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.
Richa@HobbyandMore says
just a few sunny mornings left in seattle.. basil is super cute!.. if u bump into a fluffy black and tan pom wit a white and black bushy tail carrying a tennis ball.. that would be our chewie.. the only pom in belltown/downtown area who carries his tennis ball:) ..
I am at Western and Vine.. a block from the piers.. give me a holler on betit19 on twitter if you are passing by on your way to the sculpture park! 🙂 we'd love to meet u!
Kris | iheartwellness.com says
Awwww little Basil....Hudson always finds the most random sun spots in the condo. Sometimes he's in my den under my desk, sometimes he's pinned himself behind the couch and the window. Funny sun lover!
Mmmmm I love smoothies!!!! I always take them to go with me!
xxoo
Tiffany says
Definitely bring food on the road with me. I also have a little travel pack that I take with me whenever I fly with a bar, gummy bears and granola just in case I get stranded somewhere and don't want to pay a ridiculous amount of money for food.
And because I'm random.....I now have the visual of you chilling in a rest stop blending a smoothie together while hoards of people walk by you thinking "Is she really blending a smoothie here at the rest stop?" Could be a business-just sayin 🙂
PS-I guess I really want you to open up your business since I keep throwing the idea out there!
Horizon At Fleetwood says
This pumpkin smoothie looks like a delicious way to celebrate the fall while also getting a healthy dose of protein!
Yadsia @ShopCookMake says
Such a cute dog, I wanna pinch those ears! The smoothie looks good too.
spabettie says
thank you, Yadsia! 😀 Basil enjoys his spinach too...
Megan - Best of Fates says
I'm envious of Basil - I want to sit in the sun and have someone bring me a smoothie!
spabettie says
he's pretty much got it made, right? 😉
katie says
I SO wish I could pack my vita mix with me on vacation! I mean if drivingI can, but no good with flying!
Oh I want to see Basil in his costume!!! I thought you would have it packed ; )
spabettie says
well, yeah, I only take the Vita in the car... never have on the plane (yet!) 😉 did you not see Basil's costume before?? --> Basil turtle <-- I'll see if I have any left on my phone from this trip, I think somethings were not transferred from bluetooth...
Lauren @ Oatmeal after Spinning says
I always ALWAYS bring food when I travel. Whether it's a road trip or somewhere that I travel to on an airplane, I HAVE to have my essentials and healthy options with me. I usually bring apples, bananas, a few different bars, nuts and dried fruit. Whenever we visit my father-in-law in Boston, I bring all the essential ingredients for oatmeal as well. I don't bring any appliances with me though. 🙂 But, I did used to travel with a sound machine before I found a trusty app on my phone for it!
About the smoothie- I make punkin' smoothies all the time- I love them! But, I always freeze the pumpkin puree (which requires pre-planning of course). Do you ever do that?
spabettie says
you sound like me - air travel requires snacks, and I always bring the exact same! I've never really enjoyed airplane food (although sometimes I'm surprised!!), so I've always brought my own.
you know, I've been meaning to freeze my pumpkin!! I love to use frozen fruit in smoothies in place of having to use ice, so it would seem natural to do it with the pumpkin too! I'm just so used to (almost) always having pumpkin in the fridge, I use it a lot. I'm going to freeze some tonight! 😀
Lindsay @ Lindsay's List says
I can't say that I bring SPINACH with me when traveling, but definitely have protein powder in the car/diaper bag. And I always have an almond/raisin mix on hand!
spabettie says
what, spinach too much? 😀 usually I just go shopping when I arrive, but... it's less than a 3 hour drive and I already had it. 😉
Nichole says
I am going to book a ticket and come take Basil on a weekend getaway. Aww, missing my baby now, lol.
Glad your back and refreshed!
Packing clothes is enough to take hours, I can't imagine something as creative as this. You've one up'd me here:)
spabettie says
aww... I know. he's coming soon, right? sweet little guy. <3 Basil sends love and full body wags to you in the meantime...