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!
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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).
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.
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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
Iced latte - 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.
Milkshake - 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 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.
Dannii's Top 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.
- We have served some whipped cream on top, but you could use a milk frother and spoon it on top.
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 this hot drink is just as good without the cream too.
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
Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte
Ingredients
To make the syrup
- 500 ml (2 cups) of Water
- 125 g of Date sugar
- 80 g (0.33 cups) of Pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon of Vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon of Cinnamon
- 0.25 teaspoon of Ground ginger
- 0.25 teaspoon of Ground nutmeg
- 0.25 teaspoon of Ground cloves
To make the PSL:
- 3 tablespoon of Pumpkin spice syrup
- 1 shots of Espresso
- 350 ml (1.5 cups) of Skimmed milk
Instructions
To make the syrup
- Put 500 ml of Water, 125 g of Date sugar, 80 g of Pumpkin puree, 1 tsp of Vanilla extract, 1 tsp of Cinnamon, 0.25 tsp of Ground ginger, 0.25 tsp of Ground nutmeg and 0.25 tsp of 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 of Espresso to a cup and stir in 3 tbsp of Pumpkin spice syrup.
- Stir in 350 ml of 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
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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.
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.
Kelly Anthony says
Love the fact that I don't have to leave the house to get my favorite drink for fall. Thanks for the recipe!
Danielle says
Yum! This looks so much better than the Starbucks version. You have me craving one now!
Raju puwviya says
Hi, very nice article
thank you for posting, keep up the good work.
danielle says
I love PSLs, but don't love the huge calorie count. I love that you lightened this up and made it easy to make at home!
kim says
These look irresistible! I love that you used real pumpkin and gave easy-to-follow instructions. Can't wait to give it a try!
Claudia Lamascolo says
Isnt this a great season and you sure kicked it up with this spicy delicious latte we love this drink and I havent had my fix yet this year!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
This looks amazing - I don't think autumn is fully here until I've had a pumpkin spice latte!
Shashi at SavorySpin says
WOA - That syrup is gold! I'd LOVE that not just in a latte but even on my toast! yum!
Noel Lizotte says
I love your recipe! So wholesome yet indulgent.
We are great coffee drinkers also, but my husband can't stand going out for coffee ... I think it's the principle of paying $4-6 for a cup that he can have at home ... because he drinks his straight black.
Elaine says
I love this lighter version! Getting ready to make a batch of syrup for the fridge. Thanks for a great recipe.
Pam Greer says
I don't know what I want more, the pumpkin spice latte or those cute mugs! I love that you made a healthier version!
Patty K-P says
Thank you for sharing this recipe! I'm so excited to wake up to PSL every morning without standing in line!