Nothing screams autumn quite like a pumpkin spice latte! These seasonal coffee shop lattes can contain a lot of sugar, but now you can make your own Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte, and it's a lot easier than you might think. Plus, you don't have to leave the house to get one either!
As the leaves start turning brown and falling to the ground, the air is getting crisp and it starts to get darker earlier, that must mean it is time to start thinking about coffee shop seasonal drinks and all thinks pumpkin! At this time of year it is all about the PSL (that's pumpkin spice latte to me and you).
While we are big fans of going out for a coffee, it can be nice to stay at home and make your own version too - especially when it is this easy. If you can make a version that is lower in calories than those you buy in coffee shops, then we're all for that!
If you are looking for other pumpkin recipes to try, then why not try our Pumpkin Loaf Cake, Pumpkin Pie Smoothie, Carrot and Pumpkin Soup, Pumpkin Pie Porridge or Pumpkin Overnight Oats.
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Why you will love it
- Low in calories - There are just 245 calories per serving, which is lower than a coffee shop version. You could use skimmed milk to lower the calories too.
- Really easy to make - You just whisk all the syrup ingredients together and reduce on the hob and mix it with coffee and steam milk.
- Can easily be made vegan - Swap the skimmed milk for a plant based alternative to make this vegan.
- Money saving - So much cheaper that buying a coffee shop pumpkin spice latte.
Ingredients needed
- Maple syrup - This is where all the sweetness comes from. You could swap it for honey, however we think the maple syrup gives it that classic autumnal flavour.
- Water - This is a main part of the syrup.
- Spices - We used ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground ginger for those classic PSL flavours. Feel free to adjust them to suit your own tastes.
- Pumpkin - This is the star of the recipe. We used pumpkin puree in a tin, but you could make your own puree if you prefer - Pumpkin Puree Recipe.
- Vanilla - This adds a lovely warmth and brings out all the other flavours. Make sure you use vanilla extract and not essence.
- Coffee - You want an espresso for this. You could use cold brew if you wanted to make an iced pumpkin spice latte.
- Milk - We used skimmed milk, but any milk will work.
- Squirty cream and cinnamon for serving (optional)
A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
How to make a pumpkin spice latte - step by step
One: Put all the syrup ingredients into a bowl.
Two: Mix well. Put in a pan and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Take off the heat and let sit for 10 to 15 minutes until thickened a little.
Three: Add a shot of espresso to each cup and stir in 3 tablespoons of syrup.
Four: Stir in hot steamed milk.
Five: Top with cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Healthy benefits of pumpkin
Pumpkins are great for carving, you can turn them into purée to make a delicious pie, but did you know that they have so many wonderful health benefits too? One portion has more than 200% of your RDA of vitamin A which is great for your eye site. They are packed full of fibre which means you will stay fuller for longer.
The seeds can help with heart health, as they can reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol. So when you make this, don't throw away the seeds - bake them and snack on them.
Pumpkin is also high in vitamin C an a good source of Vitamin E, iron and folate. It's nutrient dense and low in calories, making it perfect for making a healthy and filling soup.
Is it healthy?
Whilst the Starbucks version of a pumpkin spiced coffee is totally delicious and a regular part of our October routine, the ingredients list in our homemade version is much smaller. Just a can of pumpkin puree, some maple syrup and spices are all you need to make the syrup.
We don't add any salt to ours like Starbucks does, or any kind of colouring. We have tried to keep the ingredients list as small as possible, but still with maximum flavour.
A coffee shop Pumpkin Spice coffee is about 400 calories, whereas our healthier version is just 245 calories.
What to serve with a pumpkin spice latte
Want something else sweet to serve these with? We have got you covered! Why not try one of these:
- Apple Turnovers
- Cinnamon Swirls
- Healthy Flapjacks
- Orange Drizzle Cake
- Biscoff Mug Cake
- Almond Butter Cookies
- Easy Banana Cake
- Gingerbread Cupcakes
- Coffee and Walnut Cake
FAQs
We are really loving the canned pumpkin puree at the moment as it is just pure pumpkin with no additives, preservatives or any other nasties. It is near impossible to find in supermarkets in the UK, but you can order it from pumpkin puree from Amazon and it's fairly cheap too.
When mixed with some pure maple syrup and spices, it makes the most amazing syrup that is perfect for your coffee. We topped ours with some low fat whipped cream and a sprinkling of cinnamon, but the drink is just as good without the cream too.
If you use a plant based milk alternative, then these can be vegan.
You would need to swap the espresso for cold brew coffee. You could also blend it with ice cubes for a Frappuccino version.
Yes, you can make a double batch of the syrup and then keep it in the fridge in an air tight container.
Extra tips
• Make a big batch of the syrup and it will keep in the fridge for a couple of weeks.
• You can make this vegan by using almond, oat or cashew milk instead of semi-skimmed and using a soy cream on top or just leave it out completely.
• You can buy pumpkin puree from Amazon if you can't find it in UK supermarkets.
• You can make it sweeter by adding more maple syrup.
• Add a couple of tablespoons of cocoa powder to make a mocha version of this.
More drink recipes
If you’ve tried this homemade pumpkin spiced latte, then let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - You can use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Pumpkin Spice Latte
Ingredients
- 125 ml (0.5 cups) Maple syrup
- 100 ml (0.4 cups) Water
- 3 tablespoon Pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon Ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
- 4 shots Espresso
- 1.5 litre (6 cups) Skimmed milk
Instructions
- Put 125 ml Maple syrup, 100 ml Water, 3 tablespoon Pumpkin puree, 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon Ground ginger, 1 teaspoon Cinnamonand 1 teaspoon Ground nutmeg into a pan and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Take off the heat and let sit for 10 to 15 minutes until thickened a little.
- Divide 4 shots Espresso between 4 cups and stir in 3 tablespoon of syrup per cup.
- Divide 1.5 litre Skimmed milk between the cups and top with cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon (optional).
Recipe tips
- Make a big batch of the syrup and it will keep in the fridge for a couple of weeks.
- You can make this vegan by using almond, oat or cashew milk instead of semi-skimmed and using a soy cream on top or just leave it out completely.
- You can buy pumpkin puree from Amazon if you can't find it in UK supermarkets.
- You can make it sweeter by adding more maple syrup.
- Add a couple of tablespoons of cocoa powder to make a mocha version of this.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
Latia
Just made this for my first PSL of the year. I made a big batch based on ratings and faith. Glad I did. It is sooo spicy in the perfect way, it's like a hug from my mug in the morning. Thank you so much!
Jawad
Call me crazy but I usually have to have this at least once a week all year round, and not just for autumn