7 Surprising Smoothie Recipes To Make With Fall Produce

Just like summer’s berries, fall’s pears add natural sweetness to smoothies (along with an antioxidant punch and nearly a quarter of your daily fiber). Laura from A Beautiful Plate brings out their fresh floral flavor with vanilla and honey, along with an unexpected ingredient: grated lime zest. Plain low-fat kefir adds a shot of protein, while hemp seeds deliver a dose of healthy fats like omega-3s. (Did you know hemp seeds pack 10 grams of protein per serving? Try these 6 delicious ways to eat them.)

Fall means a return to all things spiced—including cozy chai. Davida from The Healthy Maven loads up this banana- and almond butter-based smoothie with warm flavors like cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and nutmeg. Got some cool-weather greens like kale or collards hanging out in the fridge? Try swapping them in for the baby spinach.

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Pumpkins aren’t the only orange veggie that hit their peak this time of year. Carrots are also at their sweetest during the fall and winter. Arman from The Big Man’s World blends them up with oats, plant milk, vanilla protein powder (our go-to: NorCal Organic Vanilla Whey Protein), and warming spices like cinnamon. The result is a cozy, satisfying drink that tastes just like a slice of carrot cake—except it’s actually good for you. (For a hint of sweetness in your coffee, try these 6 new ways to flavor your cup without added sugar.)

Sure, beets might seem like a strange choice for a smoothie. But one taste of this drink from Julia of The Roasted Root, and you’ll probably be hooked: The earthy beets are sweetened up with fresh figs and banana, while a generous scoop of almond butter adds nutty richness. The original recipe calls for unsweetened almond milk, but using full-fat coconut milk makes the texture even more decadent, she says.

MORE: 7 Awesome Ways To Make Comfort Carbs From Beets

No fall smoothie roundup would be complete without at least one pumpkin drink, right? Dana from Minimalist Baker makes a blended beverage with all the flavors of your favorite pumpkin spice latte. But unlike the classic coffee shop drink, this one isn’t packed with added sugar and sketchy additives. It’s sweetened naturally with banana—and best of all, it gets an extra antioxidant (and color!) boost from frozen baby spinach. (Psst! Here's why you should put the banana—peel and all—in your smoothie.)

Not ready to say goodbye to summer quite yet? Try this smoothie by Lisa of Healthy Nibbles and Bits. It combines sunny mangos with hearty baked sweet potatoes and a drizzle of maple syrup for a seriously delicious seasonal mashup. A spoonful of chia seeds delivers healthy fat along with a little bit of protein. But for even more staying power, consider adding a spoonful of cashew butter or a scoop of vanilla protein powder.

MORE: 6 Surprising Ways To Add More Protein To Smoothies Without Protein Powder

How can you make cauliflower taste like a frothy milkshake? Blend up frozen, riced florets with almond milk, chocolate protein powder, maca powder, and cacao nibs, says Brittany of Eating Bird Food. Yes, it sounds weird, but the cauliflower will give your drink a surprisingly rich, creamy texture. And since the flavor is pretty neutral, all you’ll taste is sweet, chocolate-y goodness. C’mon, you know you want to see what it’s like. (While you're at it, check out these 8 high-protein veggies you didn't know you could sneak into sauces and smoothies.)