Can You Use Quaker Oats in Smoothies for a Healthy Boost?

November 15, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the Quaker Oats company, adding just 1/2 cup of Quaker oats can provide 4 grams of heart-healthy fiber to your favorite smoothie. So, not only can you use Quaker oats in smoothies, but it's an excellent way to boost the nutritional value of your on-the-go meals.

Quick Summary

Adding Quaker oats to smoothies is a safe and beneficial way to increase dietary fiber, protein, and thickness. It creates a more satisfying and filling beverage that helps stabilize blood sugar. Key considerations include choosing the right type of oats and how to best prepare them to achieve a smooth or hearty texture.

Key Points

Nutrient Boost: Adding Quaker oats significantly increases a smoothie's fiber, protein, and vitamin content, making it a more balanced and wholesome meal.
Increased Satiety: The high fiber and complex carbohydrates in oats help you feel full for a longer period, preventing hunger pangs and supporting weight management goals.
Improved Texture: Depending on the type of oat and preparation method, oats can make a smoothie thicker and creamier or add a hearty, satisfying chew.
Which Oats to Use: For smoothies, Quaker Old Fashioned or Quick Cook oats are ideal due to their ability to blend well. Avoid steel-cut oats unless cooked first.
Easy Digestion: While eating raw oats is safe, soaking or blending them thoroughly helps with digestion and enhances nutrient absorption, especially for those with sensitive stomachs.

Why Add Quaker Oats to Your Smoothie?

Incorporating Quaker oats into your daily smoothie offers numerous health benefits and improves the drink's texture and satiety. Oats are a whole grain packed with vitamins, minerals, and soluble fiber, most notably beta-glucan. This type of fiber is known for its heart-healthy properties, including its ability to help lower cholesterol. By adding oats, you transform a simple fruit drink into a more balanced and complete meal.

One of the main reasons many people add oats is for their thickening and filling properties. Smoothies can sometimes leave you feeling hungry shortly after consumption due to their liquid consistency. The complex carbohydrates and fiber in oats provide a slow-releasing energy source that keeps you feeling fuller for longer, helping to curb mid-morning cravings. This makes an oat-boosted smoothie a perfect choice for a busy morning breakfast or a post-workout snack.

What Kind of Quaker Oats Should You Use?

Choosing the right type of Quaker oats is crucial for achieving your desired smoothie consistency. The primary options are Old Fashioned, Quick Cook, and Instant oats. While all are equally nutritious, their differences in texture and processing affect how they blend. Steel-cut oats, which are tougher, are generally not recommended for smoothies unless you cook them first, as they will not break down properly and will result in a gritty texture.

How to Prepare Oats for the Best Smoothies

Blend First for a Smoother Finish: For a super-smooth, non-gritty texture, blend the oats into a fine powder before adding the other ingredients. This is especially helpful if you are using a lower-powered blender.
Soak for a Creamier Texture: If you remember in advance, soaking the oats in your liquid base (like milk or water) for 30 minutes to overnight will result in an extra creamy, less grainy smoothie.
Add Directly for a Heartier Drink: For a thicker, heartier, or chewier texture, you can simply toss rolled or instant oats into the blender with everything else. Just be sure to blend for a sufficient amount of time to avoid large chunks.

Comparison of Quaker Oats for Smoothies


Feature	Quaker Old Fashioned Oats	Quick Quaker Oats	Instant Quaker Oats
Texture when blended raw	Heartier, slightly chewy if not blended finely.	Smoother, less noticeable texture.	Finest grind, blends to a soft, smooth texture.
Best for	Those who want a more substantial, textured smoothie.	Smoothies where you want the oats to disappear seamlessly.	Quickest prep, fastest blending, and silkiest consistency.
Blending Prep	Can be powdered first or soaked for a smoother finish.	Can be added directly and blends easily.	Best for a fast, creamy result with no extra steps.
Nutritional Value	Equal to other types (when comparing plain oats).	Equal to other types (when comparing plain oats).	Equal to other types, but flavored varieties can contain added sugar.

Delicious Quaker Oats Smoothie Recipes

Classic Strawberry Oatmeal Smoothie

1/2 cup Quaker Old Fashioned Oats
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 ripe banana
1 cup almond milk (or milk of choice)
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 tsp honey (optional)

Instructions: Blend the oats into a powder first for a smoother drink. Add the remaining ingredients and blend until completely smooth. Add more milk if the consistency is too thick.

Tropical Mango Coconut Oats Smoothie

1/2 cup Quaker Quick Oats
1/2 cup chopped, frozen mango
1/4 cup shredded coconut
1/2 ripe banana
1/4 cup orange juice
1/2 cup water

Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. For a colder shake, add a few ice cubes and continue blending until smooth.

Conclusion

Yes, you absolutely can and should use Quaker oats in your smoothies. This simple addition is a game-changer, transforming a light drink into a more substantial, nutrient-dense meal that sustains you for hours. By choosing the right type of oat—typically Old Fashioned or Quick Oats—and preparing it based on your desired texture, you can easily integrate this whole grain into your daily routine. Whether you're looking for extra fiber, a creamier texture, or sustained energy, Quaker oats are a versatile and healthy option for any blended beverage. It's an easy hack for anyone seeking to boost their nutrition without compromising on taste or convenience. For more information on the health benefits of oats, you can consult sources like Harvard's School of Public Health website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it is perfectly safe to use raw Quaker oats in a smoothie. Both Old Fashioned and Quick Oats have been pre-processed (steamed and rolled) to make them safe for consumption without cooking.

Quaker Old Fashioned or Quick Oats are the best choices for smoothies. Quick Oats will give you a slightly smoother consistency, while Old Fashioned oats offer a heartier texture if not blended into a powder first.

Soaking is optional but recommended if you prefer an extra-creamy texture. Soaking the oats in your liquid for 30 minutes or overnight will help them break down more fully and reduce any grittiness.

Oats contain soluble fiber, like beta-glucan, which forms a gel-like substance when combined with liquid. When blended, this fiber helps to thicken the smoothie and give it a richer, more satisfying consistency.

A good starting point is to add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of Quaker oats per serving. You can always adjust the amount based on your preference for thickness and satiety.

Using raw steel-cut oats is not recommended as they are much harder and chewier than rolled oats. They will not blend well and will leave a very gritty texture. If you want to use them, cook them first and let them cool.

Plain Quaker oats have a very mild, neutral, and slightly nutty flavor that will not overpower the other ingredients in your smoothie. This makes them a versatile addition that works well with fruits, vegetables, and protein powders.