Apple Pumpkin Smoothie – Easy Fall Recipe

by | Sep 27, 2024 | The Puréed Kitchen

apples and pumpkin with blog post sign

Are there any other two foods that scream “FALL” more than apples and pumpkins? Combining these two popular flavors into a smoothie is just the perfect thing to make and bring seasonal tastes to any dysphagia diet!

Smoothies are wonderful drinks that often thicken naturally to a nectar or honey consistency so individuals on these consistencies do not need to have the taste altered by using food thickening agents. Any smoothie can be modified into a pudding consistency and eaten in a bowl vs. drinking.

Smoothie bowls provide endless recipe options to bring variety to a pureed diet. Smoothie bowls can be served as a side dish, dessert or stand alone as a snack.

I’ve made the smoothie as easy as possible by using applesauce instead of fresh apples. Just like any smoothie recipe, there are many variations that one could use and I’ll add those at the bottom of the recipe.

apples on table with smoothie in a glass and smoothie in a bowl

Apple Pumpkin Smoothie or Bowl

Bring two of the most popular fall flavors together into a drink or smoothie bowl to add variety to your dysphagia diet offerings capturing the season! Quick and easy to make. Smooth and delicious!
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Course Drinks, Side Dish

Equipment

  • 1 personal size blender

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree, canned
  • 1/2 cup applesauce
  • 1/2 cup apple cider may substitute apple juice
  • 1/2 cup yogurt, plain or vanilla flavored
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • drops caramel sauce optional for garnish on top
  • food thickener , add amount as needed for thickness needed use food thickener of choice
  • 3-5 ice cubes use thickened ice cubes if you are on thickened liquids

Instructions
 

  • 1. Add all ingredients , with exception to caramel sauce and food thickener, to blender and blend until smooth
    2. Check thickness and add food thickener as needed for a nectar or honey consistency. Add thickened ice cubes to the blender, nectar or honey as needed, and blend until smooth. See instructions below to make thickened ice cubes.
    3. Pour into glass and enjoy as a smoothie. Garnish with a drizzle of caramel sauce and mix in to add sweetness and a dash of pizzazz!
    4. For a smoothie bowl, add food thickener and stir until a pudding consistency. Serve in a bowl and enjoy as a side dish, snack or dessert. Drizzle caramel sauce on top and mix in to add sweetness and a dash of pizzazz!

Notes

Thickened Ice Cubes:  To make ice cubes for individuals on thickened liquids is easy and as they melt they will keep your drink at a nectar or honey thickness as needed.  
  1. Prepare 12 ounces of water in a glass to the thickness you need, nectar or honey, using the food thickener of your choice.
  2. Pour the thickened water into an ice cube tray and freeze.
  3. Add thickened ice cubes to your drinks and great for making smoothies.  
 
 
Keyword dysphagia diets, pureed recipes
ingredients lined up on the table needed for apple pumpkin smoothie to include containers of yogurt, applesauce, caramel sauce, pumpkin puree can, 1/2 gallon of apple cider and pumpkin pie spice bottle

You could use alternative ingredients to suit what you have on hand such as the following:

  1. Instead of yogurt, many recipes use milk.
  2. A whole apple could be added instead of the applesauce. However, after blending all ingredients, if your loved one requires smooth pureed foods, the smoothie would have to be put through a sieve to remove any apple pulp or skins before serving.
  3. Apple juice could be used in place of apple cider.
  4. A frozen banana provides a smooth base that can replace dairy items
  5. To add additional sweetness if desired, add maple syrup, honey or other sugar substitutes

A quick search on the web will provide numerous smoothie recipes. If you or your loved has other diet restrictions, i.e., diabetic, cardiac, etc,. there are recipes online to accommodate any restriction when making smoothies.

I am often asked how to add calories to a persons diet. There are recipes online for high calorie smoothies and/or smoothies for weight gain.

Once you have become familiar with the common base ingredients that form a smoothie, you will become proficient at modifying the recipes to suit your needs and taste buds. Enjoy your glass or bowl!

View me making this video on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giLgKg32tN8