Recipe: Healthy Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

Last week I was on a MISSION to find a pumpkin spice latte recipe that was 1. healthier, 2. tasted good and 3. could be made at home in the comfort of my own kitchen. I don’t think I have to tell you guys about how Starbucks’ version contains barely any “real” pumpkin and more sugar in one serving than the recommended limit. You probably already know that it’s a bit unhealthy (although it does taste good)! I tested more than FIFTEEN recipes last week and time after time, walked away a little discouraged (and with a bad taste in my mouth). I also had trouble sleeping that night because of the amount of caffeine I ingested, hahah. The next morning, I woke up with an epiphany that I should try using espresso instead of K-cups, and that’s when this magical HEALTHY HOMEMADE PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE was born. Since that fateful day, I’ve whipped up one of these beauties every single morning with breakfast. I love how the flavor of pumpkin is present but not overpowering, it’s sweet but not sugary, and the scents of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves will tickle your nose and have you pulling out your UGG boots and blanket scarves. 😉

Okay, on to the recipe!

My Healthy Homemade PSL

Ingredients

  • 1 shot of espresso
  • 1 TBSP organic maple syrup
  • 1 TBSP organic pumpkin puree (or more to taste)
  • 1 TSP organic pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 cup milk or almond milk

Directions

  1. When the espresso is still piping hot, stir in the maple syrup, pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice and stir until well combined.
  2. Using a milk steamer or milk frother, steam the milk until foamy on top, then pour slowly into the espresso mixture.
  3. Top with an extra sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.
  4. ENJOY!

A few notes about this recipe: You really need an espresso machine to make this. The cheapest one I could find on Amazon is this one for around $100. A typical latte is made with espresso and steamed milk, and it just doesn’t work to use regular coffee because it tastes too watered down (trust me, I tried). On that note, you also really need a milk steamer in order to get a creamy consistency with foam on top, but if you don’t have one, you could try putting the milk in a blender and blending for a minute or two. For this recipe, I’ve been using grass-fed, organic whole milk and it froths up beautifully.

Another note: it’s really easy to make this entire recipe organic! You can use organic coffee beans or coffee grounds, organic maple syrup, organic milk, etc. and *voila* you have a perfectly clean, delicious latte to help wake you up and get you goin’ in the morning without any toxins.

And lastly, if you just don’t want to shell out the money for a real espresso machine, we tried this recipe using brewed coffee and a blender and it was quite tasty (and healthy!), although nowhere near as tasty as the version made with real espresso.

Okay loves, that’s it for today! If you try out this recipe I would love for you to let me know how you like it! Or if you choose to share it on Instagram/Instastories I will definitely repost! Much love to you all. xoxo

Leave a Comment

23 Comments

  1. Joan

    YUM and such a cute post too with October starting tomorrow. Your Monday posts are my favorite of the week.

    9.30.19Reply
  2. Bianca

    Thanks for testing and sharing a healthy version of the classic fall favorite! Excited to try this!!

    Just a thought but I think this could work with a stovetop espresso pot. Although a little more work (prep/cleanup) and time, it would be cheaper ($20-30).

    9.30.19Reply
    • Shelli

      Wondering if you’ve tried to pre-make the mix to have ready and in the fridg? Hmmmm
      ❤ – not a baker

      9.30.19Reply
  3. Oh my gosh, fifteen different recipes, haha, Caitlin I truly applaud your dedication! Thanks for sharing this, it does sounds really really good and the PSLs you can buy in cafes always are too sweet for my taste 🙂 I’ll for sure give it a try!
    xx Janine
    https://walkinmysneaks.blogspot.com

    9.30.19Reply
  4. Corinne

    Thanks for the recipe! Can’t wait to try it. I did find an espresso machine at Walmart for $40.

    9.30.19Reply
  5. I’ve only had a sip of a PSL once a few years ago, and it was VERY sweet! I can’t have espresso, because I’m sensitive to caffeine. But I can definitely make this with 1/2 caff but maybe with only 6oz so it’s not too watery like you said! Thanks for sharing this healthy recipe with us!

    Erika Marie | https://imerikamarie.com

    9.30.19Reply
  6. Molly Roberts

    OMG thank you!!! I hate the sugary Starbucks drinks because I feel like my blood sugar spikes. I can’t wait to try this!!!

    9.30.19Reply
  7. Ahhh, thanks so much for this, Caitlin!!! I don’t have an expresso machine (yet), but I will definitely be bookmarking this post to try! x

    She Sweats Diamonds 

    9.30.19Reply
  8. Kim

    Hi! I was just wondering what espresso machine and milk steamer you use? Thanks for the yummy recipe!

    10.1.19Reply
    • I have a Breville Oracle Touch espresso machine (and it has a built-in milk steamer) 🙂

      10.1.19Reply
  9. Jaime

    Wow, 15 recipes!! I admire your dedication!

    For anyone who wants to try this but doesn’t have an espresso machine, there are stove-top espresso makers. I just checked Amazon for prices and they’re between about $10-30. They’re a little smaller than a kettle so not too difficult to find space for. 🙂

    10.1.19Reply
  10. I’m excited to try this recipe to kickstart the fall season! Just a tip for anyone trying out this recipe: you can also use a small espresso pot (search for Bialetti) to make this and you won’t have to shell out big bucks on a large coffee machine. Happy fall, y’all!

    10.1.19Reply
  11. Cynthia

    Cute post! Love the fall vibes! I can’t help pulling out all my rust sweaters, corduroy/tweed/suede skirts, cardigans, loafers, and ankle boots even though I live in Florida and it’s still in the high 80’s.

    I order a tall pumpkin-spiced vanilla chai tea latte with two pumps of chai. It has 2% steamed milk which supposedly foams better than whole milk; 50% less calories, 50% less caffeine, and 50% less sugar than a PSL; and it’s delicious.

    10.1.19Reply
  12. Laura Leigh

    Really wish I liked coffee/espresso as this sounds wonderful!

    xo Laura Leigh
    http://www.louellareese.com

    10.1.19Reply
  13. I’m definitely going to try this, thanks cutie! Happy fall all!

    XO, Kate

    10.1.19Reply
  14. SOOOO DELICIOUS! I love that this isn’t super sweet! And you have a vegan version! YAY!

    xoxo
    platnsdish.com

    10.1.19Reply
  15. Kayleigh

    So excited to try this! I am a coffee novice but bought a Nespresso VertuoPlus a few months ago. I tried to drink a PSL last week and it was disgustingly sweet. Would this work with a Nespresso machine?

    10.1.19Reply
  16. O. M. G. This sounds sooo yummy, and so easy!! I love the clean simple ingredients, and I already have these in my pantry! Can’t wait to try this for a nice cozy and healthy fall morning!! Happy October, girl! 🙂

    xx Libby
    https://premedwearspearls.blogspot.com/

    10.1.19Reply
    • AS

      I just made this using 1/4 cup cold brew concentrate (made using the toddy cold brew system – which is only $40). I warmed up the milk and put all the ingredients in a bullet blender to froth up and it was perfect! Thanks for the recipe!

      9.9.20Reply
  17. Miriam

    Looks amazing. Will try it this weekend! I always use something like this https://www.amazon.com/Classic-Stovetop-Espresso-Flavored-Delicious/dp/B07VFXP37D/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=espresso+maker&qid=1599166291&sr=8-3
    It’s a stove top espresso maker and works really well for me 🙂 a lot cheaper than an espresso machine as well, for those who may want a cheaper alternative 😀

    9.3.20Reply
  18. Lauryn

    I make mine nearly the same but I’m an iced coffee girl – I use cold brew concentrate (don’t dilute it), maple syrup, pumpkin & oat milk. I use cinnamon instead of pumpkin pie spice because my grocery store was out!

    10.20.20Reply
  19. Amanda

    Just made one this morning with oat milk and substituted honey and it was delicious! Thanks for the recipe❤️

    11.25.20Reply