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.
Maryea {Happy Healthy Mama} says
I absolutely bring food on road trips. Especially since having a little one!
spabettie says
oh, I'm sure I'd pack even more if I had a kiddo! 🙂
Felicia (Natural + Balanced) says
i pretty much make the same pumpkin smoothie as yours above.. and to me it tastes like egg nog! loveee pumpkin smoothies.
and my doxie loves the sun, he'll find any place to lay just to stay warm. must be nice! 🙂
spabettie says
Basil is such a sun pup... he will lay in a patch of sun all afternoon. (yep, must be nice!). I add pumpkin to smoothies a lot, but this time of year, yeah, gotta make it taste seasonal! 😀
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
Ha! DO I bring food on trips? I've been thinking more about what snacks I'll back for Foodbuzz this weekend than what I'm going to wear. 🙂
I cannot believe that during the whole VeganMoFo I so neglected your blog...so happy to be back! [And you would have been proud of me yesterday when I had to do a live cooking demo at work and I made Vegan Pumpkin Mousse!!!]
spabettie says
yay, there you are! too busy MoFo-ing to read? 😀 good to see you! and I am SO excited you're taking vegan to the cooking demos! you don't even have to tell people, just do it! 😀 yay!
have fun at foodbuzz!!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
I wish it were acceptable to follow sunshine from room to room and lay in it like dogs do. They've got quite the life, no?
I bring nut butter packets wherever I go and sometimes chia seeds 🙂
spabettie says
I know - dogs do have it pretty good - this one does, at least. 😀 and he LOVES the sun. he'd sit out in the sun all day during the summer... yes - nut butter packets! last month my dad was in the hospital and I was hungry... I ate a nut butter packet and got a couple looks... 😉
Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers says
I still haven't tried agave sweetener. I need to get on that...
spabettie says
I love it! although now I hear people saying agave isn't good. pssshhh. whatever. 😉
Heather (Where's the Beach) says
Sounds so good - almost like a treat rather than something healthy. I don't take any appliances, but always have food with me.
spabettie says
I only take my blender when it's easy... and I'm not fanatical about it, I do eat regular food... I just LOVE my morning smoothie! 😀 (I stop at bringing my juicer...)
Curt says
Ah, it's the spinach. I was wondering why it was green and not pumpkin colored.
Awesome! A glorious thing!
spabettie says
yes - spinach! can't even taste it but you can feel it - SO much energy! 😀
Curt says
Yea yea, okay Popeye! 🙂
spabettie says
haa! 😉
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
I opened this post after seeing the title expecting to see an orange shake...and it's green. You're keeping me on my toes 🙂
spabettie says
sure am! 😉 almost always green around here...
Christin@purplebirdblog says
Hahaha I thought the same thing, Averie!! 😀
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
I take food literally everywhere I go! Tony used to call them my hobo snacks, but now that his options are limited he packs some too! I need that smoothies! I just worked out and now I need super fuel! Have fun and relax on your trip. Steal some of that sun from Basil!
spabettie says
hobo snacks, ha! it's good, though, and I bet Tony has benefited from you having snacks available when he is hungry!! 😀 and I definitely shared the sun with Basil...
Abby says
I'm with Basil, in that I chase sunshine and good (easy) vegan food 😉
And although I don't vacation, I do travel for work and make sure to take staples with me. Most hotels don't have a fridge, but I bring Larabars, almonds, oatmeal, dried fruit, shredded wheat, etc. to fill in the gaps. Truth be told, I make room for these things before my shoes in my bags. No shame!
spabettie says
well, I can't say I don't think about my shoes, too, but... equally as much as the food, I suppose! 😉