Move over PSL - this quick and delicious Pumpkin Pie smoothie is how you get your pumpkin spice fix from now on!
The thing about pumpkin spice drinks is that there's rarely any real pumpkin puree in them. Instead, pumpkin spice flavouring is a delicious mix of warming cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves.
But this pumpkin spice smoothie recipe combines cosy autumn flavours with real pumpkin's authentic taste and textures.
The ingredients are much healthier than getting a heavily sweetened pumpkin spice latte - simply pumpkin puree, bananas, apples, agave syrup or honey, apple juice, coconut milk and pumpkin spice (or mixed spice if you're in the UK).
You might typically associate coconut milk (the canned kind, not the dairy milk replacement) with summertime, but here it adds such a nutty depth to the flavour and lends the added benefit of keeping this smoothie creamy, sweet and dairy-free.
Coconut milk also possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties, so it's a win win!
When it's dark and cold, I struggle to get excited about having a smoothie for breakfast. But the comforting flavours in this pumpkin spice smoothie will definitely have you reaching for your blender. It's like drinkable pumpkin pie!
The method for making this delicious breakfast smoothie couldn't be more simple. You simply pop all the ingredients into a blender, whizz it up, top with cream, and you're done!
This pumpkin spice smoothie recipe tastes SO decadent, that it works as a breakfast smoothie or as a light dessert.
If you want to give this healthy pumpkin pie smoothie recipe a try, the ingredients are listed below along with full instructions.
All you'll need for this healthy fall breakfast is a decent blender (a power blender is best) and some glasses for serving.
I hope you enjoy making this vegan pumpkin smoothie!
Ingredients
- 4 bananas peeled and halved
- 2 apples cored and cut into quarters
- 430 g (15.2 oz) pumpkin purée 1 can
- 1 tbsp pumpkin spice
- 2 tbsp agave syrup or honey if not vegan
- 500 ml (1.1 pt) apple juice chilled
- 400 g (14.1 oz) coconut milk 1 can
Instructions
Spoon all of the ingredients into the blender.
Whizz until smooth.
Pour into glasses, leaving some space at the top of the glass.
Top with coconut milk, poured over the back of a spoon so that it sits nicely on top of the smoothie.
Garnish with a sprinkle of pumpkin spice.
Add straws and serve!
Enjoy your creamy pumpkin pie smoothie - it really is all the best fall flavors in smoothie form!
Pointers, tricks and troubleshooting tips for the perfect Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
Is pumpkin pie smoothie easy to make?
Yes! This pumpkin smoothie recipe only takes a few minutes to prepare, and all you need is a blender and some cups to serve. So whether you want a snack or a quick and easy breakfast treat, you'll find it super easy to make your smoothie.
I've included plenty of photos and instructions below, but really all you need to do is put the correct amount of ingredients into a blender and mix it until it's smooth.
Will I need any special equipment to make delicious pumpkin pie smoothies?
No, you only need a blender to make this Pumpkin Pie Smoothie. You can use a food processor or even a hand-held mixer if you don't have one.
If you want to ensure your smoothie is extra smooth, you can pass it through a sieve before serving. This is probably unnecessary if you use canned puree and a power blender, but it could help if you use homemade pumpkin puree.
Where can I buy pumpkin puree?
Pumpkin puree is usually located in a supermarket's baking aisle or section. You can also find it on Amazon or from other online grocers.
What's the difference between pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie filling?
Pure pumpkin puree is simply cooked and mashed pumpkin. Pumpkin pie filling contains sweeteners and spices and is therefore not as versatile.
Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of pumpkin puree?
You can buy fresh pumpkins and cook them yourself if you can't find canned pumpkin puree. However, it's much easier to use canned puree, which is readily available in most supermarkets or you can find it on Amazon.
If you can't get any canned pumpkin puree, you can slow roast some large slices of pumpkin. Let them cool, peel the flesh from the skin and mix it into a puree in a blender.
Slow roasting (at around 160C or less) helps the sweetness develop as the starch in the pumpkin changes. Roasting large slices helps reduce the chance of the pumpkin burning or becoming hard. You don't want the pumpkin to caramelise too much, or you'll have hard bits of pumpkin in your smoothie.
But again, this isn't as convenient as using canned pumpkin puree, so try to find it if you can.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes! Pumpkin puree is a great ingredient for vegetarian and vegan recipes as it's packed with nutrients and has a lovely sweet flavour with no animal-derived products.
If you want to make this Pumpkin Pie Smoothie vegan, simply use agave syrup or honey instead of sugar.
Double check all of your ingredients labels to make sure to check that they are suitable for vegetarians. Also, don't forget to check anything extra you intend to serve with the smoothie is vegetarian.
Is this recipe suitable for vegans?
Yes! If you want to make your pumpkin spice smoothies vegan, simply use agave syrup instead of honey, as directed. Make sure you use pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling - as pie filling can contain milk powder.
Double check all of your ingredients labels to make sure to check that they are suitable for vegans. Remember, ensure anything extra you intend to serve with your pumpkin pie smoothie is suitable for vegans.
Is this Pumpkin pie smoothie Gluten-free?
This recipe should be completely gluten-free, but you might want to check the ingredients for the pumpkin puree to ensure that it is 100% pumpkin. It's the kind of ingredient where flour or some sort of thickener containing gluten could be included in a cheaper brand.
Double check all of your ingredients labels to make sure to check that they are gluten-free. Don't forget to check anything extra you intend to serve with the recipe.
Is this Pumpkin pie smoothie recipe keto-friendly?
No, this recipe contains too much natural sugar and carbohydrates to be suitable for a ketogenic diet, sorry!
Is this vegan pumpkin pie smoothie recipe healthy?
Pumpkin puree is a great ingredient for a healthy smoothie as it's packed with nutrients.
This Pumpkin Pie Smoothie recipe contains natural sugars, which some prefer. Those on a low-sugar diet could leave out the agave syrup / honey, but the smoothie would still contain sugars from the fruits.
Coconut milk naturally contains fat but has plenty of other health benefits and nutrients so I think it's a great addition to a healthy, balanced diet.
Is this Pumpkin Pie Smoothie safe to drink while pregnant?
Yes, this Pumpkin Pie Smoothie should be perfectly safe to drink while pregnant. It only contains fruit and natural sweetener from the honey/agave.
When cooking for a pregnant person, you should always ensure that your ingredients are in good condition.
A Mummy Too does not offer medical advice. Please seek help from a medical professional if you need further information or have any concerns.
Is Pumpkin Pie Smoothie suitable for babies and toddlers?
If you are making this for young children or babies, leave out the salt. The NHS explains why here.
Always give food at an appropriate size and shape for your baby or child. Cut small, round foods, like grapes and cherry tomatoes, into small pieces.
Always keep babies supported upright while eating and supervise your baby when they’re eating in case they start to choke.
A Mummy Too does not give medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to a health professional.
The NHS has some fantastic resources on their website on what to feed babies and young children.
Can I make this recipe without coconut milk?
If you don't like coconut, you could use a plain yogurt - non-dairy if you want to keep it vegan
Can I add extra pumpkin spice to this Pumpkin Pie Smoothie?
Yes, if you want your Pumpkin Pie Smoothie to have an extra pumpkin spice kick, feel free to add a little more! You could also try adding a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg on top.
How should I store this Pumpkin Pie Smoothie?
This smoothie is best enjoyed fresh, as it will probably begin to separate if you leave it sat in the fridge for a while. However, you can safely store it in the fridge and remix it when you want to serve it.
How long does this recipe keep?
This creamy smoothie should be enjoyed on the day of making.
Can I leave this Pumpkin Pie Smoothie out on the counter?
No, it's best if you drink your perfect smoothie as soon as you make it, or store it in the fridge.
Can I make this recipe ahead?
You can, but I wouldn't advise it. Smoothies tend to separate as the fibrous fruit flesh floats on the water in the smoothie. The fruit can also begin to turn brown as it oxidises. So you would need to shake or mix the smoothie again before serving, and it wouldn't look very nice.
Can I keep this recipe in the refrigerator?
Yes, Pumpkin Pie Smoothie will keep all day in the fridge. However, it may begin to separate, and the fruit can turn brown. So you would need to shake or mix the smoothie again before serving.
Can I freeze this Pumpkin Pie Smoothie?
Yes, you can freeze your smoothie once its blended and then blend it from frozen when you want to serve it.
I find it best to freeze smoothies in small portions in sandwich bags. Or you can freeze smoothies in a flat layer on a baking sheet. Then you can smash up the frozen sheet and put it into a freezer bag. Then when you want to make your smoothie, you can pop the portions or shards into a blender.
Can I make this recipe in a different quantity?
If you want to make more or less of this recipe, go right ahead! This recipe makes 6 Pumpkin Pie Smoothies using 4 bananas and 2 apples with coconut milk, juice and seasoning.
For one portion, use 2/3 of a banana, 1/3 of an apple, then roughly 70g pumpkin puree, 80ml apple juice and 70ml coconut milk. Season and sweeten as you prefer.
Multiply these amounts by however many smoothies you want to make.
Can I make this healthy pumpkin smoothie in a stand mixer such as a KitchenAid or Kenwood Mixer?
No, this recipe needs a blender. A stand mixer wouldn't break up the fruit enough for it to be a smoothie - it would be a lump-ie!
Can I make this creamy smoothie recipe with a food processor?
If your food processor is similar to a power blender, sure! You do need a decent motor on whatever gadget you use to get a pleasingly smooth consistency.
How can I make sure this pumpkin pie smoothie turns out perfectly?
To make sure your pumpkin pie smoothie turns out perfectly, here are a few pointers:
- Use ripe bananas for the best flavour and sweetness. If they're not quite ripe, you could add a little honey or maple syrup to sweeten.
- Choose apples that are sweet and juicy - I like to use Braeburn.
- Make sure your pumpkin puree is smooth and not lumpy.
- Add the liquid ingredients gradually to get the right consistency. You may not need to use all of the coconut milk, juice or water.
- If you want a thinner smoothie, add more liquid. If you want a thicker smoothie, add less liquid or add some ice cubes.
Enjoy your slice of pumpkin pie in a glass!
Why is my pumpkin pie smoothie so sweet?
If your smoothie is overly sweet, it may be that you used a can of pumpkin pie filling mixture instead of a can of pumpkin puree.
Pumpkin pie filling contains sweeteners or sugar plus pumpkin pie spices and is usually bulked out with milk or cream. Pumpkin puree is 100% pure pumpkin, which has been roasted and mashed into a puree. So if you use pumpkin pie filling for your smoothie, it will be overly sweet and overspiced.
Why is my pumpkin pie smoothie lumpy?
If your smoothie is lumpy, then it needs more mixing! If your blender is struggling, you may need to remove half of the mixture and blend it in two batches.
Why did my pumpkin pie smoothie taste bland?
If your smoothie tastes bland, it may be that you need to add more spices. I used 1 tbsp of pumpkin pie spices - a blend of nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger and cloves. That's 1 tablespoon, not 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice.
Spices that have been left open for a while can lose their flavour quite significantly.
If you added the right amount of spices and they weren't old, you may simply prefer a stronger taste of warm spices. If so, feel free to blend in more, little by little until you have the flavour you prefer.
I don't have apple juice; can I use something else?
Yes! If you don't have apple juice, you could try using pear juice or white grape juice instead.
Aim to use something that will complement, not clash with or overwhelm the pumpkin flavor.
My smoothie is too thin; what can I do?
If your pumpkin pie smoothie is too watery or thin, you can ice or extra fruit until you have the desired consistency. If you want a thinner smoothie, add more liquid.
How can I add/change the flavours in this vegan pumpkin smoothie?
If you want to add or change the flavours in this Pumpkin Pie Smoothie, here are some ideas:
- Add a handful of frozen spinach or kale for a nutrient boost.
- Swap the apple juice for another kind of fruit juice. Orange juice or even pear juice could work well. Just bear in mind it needs to complement the pumpkin spice and coconut flavour.
- Use 2 tsp ground cinnamon instead of pumpkin pie spice mix.
- Add some allspice to the smoothie for a more intense nutmeg-like flavour.
- Add 1/2 tsp fresh ginger for a more fiery flavour.
- Add a teaspoon of vanilla to boost the PSL vibes.
- You could add some extra coconut milk into the smoothie itself for a creamier texture. Soya milk, oat milk, almond milk or coconut milk drink would all work too.
- If you don't need the smoothie to be vegan, you could add whole milk, cream, plain greek yogurt or some vanilla greek yogurt. Note, however, you may find that dairy splits, due to the acidity of the fruit, so perhaps experiment with a smaller portion before adding to the whole batch.
- A tablespoon of nut butter such as almond butter or peanut butter could add a lovely nutty flavour to your smoothie as well as boosting the creamy texture.
- If you would like to naturally sweeten your smoothie a little more, you could blend in some brown sugar to add caramel tones, or some medjool dates (just be sure to remove the stones first!)
How can I convert this recipe to cups?
You could convert this smoothie recipe to cups by using a cooking calculator site. It shouldn't make much difference to the recipe's outcome, as you don't need to be as precise with a smoothie as you would with baking.
What is the origin of pumpkin spice?
Pumpkin spice is a blend of nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger and cloves, sometimes containing allspice. It's used to flavour Pumpkin Pie, among other things.
Pumpkin spice is believed to have originated in America sometime before the mid-1700s. The earliest record of these spices being used for a pie is from a 1798 reprint of the American cookbook American Cookery by Amelia Simmons. In the book, Simmons uses a blend of nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and allspice to season a 'Pompkin Pie'.
Since then, pumpkin spice has become a popular American flavour, especially over Thanksgiving. By the early 20th century, it was popular enough to be sold as a premixed blend.
No one is quite sure who added pumpkin spice to a latte, but it became an international favourite once Starbucks began selling the PSL.
According to Food and Wine Magazine, the Starbucks research and development team poured various kinds of espresso over different kinds of pumpkin pie to work out the best combination of seasoning, pumpkin flavour, coffee and steamed milk.
Weirdly, in 2015 Starbucks decided to start including real pumpkins in their PSL.
So if you have an espresso machine at home, you could try adding a shot to your smoothie, and it's almost a PSL. You could even incorrectly write your name on your glass for that true Starbucks experience!
Print this Pumpkin Pie Smoothie recipe
Pumpkin Pie Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 bananas peeled and halved
- 2 apples cored and cut into quarters
- 430 g (15.2 oz) pumpkin purée 1 can
- 1 tbsp pumpkin spice
- 2 tbsp agave syrup or honey if not vegan
- 500 ml (1.1 pt) apple juice chilled
- 400 g (14.1 oz) coconut milk 1 can
Instructions
- Spoon all of the ingredients except the coconut milk into the blender.
- Pour into glasses, leaving some space at the top of the glass.
- Top with coconut milk, poured over the back of a spoon so that it sits nicely on top of the smoothie.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of pumpkin spice.
- Add straws and serve!
Notes
Nutrition
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