Creamiest Pumpkin Pie Smoothie Recipe

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie is thick, creamy, and incredibly flavorful, the best way to tame a sinful pie craving healthily and deliciously.

With just a few ingredients, this will be your go-to smoothie during pumpkin season. My family tried it and gave it 5 stars for deliciousness and for how easy it is to make. With just some pumpkin, a frozen banana, yogurt, milk, and a few spices, you can have this yummy pumpkin pie smoothie ready in minutes.

There is no need to add sugar and other sweeteners because the banana, pumpkin, and yogurt are sweet enough. It makes the perfect post-workout snack if you add some protein powder. Another way I enjoy it is for a fast breakfast on the go. Just pour it into a to-go cup instead of coffee.

I perfected the recipe by finding the ingredients that would make it the richest and creamiest. Coconut milk has a lot of good fats in it that make it dense, and the frozen banana thickens it without adding water like ice does. The almond butter and yogurt add richness and creaminess.

What’s more, the simple recipe makes it inexpensive so it can be doubled or tripled to more people. If there are leftovers, freeze them in an ice cube tray for future smoothies.

Why you will love this recipe

• Take care of those pumpkin cravings fast: There is no need to bake a pie or head to Starbucks, just make one of these smoothies really quick and take care of that craving. For now.
• It is healthy as well as delicious: With just pure pumpkin, a banana, yogurt, unsweetened coconut milk, and almond butter, there is no extra sugar or sweeteners.
• It’s so easy to make with just a blender: To make this delicious drink, a blender is all that is needed.
• Leftovers can be frozen: Although the recipe only makes one serving, if it is doubled or tripled for serving to friends or family, there may be leftovers. Just put them in a freezer-safe container and they can be frozen for up to a month.

What you’ll need to make pumpkin pie smoothie

Special items:

• Blender – I recommend a high-speed blender, but any blender will do.

Ingredients:

• Frozen banana – One large frozen banana is better for thickening than ice because it does not add water. Also, it gives the smoothie a delicious flavor boost.
• Pumpkin puree – Canned pumpkin puree is fine, but I like to use my own pumpkin puree recipe. It is easy and tastes much fresher. Do not use pumpkin pie mix. It has too much sugar and additives making the nutritious smoothie not so nutritious. 
• Vanilla Greek yogurt – Any brand of Greek yogurt will do. I prefer Chobani because it is rich and thick, has a real vanilla bean flavor, and is made with cane sugar. 
• Unsweetened canned coconut milk – Other milks will work but coconut milk will give it the creamiest texture because of its higher fat content.
• Almond butter – I like almond butter in my smoothie because it has a nutty flavor with incredible creaminess.
• Vanilla extract – For the best flavor and most intense vanilla taste, use 100% pure vanilla extract rather than vanilla flavoring.
• Pumpkin pie spice – With cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger, this is the ultimate flavoring for a pumpkin pie smoothie. The easiest recipe to make your own is 3 tablespoons of ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons of ground ginger, 2 teaspoons of nutmeg, 1.5 teaspoons of ground cloves, and 1.5 teaspoons of ground allspice. Mix it all together and it will stay fresh in a jar for six months.

How to make pumpkin pie smoothie from scratch?

1. Mix the ingredients: To begin, I pour the coconut milk into the blender. Then, I add the pumpkin puree, almond butter, and yogurt before I chop the frozen banana into thirds and place it on top. The vanilla, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice follow.
2. Blend and serve: After, I blend it from low to high speed until it is smooth and creamy.
3. Serve: Then it goes into a glass to be enjoyed right away.

Expert tip

How to blend the best smoothie

First, make sure the liquid goes in first. Then, rather than tossing everything into the blender and punching the button on high, it is better to start out on a low speed and work up to high. Starting slow lets the ingredients fall into the blades, so they get blended more evenly for a smoother texture. Putting it on high speed right away will make it splash around, making it waterier.

Blending tough ingredients is easier when gradually increasing the speed as well, especially when mixing frozen fruit. Another good reason to start slow is because it helps to create a vortex to pull the ingredients down into the blades for better blending. Mixing it at full speed from the beginning can cause a traffic jam of sorts where the ingredients get stuck. It will also keep the mixture from being splashed out of the blender, making a big mess.

As you raise the speed, if it starts to struggle, dial it back a little bit and let it continue to mix at a slower speed for a little bit longer. If greens or fibrous vegetables are added, it can make things take longer. Don’t be worried about overmixing. It is usually not a problem. And if it gets too thin, add some more banana.

Recipe variations and add-ins:

• Make it crunchy: Toss some roasted pumpkin seeds on top of this sweet smoothie for a crunchy drink.
• Go nuts: Another way to add some crunch is to top it with chopped nuts. Try walnuts or pecans.
• Spice it up: Sometimes I add some other herbs and spices like cardamom, peppermint, sage, lavender, mace, and star anise.
• Heat it up: Adding some heat will make this an intense and delicious smoothie for spicy food lovers.
• More juice: Squeeze in some citrus juice to give this pumpkin smoothie a kick.
• Greens: Give it a nutritious boost by adding some kale or spinach.
• Ground flaxseed meal: For more fiber and minerals, add a tablespoon of flaxseed meal. Another way to add fiber and healthy fats is with a tablespoon of chia or hemp seeds.
• More protein: Add one scoop of your favorite protein powder for more protein. Vanilla protein powder would be delicious.
• No dairy: Along with your non-dairy milk, use dairy-free yogurt for a dairy-free smoothie recipe.
• Plain Greek yogurt: Instead of regular yogurt, use plain or vanilla Greek yogurt for a thick and creamy smoothie with less fat and calories.
• Add cheese: Another way to make your morning smoothies healthier is to use cottage cheese instead of yogurt.
• Maple syrup: Add a little maple syrup for more sweetness.

Serving suggestions:

• Enjoy this drink with a tall stack of pumpkin cheesecake pancakes for an autumn breakfast.
• The kids love it with this pumpkin poke cake infused with white chocolate and topped with caramel and pecans.
• Make a whole pitcher of this delicious drink and serve it to your friends at brunch with pumpkin muffins, scones, and cupcakes.
• Instead of breakfast, try it as dessert after a meal of pumpkin pot roast. The tender beef with pineapple, pumpkin, and peppers can be served with veggies and potatoes too.
• Top with a scoop of whipped cream for an absolutely delicious but still healthy pumpkin pie smoothie.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my pumpkin pie smoothie bitter?

This is a sign of high levels of cucurbitacins, which can be bad for anyone who eats them. Curcubits can come from domesticated pumpkins and other squash or spread from insects. Bitter pumpkin puree can cause intestinal irritation that can last for several days so just toss it in the trash and start over. If making your own pumpkin puree, overripe pumpkin can also cause bitter puree. Be sure to taste it before adding it to the smoothie.

How do I make my pumpkin pie smoothie thicker?

If the smoothie is too thin, add another frozen banana or other fibrous fruits. Some of these include pears, apples, strawberries, guava, kiwi, blackberries, and raspberries. Avocados, sweet potatoes, and spinach are also some great choices. It can also be thickened with some protein powder, which will also add a good amount of protein as well. Chia seeds or flax seeds will also do the trick. But do not add too much or they will cause the drink to gel.

Why did my smoothie separate?

If it is not blended well, it can cause excess layering. That is why it is important to add the coconut milk first. Then the soft ingredients like the pumpkin puree, yogurt, and almond butter. The other reason this may happen is if it sits too long. Make sure the ingredients stay in the refrigerator and freezer until you are ready to begin. Gelling is another issue. If flax, chia, or blueberries are added, they can cause a jelly-like substance because of the pectin. This can be remedied by stirring.

Why is my pumpkin pie smoothie watery?

If using homemade pumpkin puree, it is likely the culprit. Some pumpkins have more liquid than others. It is important to get all of the excess liquid out of the puree before using it in the smoothie. For the best results, strain it through a cheesecloth or fine mesh sieve lined with paper towels. Put the strainer over a bowl and let it drain for about one to two hours or until it is the desired consistency. Placing a heavy can on top of the cheesecloth to weigh it down can also help.

How to store leftovers:

• Refrigerate: This recipe makes only one serving. But if there are leftovers, put it in the fridge in an airtight container and it will stay fresh for up to two days.
• Freezing: To freeze, put leftovers in a sealed jar for up to a month. 
• Defrost: Place frozen smoothie in the fridge overnight before drinking for the best results.

More pumpkin recipes to try:

Recipe tips:

• Always start the blender at a slow speed and work up to high for the best results.
• Using a frozen banana instead of ice will prevent a watery smoothie.
• If the smoothie is too thick, go ahead and add more liquid.
• Do not use canned pumpkin pie mix instead of pumpkin puree. It has extra sweeteners and other ingredients which will make your smoothie too sweet.
• To make the pumpkin pie smoothie thicker, add another banana or a different fibrous fruit or vegetable.
• Another way to thicken it is to add ice, chia seeds, flax seeds, or protein powder.