This protein rich spinach pumpkin smoothie is the best breakfast or post workout - 5 ingredients you probably have in your kitchen right now.
recipe originally published November 1, 2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Spinach Pumpkin Smoothie
This Pumpkin Smoothie will have you in the mood for fall and holidays with its sweet spiced flavors.
All the warm spice of pumpkin pie in a healthy smoothie, perfect for breakfast or a snack. This smoothie is great for any time of the year although it has all the flavors of the perfect fall and winter smoothie.
This Pumpkin Smoothie tastes like a dessert while still being the perfect jump start on your nutrition for the day. Spinach is so mild in flavor, the rest of the short ingredient list really come through.
How To Make A Pumpkin Smoothie
As with most of my smoothie recipes, all the ingredients in this recipe are blender ready as is - a quick and easy, no prep breakfast.
Smoothies are meant to be a quick meal to where you get your nutrients that you need while skipping all the time it takes to prepare a snack or breakfast.
You can have this Pumpkin Smoothie in minutes! Simply take all the ingredients, toss them into a blender, blend until smooth, pour into a glass or to go container, and enjoy.
I've even been caught drinking straight from the blender jar...
Tips For The Best Pumpkin Smoothie
- Adjust the amounts of the ingredients to suit your tastes. Some like more spinach and some like less. I prefer the larger amount of spinach because I want the nutritional advantages, and you really can't taste it.
- If you don’t have any vanilla protein on hand, you can replace it with another vegan gluten free protein powder. We love the vanilla flavor in this, it just adds another layer of cozy flavor. (see ingredient variations to replace the protein powder altogether.)
- Note that this recipe serves two. If you only need one serving, cut the recipe in half.
- If you do not have Pumpkin Pie Spice on hand, use a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger if you have it.
Pumpkin Puree vs Pumpkin Pie Mix
What is the difference between pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie mix?
This Pumpkin Smoothie recipe calls for pumpkin puree which is found in just about any grocery store. Look in the baking aisle, the cans of pumpkin puree are usually on the bottom shelf for some reason. Pumpkin puree is simply pumpkin that has been turned into a mash with a consistency of a thick mashed potatoes.
There are no added ingredients (make sure to not grab the pumpkin pie mix which is often placed next to the pumpkin puree). This one is 100% pumpkin, in a softer consistency rather than solid.
Pumpkin Pie Mix is the filling that is basically ready to go - it is sweetened and has all the spices included.
Pumpkin puree is something I enjoy year round, and always have it in my pantry. Pumpkin themed everything happens in the fall and winter months, and I am here to celebrate all of it. If you love it too, this Pumpkin Smoothie is for you!
Benefits of this smoothie
This smoothie is a nutrient packed powerhouse that sticks with you! Smoothies themselves have many benefits - smoothies with simple recipes are easy to digest, portable, and quick to make.
Ingredient specific benefits include:
- Pumpkin: some call it a superfood, and with good reason. nutrient dense, fiber rich, low calorie, high in antioxidants and vitamins A and C.
- Spinach: also nutrient dense and fiber rich, also high in vitamins A and C. rich in iron and vitamin K. protein and all of the essential amino acids make spinach a superfood, too.
Ingredient Variations
- Protein: dairy free vanilla yogurt or protein powder are my top choices for this smoothie. If you have a favorite vanilla protein powder, use that. If you really don't like using protein powder, I suggest a dairy free vanilla yogurt instead. This recipe has so few ingredients, leaving out the yogurt or protein powder without replacing it would definitely change the flavor and consistency.
- Sweetener: Lately, I reach for dates or date syrup as my lower glycemic sweetener. Your favorite will likely work with this smoothie recipe - banana, maple syrup, monk fruit, agave.
- Spinach: the baby greens in this smoothie definitely add extra protein and nutrients, but you can omit the spinach if you don't like it or don't have any on hand. The color will change, the protein count will be less, but the flavor shouldn't change too much:
Vegan Pumpkin Breakfast Recipes
- Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal: topped with a Golden Cashew Cream, this make ahead breakfast is nutrient and flavor rich. Meal prep breakfast for the whole week!
- Maple Pumpkin Overnight Oats: one quick and easy option for busy weekday mornings. enjoy these overnight oats right out of the fridge, or after a quick warm up.
- Pumpkin Spice Chia Pudding: the other fast breakfast for mornings when you have limited time, but know breakfast is important. making each component takes about a minute the night before.
- Pumpkin Bread French Toast: for a leisurely weekend or brunch with friends. bake a few loaves of Pumpkin Bread - one to snack on, a couple to French toast. (yes, it's a verb.)
- Pumpkin Quinoa Porridge: a hearty protein rich breakfast option with pumpkin, quinoa, maple, and coconut. stove top, crock pot, or rice cooker - your kitchen will smell delicious!
- Pumpkin Pancakes: who doesn't love a pumpkin spiced stack for breakfast on a cold weekend morning? I'd leave my blanket cocoon for these.
- Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls: sweet and soft pumpkin rolls with vanilla icing? that are vegan AND gluten free? swoon. you had me at good morning.
Did You Make This Pumpkin Smoothie Recipe?
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Pumpkin Smoothie
nutrient dense and protein packed, a quick and easy smoothie is a great way to begin your day (or as a post workout snack).
Ingredients
- 16 ounces (2 cups) water or dairy free milk
- 6-8 ounces dairy free yogurt or 2 scoops vanilla protein
- 2-3 large handfuls spinach (1-2 packed cups)
- ¾ cup pumpkin puree
- 2 tablespoons sweetener (date paste, 3-4 Medjool dates, maple syrup)
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
- Add water and yogurt or protein powder to blender. Blend until smooth.
- Add spinach, pumpkin puree, sweetener, and pumpkin pie spice. Continue to blend until smooth.
- Optional: Add a few ice cubes for a colder smoothie.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2Serving Size:
2 cupsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 378Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 275mgCarbohydrates: 13gNet Carbohydrates: 6gFiber: 7gSugar: 12gProtein: 44g
nutrition calculations results vary by calculator, are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to replace medical advice or treatment.
about Kristina:
Kristina is spabettie! She found cooking at an early age, and created spabettie in 2010 to share vegan recipes. Kristina turned her culinary training into sharing vibrant vegan food! Read more...
spabettie / Kristina Sloggett is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Pat says
this was delicious and kept me going all morning!
Sandy says
looks delicious!
Katie says
I crave smoothies on an hourly basis. I'm always looking for new ideas - the good news is that I have ALL of this on hand. Breakfast tomorrow! (Or late night snack tonight. Dang blender, I wish it wasn't so loud, I'm afraid to wake the baby.)
Pure2raw twins says
Basil is so cute!!
And oh yes we always travel with food 🙂
Erika Luna says
What if you aren't able to get ahold of some vanilla protein? What else would you suggest?
spabettie says
Hi Erika, if you do not want to add protein, this would be good without - perhaps add a banana for some natural sweetness and 'bulk'.