The beauty of this smoothie recipe is that it’s easy to blend up and it’s a yummy way to introduce your toddler to pumpkin… outside of pie form! This smoothie has just a few simple ingredients so you can pull them out of your fridge and pantry and get a healthy toddler breakfast or snack on the table quickly. I love it because the pumpkin flavor is there but it’s subtle. This is an easy canned pumpkin recipe to make without dairy if you need it to be vegan, especially since I find that plant-based milks lend a better overall consistency to smoothies than dairy milk. I like plain, unsweetened nondairy milks like soy milk or plant milk with pea protein from brands like Silk and Ripple. This smoothie has a balanced mix of protein, fiber, and vitamin A and is one of our favorite toddler smoothies. (You may also like Pineapple Smoothie, Raspberry Smoothie, Peach Popsicles, Pineapple Popsicles, and Sore Throat Popsicles.)
Ingredients You Need
To make this pumpkin smoothie, you’ll need to have the following ingredients on hand.
Milk: Dairy or nondairy work here, though I prefer nondairy. Pumpkin puree: Look for puree, not pie filling here. Small frozen banana Cocoa powder: This adds some flavor, but you can skip it if you prefer. Almond or peanut butter Hemp seeds: This is an easy way to add protein, fiber, and healthy fats. You can’t taste them as they blend right in.
Ingredient Substitutions
You can leave out the hemp seeds and use peanut butter or Sunbutter if desired. Or just skip it altogether. To make this smoothie without frozen banana, you can add 2 tablespoons of avocado and a few ice cubes. Or use ½ cup milk and ½ cup Greek yogurt to add creaminess. You can omit the cocoa powder and/or sweeten to taste with maple syrup. You can blend in a date if you’d like some natural sweetness.
Step-by-Step Instructions
To make this pumpkin smoothie for kids, simply add the ingredients to the blender and blend until very smooth. Start the blender on low and slowly work up to blend on high. Scroll to the bottom of the post for the full information.
How to Serve Smoothies to Toddlers
We drink our pumpkin smoothies in a Squeasy Gear pouch (just remove the lid before handing it over to your toddler or it can be tricky to use), in a small open cup, or in a regular cup with a silicone lid cover and straw. Find a full rundown in my Smoothie Cups for Kids. See what your toddler likes best.
How to Store
Serve immediately for the best texture, or store in the fridge for 2-4 hours and serve in a reusable pouch. Shake it before serving to make sure it’s not separated. You can also freeze the smoothie for later.
Best Tips for Success
To make this smoothie without banana, you can try adding a 2 tablespoons of avocado and a few ice cubes. Or use ½ cup milk and ½ cup Greek yogurt to add creaminess. To make this vegan, use nondairy milk. To add extra pumpkin flavor, try adding a dash of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon to the mix. Serve to kids in a small open cup, reusable pouch, or straw cup. This works with canned pumpkin puree, Homemade Pumpkin Puree, or Pumpkin Baby Food. Try it alongside my Protein Banana Muffins as a really satisfying breakfast. Check out my Mini Pumpkin Pies if you have more pumpkin puree to use.
I’d love to hear what you think if you make this recipe so please share a comment below!
Favorite Toddler Smoothie (with Veggies!)
Easy Apple Smoothie
Healthy Pumpkin Muffins
Healthy Pumpkin Cookies
This post was first published November 2018.
