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 things pumpkin! At this time of year it is all about the PSL (that's Starbucks 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 and only a few ingredients.
If you can make homemade pumpkin spice lattes that are lower in calories than those you buy in coffee shops, then we're all for that! There are just 155 calories per serving, which is lower than a coffee shop version. You could use skimmed milk to lower the calories too.
If you are looking for other pumpkin recipes to try, then why not try our delicious Pumpkin Loaf Cake, easy Pumpkin Pie Smoothie, simple Carrot and Pumpkin Soup, creamy Pumpkin Pie Porridge or convenient Pumpkin Overnight Oats.
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Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Date sugar - This is where all the sweetness comes from in our homemade pumpkin spice latte recipe and is our choice of sweetener. You could use another granulated sweetener/sugar (brown sugar has a nice rich flavour). You could swap it for a liquid sweetener like maple syrup or honey.
- Water - This is a main part of the syrup. You can adjust the amount depending on how thick or thin you want it.
- Spices - We used ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves and ground ginger for those classic PSL flavours. It gives it that classic pumpkin pie spice flavor, but feel free to adjust them to suit your own tastes.
- Pumpkin - This is the star of the recipe. We used real pumpkin puree in a tin, but you could make your own homemade pumpkin puree if you prefer.
- 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 for our pumpkin spiced latte, but any milk will work. Use oat milk to make it dairy free/vegan.
- Squirty cream and cinnamon for serving (optional) to make it extra creamy.
Pumpkin Spice Latte Variations
Whilst it might be cold where we are in October, that doesn't mean it is everywhere. You could make an iced version of this by adding the coffee and syrup to cold milk and ice and shaking it.
Turn it into a frappuccino by putting everything into a blender and blending until smooth.
Ever thought of a pumpkin spiced milkshake? It's obliviously a lot more indulgent, but blend the syrup with some milk, ice cream and a little extra pumpkin puree.
How to Make a Pumpkin Spice Latte - Step by Step
- Step 1: Put all the syrup ingredients into a mixing bowl.
- Step 2: 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.
- Step 3: Add a shot of espresso to a cup and stir in 3 tablespoons of syrup.
- Step 4: Stir in hot steamed milk.
- Step 5: Top with cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
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
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Yes, you can make a double batch of the syrup and then keep it in the fridge in an air tight container for up to 2 weeks.
More Coffee Shop 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
To make the syrup
- 500 ml (2 cups) Water
- 125 g Date sugar
- 80 g (0.33 cups) Pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 0.25 teaspoon Ground ginger
- 0.25 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
- 0.25 teaspoon Ground cloves
To make the PSL:
- 3 tablespoon Pumpkin spice syrup
- 1 shots Espresso
- 350 ml (1.5 cups) Skimmed milk
Instructions
To make the syrup
- Put 500 ml Water, 125 g Date sugar, 80 g Pumpkin puree, 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon Cinnamon, 0.25 teaspoon Ground ginger, 0.25 teaspoon Ground nutmeg and 0.25 teaspoon Ground cloves into a mixing bowl.
- 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.
To make the PSL
- Add 1 shots Espresso to a cup and stir in 3 tablespoon Pumpkin spice syrup.
- Stir in 350 ml Skimmed milk (steamed).
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.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Latia says
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 says
Call me crazy but I usually have to have this at least once a week all year round, and not just for autumn
Eileen says
This is such a delicious recipe! This was my first pumpkin spice latte and now it is one of my favorite's! Thx
Claudia Lamascolo says
Hello Danielle I am going to make this one Wednesday for our Halloween Gathering I think its perfect and its really chilly here in Florida thanks for the recipe
Leslie says
You have my attention! I love my pumpkin spice latte, but I need something lighter. That way, I can drink more!
Ellen says
I can't even begin to tell you how much money this will save us. My husband love PSL's!
Debra says
Thank you so much for creating a healthy recipe for my beloved pumpkin latte. Super simple to make and I am saving money and my health by not going out every day for a fix. Not to mention I get to stay in my PJs at home! Awesome.