This healthy pumpkin smoothie bowl tastes like fall in a bowl and makes for a delicious breakfast or snack on a hot day when you’re starting to crave the flavors of fall. Made gluten and dairy free with oat milk, pumpkin puree, banana, collagen, pumpkin pie spice.
When the end of August rolls around I can’t help but get SUPER EXCITED for all things pumpkin and the fall season! This year especially with my wedding coming up at the end of October, I feel like I’ve been looking forward to fall all year long. I read somewhere that said: “there are two seasons: fall, and waiting for fall” and thought that couldn’t be more true especially for me this year!
If you follow me on Instagram, then you know I love finding different ways to infuse pumpkin into recipes –from hot to cold, sweet to savory and breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner, there are SO many different ways to use pumpkin puree!
Aside from its versatility, I just love how the flavor of pumpkin signifies the warm cozy vibes of the fall season. And finding new ways to use it in different recipes that I can share with you for the season makes me so happy!
homemade pumpkin smoothie bowl
For when the weather is still hot out but you’re craving something pumpkin to start getting in the mood for fall, a pumpkin smoothie bowl is just the breakfast or snack you need in your life! Made with just a few simple ingredients including real pumpkin, it’s easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients and a blender.
What is a smoothie bowl?
A smoothie bowl is like a smoothie, except thicker meaning you can eat it with a spoon and put different toppings on top! To me the consistency is a little like frozen yogurt — it’s thick and luscious and in this case packed with pumpkin and pumpkin spice!
What makes this smoothie bowl healthy?
As a registered dietitian, I always try to make sure my meals and snacks are balanced with protein, fat and carbohydrates for more staying power and better blood sugar balance. Smoothies and smoothie bowls are a good opportunity to pack in extra nutrition by way of collagen, protein powders, and seeds like ground flax seeds or hemp seeds for more protein and fiber.
This pumpkin smoothie bowl has healthy fat from the nut butter and flax seed, protein from the collagen and pumpkin seeds, and healthy carbs filled with fiber and other vitamins and minerals from the pumpkin and banana — a win, win in my book!
Pumpkin nutrition
Sure, we love pumpkin everything because it just tastes so good, but did you know it’s also a fall superfood?! Bursting with vitamin A, C, and E as well as potassium and fiber, pumpkin is a very nutritious vegetable (technically fruit!) that can be used it so many different ways.
Did you know you can substitute 1/4 cup of pumpkin puree for 1 egg, and 1/4 cup of oil or butter? This is a great way to make a recipe vegan, or cut down on the overall fat content.
Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin
Open my pantry anytime of year and you’ll find multiple cans of Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin! They’re the only ones I trust when it comes to pumpkin puree and for good reason — they’ve been the leading producer of canned pumpkin for generations.
Their factory in Morton, IL is 100% landfill-free. They are able to achieve this by recycling pumpkin by-products and incinerating remaining waste for energy recovery. Pumpkin waste, like rind and skin, finds new life as land applied fertilizer—except for the seeds—those are sold for wild squirrel food.
It’s nice knowing that the process of harvesting a vegetable that can be used in so many different ways is also finding many different ways to ensure as little waste from that process as possible.
In addition, I love that their canned pumpkin is just pumpkin. There are no chemicals or preservatives used in the production or canning process of Libby’s 100% Pumpkin Pumpkin.
How to make a pumpkin smoothie bowl
Making this pumpkin smoothie bowl is super easy! The whole thing comes together in less than 10 minutes and makes for a delicious snack or breakfast.
- Combine. Combine the banana, pumpkin puree, almond milk, date, pumpkin pie spice and ground flax seed in the blend.
- Blend. Blend on high. If using a Vitamix, you will need to use the tamper to push the frozen pieces down so they will blend.
- Top & enjoy. Pour the smoothie bowl into a bowl and top it with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Pumpkin smoothie bowl ingredients
- Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin
- banana
- unsweetened nut/oat milk — you can definitely use whichever type of milk you prefer. For an extra creamy non-dairy version, I recommend using oat milk or cashew milk.
- pitted date
- pumpkin pie spice – if you don’t have pumpkin pie spice on hand, you could also use cinnamon.
- unflavored collagen – I like this one from mindbodygreen. If you don’t use collagen, I recommend adding an unflavored or vanilla protein powder to give this smoothie bowl more staying power.
Smoothie bowl toppings
When it comes to pumpkin smoothie bowl toppings, you really can’t go wrong! Here’s a little list to inspire you to get creative when topping your healthy pumpkin smoothie bowl.
pumpkin smoothie bowl toppings:
- diced apples
- banana slices
- almonds
- pecans
- hemp seeds
- pumpkin seeds
- chia seeds
- pumpkin granola (my favorite is this pumpkin cinnamon gluten-free granola from Purely Elizabeth)
- peanut butter
- almond butter
- unsweetened coconut
- berries
- chocolate chips
- white chocolate chips
How to make a smoothie bowl thick
The trick for making this pumpkin smoothie bowl so thick?! Use frozen bananas, oat milk, ice and collagen. Collagen makes liquids a bit more frothy and frozen bananas, oat milk and ice really up the creaminess factor of this smoothie bowl. Pumpkin puree also helps thicken the smoothie too.
Best blender for smoothie bowl
Most blenders will get the job done when it comes to making a smoothie bowl, however you are definitely going to want one that can get to high-speed because you are blending frozen things.
If you’re looking to level up your blending game and want something that’s going to last a really long time and help you make smoothies, sauces and even soups, I definitely recommend a Vitamix. That’s what I used to get this smoothie bowl so smooth! I know it’s a bit of an investment, but I’ve had my refurbished Vitamix for nearly 8 years at this point and use it for everything from smoothies to soups.
Healthy Pumpkin Smoothie Bowl
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsweetened oat or cashew milk
- 1/2 cup LIBBY’S 100% Pure Pumpkin
- 1 banana sliced and frozen or just sliced
- 1 pitted date
- 1 serving unflavored collagen
- 2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tbsp. ground flax seed
- 2-3 ice cubes
- toppings:
- creamy peanut butter/almond butter
- pumpkin granola
- pumpkin seeds
- nuts / seeds
- banana slices
- apple slices
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients together in a blender and blend on high-speed. If using a Vitamix, you will need to use the tamper tool to push the ice and frozen banana down so that it blends together.
- Blend until smooth, pour into a bowl. Place the bowl back into the freezer for about 5 – 10 minutes. This will help freeze everything together giving it the texture and consistency of frozen yogurt.
- Top with your desired toppings and enjoy!
Notes
This recipe was proudly created in partnership with Libby’s. I hope you love it!
More pumpkin recipes you’re sure to fall in love with
- no bake pumpkin cheesecake bars {DF & GF}
- chickpea pumpkin blondies {GF & DF}
- pumpkin s’mores bars {DF & GF}
- pumpkin cookie protein balls {DF & GF}
I don’t like the flavor of banana in smoothies, so I use silken tofu instead. It gives a great creamy texture and adds protein as well!
Love that idea! Love that it adds more protein!