Can't decide whether to have a smoothie or oatmeal for breakfast? You don't have to with this green smoothie overnight oats recipe that allows you to have the best of both worlds. This healthy breakfast is gluten free, clean eating with vegan, dairy free option.
I'll be the first to admit that I love a LOT of healthy variety in my meals. However, my creative juices often don't get going until later in the day. So for breakfast I usually rotate between 3 nutritious go-tos: a green smoothie, oatmeal or eggs.
Until one day I had the idea to combine two of those. It was during a spell of eating refrigerator oatmeal every morning for about a week because I didn't feel like turning on the blender first thing in the morning.
It dawned on me then that I could be making my green smoothie the night before and soak my oats in it overnight - so this green oatmeal breakfast bowl was born.
While I usually like my smoothies on the thicker, creamier side, for this recipe a thinner green smoothie base is required to provide enough liquid for the oats to soak in.
I kept the smoothie quite simple with just a cup of kale leaves, ½ to 1 banana and a whole cup of milk, which can also (partially) be substituted with water.
I've become quite accustomed to the taste of green smoothies and usually don't need any sweetener, especially when I use some ripe frozen banana in it.
I remember though, in the early days of blending greens a little honey or some blended up dates helped me get over any 'grassy' taste there may have been.
These green oats are also a great toddler meal. At least my toddler happens to love oatmeal and also green smoothies.
So she doesn't see anything wrong with a breakfast that combines the two. I am sure a little older kids' scepticism may be turned around by calling these Shrek or Hulk Oats.
If you are new to the concept, you may wonder how to make overnight oats. It's really simple, so simple in fact, that this is a great recipe to involve your kids in the preparation.
Now, I know from firsthand experience that having a kid/toddler around for meal prep, can be quite a hassle, but I truly believe that it is a very valuable teaching opportunity to set the basis for life-long healthy habits.
I have very fond memories of helping my mom in the kitchen and I credit her for instilling in me a love for healthy, varied food that included a lot of vegetables. I was never a vegetable-hating kid (as far as I recall), nowadays I even drink them in my smoothies. And if things continue as they have been, Olivia will continue on in these vegetable loving ways.
More Smoothie Bowl Recipes:
Recipe
Green Smoothie Overnight Oats Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup kale or spinach
- 1 cup milk of choice dairy, almond, soy
- ½ to 1 frozen banana
- sweetener to taste with a very ripe banana I find no sweetener necessary
- ⅓ cup oats I used Coach's Oats, old fashioned rolled oats are great too
Instructions
- Make a simple green smoothie by blending kale, milk and banana in a high powered blender until smooth. Add sweetener like dates, maple syrup, honey if necessary.
- Combine the smoothie with the oats, cover and soak overnight in the fridge.
- If necessary, add a little more milk for serving in the morning. Top with sliced bananas, seeds, nuts etc.
Notes
Pin Green Smoothie Overnight Oats Recipe for later?
If you are looking for the best blender to make smoothies, check out my guide on what to look for in a smoothie blender. I am also reviewing my 6 favorites.
If you like this green smoothie overnight oats recipe, please:
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Random Questions
Avoid adding ingredients that might become soggy or lose their texture overnight, such as crunchy toppings or delicate fruits.
The best liquid for overnight oats is typically milk, whether dairy or plant-based, but you can also use yogurt or a combination of milk and yogurt for added creaminess.
Yes, homemade overnight oats can be a nutritious breakfast option, providing a balance of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Be mindful of portion sizes and added sweeteners.
Nutrient-rich greens like spinach, kale, and Swiss chard are great choices for adding to smoothies. They offer a wealth of vitamins and minerals without overpowering the flavor.
Green smoothies can be a part of a healthy diet, providing essential nutrients and aiding in digestion. However, their health benefits depend on the overall composition of your diet.
Lizzie
Thank you so much for this opportunity! It would be so lovely to make my family healthy and delicious meals every day. I can't wait to try your recipes -I"m starting with the green smoothie overnight oats! :)_
Regina
What a lovely comment, thank you Lizzie!
Laurie Bolduc-Cadieux
Sounds like a delicous recipe. I would love to win to make our mornings more healthier and smoother. Being able to give everyone a healthy tasting smoothie to start their day off would be an ideal thing for me. Thank you for the amazing opportunity to win.
Regina
I love your healthy aspiration Laurie!
Laurie Bolduc-Cadieux
Thank you, it's very important in our home and to me 🙂
Bethany @ athletic avocado
Ahhhh this is genius! Usually I go for oatmeal in the morning, but I also love a good green smoothie! Now I can have the best of both worlds!
Regina
Yes! To combining the best 😀
Vicky @AvocadoPesto
Love this totally brilliant recipe and happy to be hosting the giveaway with you. My breakfast routine is also pretty standard - eggs and avocado, and my variety in food comes in later in the day. Love the idea of adding to oats to a green smoothie and combining the two into one. And that's awesome that Olivia loves this too -- sure sounds like she'll be a veggie lover : ) Pinning, yumming, tweeting !
Regina
Mmm... eggs and avocado sounds like a perfect breakfast staple! So happy to host this giveaway with you 🙂
Amy@wholesomelicious
Looks like a perfect breakfast Regina!!! I think my kids will love it too, and I'll name it after their favorite green character: SHREK!!!
Regina
Thank you Amy! Your kids must be oat and smoothie lovers too 🙂
Catherine Gauthier
You include all Canada but a void in Quebec? Why just my province? It's the same country!
Regina
I know Catherine, it seems unfair. It's the same country but different provincial rules. Unfortunately, I would have to register the giveaway (for a fee) and abide by whole set of different regulations to make it available in Quebec. Sorry 🙁
Catherine
Thanks for the reply, I didn't know the regulations was different. Good to know!
Erin @ Platings and Pairings
This looks like just the thing I need to get me out of bed on Monday morning Regina!
Regina
Ahh, yes getting up is so much easier when you know some overnight breakfast is ready and waiting for you 🙂
Starla B
Looks so good.. I have always loved overnight oats, so I know I will definitely love this!
Regina
Thank you Starla! Yes this is perfect for oat lovers to get a veggie serving as well 🙂
Jasmine
I love this idea. I've made a lot of overnight oats in the past, but never with kale! Can't wait to try it!
Regina
Thank you Jasmine! LMK if you try it 🙂
Robyn @ Simply Fresh Dinners
Love this, Regina! I especially love that you can make it the night before. I'm with you - I don't like turning my blender on first thing in the morning. It's too much for my ears amidst all the chaos, lol. Great recipe and I love oatmeal. Thanks!
Regina
Haha, yes I'll do anything I can to keep the morning peaceful and quiet 🙂
Lorena
OMG!! I've GOT to try this. My kids will go nuts over this. Especially if I call it Hulkmeal. We also eat a lot of "Spiderman Soup" over here (beet soup) and soon we'll be stronger than all the superheros out there!!
Regina
Hulkmeal I love that. And spiderman soup! I am making mental notes of these for later, because I am sure Olivia will show a picky side eventually 🙂