Fall may be past, but the warm flavors of pumpkin and spice offer nourishing goodness that I relish throughout the year. And this pumpkin spice protein shake has a double-dose of my favorite squash: pumpkin puree and straight up pumpkin seed protein.
This easy, rich and nutrient-dense pumpkin spice protein shake combines the wonderful flavors of pumpkin pie with less sugars and more wholesome ingredients. And if you are concerned about the lite coconut milk overwhelming, don’t be. The subtle flavor melds very nicely with pumpkin, which has a more assertive taste.
Special Diet Notes & Options: Pumpkin Spice Protein Shake
By ingredients, this recipe is daiy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan / plant-based, vegetarian and paleo.
More protein? For a pumpkin spice protein shake with even more oomph, you can double the protein powder, or, my favorite option, add a tablespoon of almond butter or pumpkin seed butter.
Banana allergy? I seem to get a lot of requests for banana-free smoothies! If you can’t do bananas, I recommend increasing the pumpkin a bit (perhaps to 1/2 cup) and adding a couple pitted medjool dates along with 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract and ice to reach your desired consistency. You may not need any stevia or additional sweetener in this version of the pumpkin spice protein shake (beyond the recommended touch of maple syrup) as dates are quite sweet in their own right.
- ⅓ cup pumpkin puree
- 1 medium to large ripe frozen banana, broken into chunks
- ½ cup lite coconut milk (I use So Delicious Lite Culinary Coconut Milk)
- 1 scoop pumpkin seed protein powder (I use Sprout Living Pure Pumpkin Seed Protein Powder)
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 8 to 10 drops vanilla stevia (I use NuNaturals Pure Liquid Vanilla Stevia) or your favorite sweetener, to taste
- Generous pinch salt
- Place all ingredients in your blender and puree until smooth. If too thick, drizzle in more light coconut milk to blend and reach your desired consistency.
- If desired, top with an extra sprinkle of cinnamon.
16 Comments
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Can you substitute the maple syrup for agave??
Yes, you can use your favorite sweetener to taste Sabrina.
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Oh nice, I wouldn’t mind drinking this all fall and winter long. I know pumpkin is considered a fall flavor, but it IS a winter squash – so I say utilize it all season long!
Good point! 🙂
I am with you on pumpkin all year long. There is no reason to relegate it just to Nov-Dec.!
Thanks Dorothy!
This sounds so good! And fun for something totally different from my normal protein shakes. Will have to try this!
Thanks Mischa!
Just made this smoothie but used Orgain organic protein powder and a packet of organic stevia instead. Definitely SUPER delicious and best smoothie I ever had! Thanks for sharing this recipe!!!
Now that’s a compliment! Thanks Lani and I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Hello delicious! Love that it’s packed with protein.
I take pumpkin in my smoothie before banana any day!
I’m definitely going to try this recipe. I’ve become a Paleo junkie since I read about this diet and I has really been working out for me in the last few weeks.
This is what I do regularly:
– Breakfast: Always eggs, and alternate between meat and salads.
– Lunch: I have more time to be creative in lunch, so I usually let my imagination run free. Paleo Nachos, Chicken Lettuce Wraps, and the like.
– Mid-afternoon snack: I usually just go with fruit, but sometimes I like something like this protein shake to help me take on a slow afternoon.
– Dinner: I don’t have much time to cook for dinner, so it’s usually something quick.