Pumpkin Spice Protein Shake is made with real pumpkin puree, warm pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla protein powder. This creamy shake is packed with cozy fall flavors and is perfect for post-workout or breakfast on the go.
Calling all pumpkin spice lovers! This creamy pumpkin spice protein smoothie made with simple ingredients will be your new favorite seasonal smoothie!
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Pumpkin Pie Shake
When pumpkin season rolls around, there’s no better way to enjoy your favorite fall flavor than in a nutritious and satisfying pumpkin protein smoothie!
This quick and easy pumpkin shake recipe blends together creamy pumpkin puree, warm spices, and sweet maple syrup making it a cozy, nourishing drink.
Pumpkin puree adds vitamins, fiber, and that signature pumpkin taste.
And the pumpkin pie spice adds a depth of fall flavor to your drink.
Adding protein powder perfect will keep you full and energized.
Oh, and I have to share with you that my favorite way to enjoy this protein shake is to top it with a layer of cold foam. So indulgent and gourmet!
And adding a dollop of whipped cream, instead of the cold foam, is a perfect way to treat yourself and make this feel like dessert.
Topping your shake with the cod foam is purely optional, but I highly recommend it.
The shake on its own without a topping is simply delicious too! So the choice is yours.
Every sip of this pumpkin smoothie tastes like dessert but actually fuels your day with a scoop of protein powder.
This recipe makes one large serving of a protein smoothie and you can easily double the recipe to make more servings or to enjoy one serving now and freeze the other serving for another day.
Perfect for a post-workout boost, an afternoon treat, or a wholesome breakfast, this pumpkin protein shake is filled with everything you love about fall in a glass, real pumpkin, warm spices and packed with protein too!
Be sure to visit the Swirls of Flavor Amazon Storefront for GG's personal kitchen recommendations!
How to make a pumpkin pie protein smoothie
This is a quick overview of how to make this recipe. Scroll down for the full recipe instructions and ingredient amounts in the recipe card below.
- Step 1: Combine the pumpkin puree, milk, maple syrup, protein powder, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract and kosher salt and blend until smooth and combined.
- Step 2: Add the ice, blend until smooth. Pour into a glass and top with optional cold foam, if desired.
Hint: For easy blending, I recommend using a high powered blender, such as the Ninja bullet.
Expert recipe tips
- For an extra thick and frosty texture you can use cubes of frozen pumpkin puree.
- If you prefer a thicker shake, start with less milk and add more if you until you get your desired thickness. Making a recipe allows you to personalize it!
- For a creamy café-style consistency, blend on high until completely smooth.
- For a pretty garnish, add a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top.
- My favorite way to enjoy this protein shake is to top it with a layer of cold foam or you could top it with a dollop of whipped cream.
Substitutions
- Pumpkin Puree – For a similar flavor you can substitute mashed sweet potato or butternut squash in place of the pumpkin.
- Vanilla Protein Powder – Replace vanilla protein powder with unflavored protein powder, chocolate protein powder or your favorite protein powder flavor that will complement the pumpkin flavor.
- Maple Syrup – Substitute honey, agave, or a sugar-free syrup for maple syrup.
- Milk – Milk can be replaced with water, yogurt, or your favorite plant-based milk alternative, such as almond milk, oat milk, cashew milk or soy milk.
- Kosher Salt – I do not recommend replacing kosher salt with fine table salt but if that's all you have on hand just add a very tiny pinch of salt to help make the flavors pop. Be careful though because too much table salt is very concentrated and will make your drink very salty. However, you could use coarse sea salt in place of kosher salt.
- Cold Foam - You can replace the cold foam topping with whipped cream or Cool Whip
Variations
- Pumpkin Pie Smoothie Bowl - Use less milk and pour into a bowl, then top with granola, banana slices, and a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds.
- Coffee Pumpkin Shake - Add a teaspoon of instant espresso powder for a coffee boost and extra flavor.
- Green Pumpkin Smoothie – Make your shake with greens! Add a handful of baby spinach or baby kale. You’ll be adding extra nutrients without changing the flavor of the shake.
- Chocolate Pumpkin Shake - Add a Tablespoon or two unsweetened cocoa powder or use a scoop of chocolate protein powder instead of vanilla for a flavorful twist. Pumpkin and chocolate is a delicious flavor combination.
- Banana Pumpkin Smoothie - Add half of a frozen banana for a sweet and flavorful shake. Banana goes well with the pumpkin flavor.
- Protein Shake with Nut Butter - You can add a tablespoon of nut butter, such as peanut butter, almond butter or cashew butter. This will add extra creaminess and protein.
- Pumpkin Shake with Fiber – A tablespoon of ground flaxseed, hemp seeds or chia seeds will provide a boost of fiber.
- Pumpkin Shake with Greek Yogurt - Adding about 1/4 cup of plain greek yogurt will boost the amount of protein in your shake and make it creamy too.
Storage
- Refrigerator - This shake will taste best when enjoyed as soon as you make it, but you can store any leftover shake in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Give it a good shake or a quick re-blend before drinking because natural separation could happen.
- Freezer - You can also freeze your smoothie in an airtight container. Then thaw in the refrigerator overnight and you’ll have a grab-and-go breakfast.
- As always, I recommend cheecking out more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Ingredients
Ingredients for an easy pumpkin smoothie
- Pumpkin Puree - Be sure to use 100% pure pumpkin puree, and not pumpkin pie filling, for the best flavor and a natural creaminess.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice - Pumpkin pie spice is a blend of warm spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. This spice blend adds classic fall flavors in every sip.
- Vanilla Protein Powder – Vanilla protein powder adds a smooth vanilla flavor and also gives your shake a powerful boost of protein.
- Milk – I used whole milk when developing this recipe but any milk will work in this smoothie. You can use a dairy milk or a non-dairy milk. Almond milk, oat milk or coconut milk will make your shake creamy and delicious.
- Maple Syrup – Be sure to use 100% pure maple syrup and not pancake syrup. Pure maple syrup is a natural sweetener that complements the pumpkin spice flavor beautifully and adds a touch of seasonal sweetness.
- Vanilla Extract – As always, vanilla extract, one of my favorite flavor ingredients, rounds out the taste with a warm, aromatic note.
- Ice Cubes – Ice cubes will give your shake a thick, frosty texture and chilled temperature that’s refreshing and satisfying.ingredient.
- Optional Cold Foam – The cold foam topping is not shown in the ingredients above. It is an optional ingredient. The smoothie tastes amazing both with it and without it.
Smoothie recipes
Pumpkin recipes
Pumpkin Spice Protein Shake Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree canned or fresh
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons 100% pure maple syrup
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup Ice cubes
- cold foam topping , optional
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Instructions
- In a blender, combine the pumpkin puree, milk, maple syrup, protein powder, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract and kosher salt and blend until smooth and combined.
- Add the ice, blend until smooth
- Top with cold foam, if desired.
Notes
- For an extra thick and frosty texture you can use cubes of frozen pumpkin puree.
- If you prefer a thicker shake, start with less milk and add more if you until you get your desired thickness. Making a recipe allows you to personalize it!
- For a creamy café-style consistency, blend on high until completely smooth.
- For a pretty garnish, add a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top.
- My favorite way to enjoy this protein shake is to top it with a layer of cold foam or you could top it with a dollop of whipped cream.
My son is 19 and has just started an apprenticeship, so he is out of the door so early. I sent him this recipe as he loves a pumpkin spice latte at this time of year.
He has made one of these every day this week! I think that says he loves it!
It's such a delicious and nutritious way to start the day. Happy to hear that your son is off to a good start in the morning!
This was so good! You can't tell how much protein is in the shake and it's perfect for fall