Smoothie King Pumpkin D-Lite Recipe

In the fall, Smoothie King releases its Pumpkin D-Lite smoothie! It tastes like pumpkin pie, but it’s packed with protein. Make your own pumpkin smoothie at home for a fraction of the price.

Why You’ll Love it:

Nothing says fall like pumpkin flavored everything! And this pumpkin d-lite smoothie tastes like a slice of pumpkin pie. It’s made with real pumpkin puree, banana, dates, and protein powder.

My kiddos love a trip to Smoothie King, but 99% of the time we make smoothies at home! It’s budget-friendly and easy too!

If you love Smoothie King, try one of these favorites – banana boat, angel food, or the hulk copycat recipes!

Key Ingredients:

Pumpkin puree – Crucial for the pumpkin flavor! I used Libby’s 100% pure pumpkin. You can use any brand that’s on sale.

Vanilla yogurt – I always use Greek yogurt for a boost of protein! Since I classify this smoothie as a dessert smoothie, I used sweetened vanilla yogurt. For less sweetness, use unsweetened yogurt.

Vanilla protein powder – You can use any brand you like – regular or plant-based. I recommend a protein blend. 100% whey protein gets too foamy in the blender.

Pumpkin pie spice – You can buy it pre-made or make your own. I like to buy it premade so I don’t have to measure! It’s a mixture of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice.

Dates – For natural sweetness. Dates last up to 6 months in the fridge. But the older they get, the more moisture they lose. If your dates feel hard, soak them for 5 minutes in warm water so they blend easily.

Banana – A frozen banana creates a creamy shake-like consistency. Just throw one into a zip-top bag and freeze overnight, before you plan to use it. You can cut it into chunks before or after freezing.

Ice – Smoothie king uses ice in their smoothies. Too much ice creates an icy texture, but a small amount chills it and tastes good!

Milk – Regular or plant-based works great! A good low-calorie option is unsweetened almond milk.

How to Make a Pumpkin D-Lite Smoothie:

This pumpkin smoothie is simple to make! If necessary, soak your dates first to soften them.

Combine ingredients: In the pitcher of your blender, combine the pumpkin puree, vanilla yogurt, protein powder, pumpkin pie spice, dates, frozen banana, ice, and milk.

Blend: Start the blender on low speed, then increase to high. Blend until smooth and creamy.

Serve: Pour into glasses and enjoy immediately!

Recipe Tips:

• If needed, soak your dates. Older dates lose moisture. If your dates are hard, they won’t blend well and you’ll end up with chunks of dates in your smoothie. Soak them for 5 minutes in warm water to soften them first.
• If you like a heavily spiced smoothie, increase the amount of pumpkin pie spice. I used 1/2 teaspoon. Increase to 3/4 of a teaspoon.
• Use a protein blend. 100% whey protein powder has a tendency to foam in the blender. Use a plant-based alternative or a protein blend to avoid this issue.
• Adjust the consistency as desired. I prefer a thick but pourable smoothie. For a thinner smoothie, add more liquid, a little bit at a time. For a thicker smoothie, add more ice.

Variations:

• Dairy-free/vegan – Use a vegan protein powder and plant-based milk. My favorite plant-based milk is unsweetened almond milk. For more protein, opt for soy milk which has close to the same amount of protein as dairy milk.
• Gluten-free – Make sure your protein powder is labeled gluten-free.
• Dates – If you don’t have dates, you can swap them with maple syrup. Start with a tablespoon, then increase the amount as needed.
• Oats – Add 1/4 cup of rolled oats for added whole grains and a slight oatmeal flavor!

Storage Tips:

This pumpkin d-lite smoothie recipe is best enjoyed immediately! I don’t recommend storing it in the fridge overnight.

It only takes 5 minutes to make and most blender pitchers are dishwasher safe.

More Smoothie King Recipes:

• Smoothie King Peanut Power Plus Recipe
• Smoothie King Banana Berry Treat Copycat
• Smoothie King Island Impact Recipe
• Smoothie King Pineapple Surf Copycat