A creamy vegan pumpkin smoothie made with real pumpkin that you can whip up in just a few minutes and all you need is five ingredients (no yogurt!). Serve it for breakfast, with lunch, or have it as a filling afternoon snack.
It’s packed with delicious pumpkin pie spice flavour and is dairy-free, gluten-free, nut-free, and has no added sugar. It can also be customized! Keep reading for all of the details.
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If you're looking for a way to use up some leftover pumpkin from Thanksgiving or Christmas holiday celebrations, the perfect way to make good use of it is by making this vegan pumpkin smoothie (especially if you're a pumpkin fan!).
Now, if you had hopes that this recipe was a pumpkin smoothie with no banana, it does call for a banana, BUT, I've got you covered because I know banana flavours in smoothies are a love-it-or-leave-it kind of thing! See the "Variations" section below for some ideas on how to replace the banana.
Before you head down, have a look through and bookmark some of these other refreshing vegan smoothie recipes:
Ingredients You'll Need
This recipe calls for minimal ingredients. I've listed info about each of them and info about substitutions below.
Ingredient and Substitution Notes
Pumpkin Purée – Either canned or homemade pumpkin purée can be used. Make sure you are using plain, unsweetened pumpkin, and NOT pumpkin pie filling. If you don't have pumpkin, or you don't have access to it, butternut squash is a great substitute since these two types of squash taste very similar. You can also use sweet potato purée to make it a sweet potato smoothie (with pumpkin spice flavour!).
Dairy-Free Milk - I usually make my pumpkin smoothie with almond milk but you can also use oat milk, soy milk, or any plant milk you like and have on hand. Use milk that has no added sweetener so you have full control over the level of sweetness. I usually advise to not use milk that has added flavour when making recipes, but in this case, unsweetened vanilla almond milk would work, just omit the vanilla extract.
If you use non-dairy milk that has a naturally strong flavour (like coconut milk), that flavour will come through in the finished smoothie.
Vanilla Extract - A small amount is needed to enhance the flavour of the smoothie.
Pumpkin Pie Spice - This is what gives the smoothie its pumpkin pie flavour. If you don't have a pre-mixed blend, you can use separate spices to make your own. See the recipe notes below for details. If you don't have pumpkin pie spice or the separate spices to make it, just use cinnamon. Your smoothie will not have the pumpkin pie flavour, but it will still be delicious.
Banana (Fresh or Frozen) - This smoothie is made without yogurt so the banana, along with the pumpkin and the milk, work together to make a creamy smoothie. It also helps to thicken it. Make sure to use a ripe banana so it can contribute as much sweetness as possible. Using a frozen banana will make your smoothie thicker and creamier than if a fresh banana is used. See the "Recipe FAQ" below for info on how to freeze bananas for smoothies.
NOTE: This smoothie has no added sugar, the sweetness comes naturally from the banana, so make sure you are using one that is ripe and sweet. If you want a little more sweetness to the smoothie, see the "Variations" section below for suggestions.
Variations
There are a few ways you can customize this smoothie based on your personal preference:
- If you prefer a pumpkin smoothie with no banana, you can replace the banana with ⅓ cup of rolled oats (gluten-free if needed), OR ⅓ cup of silken tofu, OR ½ of an avocado, OR ⅓ cup of vegan yogurt as a replacement.
- For a sweeter smoothie, add 1-2 fresh dates or a little maple syrup to taste. If using dates, make sure they are fresh and soft or they will not blend properly and your smoothie will not be smooth. If your dates are not fresh and soft, place them in a bowl of hot water and let them soak until they have softened. Drain the water, then add the dates with the other ingredients.
- If you like adding greens to your smoothies, you can easily make it a green pumpkin smoothie. Do this by adding a handful of baby spinach to the ingredients and remember that the colour of the smoothie will no longer be orange!
- To add protein, add hemp seeds or hemp hearts, chia seeds, ground flaxseeds, or a good-tasting vegan vanilla protein powder or unflavoured vegan protein powder. You can also add a seed or nut butter like almond or sunflower seed but I don't recommend peanut butter since its flavour will overpower the smoothie.
- If you want something with coffee flavour, I recommend making my vegan pumpkin spice latte instead! It can be made hot or cold.
IMPORTANT: Some of these variations will make your smoothie thicker than intended. If after blending you see that it is too thick, simply add a little more dairy-free milk to thin it out and get to a consistency you prefer.
How to Make It
(Note: I’ve outlined the step-by-step on how to make this vegan pumpkin pie smoothie recipe here, but find the full recipe, ingredients, and directions in the recipe card at the end of this post.)
I recommend using a high-speed blender (like a Vitamix, Blendtec, or a NutriBullet) to make this smoothie.
If you don't have a high-speed blender, a regular blender will work, just blend for a little longer so everything breaks down properly.
1. Start by slicing the banana and measuring the ingredients.
2. Add all of them to your blender.
3. Blend for roughly 45 seconds or until everything has blended and the mixture is smooth and creamy.
4. Pour into a glass or cup and enjoy your perfect smoothie! If you want to make it look fancy, add a sprinkle of cinnamon, pumpkin spice, or pumpkin seeds on top.
Making Ahead
A freshly made smoothie always has the best consistency and taste when compared to one that was made ahead; however, if you have to, you can prepare it in advance to enjoy it later during the same day, but keep those things in mind.
If you prepare it in advance, give it a good shake before drinking it since it will separate a little.
So, while there isn't a way to fully prepare this smoothie in advance without its consistency and taste being affected, you can do some things to make the preparation time quicker.
To partially prepare it in advance for meal prep, I recommend measuring and slicing the banana, adding it to an airtight container or freezer bag, and freezing it until you're ready to make it.
Next, add all of the remaining ingredients to a cup or mason jar with a lid, cover and refrigerate. If you are using a NutriBullet to make your smoothie, add the ingredients to the blender cup, cover, and refrigerate.
When ready, add the frozen bananas and all of the other ingredients to your blender, or add the bananas to the NutriBullet cup, blend, and enjoy.
For more quick and easy recipes for hot and cold drinks you can make at home, browse through these vegan drink recipes.
Tips for Success
- Measure and have all your ingredients ready to go before starting. This will make the process run smoothly, quickly, and easily.
- Measure your ingredients correctly. I highly recommend using a scale (this is the one I have) and my weight measurements when making this recipe.
- Use a good high-powered blender, if you have one. A powerful blender will make sure everything is blended down and that your smoothie is smooth and has a creamy texture. If you don't have a high-speed blender, the next best way is to use a regular blender and blend for slightly longer.
- Make sure to use pumpkin purée and not pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie filling contains added spices and sugar. Using plain homemade or canned purée will give you 100% control over the flavour of your smoothie.
- If you prefer an extra thick smoothie, use a frozen banana instead of a fresh one.
- If you make any of the variations listed above, depending on which one you use, your smoothie will be thicker than intended. Just add a little more milk to thin it out.
- Read this post from top to bottom before you start. I’ve included a lot of tips and tricks so you get things right. Also, read through the actual recipe before getting started.
- Follow the recipe exactly as it’s written for the very best and intended results. (The small, optional variations and adjustments mentioned above are okay to make!)
Recipe FAQ
To freeze bananas for smoothies, slice them into small chunks or coins, place them flat on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and place the baking sheet in the freezer. Once the bananas are frozen, place them in a freezer bag or an airtight container and place them in the freezer. When you are ready to make your smoothie, measure or weigh out the amount the recipe calls for. A great way to avoid food waste and not have to throw out bananas that have passed their prime is to follow this method to freeze them for smoothies or other recipes.
I don't recommend it. For the best result, homemade or pure canned pumpkin purée should be used since they're unsweetened and contain no spices (the only ingredient on the label should be pumpkin). When pure pumpkin is used, you have full control of the level of spice and sweetness. Pumpkin pie filling has a lot of sugar and spices added to it, so if used, the flavour of your smoothie will not be great, so it's best to avoid it.
If it's frozen pumpkin purée or pumpkin that was cooked before freezing, then yes, it can be used. However, raw pumpkins cannot be used. Frozen pumpkin pieces sold in stores are not usually cooked, so make sure you have the correct type of pumpkin before making your smoothie.
Want more breakfast ideas? Have a look through these quick and easy vegan breakfast recipes.
If You Make This Recipe...
I hope you love this delicious smoothie as much as I do! Please let me know how things went by leaving a star rating and a comment below. You can also share a picture on Instagram and tag me so I can see it! (I’m @delightfuladventures on Instagram!).
If You Like This Recipe...
Then you may also like these other vegan pumpkin recipes you can enjoy at breakfast.
Vegan Pumpkin Smoothie
Suggested Equipment:
Ingredients:
- 1 ¼ cups (300ml) unsweetened almond milk
- ⅓ cup (80g) unsweetened pumpkin puree
- 1 small (100g) ripe banana sliced
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- sweetener to taste (optional, see note below)
Instructions:
- Add all of the ingredients to your blender.
- Blend until smooth and creamy, roughly 45 seconds.
- Pour the smoothie into a cup for one large serving or two cups for two smaller servings.
- Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Notes:
- Please read all of the info above and below before making this recipe.
- The recipe makes one 2-cup (250ml) serving but can be split to make two smaller servings.
- Any type of milk will work in this recipe, just make sure it has no added sweetener or added flavour.
- Use pure canned or homemade pumpkin purée. Learn how to make homemade pumpkin puree.
- If using the weight measurements, the banana was weighed after it was peeled.
- Either a fresh or frozen banana can be used. If using frozen, your finished smoothie will be much thicker, feel free to add a little more milk to thin it out to your liking.
- If you don't have pumpkin pie spice, use the following instead: ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon ground ginger, and ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg. Adjust the spices in the smoothie to suit your taste.
- There is no sweetener in this smoothie, it's naturally sweetened with the banana, but if you would like more sweetness, you can add a little maple syrup or a soft pitted date to the blender with the rest of the ingredients.
- A high-speed blender is recommended for this recipe so it turns out smooth and creamy. If you don't have a high-speed blender, a regular blender will also work, just blend for a little longer.
- Nutrition info is based on the full recipe, one serving (2 cups) with the recipe made exactly as it's written, no sweetener. Nutrition info is only to be used as a rough guide. Click to learn how nutrition info is calculated on this website.
Nutrition Info:
This post was updated in October 2023 to revise the recipe, provide step-by-step images, and add more helpful info.
Jennifer Jobes says
Hi,
Is there anything I can use to substitute for the Vega One French Vanilla protein powder? Thanks!
Gwen Leron says
Hi Jennifer, you can omit it completely or you can replace with half of a banana 🙂 Let me know how it goes!
chandra says
bookmarking this one to try! i'm a sucker for anything with pumpkin this time of year! and i'm wondering if this would be tasty with a little maple syrup...
Gwen says
Hi Chandra! I'm a sucker for pumpkin recipes too 🙂 And yes, maple syrup for some sweetness would be great too instead of the dates. If you try it, I hope you like it!
Nicole says
That looks awesome, Gwen!
Gwen says
Thank you, Nicole! 🙂