This Protein-Packed Strawberry Oatmeal Smoothie is thick, creamy, and full of healthy fats, protein, and carbs (aka the essential components needed to keep you full + satisfied + fueled for whatever your day may entail). It’s great as a meal or a snack, and is perfectly cool and refreshing on a hot day!
Today we’re putting oats into our smoothie and not feeling remotely weird about it.
Why, you may ask? Well, I was on the quest for something that would add a little bulk to my smoothies- something that would make them more filling and satisfying, so I wasn’t hungry 20 minutes after drinking one. Protein is a great place to start, but I personally don’t find protein to be all that satiating on it’s own, and consider a life without carbs to be a sad life, indeed. #carbsforpresident
So, oats joined the party, turning this smoothie into an oatmeal smoothie and transforming it into the perfect breakfast on a hot summer morning.
Here’s what you need to make it happen:
Frozen strawberries. You can freeze them yourself (like we did from all the ones we picked at Warner Farm last week) or just grab a bag of frozen berries from the store! These make the smoothie perfectly pink, cold, and sweet.
Frozen Banana. Just half of a banana adds barely any banana flavor at all- it’s just here to add a little extra sweetness and help make the smoothie a bit thicker. A fresh (not frozen) banana will work just as well to add sweetness, but will yield a thinner smoothie.
Oats. Regular old-fashioned rolled oats, instant oats, or quick-cooking oats all work here- they’re getting pulverized by your blender, so it doesn’t much matter which variety you begin with. Just use whatever you have in the house! The oats help add a creamy texture, slight oatmeal flavor, and an added boost of protein + fiber.
Protein Powder. I love using a fermented vegan vanilla protein powder (<< affiliate link) to get some added digestion-friendly protein into this smoothie. It also adds little hint of vanilla flavor to this smoothie, which I love. It’s absolutely optional- leave it out if you don’t have protein powder or don’t prefer to use it. Even without it, this smoothie still has plenty of protein from the oats, hemp seeds, and milk/yogurt.
Milk and/or Yogurt of choice. Customize this smoothie with your favorite milk, yogurt, or a combination of the two. A dairy-based yogurt or milk will add another boost of protein, whereas a nut milk like coconut or almond milk will just help make this smoothie nice and creamy. Add a little bit for a super thick, spoonable smoothie, or a lot for a thin, sippable one. Amounts/variations are listed in the recipe so you can create the smoothie texture of your dreams!
Hemp Seeds. These can either be blended into the smoothie or added on top, depending on if you’d like their texture to be noticeable or not. Hemp seeds are a tiny little plant powerhouse of protein and essential vitamins, and are nearly flavorless, so they don’t impact the overall taste of this smoothie. Just one tablespoon adds 3g of protein to this smoothie!
Strawberries, banana, oats, protein powder, milk and/or yogurt, and hemp seeds all go into the blender, and what comes out is a beautifully creamy, silky-smooth, sweet shake that’s perfect for sipping on for breakfast, making as a snack after a workout (or just because you’re hungry…you don’t need to exercise to ‘deserve’ food! <–important reminder), or even for a lazy/busy lunch or dinner on a particularly hot day.
I don’t know about you, but when the temperatures start rising, I get less and less interested in warm food. Sometimes, a thick, cold, creamy smoothie is the perfect option for me!
Whether you’re looking to switch up your breakfast routine this summer, or just happen to enjoy drinking smoothies, you are going to LOVE this Protein-Packed Strawberry Oatmeal Smoothie.
Give it a try and let me know what you think by leaving a comment below or taking a picture and tagging me in it on Instagram! I love seeing my recipes in your kitchen.
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- 1/2 a frozen banana
- 1/4 cup oats
- 2 Tablespoons vanilla protein powder*
- 1 Tablespoon hemp seeds (aka hemp hearts)
- 1/2-1 cup milk or plain yogurt of choice (grass-fed organic dairy, coconut, almond, etc)
- 1. Put all ingredients into the bowl of a blender. For a thinner smoothie, use a full cup of milk or yogurt (or a half cup of each). For thicker smoothies, start with just 1/2 cup of milk or yogurt, and drizzle in more, as needed, to reach your desired consistency.
- 2. Blend until completely smooth, about 1 minute.
- *Protein powder is totally optional here. If you don't have it, or don't like using it, simply omit it and add 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract to the smoothie. For a natural protein boost without the powder, double the hemp seeds to 2 Tablespoons.