I enjoy VERY thick smoothies and after drinking freezing cold shakes with a ton of ice in them (or upwards of 2 whole frozen bananas lol), I eventually figured out that you can use a scoop of oats to thicken a breakfast smoothie as well! This is a win for those times when I crave the convenience and goodness of one of my go-to vegan smoothies, but am preferring a less ice-cold experience. If you’re looking for even more vegan smoothies and other recipes, check out my cookbook as well.
I especially love adding oats to my blended concoctions now because it gives the smoothie that cozy oat flavor. It also makes the drink extra filling. Of course I had to make this one chocolate-y and of course I give you a load of options for customizing! Get this chocolate banana oat breakfast smoothie in your life, pals.
How To Freeze Bananas for Smoothies:
- Wait for the bananas to get perfectly speckled and ripe.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment and clear a space in your freezer.
- Peel the bananas and chop them into 2-inch pieces
- Place the chopped bananas pieces in a single layer on the baking sheet.
- Place the baking sheet in the freezer and leave it overnight.
- Transfer frozen banana pieces to a resealable bag or airtight container.
- Use bananas within 6 months of freezing.
The main thing that I love about this smoothie is that I pretty much always have the ingredients on hand (same goes for my ultra filling vegan chocolate fantasy smoothie). Almond butter, flax seeds, and vegan protein powder are pantry staples for me. I keep a steady stash of frozen bananas in my freezer, and they really are key here. Along with the oats, they make smoothies super frothy, thick, and creamy.
This smoothie can easily be made nut-free. Simply use an oat or soy-based milk, and swap in tahini or pumpkin seed butter for the almond. If you like this smoothie, I bet you’ll also be into my Peanut Butter Vanilla Green Smoothie–another delicious breakfast smoothie option.
The Best Vegan Protein Powder
I recommend boosting this smoothie with Sprout Living’s Epic Protein powder in the Chocolate Maca flavour! Not overly sweet, mixes in silky smooth, and it has great ingredients. Use code: thefirstmess for 20% off!
Chocolate Banana Oat Breakfast Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup non-dairy milk
- ¼ cup rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons almond butter (or other nut/seed butter)
- 1 ½ tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon flax seeds
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large ripe banana, preferably frozen
- pinch sea salt
- pinch ground cinnamon
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder optional
- ¼ cup ice optional
Equipment
Notes
- Feel free to add a pitted medjool date to this mix if you prefer your smoothies a bit sweeter!
Instructions
- In an upright blender, combine the non-dairy milk, oats, almond butter, cocoa powder, flax seeds, vanilla, banana, salt, cinnamon, protein powder (if using), and ice (if using). Put the lid on and bring the blender speed up to high. Blend until the smoothie is totally smooth and frothy. Enjoy immediately!
I make this smoothie about once a week – my husband is literally obsessed with it. It’s his *favorite* breakfast. It’s also my favorite way to incorporate protein powder because I can barely taste it! So chocolaty, so smooth, sooo tasty!
Really yummy, really easy and with ingredients I always have on hand…what more could you ask for? Oh yeah I did add a teaspoon of espresso powder just to make sure it tasted chocolaty enough!
Oh I love the sound of that espresso powder in this Diana! Thanks for the suggestion and for your kind review :)
-L
Yummy! I needed a more filling smoothie on my very short list of repeat smoothies, and this is it :-)
this smoothie is absolutely delicious highly recommend :))
Wonderful recipe! I used Oatley Chocolate oat milk and it was delicious.
I’m drinking this now – delicious!
How many people does this serve?
Hi Matthew,
It is 1 serving. Near the top of all of my recipes, you’ll see a “Servings” heading.
-L
This definitely looks delicious and I love smoothie. Thanks for sharing
I’ve seen these type of tall round glass cups before and they’re so cute! Where did you buy them?
This glass was actually a promotional gift from a brand that I worked with a long time ago! It doesn’t have the manufacturer’s name on the bottom unfortunately. Wish I could help!
-L
I am obsessed with this smoothie and have made it quite a few times now. The only change I made was to use 1 tablespoon of chocolate, the first time I made it the chocolate was a little overpowering. Thanks for a great recipe.
I’m not a fan I’d smoothies but this one just called out to me. I just made it (with all room temp ingredients though) and it is delicious! It has such incredible chocolate taste! Thank you, I’ll definitely make it again!
Hands down the best smoothie I’ve ever made. Thank you! Ticked off a ton of pregnancy nutritional requirements and made this pregnant lady very happy!
So glad you enjoyed it, Jodie! :)
-L
Made it this morning as a snack since my 3 years old son was asking for chocolate. Made as is without the ice and it is absolutely delicious!!!
yum, the banana is sweet enough so I did not need to add any dates or other sweetener. It sure satisfies my sweet tooth in a healthy way.
http://www.citruslove.com
Do you think you could lose the banana altogether? I’ve never liked them.
Hi Katrina! See my suggestions to Jacquie above. Helen’s suggestion of avocado is also great! You may want to add a date or something to adjust for the sweetness there.
-L
Hi – that shake looks so great but i don’t use banana’s. Is there something i can use as a substitute?
Thanks.
maybe try some avocado
In the recipe notes I suggest frozen cauliflower or zucchini. You may have to add a date or something similar to sweeten it up. If you’re up for it, cooked and then frozen sweet potatoes substitute beautifully for bananas (if you like the taste). I also love diced frozen pear as a smoothie thickener and I think it would work well here. I’ve heard of people using firm tofu as a thickener for smoothies as well!
-L
Am drinking this as I type. Delicious! Thank you because I love nothing better than a chocolate smoothie.