Chai Banana Breakfast Smoothie

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.

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.

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

• 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

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.

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.

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