If you’re looking for a fun, fall flavored smoothie or healthy alternative to high calorie pumpkin spice lattes, this Simple Pumpkin Smoothie is so good and perfect for that!
As you know, I try to be intentional with my diet and one thing I love to do is create fun dishes with a healthy spin to them! This pumpkin smoothie is super healthy and it’s delicious. If you’re loving all things pumpkin spice this season but want a healthy way to enjoy it, this one’s for you!
Smoothie Inspo
This superfood seasonal smoothie was inspired by wanting to incorporate pumpkin into my recipes this fall! I love eating seasonally, it’s such an easy way to change up your usual go to meals, it’s a little cheaper to buy in-season foods and they usually taste a lot fresher. Also, when you incorporate in-season foods that you don’t eat regularly year round like pumpkin you get to enjoy a wider variety of foods which add an array of nutrients into your diet.
Have you ever thought, let’s say, mid June, “hey, I’m going to make some pumpkin bars?” Seems like something I would do but surprisingly, I’ve never done that! I mean we could do that more often to mix things up but I know, I know, it would take away from some of the nostalgia of certain foods. But hey, I’m all for adding more nourishing dishes to our diets so if you love pumpkin why not have pumpkin smoothies more often? Anyway!! I love pumpkin, love smoothies and love making healthy seasonal recipes for you, so here is my Fall Inspired Pumpkin smoothie! It’s seriously craveable!
Benefits
First, let’s chat about the benefits of one of this season’s most popular veggies, Pumpkin! It’s packed with antioxidants like beta carotene, which converts to Vitamin A in your body and supports healthy vision, immunity and fine lines and wrinkles! Also, vitamin E and Vitamin C which combined make an amazing cocktail for glowing skin! It’s rich in potassium, a key electrolyte that aids in weight loss, muscle growth and recovery and is excellent for boosting energy levels and metabolism!
Although Pumpkin is a carbohydrate and contains natural sugars because of that, it is a slow digesting carb and a great source of energy. Many people hear the words carbs and sugar and tend to look the other way. However healthy carbs from veggies like pumpkin, contain fiber which helps to slow digestion and provide more steady state energy levels!
Fiber is the key to feeling fuller after meals, it helps with weight management because you typically feel fuller longer and faster. Since it’s a low calorie food you won’t need to eat as much to feel satisfied.
Plus, with all the superfood nutrients found in pumpkin like vitamins A E and C, minerals like potassium, antioxidants, fiber and folate make it a veggie to consider eating more of! And what better way to start adding this healthy veggie to your diet then this amazing pumpkin smoothie!
MAKE THIS DISH
What you need for this smoothie is probably things you already have on hand with the exception of pumpkin,unless you’re a gardener with a lot of space to grow pumpkins. Now that I think of it I’m super bummed I didn’t can any pumpkin this year, I mean I didn’t grow any pumpkin to can in the first place. So it’s not a surprise but in years past I canned pumpkin! There are just so many fun and healthy things you can do with pumpkin. It’s so good in smoothies, energy bites and pancakes! Plus if you’re like me and love growing your own food for health and sustainability and have the space then you might want to add “grow pumpkin” to your gardening list!
INGREDIENTS
Pumpkin – you’re going to need pumpkin! Any canned pumpkin will work, make sure it’s just the pumpkin and NOT pumpkin pie mix. The pie mix has a lot of other ingredients that you just don’t need in your smoothie, ok?!
Banana– 1 small Banana, frozen if you’ve got the time! Fresh bananas are totally fine to use but would be more for flavor and not for the creamy factor.
Plain Greek Yogurt, choose a brand that is clean label. If you don’t love plain yogurt a vanilla greek yogurt will work great too.
Vanilla Almond Milk – unsweetened to eliminate added sugars, you can find it in the refrigerator section at most stores
Pumpkin Pie Spice; this is pretty much essential here, it brings that fall vibe to your smoothie
Maple Syrup; real maple syrup not pancake syrup. Honey works too although it will give the smoothie a different flavor.
Ice: it thickens and makes the smoothie really cold and creamy
BOOSTERS
Chia seeds for antioxidants, protein fiber and healthy fats. Add 1-2 TBL chia seeds.
Spinach; this will change the color of your pretty orange smoothie but will also give you the superfood benefits greens contain like antioxidants, fiber and protein. Add about 2 Cups spinach or a combo of your favorite greens is great
Collagen and Protein powder: for a protein boost add a serving of your favorite powdered supplement. Vanilla or a plain flavor blend well with the other flavors.
VARIATIONS
For a dairy free option: skip the yogurt and increase the almond milk to 2 cups,
Turn it into a smoothie bowl: follow instructions as above, but decrease almond milk to just a splash at a time giving it enough liquid to blend. Then instead of pouring the smoothie into a glass you’ll pour it into a bowl. Make sure it’s thick and you work fast to add the toppings as it melts quickly. Layer the bowl with your favorite toppings; pecans, chia seeds and sliced bananas taste amazing here.
MEAL PREP
1 can of pumpkin will give you three smoothies, you can use that as your guide to selecting how many ever smoothies you plan to stock up on.
Prep this smoothie ahead by placing all the ingredients except the liquid, into a freezer safe baggie. When you’re ready to blend it, just dump the contents of the bag into your blender. Then add your liquid and blend until everything is a smooth consistency making sure there are no ice chunks. Viola, a thick and creamy pumpkin spice smoothie ready in minutes!
Instructions
First, a little pre-prep work will take this smoothe to another flavor level! If you have time and aren’t in a hurry to make this smoothie, I would suggest freezing your banana if you don’t already have one hanging out in your freezer. I’m always bummed when I’m making a smoothie from scratch (instead of from my smoothie packs) and don’t have a frozen banana or an avocado in the freezer. It’s a smoothie must-have for me! You can get away without one though by increasing the ice or if you’re not that picky about the thickness of your smoothie lol, do what works for you!
Ok, first measure out your yogurt and almond milk and place that into your blender.
Next place the frozen banana into the blender.
Add the canned pumpkin, spices and maple syrup.
Last, add the scoop of ice.
Blend all the ingredients up for about 20 seconds. Scrape down the sides If using a pitcher blender) and blend again until everything is well combined, there are no visible chunks and is of bright orange smooth consistency!
Now do a little taste and make sure all the ice is smooth and the taste is to your liking!
If you need a bit more sweetness, add a little more maple syrup and stir that in. You can also add a another banana chunk.
Vanilla is another good flavor enhancer here and also srinkling a tiny bit of coarse sea salt!
Enjoy!
Ingredients
3/4C Plain Greek Yogurt
1 Cup Vanilla Almond Milk
1/2C Pumpkin
1 Small Banana
1TBL Maple Syrup
1tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 Cup Ice
Instructions
- Place Greek Yogurt, almond milk and pumpkin into the blender.
- Next add frozen banana, spices and maple syrup.
- Add ice.
- Blend until everything is well combined and into a smooth consistency.
- Enjoy!
Notes
For a thicker smoothie, freeze the pumpkin ahead of time. For a thinner smoothie, skip the ice and/or increase the almond milk