What Is an Oatmeal Smoothie?

An oatmeal smoothie is any smoothie with rolled oats listed as one of the main ingredients. This may sound like an unusual ingredient to put in a smoothie, but those that try it often love the results. Oatmeal contains fiber, protein, nutrients, and essential vitamins. It is hearty, so it usually gives smoothies thickness and texture. The oats also often give smoothies a mellow, subtle flavor. Proponents of the oatmeal smoothie usually enjoy it as a fast breakfast or lunch. They’re also very versatile, meaning people can consume oatmeal smoothies every day without becoming bored.

There are two basic kinds of oatmeal smoothie: cooked and raw. Cooked smoothies may be consumed either hot or cold, while raw oatmeal smoothies are generally only eaten cold. When making a cooked oatmeal smoothie, the first step usually involves preparing the oatmeal. The cooking liquid may be milk, non-dairy milk, water, tea, or fruit juice. The oats must be simmered in the liquid until they’re soft, creamy, and have absorbed all of the liquid. Anyone who has made oatmeal to eat as a cereal should be familiar with this process.

The hot oatmeal is then added to a blender with a variety of fruit, some kind of sweetener, and spices. Fruit options include everything from peaches and blueberries to apples, bananas, strawberries, mangoes, and persimmons. Honey, sucralose, raw and granulated sugar, or maple syrup are all tasty sweetener options. Some cooks might like to add a dash of cinnamon or a sprig of mint to their smoothies to complement the flavors of the fruits.

To make a cold oatmeal smoothie, the cook should typically add a handful or two of ice or frozen fruit to the blender with the oatmeal. The smoothie is then pulsed in the blender until it is smooth and creamy. For hot oatmeal smoothies, the cook should typically leave out the ice and use fresh fruit instead of frozen. Any liquid added to thin the smoothie should be room temperature or warmed slightly in the microwave. Hot smoothies may be the perfect on-the-go breakfast for chilly winter mornings.

Raw oatmeal smoothie recipes may contain the same flavors as the cooked variety. The only real difference is in how the oatmeal is prepared. Some cooks like to simply pour whole oats into the blender along with fruit and pulse it until it is smooth. Others prefer to grind the oats into powder with a nut or coffee grinder. Smoothies made with powdered oatmeal often thicken slowly over time, so cooks might like to refrigerate them overnight to create a hearty breakfast.