A delicious, thick, creamy, sugar-free Chocolate Oat Smoothie in a jar includes strawberries, unrefined cocoa powder, soy milk, and prunes.
This chocolate oat smoothie is just the healthy, plant-based breakfast that you need to kick start your day!
On one busy morning, I opened the fridge and had no idea what to have for breakfast. I had forgotten to prepare overnight oats the night before and needed breakfast to go. I spotted some fresh strawberries and prunes in the fridge and knew I could make it work.
Ever since then, this oat, chocolaty and strawberry-filled smoothie has been one of my favorite breakfast options. And the best part is that it’s super customizable!
Are Oats Healthy?
Oats have many health benefits and are very nutritious. They are a naturally gluten-free grain, high in vitamins, fiber, minerals, and antioxidants. Studies show that oats contribute to weight loss and lowered blood sugar levels.
All of these benefits, plus the fact that they keep you full for a long period of time, means that oats are an excellent option for breakfast.
How To Make a Chocolate Oat Smoothie for Breakfast
For this smoothie recipe, I soak whole oats in boiling water for 30 minutes. This gives the oats a super creamy texture. To sweeten the smoothie, I add honey instead of sugar. Like oats, honey is rich in antioxidants and contains important nutrients. Plus, it’s an unrefined sugar that won’t cause as extreme spikes in blood sugar as refined white sugar does.
I also sneak a few prunes into the oats. These dried superfoods contain vitamins and they’re great for digestion (you can’t taste them I promise).
Ingredient Swaps and Substitutions
Depending on what’s in your fridge and pantry, this smoothie recipe is endlessly customizable. Here are some simple ingredient swaps and substitutions to make this chocolate oat smoothie work for your busy mornings:
- If you prefer a thinner smoothie texture that’s more drink-through-a-straw than scoop with a spoon, feel free to add more milk.
- If you are really pressed for time, you can quickly cook the oats in the microwave instead of soaking them. Microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring between segments to avoid burning.
- Feel free to swap the soy milk for any other milk. Almond, coconut, soy, or even regular dairy milk are all excellent options.
- You can add a spoonful of protein powder to amp up the protein content in the smoothie. Chocolate protein powder would add to the flavor!
- Feel free to swap the strawberries for your favorite fruit or skip the fruit altogether. Other berries, sliced mango, peaches, or even dried fruit are all good options.
- To make this a vegan chocolate oat smoothie, replace the honey with maple syrup or another plant-based sweetener.
Make-Ahead Chocolate Oat Breakfast Smoothie
This breakfast is best eaten the day it’s made. But luckily, it’s quick and easy to whip together on even the busiest mornings. And, it travels so well! I like to make mine smoothie right in a jar with a lid so I can take it out the door with me.
More Healthy Breakfast Recipes with Oats
If you’re like me and can’t get enough healthy breakfasts made with oats like this chocolate smoothie, you’ll love these other quick and easy options:
- Overnight Oats with Berries make a fantastic take-on-the-go breakfast meal prep option.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Jelly Oats Jar because what’s better than a morning meal that includes oats, peanut butter AND chocolate?
- Vanilla Oats Smoothie Jar is the yin to this chocolate oat smoothie jar’s yang.
Chocolate Oats Breakfast Smoothie
Equipment
- Blender or Food processor
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup of oats
- 1-2 prunes
- 2 tsp of unrefined cocoa powder
- 1-2 tbsp of honey
- 1 handful of strawberries
- 4-6 tbsp of soya milk
Instructions
- Add oats to a bowl and pour enough boiling water to cover the oats. Soak oats for 30 minutes and leave to cool (or cook oats normally).
- Once oats have cooled mix and add to a blender.
- Add prunes, cocoa powder, honey and soy milk. Blend until smooth.
- Grab a clean dry jar. Thinly slice two pieces of a strawberry length ways and firmly press each slice against the jar (must be dry to stick).
- Pour the smoothie into the jar and top with the remaining strawberries (as shown).
For more about the benefits of oatmeal click below.
Looks and sounds so delicious! Perfect for weekend brunch!
Thanks! I totally agree. Have a great weekend! 🙂
Hi,
For breakfast a perfect meal, a great recipe and photo.
Best regards, Barry
Thanks Barry 🙂