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Home » Recipes » Breakfast

Pumpkin Smoothie Bowl

By Erin · September 21, 2018 · Updated May 13, 2020 · 30 Comments

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Why drink a pumpkin smoothie when you could eat a pumpkin smoothie BOWL?! This Pumpkin Smoothie Bowl is made from pumpkin and cashews and is topped with chia seeds, cinnamon and walnuts for one filling and flavorful breakfast. 

A pumpkin smoothie bowl topped with walnuts, chia seeds and cacao nibs

Today's a good day for a pumpkin smoothie bowl. I firmly believe that smoothie bowls can and should be consumed year-round. They're perfect when you need a healthy breakfast and/or snack, and a great way to switch it up from regular smoothies. This pumpkin smoothie bowl tastes pumpkin pie in smoothie form. *This recipe originally appeared in 2015 but has since been updated with new photos, and the recipe has since been improved.

What do I mean by "this recipe has been improved"? Well, the original recipe used banana as a base, but after remaking it recently, I decided that the banana flavor was overpowering, so I decided to make it with cashews as the base instead.

THIS SMOOTHIE BOWL IS:

  • gluten free
  • made with chia seeds
  • a healthy breakfast
  • vegan-friendly
  • tastes like pumpkin pie 

A pumpkin smoothie bowl topped with walnuts, chia seeds and cacao nibs

WHAT MAKES A GOOD SMOOTHIE BOWL?

Texture is everything when it comes to smoothie bowls. You want them to be thick enough to eat with a spoon, but they can't be so thick that you're unable to blend them in your blender. For this recipe I recommend throwing in 5-6 ice cubes, which will help to turn the smoothie into a smoothie bowl.

Besides ice, the smoothie starts with cashews. If you've used cashews as a base in a recipe before, then you know that in order to get a creamy texture, it's best if the cashews are soaked. What does this mean? It simply meals that before making the smoothie bowl, you should pour the cashews into a bowl and cover them with water for at least an hour. If you're craving a smoothie bowl RIGHT NOW (I get it), you can boil the cashews for 20 minutes. This helps them blend up in your blender and you won't be left with cashew bits. 

Besides cashews, this healthy smoothie bowl uses canned pumpkin--make sure to use pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie mix--and your milk of choice. I tend to use almond or oat milk, but any kind will work. So, those are the *main* ingredients, but what about the flavor? In order to make this pumpkin smoothie bowl really taste like pumpkin pie, you need to add maple syrup, cinnamon and nutmeg. 

Last comes the toppings: you can top this smoothie bowl with anything, really, but I recommend walnuts, chia seeds, cacao nibs and/or chocolate chips, and maybe even a few apple slices.

Pumpkin smoothie bowl

OTHER SMOOTHIE RECIPES

  • peanut butter acai bowl
  • peanut butter espresso smoothie 
Pumpkin smoothie bowl

Pumpkin Smoothie Bowl

Why drink a pumpkin smoothie when you could EAT a pumpkin smoothie bowl?! Give it a try--you'll love it.
4 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1
Author: Erin

Ingredients

  • ½ cup raw cashews soaked*
  • ¾ cup canned pumpkin**
  • ½ cup milk of choice
  • 5 ice cubes
  • 2-3 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • Toppings: apple walnuts, chia seeds, cinnamon, or whatever you'd like!

Instructions

  • Combine smoothie bowl ingredients in a blender and pulse until smooth.
  • Transfer to a bowl and add toppings.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

*Cashews blend best if they're soaked beforehand. So, try to soak them for at least an hour before blending them. Alternatively, you can boil them for 20 minutes and then add them to the blender.
**Make sure to use pure pumpkin, not any pumpkin pie mix.
Did you Make this Recipe? Tag me Today!Leave a comment below and tag @thealmondeater on Instagram!

 

 

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About Erin

Erin is the recipe developer, writer and photographer behind the healthy food blog, The Almond Eater. She's been blogging since 2014 and loves to create food for many different diets, including vegan, gluten free and/or Whole30 recipes.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alyssa says

    October 12, 2018 at 1:56 am

    Would I double the ingredients if I want to make two bowls?

    Reply
    • Erin says

      October 13, 2018 at 12:10 pm

      Yep!

      Reply
  2. Bethany says

    September 25, 2018 at 8:52 pm

    Can this be made ahead of time, and stored in the fridge?

    Reply
  3. Anna Powell says

    June 26, 2018 at 9:51 am

    Saw this on a smoothie bowl roundup and this was the one that I was drawn to. It sounds delish. Its June and now all I can think of is Pumpkin 🙂 It would be easy to add in some leafy greens but I realize it would change the pretty color.

    Reply
  4. Debbie says

    June 13, 2018 at 7:12 pm

    I'm allergic to bananas, anything else i can substitute? I love pumpkin everything!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      June 17, 2018 at 11:07 am

      Hi yes! You could try using a little extra pumpkin, and then instead of a banana using some cashews--try 1/2 cup. You'll have to blend it up really well to make sure the cashews blend, but they're high in protein and a great neutral-tasting substitute I think.

      Reply
  5. Terry says

    May 04, 2018 at 11:07 pm

    2 stars
    I unfortunately didn’t enjoy this recipe very much; the banana was a bit of an odd background flavour with the pumpkin. I also found it to be a bit heavy on the spice for myself personally. The pecans and chia seeds on top were a nice added taste with some crunch. A pumpkin smoothie bowl sounds tasty, but if I were to make one again I would definitely modify the recipe. Thanks for sharing though!

    Reply
  6. Marlena Thompson says

    November 09, 2017 at 12:34 pm

    This looks yummy! What are the toppings that you added? Or what are some topping options? Can't wait to try it!

    Reply
  7. Claire says

    January 13, 2017 at 8:28 pm

    5 stars
    THIS IS SOOOO GOOD. Thanks for the recipe Erin, had a full energy morning with this beautiful bowl, topped mine with blueberries and granola:)

    Reply
  8. Carol West says

    November 16, 2015 at 11:37 am

    This looks yum, but I'm not a fan of banana. Is there a substitute or can it be omitted?

    Reply
  9. Christie @Lovely Lemon says

    September 21, 2015 at 9:09 pm

    This looks like the perfect Fall breakfast!!! I'm obsessed with everything pumpkin so I can't wait to try this one out.

    Reply
    • Erin says

      September 21, 2015 at 11:17 pm

      Let me know if you do 🙂

      Reply
  10. Christina says

    September 21, 2015 at 7:18 pm

    Ok first of all these are stunning. Second of all, I am so mad I used the rest of my pumpkin because I want this tomorrow morning!! Guess a trip to the store is in order ;D

    Reply
    • Erin says

      September 21, 2015 at 11:17 pm

      Darn it! As if going to the grocery store isn't the greatest thing ever (no but it actually is...) 😀

      Reply
  11. Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says

    September 21, 2015 at 5:32 pm

    I feel like you just left yesterday for your trip! It flew by so fast but I'm glad you had a good time. That bar sounds amazing too!

    Now, this smoothie bowl. Talk about perfect timing! It's wicked hot here but I'm in the mood for fall foods so this is perfect! I love that you topped it with apples too. Ugh, it looks so good!

    Reply
  12. Jill says

    September 21, 2015 at 4:43 pm

    I am resisting pumpkin anything until October 1st (personal rule!), but your pumpkin week recipes will come in handy the moment October hits 🙂
    Can you believe I've never had a smoothie bowl? I drink smoothies all the time...but not in bowl form! Love the look of this pumpkin smoothie bowl for a super healthy breakfast!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      September 21, 2015 at 11:15 pm

      Smoothie bowls are a real game changer!

      Reply
  13. Dani @ Dani California Cooks says

    September 21, 2015 at 2:17 pm

    I made a pumpkin recipe for the first time this season last week! It tasted just right, even though its soooo hot here in San Francisco right now.

    Reply
  14. Amanda @ .running with spoons. says

    September 21, 2015 at 11:57 am

    Eating smoothies with a spoon is -always- better than drinking them with a straw. Although I may be a little biased about the spoon bit 😉

    Reply
  15. GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth says

    September 21, 2015 at 8:23 am

    So, I'm almost ashamed to admit this, but I haven't even bought my first can of pumpkin yet -_-
    It was a mostly conscious decision thought because last year I got fed up of pumpkin wayyyy to quickly, so I'm trying to savour it for a bit longer this time around.
    But, since fall will officially start this week, I think it's time I get my act together haha

    Reply
    • Erin says

      September 21, 2015 at 11:15 pm

      Ahhh yes I know that feeling. It's time though!

      Reply
  16. Ashley @ Fit Mitten Kitchen says

    September 21, 2015 at 8:19 am

    Pumpkin pants! HA, I love it. Consider them ON! <3 And this I am totally pinning. I juts bought a baby can of pumpkin and I am pretty sure is the perfect size for this recipe. YUM, can't wait!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      September 21, 2015 at 11:14 pm

      Yaaaaaay! Glad both of our pumpkin pants are on 😀

      Reply
  17. Kelly @ Kelly Runs For Food says

    September 21, 2015 at 8:18 am

    I was in Trader Joe's over the weekend and got bombarded with pumpkin EVERYTHING. They somehow made me believe for a second that I needed pumpkin biscotti. I never eat biscotti. Luckily, I came to my senses, but I have a feeling once we start to get cooler weather that'll allll change.
    I tried to watch the emmys too. I made it to 9:30 haha. I'm so lame.

    Reply
    • Erin says

      September 21, 2015 at 11:13 pm

      HAHA you need that biscotti though...

      Reply
  18. lindsay says

    September 21, 2015 at 8:07 am

    why must you read my mind all the time?smoothie - bowl- pumpkin-walnuts -and all things YUM. Love it. ANd can't wait to hear about your trip

    Reply
  19. Rachel @ athletic avocado says

    September 21, 2015 at 7:21 am

    i am so in pumpkin mode! I love how this smoothie bowl uses a hefty 3/4 cup of pumpkin! it's the best! 🙂

    Reply
    • Erin says

      September 21, 2015 at 11:13 pm

      Heck yeah! The more pumpkin the better, right?

      Reply
  20. Shashi at RunninSrilankan says

    September 21, 2015 at 5:19 am

    You had me at pumpkin and banana....why have I never had those 2 together before???
    Heck yeah to pumpkin everything all week! And heck yeah to you being back! 🙂

    Reply
    • Erin says

      September 21, 2015 at 11:12 pm

      Thanks and YESSS pumpkin.

      Reply

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