It’s never too late for pumpkin spice!
Say it with me now.
Puuuuummmppppkin Spiiiiiiice.
Ok, So maybe I am the only one who gets a kick out of Starbuck’s pumpkin spice commercial. I love pumpkin spice season and on occasion I’ll enjoy a Starbucks treat. I started making my own pumpkin spice coffee at home when I was floored (literally, hubs had to pick me up off the floor) when I found out how many calories were actually in a non fat no whip version. Oh, and if you’d like to have your mind blown like I did, there’s also a whole lot of garbage in them. Although, sometimes, I don’t pay much attention to some of that stuff people complain about. Maybe I should. Who knows.
We tend to can our own pumpkin. But this season my cousins crop didn’t do well so I wasn’t able to do much canning. I’ve resorted to buying pumpkin in the can and I do stock up when it’s on sale. I use it for so many things. I’ve made some pumpkin smoothies in the past with it, but this time I just wanted to do something different. More importantly, I wanted it edible with a spoon.
Since I have been trying to test out some recipes with sugar-free puddings I thought I would try my last box of Pumpkin Spice and see how it paired with chocolate. I was a little hesitant but I found a whole bunch of smoothie recipes on Pinterest using it. Although, their protein powder either tasted like cake batter when plain or vanilla. I figured the chocolate and pumpkin spice together could be more like a pumpkin spice latte.
What’s the worst that could happen?
Yah. Down the drain. And I would be bummed I wasted my precious pumpkin spice pudding.
But, I am happy to report that wasn’t the case.
It turned out so nice and thick….mmmmmm I could eat it with a spoon. I have found if I can eat more smoothies with a spoon I can enjoy them more often as my body gets tricked into thinking I am chewing. I don’t know…it works. It also helps that I am experimenting more with chia seeds. More specifically, soaking them with various flavors and liquids. For this recipe they were soaked overnight with water so they could puff up and gel.
Don’t look at me like that. 😉
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
- 8 oz skim milk
- 1½ - 2 tbsp sugar-free pumpkin spice pudding mix
- ¼ cup pre-soaked chia seeds
- Pre soak your chia seeds. I put mine in a small mason jar with some water. Soak them overnight so they get nice and thick.
- Place the protein powder, milk, and pumpkin spice pudding mix in a blender.
- Blend for 2-3 minutes so that the pudding has time to mix and get thick.
- Pour into a very tall glass or a wide mason jar.
- Carefully pour in your 'gelled' chia seeds.
Are you a happy, happy, pumpkin eater? What’s your favorite way to enjoy it?
Terry says
December 9, 2014 at 9:06 amI don’t can my own pumpkin, but I do freeze it. I like knowing it is organic… who knows what is in the cans of pumpkin we buy. That Pumpkin Spice Chia looks very tasty.
Michele says
December 9, 2014 at 9:30 amI love Pumpkin Pie–that is by far my favorite. I also love baked pumpkin. Of course I live in a apartment so no growing them or canning them for me. Pumpkin Pie Pudding mix? Do they sell that and WHERE please!!! As for the calories in various drinks and foods in various food and drink establishments–where I live they put the calories right on the menu or menu board–YIKES. I can simetimes ignore it unless my Mom happens to be out with me—–she makes sure I notice and take notice!!
Heather says
December 9, 2014 at 1:48 pmI’m just starting to get in to chia seeds! I’ll have to try this! 🙂
Am says
December 12, 2014 at 7:01 amChia is so healthy for you! Way to bring in some seasonal faves with it..
Monica says
January 21, 2015 at 7:48 pmThis sounds beyond amazing. And a special treat after soaking those seeds overnight! I’ve just been getting back into smoothies. Love your recipes. 🙂
Angela McKinney says
January 21, 2015 at 8:32 pmI love pumpkin but really mostly in pie LOL. This smoothie sounds like something that would be right up my alley.
Amanda Love says
January 21, 2015 at 9:15 pmI have yet to try a chia smoothie but I can totally do this. I’m sure it tastes delicious especially since its pumpkin spice.
Melissa Vera says
January 21, 2015 at 9:47 pmI am not into the pumpkin spice craze like a lot of people but I think this smoothie recipe might just make me want to try it. Thanks for delicious recipe.
Mary O'Malley says
January 21, 2015 at 10:18 pmThis sounds like a really yummy smoothie recipe!
Lesley says
January 21, 2015 at 10:34 pmI use chia seeds in a lot of my smoothie recipes, they are a good fit. I haven’t had pumpkin though.
Krystal says
January 21, 2015 at 11:21 pmThis sounds great! Chia is really good for you, and pumpkin spice anything is always delicious. Thanks!
Michele says
January 22, 2015 at 2:01 amI definitely am a PUMPKIN eater–I love my PUMPKIN. So how come I didn’t know that there is a Pumpkin Spice pudding mix? Hum—-Maybe I would begin to like smoothies if I could eat them with a spoon-you may have something there. I have yet to try Chia seeds—uh–maybe.
Maureen @ A Debt Free Stress Free Life says
January 22, 2015 at 7:05 amI love all things pumpkin and spice. A smoothie is even better. You can whip them up and take it on the go.
Rosey says
January 22, 2015 at 7:40 amI’ve never thought about the eating versus drinking aspect of it, lol. Funny how we trick ourselves and it works even though we’re the ones doing the ‘tricking,’ eh? 🙂 I think a pumpkin spice chia smoothie sounds great!
Kat Ryan says
January 22, 2015 at 1:22 pmEveryone I know loves pumpkin spice and hate waiting for the holidays to get some. This is great!
Christie says
January 22, 2015 at 1:43 pmI need more chia seeds in my life. And I always could have pumpkin 🙂
Shop with Me Mama (Kim) says
January 22, 2015 at 2:42 pmOH this sounds very yummy! I love pumpkin and to add it to a chia smoothie would be really good!
Theresa says
January 22, 2015 at 3:08 pmYou had me at pumpkin! These sounds so delicious, and I like that it is sugar free!
Crystal says
January 22, 2015 at 3:46 pmI do love all things pumpkin. I’ve never tried canning my own, but you’ve got me wanting to try it! Until the fall, I’ll have to settle for canned pumpkin to make this yummy treat!
lady Lilith says
January 22, 2015 at 4:46 pmLol. I should try making a drink think as well. I bet it also lasts longer so the enjoyment lasts.
Pam says
January 22, 2015 at 4:58 pmI just got into the pumpkin spice hype this year. Now I love it! I’m definitely going to be trying this smoothie soon.
Debbie Denny says
January 22, 2015 at 5:37 pmI will have to try this with chia. Sounds tempting.
Amber NElson says
January 22, 2015 at 7:44 pmI do love pumpkin, just not sure I would like it in smoothie form. I’d have to try it!
Jeanine says
January 22, 2015 at 8:11 pmI have never tried pumpkin before. Ever. I really dislike the smell of it so I’ve never tried it. I may have to brave it one of these days and see what all the fuss is about!
Veronica says
January 22, 2015 at 10:34 pmThat sounds really good. Although I only really like pumpkin in soups. This would be a change for me and maybe worth a try
Tough Cookie Mommy says
January 22, 2015 at 10:51 pmI love recipes that contain pumpkin flavors. This smoothie would be a big hit with me in the morning.
Anne | Helping Moms Work at Home Since 1992 says
January 22, 2015 at 11:07 pmI have not tried chia seeds yet even though I keep seeing them in a lot of recipes. This sounds good and I’m getting ready to try some new smoothies so may have to give it a try!
chrystal says
January 23, 2015 at 7:24 pmIt took me years after seeing them for the first time on Pinterest to try them. They have a lot of health benefits so they are worth looking at.
Beth@FrugalFroggie says
January 22, 2015 at 11:40 pmI needed this smoothie recipe. I have chocolate protein powder and have no recipes.
Annie M says
January 22, 2015 at 11:53 pmI’m not a big fan of pumpkin spice. However, I am a fan of adding chia seeds in for extra fiber to my drinks 😛
Lois Alter Mark says
January 23, 2015 at 1:44 amThis sounds delicious! I know my daughter especially would love it!
Kiwi says
January 23, 2015 at 4:18 amEating smoothies with a spoon? I never thought to do that actually but it does make kind of sense…I am not gonna lie I am not the biggest “pumpkin spice” fan blame it on the overhype but I did have some pumpkin spice cheesecake that was amazing…so maybe a smoothie version over a latte would be better!
Stefany says
January 23, 2015 at 10:04 amI have yet to try chia seeds. You almost have me convinced to give them a try though. Almost. 🙂
Tracey says
January 23, 2015 at 10:11 amI am a huge pumpkin spice fan! Definitely going to try this smoothie recipe.
Heather says
January 23, 2015 at 11:00 amThis looks tasty! I love chia seeds – I like picking them out of my teeth. Keeps me from eating more 🙂
chrystal says
January 23, 2015 at 7:19 pmhahaha I know! I don’t usually eat them raw like this. I like to soak them so they puff up. Makes for less teeth-picking.
Kay Adeola says
January 23, 2015 at 12:00 pmThis looks really good.We love Chia here.
April G says
January 23, 2015 at 12:02 pmI’ve never had a pumpkin spice smoothie. This looks delicious! Yum! Why not keep the pumpkin going all year long!
Ashley Gill says
January 23, 2015 at 1:19 pmI am totally pinning this for later! I love Pumpkin Spice and could drink it year round!
Ann Bacciaglia says
January 23, 2015 at 1:42 pmI will definitely need to try this great recipe. I love smoothies and pumpkin. The Chia seed would add a great texture to the drink.
Amanda M McMahon says
January 23, 2015 at 11:05 pmI dont believe i have really seen the pumpkin size pudding mix. Where do you find it?
Rosey says
January 23, 2015 at 11:11 pmThis sounds wonderful to me. My favorite way to eat pumpkin right now is in ravioli.
Marika says
January 24, 2015 at 2:00 amGreat idea, must give this recipe a try!
Amy Desrosiers says
January 24, 2015 at 11:42 amThis looks like a great recipe. I love pumpkin and chia seeds so much!
Aisha Kristine Chong says
January 25, 2015 at 10:55 amHmm well, this looks like a good one to try even looks healthy to me!