Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on this site, I may earn a commission.
Read my Privacy Policy.
This homemade healthy pumpkin spice latte brings a new meaning to the word, delicious!
I remember the day I took my first sip of a friend’s PSL from Starbucks and just about fell over at the amount of sugar. It made my teeth ache!
But I did like the flavor, so I decided to go home and try making it myself. What I came up with is, in my humble opinion, leaps and bounds better than the sip I took that day from my friend’s drink.
In fact, I have to be careful not to let Mini Chef get ahold of this because it’s almost like candy. Hot or cold, this is seriously good stuff! I would even be willing to bet that you too could kick the Starbucks habit completely with this little recipe. My friend sure did! The price, flavor, and nutrition of this homemade version is just so much better!
There is no pumpkin puree, foamed milk, or even a small saucepan for this recipe. You don’t have to worry about shots of espresso or anything else. It’s just coffee, pumpkin pie spice, and milk. It’s super easy!!
Pumpkin Spice Latte Calories
Let’s compare the nutrition data of this drink to the Starbucks version. This is directly from their website.
Now check out the data of this recipe!
That’s quite a difference, don’t you think? The ingredient list alone is a major upgrade for your health when you make this at home!
Homemade Latte
This time of year brings up all things pumpkin. While a pumpkin spice latte doesn’t have any real pumpkin in it, it can be full of simple ingredients and natural flavors.
The best part of a homemade version of this favorite fall drink is that it beats the long lines at your local coffee shop. This recipe doesn’t include any of the pumpkin spice syrup that most coffee shops use. But it doesn’t need it when you use strong coffee or hot espresso, real spices, frothed milk, and a touch of maple syrup.
I made this using a French press. So it was easy to get these specific measurements. If you use a coffee maker, you’ll need to adjust the amounts of all the ingredients based on the amount of coffee you use. You can double or triple or…
What Type Of Coffee Maker Works Best?
If using a coffee maker, be sure you use the type that requires paper coffee filters. The spices will clog your machine if you have the other type that does not use these filters.
I made this using a French Press, and I highly recommend them.
Vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte
This recipe is naturally vegan if you use plant-based milk. The rest of the ingredients are naturally vegan!
Tools For Making A Pumpkin Spice Latte
(Amazon Affiliate Links)
While you can easily make this and many different types of lattes with a regular, paper-filter coffee maker, those of us who like to take our lattes to the next level like to have the toys to do it. Try this milk frother, this French press, this large mug, or this espresso machine!
Note that you don’t really need any of these fancier tools. You can froth your milk with an immersion blender, heat your water on your stovetop and then brew a single cup of coffee with a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice. But if you enjoy the toys and make enough lattes for them to be worthwhile, they can be a fun addition to your kitchen.
What You’ll Need To Make A Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Ground coffee – Use your favorite, as long as it isn’t flavored. Or use espresso. Your choice.
- Pumpkin spice – Pumpkin pie spice is typically a blend of spices such as nutmeg, allspice, cloves, ground cinnamon, ginger, and other spices. Everyone has their own formula. If you’d like, you can make your own in minutes. And if you don’t like the pumpkin flavor all that strong, you can back off to about 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice. This recipe is totally adjustable in that way.
- Water
- Milk – You can use unsweetened almond milk, whole milk, soy milk, coconut milk, oat milk, skim milk, nonfat milk, whipped cream, or other non-dairy milk. The choice is yours. Whatever type of milk you most enjoy in your regular coffee, as long as it isn’t a flavored creamer.
- Pure vanilla extract – Use the real stuff, not flavoring. You can use up to a full teaspoon of vanilla extract if you like.
- Pure maple syrup – Use the real stuff, not imitation syrup. Don’t use honey because the flavor of honey will overtake the pumpkin spice flavor.
- Cinnamon stick – For garnish
How To Make A Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte
Combine the coffee and the pumpkin spice and brew as usual with the specified amount of water.
Pour the maple syrup into the bottom of your cup, jar, or mug with the vanilla extract, and pour half of the hot coffee over that.
Add 1 cup of milk and stir, whisk, or shake. Repeat steps 2-3 for the second serving.
Cool a bit to medium-hot or medium heat, add a little whipped cream if you like, and enjoy.
How To Make A Healthy Latte
I wrote the guide for setting yourself up to be your own barista at home! I’ll give you 20 recipes along with milk temperatures, healthier sweetener ideas, and more.
Get the guide for free here!
Recipes Used
More Coffee Drink Recipes
Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte
CLICK TO WATCH THIS RECIPE IN ACTION!
Equipment
- French Press OR coffee maker with paper filters
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp. ground coffee
- 1 tbsp. pumpkin spice
- 2½ cups water
- 2 cups unsweetened almond milk (or any milk you prefer)
- ½ tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp. pure maple syrup
Instructions
- Combine the coffee and the pumpkin spice and brew as usual with the specified amount of water.
- Pour the maple syrup in the bottom of your cup with the vanilla extract and pour half of the hot coffee over that.
- Add 1 cup of milk and stir. Repeat steps 2-3 for the second serving.
- Cool a bit to a medium-hot or medium heat and serve with a little cinnamon or extra pumpkin pie spice sprinkled over the top.
Notes
- While this recipe shows the use of a larger french press, the measurements are the same if using a coffee maker with filters.
- Do not use coffee makers that do not use paper filters. The spices will clog up your coffee maker.
- Please note that the nutrition data is a ballpark figure. Exact data is not possible.
Nutrition
This recipe from the Gracious Pantry archives, originally posted 9/20/11.
Cannot wait to try this!!!
Bookandspoon – Let me know how you like it!
I’ve never had a Pumpkin Spice Latte, but this recipe sounds great. I am going to swap out my regular coffee for this tomorrow morning. Thankfully I have all the necessary ingredients so I don’t have to wait. : ) Thank you for the recipe!
Tammie – I’m so glad I’m not alone in this! I had never had one before either. But I’m so happy I tried! Hope you enjoy it!
Ok, so I tried the recipe yesterday morning and loved it! I used my french press, as you had said you used yours, and I had a problem with the spice causing a slimy type layer to clog the screen on my press and it was nearly impossible to press down the plunger. I know in the instructions that you said to put the spices in with the coffee grounds, but should I not put them into the press until right before it press the liquid? Anyway help would be great because I would love to make this recipe every morning, but don’t want to worry about breaking my press. Thanks so much.
Tammie – How odd. I can’t imagine why that is happening. Are there any ingredients in the spice mix other than just the spices? I can’t imagine what would cause a slimy layer. There’s nothing in the coffee or spices that should do that.
You could try letting everything steep and then pouring it through a coffee filter. But that sort of defeats the purpose of using a press. You could try using a coffee maker and paper filter. But again I would check the ingredients to be sure there’s nothing in there that would cause this to happen, otherwise, it may happen in your coffee maker too.
I’ve just started reading your blog and your recipes look fantastic! I haven’t tried any yet, but I’ve bookmarked quite a few, and they’ll make their way onto my menu plan in the next few weeks. 🙂 I do have a question, though–I noticed that you don’t use butter in any of your recipes. Why is butter not “clean” but oil is? It seems like butter is probably less processed than oil is in most cases. Can you explain?
awood – Butter is one of those “personal choice” things. It’s a saturated fat, whereas healthy oils are not. There is some evidence to suggest that butter is not as bad as once thought, but since I can’t have dairy, it’s natural for me to avoid it.
2nd Man’s Wife – You should try it too! Haha!
Guest – That’s not a bad idea. But technically, instant coffee is not clean. It’s very processed. So many clean eaters avoid it. But for those that do use it, this would certainly be an option. Thanks!
Jandtgreen – Fantastic!!
Rebecca – There is so much controversy surrounding that idea that I try not to even go there. I know for me personally, caffeine is not my friend. And for those with other issues such as high blood pressure, it’s also not a good idea. So I air on the side of caution and vote against it most of the time.
would agave be a good substittute for the maple syrup??
Courtney – Sure! It wil have a different flavor than maple, but it will still be good. Same for honey.
Princesschic – I have a Bodum coffee press and I LOVE it! I will never go back to a coffee maker again. In my humble opinion, they are just faster, easier and far less cumbersome.
Lori – Yay! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
Jodi – It smells wonderful, but tastes divine!
wow. just, wow. this was amazing! I made my own pumpkin spice since I didn’t have any on hand (4 tsp cinnamon, 2 tsp ginger, 1 tsp ground cloves, 1/2 tsp nutmeg). Next time I am going to try using stevia to sweeten and if that works, the only calories will essentially be from the almond milk! Thanks so much!
Holly – You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Oh my gosh! This is delicious! Thank you so much. You know…Right before you posted this, I broke down and bought one at coffee shop near my work. Never again! This is amazing. Thank you so much for posting this. I put raw honey at the bottom of my glass instead because all I had was a maple-agave blend. Now, I am not sure if Agave is even clean anymore. It turned out beautifully.
Allison – Wonderful! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
this was good, i only made a few small changes, i mixed the pp spice & the ground coffee together in the hold,lol i also heated my milk on the stove because i hate adding cold milk to hot coffee but very yummy indeed:)
Vanessa – Great! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Excellent!!!!!!!! I am so happy to have this recipe!!! Thank you
Noeken – You’re welcome! Enjoy!
I added a little bit of unsweetened coco powder to mine and it was amazing! Chocolate pumpkin latte!
Esther – Fabulous!
I was just exploring this website for the first time. (Love it by the way!) I got out of my chair and went to the kitchen when I saw this recipe and made myself a cup. It reminds me of the holidays because my sister and I always splurge on a similar Starbucks when we are Christmas shopping. This year we are both working on healthier eathing and this was such a treat to wonder across. I used regular skim milk, but I will get some vanilla almond for next time, I think it will be creamier tasting. YUM!
Kathy – Welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed the latte!
Can’t wait to try this tomorrow!!
Lindsey – Hope you enjoy it!
Rebecca – I could be wrong, but I highly doubt there is any real pumpkin in the Starbucks version. I’m pretty sure it’s just manufactured flavor. But you could certainly apply this recipe to others. Let me know how it turns out!