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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.
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
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.
OTHER SMOOTHIE RECIPES
Pumpkin Smoothie Bowl
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup raw cashews soaked*
- 3/4 cup canned pumpkin**
- 1/2 cup milk of choice
- 5 ice cubes
- 2-3 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp 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
Alyssa says
Would I double the ingredients if I want to make two bowls?
Erin says
Yep!
Bethany says
Can this be made ahead of time, and stored in the fridge?
Anna Powell says
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.
Debbie says
I'm allergic to bananas, anything else i can substitute? I love pumpkin everything!
Erin says
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.
Terry says
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!
Marlena Thompson says
This looks yummy! What are the toppings that you added? Or what are some topping options? Can't wait to try it!
Claire says
THIS IS SOOOO GOOD. Thanks for the recipe Erin, had a full energy morning with this beautiful bowl, topped mine with blueberries and granola：）
Carol West says
This looks yum, but I'm not a fan of banana. Is there a substitute or can it be omitted?
Christie @Lovely Lemon says
This looks like the perfect Fall breakfast!!! I'm obsessed with everything pumpkin so I can't wait to try this one out.
Erin says
Let me know if you do 🙂
Christina says
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
Erin says
Darn it! As if going to the grocery store isn't the greatest thing ever (no but it actually is...) 😀
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
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!
Jill says
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!
Erin says
Smoothie bowls are a real game changer!
Dani @ Dani California Cooks says
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.
Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
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 😉
GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth says
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
Erin says
Ahhh yes I know that feeling. It's time though!
Ashley @ Fit Mitten Kitchen says
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!
Erin says
Yaaaaaay! Glad both of our pumpkin pants are on 😀
Kelly @ Kelly Runs For Food says
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.
Erin says
HAHA you need that biscotti though...
lindsay says
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
Rachel @ athletic avocado says
i am so in pumpkin mode! I love how this smoothie bowl uses a hefty 3/4 cup of pumpkin! it's the best! 🙂
Erin says
Heck yeah! The more pumpkin the better, right?
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
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! 🙂
Erin says
Thanks and YESSS pumpkin.