Strawberry Banana Oatmeal Smoothie Recipe

A fruit-filled smoothie is an excellent way to start the day and it's also a good option for a quick and easy post-workout (or post-work) snack. The only downside is sometimes a smoothie that contains nothing more than fruit and milk won't keep you full for very long. When you need a quick meal on the go that offers a little extra "staying power," adding oatmeal to the mix can help do the trick. Oatmeal offers extra fiber and texture to your smoothie to help keep you full without altering the flavor substantially, providing a simple twist to a classic strawberry banana smoothie recipe. 

As to why this recipe is worth whipping up? "The strawberry and banana pair together so well. They are such classic flavors, and combined they make a delicious smoothie option. They are also common ingredients which makes it an easy recipe to make," says recipe developer Jennine Rye. Not to mention that the oats contribute a wonderful flavor to the smoothie, so you really can't go wrong here.

If you've ever made a smoothie before, you're probably familiar with the formula: In addition to the "star ingredients" (usually the fruits and vegetables included in the name of the smoothie), you'll need a liquid, something frozen to help thicken the smoothie and make it cold, and sometimes additional spices or flavorings to add interest to the drink. 

In this case, you only need five total ingredients: a frozen banana, sliced strawberries, milk, oats, and vanilla extract. Here, the banana serves as a frozen ingredient instead of ice, which helps keep the smoothie from getting watered down as the ice melts. That said, don't get too hung up on which frozen items you use. "The smoothie works just as well with non-frozen bananas, or frozen strawberries," shares Rye. So if you have one or the other (or both) on hand, just grab what you have. And when it comes to the milk and oats, you can use your favorite versions, or whatever you have on hand. No need to buy something special.

One item that might come as a small surprise is the vanilla extract. "I add vanilla extract to this recipe because it pairs so well with the sweet, fresh flavors of the strawberry and banana, and I personally think it adds extra depth to the smoothie with its sweetness and warmth," Rye shares. "It definitely takes it up a notch, making it taste slightly more like a dessert without any added sugar to make it less healthy." 

All you need to do to make the smoothie is add all the ingredients to the carafe of a blender or smoothie maker, then blend them together for about 20-30 seconds, until they're smooth. Because the ingredient list for this smoothie is so simple — frozen banana slices, strawberry slices, vanilla extract, oats, and milk — there's no need to worry too much about the order you add them to the blender. 

When the smoothie is well-blended, you'll have enough to serve two drinks. Simply pour the liquid evenly between two glasses and enjoy it immediately. While a smoothie this simple is perfect practically any time of the day, Rye suggests it works best as a healthy breakfast option, a snack, or a post-workout drink.