How badly are you guys craving something with LEGIT pumpkin?! Tis the season! Oh and I’m not talking about PSLs here, people.
Can we talk about those little devils for a hot minute? The sad truth is that pumpkin spice lattes are rather tough on the waistline and the wallet. A grande PSL from Starbucks packs a whopping twelve teaspoons of sugar (fifty grams), equivalent to two Snickers bars. Or more than three cups of Frosted Flakes. Or eleven Oreos. Ya know, all my fave foods.
It’s not just the tablespoons upon tablespoons of added sugar that make me cringe. Did you know that this infamous drink has no actual pumpkin? Rather, it’s bursting at the seams with artificially flavored pumpkin syrup. How’s that for starting your morning off wrong? No thank yewww.
I get it. They taste good. I mean is there anything with fifty grams of sugar that doesn’t taste good? Just promise me sure not to make this seasonal sensation a daily habit!
Instead, try this smoothie on for size. It’s no pumpkin spice latte, but it legit tastes like pumpkin pie. It’s naturally sweetened with bananas and dates and gives that PSL a serious run for its money on the fiber front. A half cup of pumpkin rings it at four grams of filling fiber for a healthy digestive tract, not to mention a boatload of vitamin A (280% of your daily needs) for healthy eyes, skin, and tissue.
Tis the season for pumpkin flavored errthang. I’ve seen it all, from pumpkin flavored English muffins and pumpkin coffee creamer (ahem, trans fat) to pumpkin pop tarts and pumpkin marshmallows. I can assure you that those foods contain little to no pumpkin. There are, however, some fabulous ways to incorporate this bonafide superfood into your daily routine! Because let’s be real, it’s always SO annoying to not use the whole can.
—Mix a couple tablespoons into a cup of hot almond milk along with a big splash of coffee, pumpkin pie spice, and pure maple syrup to sweeten.
—Yogurt fan? Stir in a heaping spoonful along with chopped pecans, lots of cinnamon (which lowers your blood sugar!), and a drizzle of pure maple syrup.
—Make a batch of pumpkin quinoa muffins. They’re the shiz.
—For an easy pumpkin chia pudding, mix together 1/4 cup canned pumpkin, 1/2 cup almond milk, 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 2 tbsp chia seeds, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1 tbsp pure maple syrup. Let it all sit overnight and nosh away in the morning!
Or just make this smoothie like three days in a row and say goodbye to that annoying leftover pumpkin.
- ½ cup canned pumpkin
- 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 1 large over-ripe frozen banana, pre-sliced
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- 2-3 Medjool dates, pitted (or pure maple syrup or stevia to taste)
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
I really like your recipes but damn….you talk like a 3 year old.
No thank yewww.
Just kidding, Summer is coming and I need smoothie recipes.
Arman @ thebigmansworld recently posted…From Dinner to Dinner
Don’t make me cry. Wait—so weird that summer is coming for you!!
I’ll be honest, I’ve never even actually had a real pumpkin spice latte haha I’d much rather have this! 😉
Brittany recently posted…What I Ate Wednesday
I’ll be honest too…I haven’t either!!
Or just make a huge batch for the whole fam. 🙂 Win.
Maryea {happy healthy mama} recently posted…Sugar-Free Cinnamon Roasted Almonds
Exxxxxxactly!!
This looks amazing! I also like to add a spoonful or two to my oatmeal in the morning with a little pumpkin pie spice. Then it’s just like pumpkin pie oatmeal!
Colleen recently posted…WELCOME TO SPOOKTOBER
Mmmmm sounds fabulous! I love pumpkin in my oatmeal.
I’m a type 1 diabetic so the sugar in a pumpkin spice latte scares me…this seems like a much healthier and yummy option for me!
Definitely! Twelve teaspoons is a big no-no.
It is a pumpkin recipe kind of day, I’d say! I definitely need to start adding pumpkin to my smoothies… and maybe less greens when I do because I have a feeling that would be an awful color! 😉
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl recently posted…Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pancakes (Vegan)
Hahah I felt SO weird not adding greens to this one! I won’t tell anyone if you do 🙂
Sounds Yummy! Healthy and a good substitute for pie!
Eaxctly! And who doesn’t want pumpkin pie for breakfast?
Ohh I haven’t had a pumpkin smoothie for ages but I think it’s going to need to happen asap! I love that you used Medjool dates for a sweetener too! I bet that’s perfect with the pumpkin!
Emily @ Glitz Glam Gluten-Free recently posted…Paleo Quadruple Crunch Salad
I’m obsessed with dates in my smoothies, especially when I’m not feeling the banana flavor.
Okaaaaay ok ok ok. I’ll go buy some pumpkin this weekend…. 🙂
Alysia @ Slim Sanity recently posted…Is It Really So Easy To Stop Hating Your Job?
You go girl!
I love this pumpkin pie smoothie! It looks SO delicious and the best thing about it is how healthy the recipe is for you! Thanks for sharing the great recipe, you can definitely consider that I will be recreating it.
Thalia @ butter and brioche recently posted…Cookies and Cream Macarons
I’ll take this over pumpkin spice latte any day! Where did you get those straws? I must have them!
Renee H. recently posted…Cauliflower Rice with Turmeric
My friend got them for me at Target!!
The nutritionist in you will be happy to know that this girl is NOT a fan of PSLs. In fact, I think I’ve only ever tried one once, and I couldn’t even finish it. This smoothie, on the other hand? Sign.me.UP.
Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…. currently – october 2014 .
WAHOOO!!! I’ve actually never tried one either now that you mention it…
Just lookit this thang! I love that you put almond butter in the smoovie…I’muhnuh try this asap! THE PSL….sigh….why oh why do we do things like the PSL. TWELVE teaspoons of sugar? Heresy. Thankfully we have you to set our diets straight! Have a funky fab weekend, love!!
Julia recently posted…Matcha Green Tea Latte
Isn’t that amount of sugar insane?! Killinnnn me!!!
Okay this is on my to-try list this weekend! I’m not a fan of pumping pie, solely because of the texture…but I have a feeling this smoothie is going to get a big fat stamp of approval.
HAPPY FRIDAY!
This doesn’t have that jiggly pumpkin pie texture…so I think you’re good to go 🙂
Umm I’m definitely going to have to try adding pumpkin puree to hot almond milk and coffee… you’re a genius!!
Cassie recently posted…Now Trending – Best Links Week of 9.29
Hehehe thanks love!
When I tried my first PSL a few years ago I actually hated it – it tasted like chemicals to me! Pumpkin pie smoothies are a much tastier way to get my pumpkin fix. 😉
Chelsea @ Chelsea’s Healthy Kitchen recently posted…Pin It Party #3
I’m sure I’d agree with you on the chemical taste! This smoothie is a MUCH tastier alternative 🙂
mmm… yum! I think this will be breakfast in the am!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables recently posted…Friday Five and Favorites
Agreed!!
I looove pumpkin for breakfast. 50 grams of sugar, not so much! This looks like the perfect morning pumpkin fix 🙂
Erica {Coffee & Quinoa} recently posted…Carrot Farro Risotto
Right?! This smoothie has got it goin on!!
So I’ve made this every day. Everyday since it was posted. And on the eighth day I added spinach. SWOON.
Hahaha I am SO glad to hear that! I love adding spinach too! Lately I’ve added a scoop of plant-based protein powder too. You don’t even taste it!
I’ve been on a smoothie TEAR and yes pumpkin smoothies have been involved…LOVE them! Was never a Starbucks Pumpkin Latte fan…I’d rather get all the extra sugar from a cupcake or something sweet and homemade with real sugar…HA!
She Rocks Fitness recently posted…Let’s Talk About Grokker
I couldn’t agree more. I’d way rather have a chocolate chip cookie the size of my head than a pumpkin spice latte not even made with real pumpkin. Ick!
I made mine with a frozen banana. It is fantastic. Thanks for the recipe!
Fantastic!
Te írtad nagyon jól mintegy Pumpkin Pie Smoothie .
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Magyarorszag Payoneer recently posted…Magyarorszag Payoneer
Holy hell this looks amazing. I’ve been looking for a healthy way to incorporate more pumpkin in my diet for digestive benefits and this may be the exact way I want to do it! i am beyond stoked to try this.
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Jessica Carbon recently posted…Easy Pumpkin Curry
I’ve tried the psl and they are yummy….til I read this article…12 tsps of sugar….sigh. This smoothie looks fantastic and will be my new go to. Also I’m dying to try the pudding recipe. I love me some pudding. Ftr the pumpkin eng muffins with peanut butter are really good too. Yeah I need to work on my food choices lol
Let me know how you love it! Pumpkin flavored fall food can be so sneakily sugary it’s crazy, I definitely feel you.
Would this be fine without the almond butter? I have nut sensitivity but really want to try this! Thanks
It would be a lot less creamy! Try sunbutter or hemp seeds. Avocado may work, too!