Print

Pumpkin Protein Smoothie

Pumpkin Protein Smoothie - recipe card
Print Recipe

A thick, creamy smoothie that tastes like pumpkin pie in a glass, with a serious protein punch from vanilla protein powder and full-fat Greek yogurt. The natural sweetness of pumpkin and banana is balanced by warm pumpkin pie spice, and the texture is velvety thanks to a touch of almond butter. It’s a complete breakfast or post-workout recovery drink that keeps you full for hours.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling), chilled
  • 2 cups full-fat Greek yogurt
  • 2 cups unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice), cold
  • 2 medium bananas, frozen (about 2 cups sliced)
  • 4 scoops (about 4 scoops) vanilla protein powder (whey or plant-based), about 1/2 cup total
  • 2 tablespoons almond butter (or peanut butter)
  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (optional, adjust to taste)
  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 cup ice cubes (optional, for thicker texture)

Instructions

  1. Add the liquid ingredients first: pour the cold unsweetened almond milk into the blender pitcher. This prevents the dry ingredients from sticking to the bottom and ensures a smooth blend. If you have a high-speed blender like a Vitamix, this step is less critical, but it still helps.
  2. Add the Greek yogurt, pumpkin puree, frozen banana chunks, almond butter, maple syrup (if using), vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, and fine sea salt. The salt might seem odd, but it enhances the natural sweetness of the pumpkin and balances the spices.
  3. Add the protein powder last, on top of the other ingredients. This order helps the powder incorporate evenly rather than clumping at the bottom. Use a spatula to gently push down any powder that sticks to the sides.
  4. Secure the lid and blend on low speed for 10 seconds to break up the frozen banana and combine the ingredients. Then increase to high speed and blend for 45-60 seconds, until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. If your blender struggles, stop and scrape down the sides with a spatula, then continue.
  5. Check the consistency: the smoothie should be thick but pourable. If it’s too thick, add more almond milk 1 tablespoon at a time and blend for 5 seconds. If it’s too thin, add a few more ice cubes or a quarter of a frozen banana and blend again. For an extra-thick, spoonable smoothie, add the optional ice cubes and blend until frothy.
  6. Taste and adjust sweetness: if you prefer a sweeter smoothie, add another teaspoon of maple syrup or a pitted Medjool date. Blend for 5 seconds to incorporate. Remember that protein powders vary in sweetness, so adjust accordingly.
  7. Pour the smoothie into 4 glasses (about 12 ounces each). Serve immediately with a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice or a dollop of Greek yogurt on top, if desired. For a pretty presentation, drizzle a little almond butter over the top.
  8. If you’re meal-prepping, pour the smoothie into 4 airtight jars or bottles and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Shake well before drinking, as separation is natural. Alternatively, freeze the smoothie in ice cube trays, then transfer the cubes to a freezer bag; blend the cubes with a splash of milk when ready to serve.

Notes

Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Shake or stir well before drinking. Freezing: Pour into ice cube trays and freeze until solid, then transfer cubes to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. To serve, blend the frozen cubes with a splash of almond milk until smooth. Reheating: Not recommended; this is a cold beverage. For a warm version, gently heat the smoothie in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, until warm but not boiling (about 5 minutes), but note that heating may reduce the protein powder’s effectiveness. Protein boost: This smoothie already provides 25g+ protein per serving. For an extra boost, add 1/4 cup cottage cheese or an extra half scoop of protein powder.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin protein smoothie, protein smoothie, pumpkin smoothie, vanilla protein powder, Greek yogurt smoothie, healthy breakfast, post-workout drink, pumpkin spice, no-cook recipe, high-protein breakfast, fall smoothie, meal prep smoothie

Find it online: https://thehighproteinrecipes.com/pumpkin-protein-smoothie-recipe/