Healthy Oat Smoothie Recipe

Did you know that Goldilocks may have been eating oatmeal when she snuck into the three bears' house? Specifically, the fairy tale says she was trying their porridge, which can be made from boiling grains like oats. But if little Goldilocks lived in modern times, she would find this next recipe "just right" since it takes all the familiar flavors of a tasty, satisfying bowl of oatmeal and gives them a new spin.

"As far as breakfast goes, this smoothie is perfect since it is healthy, filling, and tastes like a traditional bowl of oatmeal. Only better!" recipe developer Maren Epstein explained. "The smoothie is pretty filling, and it's best to have it on its own. But your favorite coffee drink would complement it nicely."

And for anyone who is not a morning person, this simple recipe only takes three minutes to make. How easy is that? Learn about how you can whip up this healthy smoothie for yourself.

To make your oat smoothie, you'll need rolled oats, almond milk, ice cubes, and dates. Epstein also recommends using a frozen banana since it will make your smoothie thicker. "If you use a fresh or overripe banana, it will just make the smoothie a bit runnier," she explained. "You can combat this by adding extra ice cubes."

Of course, not everyone prefers almond milk, and there are a lot of other milk options out there. Whether you go for a dairy or a non-dairy version, this smoothie should still come out perfectly.

Combine the banana, the oats, the almond milk, the ice cubes, and the dates in a high-speed blender. You want to blend them until they are fully emulsified. While Epstein used steel-cut oats in the pictured smoothie, she says you're not limited to this type of oat.

"Any type of oat will work for this recipe since they are getting ground up in the blender," she explained. "Just make sure to use organic oats." Those oats you have in the pantry right now? They'll probably work for this recipe as well.

Before we get to the best part of any recipe, serving and enjoying it, let's talk about why almond milk is a good choice for this smoothie. While Epstein noted that any milk could be used for this recipe, she also pointed out that almond milk is particularly healthy.

"Almond milk is healthier than regular cow's milk because it doesn't have the casein molecule in it that reportedly slows down digestion, promotes mucus and inflammation, and leaches calcium out of the bones," she explained. "Casein needs extra calcium from the body to break it down, which could it bad for bone health."

Despite the health benefits of almond milk, there are many people who need to avoid all products that contain nuts. But that doesn't mean they have to miss out on this smoothie. As Epstein explained, both soy milk and oat milk are good substitutes for almond milk. However, both have their drawbacks.

"Flavor-wise, oat would work best since it mimics the flavor of the oats in the smoothie," she said. "Oat milk is thick and creamy. But it is higher in sugar and calories than other milks." On the other hand, soy milk is thought to cause a rise in estrogen.

Okay, now that's we've discussed possible ingredient substitutions, it's time to finish your oat smoothie. Once you've thoroughly blended your smoothie, pour it into a glass, and garnish it with cinnamon and rolled oats.

If you're looking for something to add besides cinnamon, Epstein recommends allspice, nutmeg, or a pumpkin pie spice blend. And if you're feeling adventurous, you may want to try a combination of spices. Just remember, a little goes a long way.

While a healthy recipe is a great way to start the day, this smoothie is also a good snack for after an exercise routine.

"I would recommend this smoothie as a post-workout snack, as it will refill your glycogen stores since it is high in healthy carbohydrates," Epstein explained. However, she noted that this particular smoothie is not a good choice if you're limiting your carbs.

She also pointed out that this recipe could be turned into popsicles by pouring it into molds and putting it into the freezer. Sounds like the ideal healthy summertime treat!