Is it simply me, or does it feel certainly essential that something pumpkin-y enter your body at the first hint of fall? In my house, this earns a repeat all things pumpkin; pumpkin donuts, pumpkin mac & cheese, pumpkin oatmeal cookies, and of course, this memorable Pumpkin Smoothie. It’s the dependable way to start an autumn morning!

This earns a repeat making and trying out all sorts of pumpkin recipes. If you happen to have some pumpkin puree and you are not sure what to do with it, try this pumpkin pie smoothie! It’s made with nutritious ingredients, added protein, and turns out creamy and satisfying.

Why you’ll love this method

Includes your regular fall flavors! Creamy pumpkin puree and warming pumpkin pie spice come together to make one striking fall shake!
Packed with protein. Get a protein fix with a scoop protein powder! You can use any go-to brand of protein, make it plant-based for a vegan-friendly option!
Speedy & straightforward. All you need is a blender and you can whip this up in 5 minutes, with only a handful of ingredients needed.

Ingredients needed

This flavorful pumpkin smoothie is all about flavor! Who doesn’t love pumpkin pie spice this time of year? This dish is naturally sweetened, has an memorable boost of protein, fiber and healthy fats, and is the dependable breakfast or snack. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:

Pumpkin puree. For extra creaminess, I recommend using frozen pumpkin puree. Freeze it in ice cube trays the night before.
Cauliflower florets. The reliable way to sneak in extra veggies and thicken your shake. You won’t taste it at all!
Milk. You can use any milk you’d like (dairy free or regular) to thin the smoothie and help it blend up well.
Sweetener. Use agave, maple syrup or honey to naturally sweeten your drink.
Nut butter. A little almond, cashew or peanut butter adds healthy fats and extra creaminess.
Protein powder. Ideally, opt for a good quality protein powder that is minimally processed and doesn’t have a lot of added sugar.
Pinch of salt. To intensify all of the flavors.
Pumpkin pie spice. For that familiar pumpkin pie flavor! If you don’t happen to have pumpkin pie spice, substitute with ground cinnamon.

Ingredients for a pumpkin smoothie divided into small bowls.

How for this method

This dish couldn’t be easier! Simply add all of your ingredients (and any optional mix-ins) to a high-powered blender and blend it until it’s smooth and creamy. You can add more liquid, a couple tablespoons at a time, as needed to get the blender going. Feel free to add some fun toppings, too, like whipped cream, granola and/or pepitas (pumpkin seeds).

Adding cubed pumpkin and milk to a blender.

Tips for recipe success

Use frozen fruits & veggies. Using frozen pumpkin puree and cauliflower will help the smoothie blend up truly cold and thick. Ice typically doesn’t blend particularly well and can make your smoothie watery, so it’s go-to to skip adding ice.
Add more liquid. If your smoothie is too thick and you’re having trouble getting it fully blended, feel free to add more milk a couple of tablespoons at a time.
Start on low speed. It works go-to to start your blender on low speed, then gradually increase the speed to high to fully blend all of the ingredients. End with the blender back on low speed.

Frequently asked questions

Variations

Because there are plenty of simple ingredients in this pumpkin protein smoothie recipe, it’s straightforward to customize with your fav add-ins or swaps! Here’s some options:

Swap your produce. If you don’t have any pumpkin, you could use roasted butternut squash or sweet potato instead!
Add in extras. For a boost of nutrients, feel free to add a tablespoon of flaxseed meal, chia seeds or hemp seeds.
Make it vegan. Use your regular dairy free milk, plant-based protein and agave or maple syrup to keep this smoothie vegan-friendly!