Power Smoothie

Recipe features 

• Better than bottled. It’s a much healthier, tastier, and more budget-friendly meal replacement option than those chalky, bottled power shakes.
• No empty calories. This smoothie is designed to fuel your body with precisely what it needs.
• Quick and easy. Blend it up in minutes for a nutritious meal on the go.
• Customizable. You can easily tweak the ingredients to suit your taste or dietary requirements.

Ingredients you’ll need

• Milk. My milk of choice is unsweetened almond milk. It’s a great dairy-free option that keeps smoothies light yet creamy. However, you can use any milk (dairy, cashew, oat, soy, etc.).  
• Greek yogurt. This adds a rich, velvety texture while boosting its protein content. For a lower-fat option, opt for non-fat Greek yogurt.
• Fresh berries. I used strawberries, but also love a blend of berries to pack in antioxidants, vitamins, fiber, and flavor.
• Frozen banana. The perfect ingredient for natural sweetness and creaminess! If you don’t have frozen bananas, frozen peaches are a great swap. 
• Oats. Oats bulk up the smoothie with fiber and healthy carbohydrates that help you feel full for longer. I used quick oats, but rolled oats work, too. 
• Kale leaves. These leafy greens are the secret to making this smoothie a proper power smoothie. If you’re not a fan of kale, baby spinach is a great alternative. Either way, the greens are barely noticeable and add a ton of nutrients. 
• Ground cinnamon. It adds a touch of cozy, warming flavor and anti-inflammatory properties. Alternatively, you could use nutmeg for a similar warm spice or even a little bit of ginger for a zestier kick.
• Stevia. I love using Truvia or Whole Earth in shakes and smoothies because they’re plant-based and don’t spike blood sugar, but other unrefined sweeteners, like honey or maple syrup, will also do the trick.
• Ice. A scoop of ice gives the smoothie a thick consistency. 
• Protein powder. An optional but highly recommended add-in, especially if you’re drinking it as a meal replacement or post-workout snack. A standard scoop of whey protein can add an extra 20-30 grams of protein! 

How to make a power smoothie

Step 1: Add ingredients. Add the milk, yogurt, oats, kale (hard stems removed), cinnamon, protein powder (if using), berries, frozen banana, and ice to your blender.  

Step 2: Blend until smooth. Secure the lid in place and blend until well combined and completely smooth.

Step 3: Adjust and serve. If the smoothie is too thick, blend in more milk. If it’s too thin, blend in a few more ice cubes. Then, give it a taste and add more sweetener if needed. Pour the smoothie into a glass or bottle and enjoy!

Recipe tips and FAQs

• Add the ingredients to the blender in this order: liquid/creamy ingredients (e.g., almond milk and Greek yogurt), dry ingredients (e.g., oats, leafy greens, cinnamon, sweetener, and protein powder), fresh and frozen fruits, and finally ice. This creates a thick, creamy texture and helps your blender run more efficiently. 
• If your blender has different speed settings, start on low and gradually increase to high. You may need to blend for an extra 10-20 seconds to thoroughly blend the kale and oats and avoid graininess.
• If you notice that some ingredients aren’t blending well, stop and scrape down the sides of the blender to ensure the smoothie is perfectly smooth and creamy. 

Variations

If you want to customize this power smoothie recipe, go for it! Just keep in mind that for it to remain 100% nutritionally complete, it must maintain a balance of protein, healthy fats, and carbs/fiber. Below are alternatives you can use for each element:

• Protein: Swap the whey protein for a scoop of plant-based protein (pea, hemp, or soy), collagen peptides, chia seeds, flax seeds, or hemp seeds. 
• Healthy fats: Opt for coconut cream, almond yogurt, or soy-based yogurt instead of Greek yogurt. Feel free to add avocado or nut butter (cashew, peanut, sunflower, or almond butter) for an extra boost of filling fats. 
• Carbs and fiber: Instead of making this protein shake with oats, load up on extra fruit for fiber, like mango, pineapple, papaya, apples, and pears. Frozen cauliflower also works and won’t affect the flavor much. 

Storing and freezing

Storing: Refrigerate any extra smoothie blend in an airtight container, and try to drink it within 24 hours.

Freezing: You can also freeze any leftover smoothie in ice cube trays until solid, then transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe bag or container. This way, you can thaw only the amount you need!

More healthy shakes and smoothies

• Hazelnut Protein Shake
• Chocolate Cherry Protein Shake
• Orange Halloween Protein Smoothie
• Coconut Banana Smoothie

If you love this power greens smoothie with oats recipe, I would be so grateful if you could leave a 5-star 🌟 rating in the recipe card below. I love reading your comments and feedback!

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