This pumpkin smoothie tastes just like your favorite fall dessert! With 10 grams of protein, this is a healthy way to start your day with a sweet treat.
The perfect way to satisfy cravings for sweets is to make healthier versions of them. For example, there is nothing wrong with pumpkin pie, but it's not necessarily something I want to eat first thing in the morning or after a workout. Well, it is delicious with coffee the morning after Thanksgiving...but not something for every day.
So, I found a way to turn the same creamy pumpkin filling into an irresistible smoothie that's extra good for you. It has all the same spices and flavors you would expect from your favorite fall dish. It really does taste just like a pumpkin pie and you could even top it with some crumbled graham crackers or granola if you are missing the crust.
This smoothie is full of nutrients as pumpkin is naturally high in vitamins A and C. The drink also has lots of protein, so it's the perfect way to jump-start your metabolism in the morning. we also love this Protein-Packed Banana Berry Smoothie for a filling breakfast option.
Key Ingredients For Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
This smoothie is sweetened naturally with dates. It uses only whole ingredients - and you can tell by how fresh it tastes. Here's what you need:
- Pumpkin Puree: You only need 3/4 cup. A small can of pumpkin puree is 12 ounces, so you will only need half a can of it. Try to buy organic, no-sugar-added pumpkin puree.
- Bananas: You can either use really ripe bananas or frozen banana slices. If you use ripe bananas, add some more ice to the recipe to get it the right consistency.
- Dates: This is what will make your smoothie taste sweet. Use fresh dates and remove the pits. This also gives it a slight caramel flavor that is so good. You could swap in pure maple syrup or honey if needed.
- Oatmeal: Use rolled or quick-cooking oats for a smooth drink. Use gluten-free oats if you are following a gluten-free diet!
- Pumpkin Spice: Either make your own or use a jar of pumpkin pie spice. Or just shake in some cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg.
- Yogurt: For the best texture, use non-fat plain Greek yogurt. If you use regular yogurt, it won't be nearly as thick or have as much protein. If you opt for flavored vanilla yogurt, leave out the sweetener and vanilla extract.
- Almond Milk: Always use unsweetened almond milk. And, if you use the vanilla flavored variety, you won't have to add more vanilla extract.
- Vanilla Extract: Only add vanilla extract if you use unflavored almond milk.
What To Serve With Pumpkin Smoothie
This smoothie is incredibly filling - you won't really want to eat very much with it. However, it already has yogurt, oatmeal, and fruit in it, so it's basically a complete breakfast in a glass.
This smoothie is pretty sweet, so munch on something savory along with it. Banana quinoa chia muffins are full of protein and fiber and taste amazing with this drink.
If you really love pumpkin, then grab a pumpkin chocolate chip oatmeal muffin. This will give you plenty of fiber!
Recipe Tips And Ideas
Follow these tips to make sure that your smoothie turns out smooth and sweet every single time!
- This smoothie makes 2 servings, so use a full-sized blender. If you want to make one just for yourself, cut the ingredients in half.
- Pre-portion your yogurt and pumpkin puree and store it in the refrigerator. That will make it easier to grab and mix when you are busy.
- Instead of dates, you can use a bit of honey or maple syrup to sweeten your smoothie. Just add a little bit at a time and taste it so that it's sweetened to your liking.
- A fun hack is to freeze pumpkin puree in an ice cube tray. Use this in smoothies for the perfect texture (and no measuring!).
- For some added healthy fat and protein, add a scoop of peanut butter or almond butter.
Make this a Pumpkin Spice Latte Smoothie
Love a good pumpkin spice latte? Add a few shots of espresso or a scoop of instant espresso to the blender to turn this into a frozen PSL.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions I frequently get asked about by some readers…
How do you make pumpkin pie spice?
I love making my own spice blends, and I have a fantastic recipe for pumpkin pie spice. Here are the spices I used:
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Allspice
- Mace
- Ginger
- Cloves
Make a large batch of it and store it in a jar on your spice rack!
Is this recipe Whole30 compliant?
No, this recipe is not Whole30 compliant. Greek yogurt is dairy, which isn't on the plan. It also falls under the category of foods that replace desserts. However, this recipe uses whole ingredients and is still pretty good for your body. Plus, it doesn't use any added sugar.
What can I use instead of almond milk?
Instead of almond milk, use either coconut milk (the kind in the carton), dairy milk, soy milk. or oat milk. Always pick the ones that are unsweetened for this smoothie recipe.
Is pumpkin pie filling the same as pumpkin puree?
No, they are not the same thing! Trust me- I made that mistake before.
When you are at the store, make sure you buy pumpkin puree. If you buy pumpkin pie filling, it will have added sugar and spices. The easiest way to tell is to look at the ingredients list. The one you want should only have one ingredient - pumpkin!
More Delicious Smoothie Recipes You’ll Love:
- Blueberry Banana Smoothie
- Chocolate Avocado Smoothie
- Creamy Banana Oatmeal Smoothie
- Mango Spinach Smoothie
- Raspberry Chia Smothie
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