Vegan Pumpkin Pie Smoothie (No Banana)

A satisfying vegan pumpkin pie smoothie recipe made without any banana! Each glass has 27 grams of plant protein, plenty of nutrients and will keep you feeling full for hours—learn how to make it in just 5 minutes with healthy ingredients. Vegan, gluten free and soy free.

Why You’ll Love This Smoothie

• Has 27 grams of protein
• High in antioxidants
• Made without banana

Sometimes you just don’t want the flavour of banana in your smoothie, but you still want a thick and creamy result. This vegan pumpkin pie smoothie achieves just that! It’s not only creamy but also perfectly sweet, spicy and savoury all at once. It tastes just like a pumpkin pie in a glass and it provides many health benefits. This smoothie makes a great post-workout snack in the autumn because it’s in high protein!

This smoothie uses frozen pumpkin puree as the base ingredient. Take note not to freeze canned pumpkin pie filling mistakenly, we will be using plain pumpkin puree in this recipe. Homemade or store-bought canned puree both work equally well for this yummy smoothie.

Pumpkin is an orange winter squash high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It is particularly high in vitamins A and C, both of which strengthen the immune system, fight infections and improve wound healing. There is also lots of potassium in pumpkin which makes this smoothie great for heart health. Potassium can lower blood pressure, prevent heart disease and may even stop bad cholesterol from oxidizing.

Cinnamon and other spices found in pumpkin pie spice mixes have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which means they lower oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress leads to chronic diseases when it builds up over time. Incorporating spices, nuts, seeds, and vegetables like pumpkin in your diet is a great way to get plenty of antioxidants. Cinnamon is also known to help regulate blood sugar levels.

Ingredients Needed

These are the ingredients you will need to make this vegan pumpkin pie smoothie.

Ground cinnamon: Deepens the spiced flavour and benefits blood sugar levels after eating.

Pumpkin pie spice: The key ingredient in achieving the spiced pumpkin pie taste!

Himalayan salt: Balances out the sweetness and brings depth to the other ingredients.

Almond butter or pecans: Adds a rich creaminess when combined with the frozen ingredients. Use whichever option you prefer the taste of.

Protein powder: Any favourite vanilla vegan protein powder, just make sure the protein powdered is a sweetened type. This is important because the base of this smoothie is made from pumpkin, which is not especially sweet.

Maple syrup: Sweetens the smoothie to make it taste just like pumpkin pie! Don’t skip the maple syrup because pumpkin is not very sweet tasting on its own.

Frozen pumpkin puree cubes: Spoon any canned or homemade pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) into an ice cube tray and allow to fully freeze before using. This usually takes 6-8 hours, remember to freeze it overnight so it’s ready to use for breakfast!

Oat milk: The liquid that brings all of the other ingredients together to blend smoothly and adds a creamy consistency.

For ingredient amounts and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Benefits

Hydrating

Staying properly hydrated is a basic requirement for optimal health. By incorporating daily smoothies you can maintain your ideal hydration level more easily. Start each morning with a smoothie for easy hydration!

High fibre

Easily get more fibre in your every day diet! In addition to being generally healthy, getting enough fibre can be extremely helpful for weight loss as it helps keep you feeling full for longer, without adding calories. Fibre also helps improve our gut health.

Nutrient dense

Vegan smoothies are a great way to get more nutrient rich foods in each day. By blending them into a single meal, it’s super quick, easy and fun! Choose ingredients like dark leafy greens, berries, nuts, seeds and fruits to make your smoothies nutrient rich.

Variations

Make it without protein powder

For a protein-powder free version of this smoothie double the amount of maple syrup and add 1 tsp of vanilla extract or bean.

Try an alternative plant milk

This recipe uses oat milk but you can try using any plant based milk you prefer. Some alternatives include soy, almond or cashew! You can also make your own plant milk from scratch in a blender.

Adjust the consistency

If you prefer a thicker consistency you can try the recipe using a bit less liquid than what is suggested. If you want a thinner consistency, try adding a bit of extra liquid to the recipe.

Instructions

• Add all ingredients to blender.

• Start blending at low speed for 5-10 seconds. Increase to high speed and blend for 1-2 minutes. Use the blender tamper to push ingredients down towards the blades.

• Pour into a glass and serve your vegan pumpkin pie smoothie.

Prep & Blending

Add ingredients in the correct order

Always add liquid ingredients to your blender first. Then add powders, nut butters, nuts and seeds. Then add fresh greens and fresh fruit. Finally add your solid ingredients like frozen fruit. If using a small blender container with a twist on lid, reverse the order so that when you turn the container over to blend the frozen ingredients are farthest away from the blades.

Use a tamper

Push ingredients down towards the blades while blending using the tamper that comes with your blender. This helps to avoid thick smoothies from getting stuck, so you don’t have to stop blending and scrape down the sides of the container.

Don’t over blend

Try to blend your smoothie for less than a couple of minutes. If blended for too long, even thick smoothies will become thin. This is because the heat generated by the blades and motor of the blender heat up your ingredients while they are being blended.

Use a high power blender

For smoothies that have a perfectly smooth and creamy texture use a high powered blender such as a Vitamix. It can break down any ingredients to much finer particles than standard blenders, and more nutrients are released. A high speed blender also reduces the time you need to blend your recipe, which helps keep it nice and cold.

Chill your glass

By placing your smoothie glass in the freezer for a few moments you can help your smoothie stay cool for longer. This is especially helpful if you’re in a hot climate. Pop it into the freezer while you are prepping and blending, then take it out when it’s time to pour your finished smoothie!

FAQ’s

Can I make this smoothie without frozen pumpkin puree?

No, to get a refreshing and creamy result the pumpkin puree needs to be frozen. Yes, it is an extra step to freeze the puree in an ice cube tray but it’s completely worth it. Using non frozen pumpkin puree will result in a warm, thin smoothie that isn’t nearly as satisfying.

Can I lose weight with smoothies?

Smoothies are an excellent weight loss food! This is because they are generally lower calorie and higher in fibre and nutrients. Due to high water content, the large volume of a smoothie helps your stomach to feel satiated. And the fibre keeps you feeling full for longer, without feeling weighed down or tired like a huge meal would.

Can smoothies be refrigerated?

Smoothies are best enjoyed immediately after blending, while they are freshest. However you can refrigerate most smoothies for 1-2 days in an airtight container such as a jar.

Can I make smoothies without a high speed blender?

Yes, you can still make smoothies with a regular blender. It might take more patience depending on the recipe, but it can work. Turn off the blender to scrape down the sides of the container, and secure the lid before continuing to blend. Repeat as needed. Alternatively you can add a small amount of additional liquid to the recipe, which should help.

How can I increase the protein?

If you wish for your smoothie to have a higher protein content, you can simply add (more) protein powder to the recipe. Plain unsweetened plant based protein will work in any smoothie. Alternatively you can try adding hemp seeds or even silken tofu.

Related

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Healthy Pumpkin Pie Smoothie Bowl

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