How to Make a Healthy Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
It’s fall so that can only mean one thing; people are going to go a little crazy for pumpkin-flavored everything. While some people prefer pumpkin in their coffee, you can also turn your favorite fall dessert into a healthier option. To get you into the spirit of the season, here are some tips to creating the perfect smoothie that can be drank as a meal replacement, snack, or even healthy and low-fat dessert.
Here is how to make the perfect pumpkin pie smoothie for the fall season.
Pumpkin Pie Smoothie Recipe
Decide On Your Smoothie Base: To start with, the smoothie base is going to be similar to any other smoothie you make by adding ice or fresh and ripe frozen fruit. I like using frozen fruit in my smoothie since it acts as ice and makes it extra cold.
You then want to choose your main dairy components of milk and yogurt. If you are a vegan, you can go with a yogurt substitute and use almond or soy milk instead of regular milk. Greek yogurt is a good option for a pumpkin pie smoothie since it is healthy and adds a nice vanilla flavor. Sweeten it up with maple syrup or honey. Agave nectar is a unique flavor option as well and can act as a sweetener option. You don’t need as much agave as honey, so you can use less of it in your recipe.
Add in the Pumpkin and Spices: Once you have your base, add in the pumpkin and other seasonings. For a pumpkin pie smoothie, start with your own fresh pumpkin puree. Roast the pumpkin to soften it up, then cut it into pieces and put it in a food processor to make a puree. Canned pumpkin can be substituted if needed. If you want to enjoy pumpkin smoothies year-round, be sure to stock up this fall!
For the spices, a pinch of pumpkin pie spice should be good enough, but you can also add some ground cinnamon for a twist. Vanilla extract can be added for another bit of flavoring.
Follow Standard Smoothie Directions: Place ingredients into a high-powered blender. The Nutribullet blender is my favorite for easy smoothies, but the Vitamix has a reputation for being a higher end brand that offers more options for blending, juicing, making soups, and more.
Add the thicker ingredients such as ice and pumpkin cubes to the bottom of the blender and fill with liquid ingredients. Blend until smooth. Slowly add in more milk until desired consistency is reached. Add additional seasoning or sweeteners to taste.
Decide on your consistency: Add more ice for a thicker blend or you can add more liquid for more of a juice.
Pumpkin Smoothie Recipe:
- Base: Ice, pumpkin puree
- Dairy: Milk and/or Yogurt (Try Soy milk and/or Greek Yogurt for a healthier smoothie)
- Flavor: Pumpkin Pie Spice, Cinnamon, Vanilla Extract (optional)
Now you can enjoy your pumpkin fix with a healthy, festive drink this fall.
What’s your favorite way to enjoy pumpkin this fall?
Ahhh! That is so awesome! I love smoothies, and I love the time of year when everything is pumpkin flavored. Great!
I’ve been working with my kids in the kitchen more, and my oldest is getting pretty adventurous. I know she’ll have a blast with pumpkin pie flavored ingredients, making a fun fall treat.
How could I forget the best fall flavor to mix into my smoothies? Changing that tomorrow morning!
Ooh, I’m totally craving that flavor right now. It would be fun to whip up a couple of these smoothies.
This looks so yummy! Perfect for fall after-school excitement too! 🙂
This sounds really good. I love smoothies and this is a fun fall twist on a food I usually associate with summer.
This sounds like the perfect fall drink. I am watching my calories, so this is a great way to get the pie flavor without the extra fat and calories! Yum!
Oh yum! That is the perfect time of year for this. Sounds delicious! I have to try it.
Finally, a pumpkin pie smoothie I can enjoy guilt free! Amazing! Thank you for sharing!
All the NOM! I My daughter has been a busy little smoothie bee recently since she started track practice again and this recipe is definitely going to get added to her recipe rotation- and hopefully she will let me be her taste- tester!
I prefer my fruit being frozen as well. It makes it also colder in order to drink right away.
I prefer my fruit being frozen as well. It makes it also colder in order to drink right away.
I love to start my day with a delicious smoothie. I am always looking for healthy versions. I will have to give this a try tomorrow.
This smoothie looks so delicious. I am definitely make them for my kiddies and myself!
A pumpkin pie smoothie? wait until I tell my mom, she’s gonna want to try this asap. We love smoothies and I like to find fun and interesting recipes. This couldn’t be any more perfect for fall. My favorite way to enjoy pumpkin is pumpkin pie.
its definitely pumpkin pie/spice season. I didnt think about having it in a smoothie like this.
This is such a great idea! My son loves pumpkin pie and eats a smoothie every morning for breakfast! I bet he’d be over the moon if he could start his day with a pumpkin pie drink.