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    Home » Smoothies

    Chai Banana Breakfast Smoothie

    January 2, 2023 by cookingwithelo 3 Comments This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    This creamy banana breakfast smoothie makes an easy and practical breakfast for busy mornings! I like adding almond butter and chai spices to turn this smoothie into a real flavor bomb. One glass has 13 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber and will keep you full for several hours.

    Beige banana smoothie in a ribbed glass topped with 3 banana slices, cardamom pods and a cinnamon stick.

    If you haven't tried this oatmeal smoothie yet, you absolutely need to! It's one of my go-to smoothies when I want something filling but comforting. I love the unique combination of ice-cold bananas and warming spices.

    Some of my other favorite breakfast smoothies are this coffee breakfast smoothie and this mango breakfast smoothie.

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this recipe
    • Ingredients and substitutions
    • Elo's tips
    • Step-by-step instructions
    • Watch how to make it!
    • Variations
    • Frequently asked questions
    • The recipe

    Why you'll love this recipe

    • Breakfast smoothies are great if you have a tendency to skip the most important meal of the day. Plus, they quickly add an extra serving of fruit to your diet.
    • You can easily drink it on the go if you don't have much time to sit down.
    • This banana breakfast smoothie specifically is filling but light on your stomach.
    • It's made with a few simple ingredients and ready in 5 minutes.
    • Ripe bananas naturally sweeten the drink without added sugar.

    Ingredients and substitutions

    Banana breakfast smoothie ingredients with descriptive labels.
    • Frozen bananas make the smoothie thick and creamy.
    • Milk helps the blending process. You can use the milk of your choice. I like unsweetened soy milk. Unsweetened vanilla almond milk and coconut milk taste great, too.
    • Oats make this breakfast smoothie more filling by adding fiber. You can use any oats you have at hand. I particularly like quick-cooking oats for smoothies as their thin flakes provide a smoother result. Oat flour works, too. Use gluten-free oats if you're on a gluten-free diet.
    • Almond butter is a good source of plant-based protein for a nutritious smoothie. It also adds a delicate nutty flavor that pairs incredibly well with the banana and the spices. I tried different nut butters and I liked this one and cashew butter the best.
    • Flax seeds are rich in healthy fats (omega-3 fatty acids). You can leave them out or replace them with chia seeds or hemp seeds.
    • Chai spices add a ton of flavor to this smoothie. You can keep it simple and only use cinnamon if you're not a fan of chai.

    Elo's tips

    1. Make a small batch of the chai spice mix. That way, you won't have to measure out the spices every time you want to make this smoothie. Mix 4 teaspoons of ground cinnamon with 2 teaspoons of ground ginger, 2 teaspoons of ground cardamom, and 1 teaspoon of ground nutmeg.
    2. Add more milk if you like a thinner smoothie.
    3. Use a high-speed blender. Adding oats to smoothies can provide a slightly grainy texture, which is why I love using my Kitchenaid blender to make sure the smoothie turns out as smooth as possible.
    4. If you're using rolled oats, start by blending them alone. Then add the other ingredients for a smoother result. Alternatively, soak the oats in water overnight.
    5. Freeze overripe bananas for smoothies. They are naturally sweet and taste really good in smoothies. Plus, it's a great way to reduce food waste. You may also want to try this frozen banana smoothie.
    6. If you don't have frozen bananas on hand, use fresh bananas and add 2-3 ice cubes. The smoothie won't be as thick and creamy, but the taste will be the same.

    Step-by-step instructions

    Milk, frozen banana slices, peanut butter, ground cinnamon and flax seeds in a blender.

    STEP 1: Add the ingredients to your blender. Start with the milk to facilitate the blending process. Then, add in the frozen banana slices, almond butter, flax seeds and ground spices.

    Blended banana peanut butter smoothie in a blender.

    STEP 2: Blend until smooth. This can take between 30 seconds and 1 minute depending on your blender. I like using the smoothie program of my Kitchenaid for a perfect result. Note that you'll always be able to slightly feel the oats.

    Elo's tip: To clean your blender, rinse it with cold water right after blending. Then fill it to ⅓ with water and add a drop of soap. Blend on high for 20 seconds or use the cleaning program of your blender.

    Watch how to make it!

    Variations

    • Chocolate – add 2 heaped teaspoons of unsweetened cocoa powder for a delicious spiced chocolate banana smoothie.
    • Vanilla – add ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract for a touch of vanilla. It really makes this smoothie taste like a chai cookie.
    • Protein – add a scoop of your favorite protein powder.
    • Salt – add a tiny pinch of salt to enhance the flavor of the spices.

    Frequently asked questions

    How to freeze bananas for smoothies?

    Peel the bananas and cut them into 0.5-inch slices. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet that fits your freezer. Freeze overnight. Once frozen, transfer them to freezer-safe bags to save space. This will prevent them to stick to each other.

    Don’t forget to join the Cooking With Elo newsletter. You’ll get gluten-free and vegan dinner ideas sent right to your inbox.

    The recipe

    Chai Banana Breakfast Smoothie

    5 from 3 votes
    This creamy chai banana breakfast smoothie is unique in flavor and packed with protein and fiber to keep you full until your lunch.
    Print Pin
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 1
    Author: Eloïse Jennes

    Equipment

    • High speed blender

    Ingredients 

    • 1 cup (240 ml) milk I use unsweetened soy milk
    • 1 ½ banana cut into slices and frozen
    • 3 tabelspoons quick-cooking oats gluten-free as needed
    • 1 teaspoons flax seeds optional
    • 1 tablespoon almond butter

    Spices

    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
    • ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom sub ground cloves
    • ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg

    Instructions

    • Add the milk, frozen banana slices, oats, peanut butter, flax seeds (if using) and spices to a high-speed blender.
    • Blend on high or use the smoothie program of your blender. I blend it for 30 seconds to 1 minute to make sure the oats are as finely ground as possible.

    Video

    Notes

    1. Leave out the ground ginger, nutmeg and cardamom for a plain cinnamon banana smoothie.
    2. For a spiced chocolate smoothie, add 2 heaped teaspoons of unsweetened cocoa powder.
    3. If you don't have frozen bananas on hand, use fresh ones and add 2-3 ice cubes. The smoothie won't be as thick and creamy, but the taste will be the same.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 382kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 29g
    Leave a rating and comment below! Thank you!Don't forget to mention @cookingwithelo on social media

    Loved it? Please rate it!

    If you tried this recipe or any other recipe from the blog, make sure to let us know how you liked it by leaving a star rating and a comment below! Your feedback really matters! To never miss a recipe, follow me on Instragram, Pinterest and Facebook.

    More Smoothies

    • Green Juice Smoothie (No Banana)
    • Silken Tofu Smoothie (Vegan, High-Protein)
    • Black Forest Dessert Smoothie
    • Spinach Breakfast Smoothie

    This site contains affiliate links which means that I may receive a commission if you purchase through that link, at no extra cost to you. However, please know that I only provide links to products that I actually use and wholeheartedly recommend! Please read out full disclosure here.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mia

      January 04, 2023 at 8:07 pm

      5 stars
      Amazing taste!

      Reply
    2. Marion

      January 06, 2023 at 9:57 am

      So good ! Simple to make, perfect for breakfast. Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
      • cookingwithelo

        January 07, 2023 at 9:49 am

        You're so welcome!

        Reply

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