Breakfast Oat Smoothies
I had something of a revelation when I read this recipe for Cherry Berry Breakfast Shake by Katie Bryson over at Feeding Boys and a Firefighter. It was the first time I had heard of a smoothie made with oats. Quick, delicious and healthy, it makes the perfect breakfast-on-the-run
It's all about porridge in winter, but a lovely, ice-cold oat smoothie is just the ticket in warmer months. All you need is oats, milk and fruit (fresh, frozen or tinned is fine) and a food processor or blender to blitz it in. There's nothing complicated about them and they are super speedy to make. For a dairy free oat smoothie just use soya milk - I actually prefer soya milk in these smoothies.
Here's seven of my favourite breakfast oat smoothie recipe ideas - one for each day of the week! Use your imagination and create your own recipe. Please comment below if you do - I would love to hear what you make! Finally a huge thank you to the lovely Katie who inspired this post.
Strawberry Oat Smoothie
Blend 45g rolled oats (that's about 3 tablespoons) with 350ml milk and 80g fresh strawberries (which have been hulled and washed) until smooth. When strawberries are lush and ripe in the early summer there's no need to sweeten this.
Pear & Honey Oat Smoothie
Blitz 45g (3 tablespoons) rolled oats with 350ml milk and one peeled and cored pear until smooth. Stir in 1-2 teaspoons of runny honey to taste. Lovely in the autumn when pears are juicy and ripe. This also tastes great with a pinch of ground cinnamon.
Cherry Bakewell Oat Smoothie
Blend 45g (3 tablespoons) rolled oats, 350ml milk, 60g of red cherries and 1 tablespoon of ground or flaked almonds. If you use fresh cherries you will of course need to stone them first. Frozen cherries are less expensive and already stoned. Tastes like a cherry bakewell milkshake. Delicious.
Berry and Ginger Oat Smoothie
Blend 45g (3 tablespoons) rolled oats with 350ml of milk, 80g of mixed berries (frozen or fresh) and 1/2 teaspoon of finely grated fresh ginger until smooth. Gourmet Garden ginger works a treat in these oat smoothies as it's already blended nice and smooth. If you're feeling sleepy the ginger in this will certainly wake you up.
Peaches and Cream Oat Smoothie
Blend 45g (3 tablespoons) rolled oats with 80g peaches (or one ripe peach, peeled and stoned) and 330ml milk until smooth. Stir in 2 tablespoons of Greek yoghurt and serve. Don't blend the Greek yoghurt as it will affect the consistency. Tinned peaches are brilliant in these oat smoothies as they are already prepared and much cheaper.
Banana and Cinnamon Oat Smoothie
Blend a peeled banana with 45g (3 tablespoons) rolled oats, 350ml or milk and a good pinch of cinnamon until smooth. My kids are particularly keen on these oat smoothies. For a treat add a dollop of caramel sauce.
Pina Colada Oat Smoothie
Blend 45g (3 tablespoons) rolled oats with 350ml milk, 80g of chopped pineapple and a tablespoon of desiccated coconut. Tinned pineapple is fantastic for this - one large tin drained makes 4 serving roughly. If you fancy drinking a cocktail for breakfast then you'll love this.
