This oatmeal smoothie tastes just like a cinnamon oatmeal cookie. It’s healthy, packed with over 20 grams of protein and makes for a great breakfast or post-workout snack!
Love having oatmeal for breakfast, but want to switch things up? You’re in luck because today I’m sharing a recipe for an oatmeal smoothie that tastes just like you’re eating an old fashioned cinnamon oatmeal cookie but in smoothie form.
Why You’ll Love This Smoothie
It comes together in no time at all… just add everything to your blender and blend away! Perfect for those busy mornings.
It’s made with just six simple ingredients that I bet you already have in your kitchen right now!
It’s packed with over 20 grams of protein making it a great breakfast option or post-workout snack.
Adding Oats to Smoothies
Yes, adding oats (or ever leftover cooked oats) is a thing! Adding rolled oats to your smoothie is perfectly safe and gives the smoothie a thick and creamy texture. The oats also add a bit of extra nutrition, including fiber, which will help make your smoothie more satisfying and filling.
As for what type of oats to use for smoothies, I recommend old fashioned rolled oats or quick oats. Both of these options are pre-cooked and will blend up just fine in your blender. I don’t recommend steel cut oats as they are the least processed and will be harder to blend and more difficult to digest.
Ingredients Needed:
frozen banana – frozen banana helps to thicken this smoothie and adds a little sweetness. Be sure to check out my guide for how to freeze bananas.
unsweetened almond milk or oat milk – any milk will work, but I prefer almond milk or oat milk. If you want extra oat flavor and more creaminess, go for the oat milk!
vanilla protein powder – I love adding protein powder to my smoothies to make them more filling! I think the vanilla flavor blends really well with this particular smoothie. I like using Nuzest‘s smooth vanilla protein powder. You can use my code eatingbirdfood for 15% off your order.
cinnamon – for a bit of sweet spice and oatmeal cookie flavor!
pure vanilla extract – a great flavor enhancer!
How to Make
Place your banana, milk, oats, protein powder, cinnamon, and vanilla in a high-powered blender and blend until smooth. Add a little more milk if it’s too thick until you reach your desired consistency.
Pour into a glass or bowl (depending on whether you want to use a spoon or straw) and top with your favorite smoothie toppings.
How to Make a Smoothie Without Banana
The banana in this recipe gives the smoothie a thick and creamy texture and also adds a bit of sweetness, without being too overpowering. If you’re looking for a low-sugar option, are allergic to bananas or simply don’t like them, here are some ideas for replacements:
ice – replace the frozen banana with ice (about 1 cup). It will give the shake volume and add a nice, frozen slushy texture.
frozen milk ice cubes – this is the same concept, but instead of using regular ice cubes, make frozen cubes using your favorite non-dairy milk (like almond or coconut) and use about 1 cup of these cubes instead of the frozen banana.
frozen cauliflower rice – I use frozen cauliflower rice in my shakes all the time and it works as a low-sugar replacement for frozen banana. I do find that it adds a different texture to shakes, especially if you use a large amount. I’d start with 1/4 cup, give the shake a taste and then add more if needed.
frozen zucchini – like frozen cauliflower, frozen zucchini works great as a low-sugar replacement for frozen banana. It also doesn’t add a ton of flavor! You can blanch or steam your zucchini before freezing if you want to make it easier to digest, but I don’t find this necessary.
Pro tip!
The banana does add sweetness to this recipe, so if you're not replacing it with another frozen fruit you might want to add a touch of sweetness in the form of maple syrup, agave, honey or stevia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best protein powder?
My favorite protein powder is Nuzest. It has a short ingredient list, clean ingredients, is allergen friendly and has no chalky taste! Use code eatingbirdfood for 15% off your order!
How can I add protein without using protein powder?
If you don’t have protein powder on hand, you can add protein in a variety of ways. You can mix in Greek yogurt, nuts, nut butter (cashew butter or almond butter would both be good options) or chia seeds.
How often can I eat a protein smoothie?
If you’re a smoothie fan, feel free to eat one once a day! Since they are a lighter option, I recommend enjoying them as a snack or for breakfast and not as a full meal replacement.
Are smoothies good for weight loss?
Yes! Protein smoothies are amazing for weight loss and weight management. My recipes are made with whole food ingredients and packed with nutrients and protein.
Why would you want to add more protein to your diet?
So many reasons! It’s great for balancing out your snacks and meals so you feel fuller and more satisfied. It can help you build muscle, increase energy and can help with weight management.
Can I meal prep this smoothie?
Yes! There are a couple of ways to meal prep a smoothie. If you’ll be enjoying it within 24 hours, you can make the smoothie as directed and store it in an airtight container in your refrigerator until you’re ready to enjoy it. Simply give it a shake or an additional blend before enjoying! You can also portion out the ingredients into containers so you’re ready to just dump and blend! When you’re ready to make your smoothie, you’ll just add the measured out ingredients into your blender and voila you’ve got a smoothie in seconds!
This oatmeal smoothie tastes just like a cinnamon oatmeal cookie, but in smoothie form. It's healthy, packed with over 20 grams of protein and makes for a great breakfast or post-workout snack! Vegan + gluten-free.
Hi, Allison! I haven’t tried it, but you could try subbing avocado or even frozen cauliflower rice to achieve the creaminess. You’ll want to add a bit of sweetener since you’ll lose the sweetness of the banana. Keep in mind that it may change the flavor of the smoothie!
Leave a Comment
Delicious!!
Yay! I am so glad you are enjoying this recipe, Holly! Thank you for your review + star rating, I really appreciate it.
Wow, this was better than I expected from such simple ingredients. I used Tera’s Vanilla Whey protein.
It was good but to thick. I added more almond milk and it was still thick.
I will do it again tomorrow and I will use 1 cup of milk instead of 1/2 cup and hopefully it won’t be to milky because I like my smoothie thick
Sorry to hear it was too thick for you, Milagros! Adding the extra almond milk should help. Let me know how it turns out for you 🙂
Delicious!
Yay! Happy to hear that, Nicki.
Any subs for the banana? Not a fan of the flavour!
Hi, Allison! I haven’t tried it, but you could try subbing avocado or even frozen cauliflower rice to achieve the creaminess. You’ll want to add a bit of sweetener since you’ll lose the sweetness of the banana. Keep in mind that it may change the flavor of the smoothie!