How to Make a Pumpkin Smoothie

I LOVE this time of year! The leaves are turning colors and beginning to fall, the weather is cool and ALL the holidays are still ahead of us. Of course, pumpkin puree needs to be involved, and this creamy pumpkin smoothie is how I bring it to breakfast.

Pumpkin puree, banana, fresh pineapple, apple, cinnamon and a scoop of vanilla protein powder blend with almond or coconut milk and ice in under a minute.

The Best Protein Pumpkin Smoothie (Creamy and Velvety)

Halloween starts off the holidays and starts to stir up my excitement for all the fun family events coming up. It always goes by way too fast, so I love creating recipes that celebrate this time of year.

I’ve loved the comfort of my pumpkin bread and pumpkin muffins, but I wanted something creamy and rich. I’m a smoothie aholic and wanted a pumpkin smoothie! You don’t need to add much pumpkin puree to get the soft, velvety texture in this smoothie. The little punch of cinnamon is pretty yummy too.

Readers agree. One said it looks like liquid caramel deliciousness, and another was excited to try a cold version of all those hot pumpkin drinks.

Pumpkin anything is the best this time of year. There are hot pumpkin drinks all over the place, and this is a cold version you can sip any morning. The banana and pineapple add natural sweetness, the apple adds a fresh, bright note, and the protein powder turns it into a smoothie that can stand in for breakfast. Blended with ice, it comes out thick, frosty and the color of a pumpkin pie.

Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Smoothie

• Creamy and velvety. A little pumpkin puree goes a long way for texture.
• Protein packed. A scoop of whey or vegan vanilla protein powder makes it filling.
• Naturally sweet. Banana and pineapple sweeten it with no added sugar.
• Fall flavor in a minute. Everything goes in one blender and blends in 30 to 45 seconds, so it fits into even the busiest morning.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here is what goes into this pumpkin protein smoothie and why. Exact amounts are in the recipe card below.

• Vanilla almond or coconut milk: The liquid base. Vanilla flavored milk adds a little sweetness and pairs perfectly with pumpkin and cinnamon. Coconut milk makes it a bit richer, while almond milk keeps it light. Pour it in first so the blender blades move freely.
• Vanilla protein powder: One scoop of whey or vegan vanilla protein powder. It thickens the smoothie and makes it filling enough for breakfast. Vanilla flavored powder blends right in with the pumpkin spice flavor.
• Banana: Adds natural sweetness and creaminess. A riper banana with brown spots makes a sweeter smoothie. Use a frozen banana if you want it thicker and colder.
• Fresh pineapple: A half cup of chunks brightens the flavor and adds tropical sweetness that keeps the smoothie from tasting heavy.
• Apple: Half an apple adds a fresh, crisp flavor and a little fiber. Cut out the core and remove the seeds before it goes in the blender.
• Pumpkin puree: The star of the show. Use plain canned pumpkin or homemade puree, not pumpkin pie filling, which is already sweetened and spiced. It gives the smoothie its soft, velvety texture and gorgeous orange color.
• Cinnamon: A little punch of cinnamon makes it taste like fall. Add a pinch of nutmeg too if you like more spice.
• Ice: Chills and thickens the smoothie. Start with the amount in the card and add more if you like it extra thick. Crushed ice blends faster than large cubes if your blender is not very powerful.

How to Make a Pumpkin Smoothie

1. Prep the fruit. Peel the banana, cut the fresh pineapple into chunks and cut the apple in half. Core the apple half and remove the seeds. Small pieces blend faster and smoother, especially in a regular blender, so chop the apple and pineapple into bite size chunks.
2. Load the blender. Add the ingredients to your blender in the order listed: milk, protein powder, banana, pineapple, apple, pumpkin puree, cinnamon and ice. Liquids on the bottom help everything blend smoothly without stalling the blades.
3. Blend. Blend on the highest setting for 30 to 45 seconds, until the smoothie is completely smooth and creamy with no flecks of apple or ice left. It should pour thick and glossy.
4. Adjust the thickness. To make it thicker, add more ice 1/2 cup at a time, or add a frozen banana, until it reaches the consistency you like. Blend again for a few seconds after each addition.
5. Serve. Pour into a glass, sprinkle with a little extra cinnamon if you like and enjoy right away while it is cold and frosty. If you are making it for two, divide it between two smaller glasses.

Ways to Customize Your Pumpkin Smoothie

• Make it vegan. Use a vegan vanilla protein powder with almond or coconut milk, and the whole smoothie is plant based.
• Extra thick. Swap the fresh banana for a frozen one or add more ice. Pour it into a bowl and top it with sliced banana and a sprinkle of cinnamon for a smoothie bowl.
• More spice. Add a pinch of nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice along with the cinnamon.
• No protein powder. Leave it out for a lighter fruit smoothie, and add a few extra ice cubes for body.

Pumpkin Smoothie FAQs

• Can I use pumpkin pie filling? No. Pie filling is already sweetened and spiced. Use plain pumpkin puree.
• Should I use canned or fresh pumpkin? Canned pumpkin puree is easiest and gives a smooth, consistent texture. Homemade puree from cooked pumpkin works too.
• What protein powder works best? A vanilla protein powder, either whey or vegan, blends right in with the pumpkin and cinnamon.
• Do I need a high powered blender? A high powered blender like a Vitamix makes it smoothest, especially with apple and ice. With a regular blender, cut the apple into small pieces and blend a little longer.
• Can I leave out the apple? Yes. The smoothie will be a little sweeter and less bright, but still creamy.
• Is this smoothie dairy free? It is when you use almond or coconut milk with a vegan protein powder. Whey protein powder is made from milk, so choose a plant based powder if you avoid dairy.
• How can I make it sweeter? Use a very ripe banana or a vanilla flavored milk. Both add sweetness without any added sugar.
• Can I make it ahead? It is best right after blending. If it sits, the texture gets thin, so give it a quick blend with a few ice cubes before drinking.

Pumpkin Protein Smoothie

This pumpkin protein smoothie blends pumpkin puree with banana, fresh pineapple, apple, cinnamon and vanilla protein powder. It is creamy, velvety and ready in under a minute.

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Ingredients

  

• 1 cup vanilla almond or coconut milk
• 1 scoop whey or vegan vanilla protein powder
• 1 banana peeled
• 1/2 cup fresh pineapple chunks
• 1/2 apple with seeds and core
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 cup ice

Instructions

 

• Add ingredients to Vitamix blender in order listed. Blend on highest option for 30 to 45 seconds until reaching the desired consistency.
• To make it thicker, add more ice 1/2 cup at a time or a frozen banana until desired consistency reached.

Made this pumpkin smoothie? Leave a star rating in the recipe card and tell me how you like it in the comments below. Do you need pumpkin, pumpkin and more pumpkin? Oooh, you’ll love my Pumpkin Muffins and Pumpkin Bread!

More Recipes You’ll Love

• Pumpkin Muffins
• Pumpkin Bread
• Banana Apple Oatmeal Smoothie
• Pineapple and Carrot Tropical Smoothie
• Healthy Pumpkin Waffles