BREAKFAST PUMPKIN BANANA SMOOTHIE

This Paleo Pumpkin Banana Smoothie is packed with filling and nutritious ingredients like almond milk, chia seeds, and protein powder. It also contains pumpkin pie spice and pure vanilla extract, making this smoothie taste more like pumpkin pie in a glass than a healthy smoothie!

Why You’ll Love This Paleo Pumpkin Smoothie

This time of year, everyone seems to start craving all things pumpkin — pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread … You name it, I guarantee someone has tried to put pumpkin in it. And for good reason!

Pumpkin pie spice is the essence of Fall. Just smelling it sparks memories of chillier days, red-toned leaves, warm drinks, cozy sweaters, and the start of baking season. Naturally, people crave pumpkin and pumpkin spice when they crave autumn activities.

This paleo pumpkin smoothie recipe is by far one of my all-time favorite ways to jump on the pumpkin spice bandwagon. It’s ultra creamy, super filling, and iconically vibrant orange. With the sweetness from the bananas, the sweet flavor from the protein powder, and the aromatic notes from the vanilla, this is a great way to start your fall days.

Best of all, it’s paleo, vegan, and dairy-free!

Key Ingredients

You need less than 10 ingredients — many of which I’d bet you have in your pantry — to make this delicious and easy pumpkin banana smoothie in the comfort of home. Perfect for meal-prepping ahead of a busy week!

• Almond Milk: Make sure it’s unsweetened so that there’s no unnecessary (and sneaky) added sugars.
• Pumpkin Puree: NOT pumpkin pie filling! That’s completely different and packed with sugar and preservatives. Make sure it’s 100% pure pumpkin.

• Protein Powder: Use what you have on-hand, as you only need one scoop per smoothie. You can use chocolate or vanilla, or pumpkin pie if you have it. My favorite protein powders are Organifi (plant-based), PaleoPro Protein Powder, or Legion Chocolate Protein Powder (whey protein).
• Avocado: Just half of one makes this smoothie ultra creamy and smooth. It also takes the place of yogurt or other dairy-based thickeners.
• Banana: You’ll need a whole frozen banana for this recipe. This gives it a texture similar to ice cream, but without the dairy or artificial sugar.
• Vanilla: Opt for pure vanilla extract and organic, when possible.
• Chia Seeds: These pack this pumpkin smoothie with a lot of protein and make it filling enough to hold you over until your next meal.
• Pumpkin Spice: Just one teaspoon gives this smoothie a ton of pumpkin pie flavor!
• Ice: I like to add a handful of ice to my smoothies to make them cold and more smooth, but you can omit if you banana and avocado are frozen. You can even freeze your pumpkin puree in tablespoons or in an ice cube tray to eliminate the need to use ice.