Toasted Pecan & Oatmeal Smoothie

Savor the flavors of fall in this pecan oatmeal smoothie – made with toasted oats & pecans, maple syrup, yogurt, and banana. Creamy and cool, yet cozy and comforting, it’s a deliciously simple oat smoothie recipe that tastes like an oatmeal pancake in a cup. For a more satisfying start to your morning, give this festive fall breakfast smoothie a whirl!

For more flavorful fall smoothie inspiration, try my Cinnamon Pear Ginger Smoothie!

What type of oatmeal is best for smoothies?

Yes, you can add raw oats to smoothies! Adding just ¼ cup of oats can make your morning smoothie creamier, more filling, and more nutritious. The best oats for smoothies are rolled oats or quick oats because they’re easiest to blend. Unprocessed varieties like steel-cut oats or whole oat groats will be tougher to blend in smoothly. For this toasted pecan & oat smoothie recipe, I use rolled oats since they toast up nicely. (Quick oats are more likely to over-toast or burn.)

Oatmeal Smoothie Benefits

• Tasty: Oats have a mild flavor that blends into healthy smoothies easily, but they can also add some unique flavor that’s comforting like a bowl of oatmeal! That’s why I like to toast my oats for this pecan oatmeal smoothie recipe. Just a few minutes in the oven brings out the naturally earthy, nutty flavor in oats, which makes this fall breakfast smoothie even tastier.
• More Satisfying: Much like a batch of overnight oats or a warm bowl of oatmeal, a smoothie with oats turns out creamier, heartier, and more filling. Adding just ¼ cup of oats makes this pecan & oat smoothie more satisfying like a real breakfast! You could even serve this as a thick, spoonable smoothie bowl with toppings, like my pear smoothie bowl with oats.
• Nutritious: Oats are a nutrient-rich whole grain, so they’re a great ingredient to include in an energizing smoothie. Rolled oats are an excellent source of dietary fiber, plant-based protein, and complex carbs—all of which make this oatmeal smoothie recipe more filling and nourishing as a start to the day. Plus, oats also add some essential minerals into this morning smoothie, like magnesium, zinc, and iron!

What nuts are good in smoothies?

Nuts can be a great addition for more flavorful and nutritious smoothies. Pecans have a distinctly nutty, buttery flavor that I find so satisfying—especially when they’re toasted! They can infuse so much comfort and fall flair into recipes like this oatmeal smoothie or a festive sweet potato smoothie. But, if you’re not a fan of pecans, experiment with adding other nuts in smoothies, like walnuts, almonds, or cashews.

Pecan Oatmeal Smoothie Ingredients

• Pecans. I recommend using pecan halves (rather than pieces or chopped pecans) to get the most comforting, toasty flavor. If you don’t want to make your smoothie with pecans, you can substitute with toasted walnuts, almonds, or cashews.
• Rolled Oats. Although you can use quick oats in this recipe, they aren’t ideal for toasting because they’re more likely to burn. Use rolled oats for the best results when toasting! Or, you can also make this breakfast smoothie with raw oats—either rolled or quick-cooking.
• Milk of Choice. Either dairy or nondairy milk works in this pecan & oat smoothie recipe, whatever suits your lifestyle.
• Yogurt. Similarly, you can use any dairy or nondairy yogurt you like. Sometimes I like the thick, creamy texture and protein boost from Greek yogurt—other times I’ll make a richer, sweeter, more satisfying smoothie with coconut milk yogurt. Or, you could also replace the yogurt with pumpkin puree to make a comforting pumpkin smoothie instead!
• Banana. This is a go-to breakfast smoothie ingredient for natural sweetness and creaminess. If you’d rather make your oatmeal smoothie without banana, you can substitute with pear or apple—fresh or frozen. Or, go fully festive for fall and substitute with pumpkin puree, sweet potato puree, or sweet potato mash!
• Maple Syrup. Sweeten to taste, using the sweetener of your choice (or no sweetener at all). I like the comforting flavor of maple syrup, or you could use honey, granulated sugar, coconut sugar—whatever you want.
• Fall Flavorings. Of course, this toasty autumn smoothie needs a dash of cinnamon & vanilla! I like to keep the spices simple here, but feel free to add other fall favorites like pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, cloves, or allspice.

Watch my Breakfast Smoothies for Fall video to see how I make this toasted oat & pecan smoothie!

To Toast, or Not to Toast?

This recipe will work just fine if you want to skip toasting the oats & pecans. But taking 10 minutes to toast them adds intention, flavor, and depth to this comforting smoothie. Notice the toasty, comforting smell when the rolled oats & pecan halves are in the oven—and then notice how that smell becomes a toasty flavor in your smoothie. Stopping to notice the smell and the taste is what mindfulness looks like.

Being present with our food in this way can add to our appreciation & enjoyment of it, which contributes to having a healthier relationship with food. But, if taking time to toast the oats & pecans adds to your stress, that extra step may not add to your enjoyment. Ultimately, it’s up to you: To toast, or not to toast? What will add to your enjoyment, or reduce your stress?

How to Toast Pecans & Oats

• Arrange rolled oats and pecan halves on a baking sheet in a single layer.
• Toast the oats and pecans at 350°F (180°F) for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they’re toasted to your liking.
• Allow toasted oats & pecans to cool completely before blending into your smoothie.

How do you blend nuts & oats in a smoothie?

When making a smoothie with oats and nuts, it’s best to blend them first, before adding the rest of the ingredients. For this oatmeal pecan smoothie recipe, start by pulsing the pecans & rolled oats (toasted or untoasted) in the blender, until they’re finely ground. Once they’ve been pulverized into a flour-like texture, you can add the remaining smoothie ingredients and blend until smooth.