This Oatmeal Smoothie is the perfect breakfast smoothie—filling, satisfying, and ideal for busy mornings when you don’t have time to cook and eat a bowl of oatmeal. Plus, it tastes just like a rich, creamy chocolate milkshake.
Why You’ll Love This Oatmeal Smoothie
Oats in a smoothie may sound unconventional, but it is truly a game-changer. Blended oats create a luxuriously thick and creamy texture that feels indulgent—almost like a rich milkshake—while still being a healthy breakfast smoothie.
Unlike fruit-only smoothies, the high fiber from oats keeps you feeling full and satisfied all morning, making it a more balanced option for busy mornings. It’s also much more convenient than cooking and eating a bowl of oatmeal. Simply blend all the ingredients, and your breakfast is ready in minutes.
There’s no need to soak the oats, and the smoothie is easy to take on the go, making it perfect for hectic mornings when you still want something filling, satisfying, and nourishing. If you love healthy smoothies for breakfast, then you might like the walnut smoothie or the banana avocado smoothie.
- maria doss
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Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and amounts.
- Oats – I prefer rolled or old fashioned oats for a creamy texture and quicker blending. Quick oats work too if you’re short on time. Avoid using steel-cut oats for smoothies—they’re tougher to blend smoothly and may feel gritty.
- Banana – Ripe banana brings natural sweetness and also gives a thick texture. Like it thicker? Use a frozen banana - It will make it taste like a chilled chocolate shake!
- Milk – Use regular cow milk or any plant-based milk such as almond, cashew or oat milk to make it vegan.
- Cocoa Powder – I use Dutch-processed cocoa in this morning drink for its smooth and deep, dark chocolate flavor.
- Vanilla Extract – A splash of vanilla transforms your oats banana smoothie into a dessert-worthy drink!
More chocolate smoothie recipes for breakfast
Oatmeal Smoothie
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk
- 1 banana
- ½ cup rolled oats
- 1 ½ tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 ½ tablespoons honey or to taste
- dash of vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into a blender, blend and pour into a tall glass. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
How to make oatmeal smoothie?
You can find full printable recipe below, but here is a quick overview of the procedure along with step-by-step photos.
1 & 2. Add old fashioned rolled oats, banana and milk into a blender.
3. Add cocoa powder, honey and vanilla extract.
4. Blend until smooth and creamy.
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Recipe tips
- Best blenders to use: A high speed blender like Vitamix or NutriBullet is great for milkshakes. Nutri bullet was perfect to make this single serve recipe.
- Use rolled, old fashioned or quick cooking. Stay away from steel cut.
- Taste as you go, and add more honey if needed.
Looking for more ways to use oats for snacks? Try my oatmeal mug cake recipe or the oameal breakfast cookies next!
Substitutions and Variations
- Make it vegan by using almond or oat milk and maple syrup instead of honey.
- Add peanut butter or almond butter for added protein and creaminess.
- Add ¼ teaspoon cinnamon instead of vanilla extract.
- Use frozen banana for an ultra-creamy milkshake like consistency.
- Add a small scoop of your favorite protein powder to make a protein oats smoothie.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it’s absolutely OK to add oats to smoothies—and it can actually make your breakfast smoothie more filling and satisfying, not just thicker.
1. Compared to fruit-only smoothies, which digest quickly and can leave you hungry soon after, rolled oats add complex carbohydrates and fiber that slow digestion and help keep you full for hours.
2. When blended, oats also create a thick, creamy texture, giving the smoothie a milkshake-like feel while still keeping it wholesome.
3. Oats release energy gradually, which helps prevent the mid-morning crash that often comes with high-sugar smoothies.
4. They’re also incredibly practical for busy mornings. Instead of cooking and eating a bowl of oatmeal, you can simply blend everything together and take it on the go.
Overall, adding oats to smoothies is a smart way to make them more satisfying, nourishing, and convenient, especially if you want your smoothie to function as a real meal rather than a light drink.
You don’t need to soak oats before adding them to a smoothie, but it can be helpful in certain situations. Rolled oats or quick oats blend well in most blenders and can be added directly into a creamy consistency. However, soaking oats for even 10–15 minutes can make the smoothie extra smooth and creamy and may be easier to digest. Soaking is also useful if you’re using a regular blender or prefer a more milkshake-like consistency.
An oats smoothie will generally last up to 24 hours in the fridge. Since oats continue to absorb liquid as they sit, the smoothie will thicken over time and the texture may change slightly. This is completely normal—just give it a good shake or stir, or add a splash of milk or water before drinking.
That said, oatmeal smoothies taste best when enjoyed fresh, ideally right after blending. If you’d like to prep ahead, freezing is a great option. Pour the smoothie into ice cube trays or freezer-safe containers and freeze for later. Frozen portions can last up to 2–3 weeks and can be blended straight from frozen for a smooth, creamy texture.
Yes, you can absolutely make oats smoothie without banana. While banana adds natural sweetness and creaminess, it’s not essential—oats already give the smoothie a thick, satisfying texture. You can use dates instead, which provide natural sweetness, creaminess, and extra thickness just like banana. If you’re skipping both banana and dates, increase the honey to adjust the sweetness to your taste.
The best oats for smoothies are rolled oats (old-fashioned oats)—they blend easily and create a thick, creamy texture without soaking. Quick oats work too and give a slightly smoother texture, but can get mushy if over-blended. Steel-cut oats aren’t recommended since they’re hard and take a long time to soften. For an ultra-smooth smoothie, you can also grind any oats into oat flour before blending.
Hi, I’m Maria — a professional food blogger with over 9 years of experience sharing easy, healthy dinners, baking ideas, and high-protein recipes. I also love creating simple, flavorful dishes that you can make quickly in the air fryer or Instant Pot. My goal is to help you cook real food —but make it exciting, tasty, and never boring. More about maria ->
Adele Peters
Can I use Maple syrup instead of honey
Maria Doss
Hi Adele, Of course! We preferred the taste of honey better than maple syrup in this oatmeal smoothie recipe, but use whatever you have on hand. Have a wonderful day - Maria
Hossa's Mom
What can I use instead of banana?
Maria Doss
Hmmm, I apologize, but this recipe relies on bananas for their natural sweetness, creaminess, and flavor. If you'd like, you can try substituting some of the banana with yogurt and adding extra sweetener to taste, though the texture and flavor may differ - Maria