Well, it has happened.
Pumpkin has made its way to The Dreaming Foodie for the season.
While I’m not usually one to stick to certain flavors, like pumpkin, at specific times of the year, I have been thinking of it more than usual lately.
Maybe it is just the cooler temperatures. I can feel fall in the air. Maybe I’m more of a seasonal eater than I know. Maybe I subconsciously do crave pumpkin more in the fall.
Either way, I have had a pumpkin smoothie on my mind for awhile now. I do love pureed pumpkin. As soon as I have a chance, I plan on picking up a bunch of fresh pie pumpkins, roasting them, and keeping the puree on hand. For now though, I have this canned puree, and love it.
Not only is pureed pure pumpkin delicious, it carries health benefits. Just Google it. Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants — lots of good stuff for us.
I don’t think a lot of people associate pumpkin with being a health food, just because it is associated with pumpkin pie. The pumpkin part = good for you, the pie part = not so much.
That’s why when I was making this smoothie, I wanted to keep it as healthful as possible. Pumpkin sure does taste good with lots of sugar added, we all know that from pie, but I want to save that indulgence for Thanksgiving. For an everyday treat, I want to keep it better for me.
I used bananas and yogurt to sweeten this smoothie. I needed no other sweetener, but if you desire a sweeter pumpkin taste, feel free to add a sweetener of your choice.
The only other ingredient in this smoothie is almond milk. Yep, that’s it. Four ingredients:
-Pureed pumpkin
-Banana
-Yogurt
-Almond milk
Oh, and cinnamon and nutmeg! That is what I used to spice my smoothie up a bit, but if you have pumpkin pie spice, that would be good too! And the amount is completely up to you. Spice it to your liking!
Like many recipes I have been posting, this recipe is 1) super simple to make and 2) easily customizable.
This recipe is made easily vegan by using almond or coconut yogurt. I use this coconut yogurt and absolutely love it. The smoothie can be made sweeter, or spicier, to your liking. You can use any milk you want to – choose your favorite. And, the recipe I provide makes enough for one smoothie. It is so easily doubled, tripled, etc.
Oh, and, if you are like me, you will love this smoothie topped with some extra cinnamon and a handful of granola! Yes, eat the granola off the top with a spoon and then sip the rest of the smoothie. Heavenly!
If you’re looking for a pumpkin treat that is healthy and easy to prepare, you’ve got it! 4-ingredient pumpkin smoothies!
- 1 banana, frozen
- 1/4 cup pure pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup yogurt (I used coconut yogurt!)
- 1/2 cup almond milk (or your favorite milk)
- Cinnamon and nutmeg (or pumpkin pie spice)
- Place all ingredients into a blender and blend on high, until completely smooth and creamy. Add cinnamon and nutmeg (or pumpkin pie spice) to your liking.
- Enjoy!