Healthy Pumpkin Smoothie

This easy Pumpkin Smoothie is made with simple and healthy ingredients such as banana, unsweetened pumpkin puree, chia seeds, plain yogurt, pumpkin spice, and maple syrup. Creamy and delicious, this kid-approved pumpkin smoothie recipe is the perfect fall treat and can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or even, dessert!

It is no secret that pumpkin, pumpkin spice, and pumpkin pie are a few of my favorite reasons to celebrate the cooler temperatures that arrive with autumn. So cozy and comforting, fall would be incomplete without my favorite sweet and savory pumpkin recipes, including these Veggie Burgers and Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies.

So, when my 4-year-old asked for a smoothie, I decided to surprise him with a creamy, pumpkin-spiced, banana and maple syrup-sweetened pumpkin smoothie. A huge smoothie fan, I wasn’t sure what my most critical recipe tester would think of the new flavor. Pumpkin pie isn’t his jam, so I knew this would be a gamble.

You guys, he drank nearly the whole thing. Not a whole serving. But the whole entire pumpkin-smoothie-filled-blender. He now requests this “orange smoothie” daily.

Ingredients

To make this healthy pumpkin smoothie recipe, gather the following ingredients,

• Milk – Use your fav, soy, dairy, almond, you get the picture.
• Pumpkin puree – Homemade or canned, anything goes. You can also substitute with butternut squash or acorn squash puree.
• Yogurt – I recommend plain yogurt as flavored yogurt is packed full of sugar. That said, feel free to add whatever you love.
• Banana – For best results, freeze your banana ahead of time.
• Chia seeds – Chia seeds will also make your smoothie extra thick and creamy.
• Pumpkin pie seasoning and Ground cinnamon – To get that pumpkin pie taste.
• Maple syrup – To sweeten just a little. Add more or less, to taste.
• Vanilla extract – optional.
• Ice – To keep it chilly.

Is this pumpkin smoothie healthy?

If you’re wondering how this smoothie can be both healthy and delicious, let me explain…

First, this pumpkin smoothie is sweet (thanks to the banana and maple syrup!), but it isn’t too sweet. In other words, does it have all the familiar flavors of real pumpkin pie? yes! Does it have so much sugar that all you can taste is, well, sugar? no.

In other words, healthy yet delicious.

And that is why I love this pumpkin smoothie recipe. It’s refreshing, comforting, and so super good for you.

Reasons why this pumpkin smoothie recipe is good for you.

1. Pumpkin is a squash, and squash is a vegetable. Translation: you’re drinking vegetables.
2. The recipe calls for plain yogurt. No, not vanilla or sugar-filled flavored yogurt, just plain, boring, regular yogurt. Although it lacks the added sugar from flavored yogurt, it is still amazing.
3. Chia seeds. Full of fiber and protein, chia seeds are a superfood and they’re in this pumpkin smoothie.
4. Banana. I don’t care what anyone says, bananas, in moderation, are good for you.

Does this pumpkin smoothie actually taste like pie?

I think this would depend on the pumpkin pie. I realize that this may seem like a silly question with an even sillier answer, but not all pumpkin pies are created equal.

A store-bought pumpkin pie would surely taste different than a pie I would bake in my own kitchen. Why? I would add less sugar to my pie.

With that said, this pumpkin smoothie absolutely tastes like pumpkin pie. Less sweet, yes. But sweet enough? Absolutely. Of course, should you desire a sweeter smoothie, simply add more maple syrup, banana, or swap out the plain yogurt for vanilla.

How to make a pumpkin smoothie

To make this pumpkin smoothie, simply add all the ingredients to your blender and process until smooth and super creamy. If you prefer a more liquid smoothie, simply add more milk. For a creamier smoothie, add additional yogurt or banana. This recipe makes 4 small or 2 large smoothies, but is easily modified should you wish to make more or less.

More pumpkin recipes,

• Persimmon Pumpkin Pudding Cake
• Healthy Pumpkin Banana Muffins
• Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodle Cookies
• Pumpkin French Toast Bake
• Thai Pumpkin Curry
• Thai Pumpkin Soup

If you try making this Pumpkin Smoothie Recipe, please leave me a comment and let me know! I always love to hear your thoughts.