This pumpkin pie protein shake is thick, creamy, and packed with all those cozy pumpkin spice flavors we love. It tastes like pumpkin pie in a glass, but with 36 grams of plant-based protein and completely vegan ingredients! Best of all, it takes just 5 minutes to blend up, making it perfect for an easy breakfast, snack, or post-workout treat.
If you love easy smoothies and protein shakes as much as I do, try my Vegan Strawberry Protein Shake or this Easy Apple and Banana Smoothie next.
I’ve made this pumpkin pie protein shake several times to get that sweet spot where it’s thick and creamy but still tastes like pumpkin, not banana or protein powder! I found that using two whole frozen bananas instead of ice gives it that creamy, milkshake-like texture without watering down those cozy pumpkin pie flavors.
And since you’ll have some pumpkin purée left in the can, don’t let it go to waste! Use it to make an Easy Vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte, spoon it into a batch of Healthy Vegan Pumpkin Bread, or whip up some Pumpkin Spice Cold Foam for your morning coffee.
Quick Look: Pumpkin Pie Protein Shake
- ⏱ Prep Time: 5 minutes
- ⏳ Total Time: 5 minutes
- 🥤 Serving Size: 1 protein shake
- 💪 Protein: 36 grams
- ⚡ Calories: 507 calories per shake
- 😋 Flavor Profile: Creamy, cozy, and perfectly pumpkin-spiced with a hint of vanilla.
- 👌 Difficulty: Super easy with just quick blend!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Pumpkin pie flavor: Real pumpkin, warm spices, and a thick, creamy texture give you all those cozy pumpkin pie flavors in every sip.
- 36 grams of plant-based protein: Vanilla protein powder, soy milk, and almond butter make this one seriously satisfying shake.
- Quick and easy: Just toss everything into a blender and blend until creamy. It’s ready in only 5 minutes!
- Vegan and dairy-free: This shake is completely plant-based as written, with no dairy needed to get that rich and creamy texture.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Vanilla plant-based protein powder: Adds protein, sweetness, and vanilla flavor. Ritual is my go-to brand for this shake, but use your favorite vanilla plant-based protein powder and adjust the soy milk as needed since brands vary in thickness.
Frozen banana: I use 2 whole frozen bananas (about 1 cup) for natural sweetness and a thick, frosty texture without ice. Fresh banana works too, but the shake will be thinner.
Pumpkin purée: Use 100% pure pumpkin purée, not pumpkin pie filling, which already contains sweeteners and spices. Homemade pumpkin purée works too.
Soy milk: Unsweetened soy milk adds creaminess and extra plant-based protein. Almond, oat, or another dairy-free milk works too, but the protein content will vary.
Almond butter: Adds richness and a subtle nutty flavor. Swap it with another creamy nut or seed butter if needed.
Pumpkin pie spice + cinnamon: These create that cozy pumpkin pie flavor. No pumpkin pie spice? Use a blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
Optional sweetener: Taste the shake first before adding any extra sweetness. You may find the bananas and vanilla protein powder make it sweet enough. If not, add 1–2 teaspoons of maple syrup or monk fruit sweetener to taste.
How to Make a Pumpkin Pie Protein Shake
Step 1: Add the soy milk to the blender first, followed by the pumpkin purée, almond butter, vanilla protein powder, frozen banana, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon.
Step 2: Blend on high until completely smooth and thick. If the shake is too thick, add a splash of soy milk and blend again until it reaches your preferred consistency.
Pro Tip: Adding the soy milk first helps everything blend smoothly and keeps the protein powder from sticking to the bottom of the blender.
Optional: For an extra festive fall touch, I sometimes top my shake with a dollop of Oat Milk Whipped Cream or Coconut Milk Whipped Cream, crushed pecans, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Expert Tips
- Freeze ripe bananas: I freeze bananas once they’re ripe and spotty for extra natural sweetness and a thick, creamy shake.
- Choose your protein powder carefully: I use Ritual vanilla, but I’ve found that the protein powder you use can noticeably change the sweetness, flavor, and thickness of the shake.
- Taste before sweetening: I usually find the ripe bananas and vanilla protein powder sweet enough, so taste before adding maple syrup or monk fruit.
Variations
Chocolate pumpkin: Blend in cocoa powder for a chocolate pumpkin protein shake. Add a little extra soy milk if needed to keep it creamy.
Pumpkin spice latte: Add a shot of cooled espresso for a pumpkin spice latte protein shake with a coffee kick.
Storage
- Refrigerate: For the best texture, enjoy fresh or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3-4 hours. Shake or stir before drinking.
- Freeze: Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months, leaving room for expansion.
- Thaw: Thaw overnight in the fridge, then re-blend until creamy. Add a splash of soy milk if needed.
Pumpkin Pie Protein Shake FAQs
Yes. I’ve tested it with ½ cup vegan vanilla yogurt in place of the frozen bananas, and it works well. I prefer Icelandic-style oat milk yogurt for its creamy texture and extra plant-based protein.
Yes. Cook and purée fresh pumpkin until smooth, then use it in place of canned pumpkin purée. Avoid raw pumpkin or pumpkin pie filling, as they will change the flavor and texture.
More Vegan Shakes and Smoothies
If you tried this Pumpkin Pie Protein Shake recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below.
Pumpkin Pie Protein Shake
DESCRIPTION
INGREDIENTS
- ⅓ cup vanilla protein powder I use Ritual as my go-to brand
- ⅓ cup pure pumpkin purée canned
- 1 cup soy milk (unsweetened) I prefer Soy Beverage from Trader Joe's
- 1 cup frozen banana
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon powder
Toppings (Optional)
- dollop vegan whipped cream
- sprinkle cinnamon powder
- pinch crushed pecans
METHOD
- Blend: Add the soy milk first, followed by the remaining ingredients. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Adjust: If too thick, add a splash of soy milk and blend again.
- Serve: Pour into a glass and enjoy right away. Top with vegan whipped cream, crushed pecans, and cinnamon, if desired.
NOTES
- Use ripe frozen bananas: Freeze bananas chunks when they’re ripe and spotty for a naturally sweeter, thick, creamy shake without ice.
- Adjust the consistency: Protein powders thicken differently, so add extra soy milk a splash at a time if needed.
- Make it banana-free: Replace the frozen bananas with ½ cup vegan vanilla yogurt. I prefer Icelandic-style oat milk yogurt for a creamy texture.
- Check the sweetness: Taste before adding sweetener since ripe bananas and vanilla protein powder may be sweet enough on their own.
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