Start the season off right with this pumpkin smoothie. It’s got the perfect blend of sweetness, as well as some warming spices. The fact that it tastes like a pumpkin pie in smoothie form will make you forget you’re drinking a green smoothie! Fall is my fav time of year, from the weather to the food. I can’t wait for you to try this smoothie and watch your day transform into the fall-est of fall experiences.
How to buy Pumpkin puree
Did you know that not all pumpkin puree is created equal? Even on a product as simple as this, don’t forget to check the ingredient list. Companies have been known to add in other squash as filler in their ‘pumpkin puree.’ Also, make sure to grab 100% pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. The pie filling can looks super similar, yet actually contains spices + sugar as it is meant for pie filling.
Homemade pumpkin puree for this pumpkin smoothie recipe
Making homemade pumpkin puree is also an option, and it can be frozen as well! Some say that pie pumpkins, or the cute, tiny ones you see at grocery stores, make the best puree. I’ve roasted some big ones and honestly can’t tell the difference.
To make puree, slice open a pumpkin from top the top stem to the bottom. Scoop out all the seeds, then place on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Drizzle the cut sides with a little olive oil, then place face down on the baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes, or until the pumpkin halves are soft. Scoop out the orange flesh from each pumpkin halve, and place in a cheese cloth. Squeeze out as much excess water as you can. I like to weigh out 15 oz batches when storing my puree, so that I can grab 1 to thaw for baking. This can be stored in mason jars or reusable silicone bags. Don’t forget to leave some puree out for this pumpkin smoothie!
Pumpkin smoothie ingredients
Even festive smoothies can be nutritious, and this pumpkin pie smoothie is no exception!
- Spinach: This leafy green is full of health benefits AND doesn’t affect the taste of the smoothie. Sure the smoothie is green, yet if you closed your eyes you’d have no clue. Spinach is a great leafy green to blend into smoothies for this very reason!
- Almond Milk: I use almond milk to create a creamy texture and also add a little bit of protein. Need to swap for another kind of plant milk? Whether it’s coconut, oat, or more, I’ve got you covered.
- Banana: This fruit is a great natural sweetener as well as helps make a creamy smoothie. They contain dopamine, which is an antioxidant that helps reduce free radicals.
- Mango: Frozen mango blends the pumpkin and banana together well. It’s also frozen which helps chill down this pumpkin smoothie.
- Pumpkin: This powerhouse ingredient contains 245% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin A. It is also 94% water, making it a great, low calorie option.
Pro tip: If you want to cut down the amount of sugar in this pumpkin smoothie recipe, then you can swap the 1/2 banana for 1/4 cup of cashews or cauliflower. This way your smoothie stays creamy, and your blood sugar stays happy.
Homemade Pumpkin Spice Blend
This pumpkin smoothie recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, which can be store bought or homemade. If you don’t have any on hand, then whip some up at home! My simple recipe includes:
- 1/4 cup ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom (optional)
Just add these spices to a jar and shake, then it’s ready to use. Don’t be afraid to adjust the spice amounts based on taste preferences. The cardamom adds a bit of complexity to the flavor of the mix, which I like. And, you can use this spice blend for other recipes too!
How to add pumpkin spice to everything
This spice blend is a super fun way to add fall flavor to a multitude of dishes. Here’s how (and where) I like to add it:
- Pumpkin pancakes: add it into the batter, sprinkle it on top of some coconut whipped cream, or mix it into the maple syrup.
- Protein bars: swap in pumpkin spice instead of the cinnamon, and use dates or raisins for the dried fruit. You can also swap in 1 cup of pumpkin puree for 1 cup of the mashed banana.
- Vanilla protein shake: add in 2 tsp of pumpkin spice to this smoothie recipe.
- Candied pecans: swap the cinnamon with this blend, then top that roasted sweet potato, salad, or smoothie with a decadent fall topping.
You can even add this spice blend to your coffee or oatmeal; just have fun with it! Does this pumpkin smoothie sound like something you want to try? Drop a comment to let me know!
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Stock your own kitchen with some pumpkin cheer! Pumpkin, particularly the flesh of the pumpkin, is packed with fiber (great for digestion and feeling fuller longer), vitamin A (great for your eyes), and iron (great for healthy blood). And when you blend it with the perfect combination of ingredients, this nutritious food turns into a deliciously-healthy treat. Autumn has never tasted and felt so good!
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- 1 cup almond milk (unsweetened)
- 1/2 cup pumpkin (unsweetened (canned or fresh))
- 1/2 banana
- 1/2 cup mango
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Blend spinach and almond milk until smooth.
- Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. Enjoy!
Keywords: pumpkin smoothie, pumpkin spice, pumpkin pie smoothie
from
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/recipes/pumpkin-smoothie
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