoothie
- Blueberry Banana Smoothie
- Chocolate Avocado Smoothie
- Mango Spinach Smoothie