Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipes You Can Make at Home

Pumpkin spice is basically synonymous with fall. Since Starbucks first introduced its pumpkin spice latte in 2003, the fall spice has become an obsession. You can now buy protein powder that tastes like pumpkin spice, dye your hair to look like “pumpkin spice”, and treat your dog to a pumpkin-spiced snack. Some would say that things have gotten out of hand, but those people would be wrong.

The only real criticism we can get behind is that Starbucks’ latte isn’t particularly healthy. A grande PSL with whipped cream, for example, contains 51 grams of sugar. That’s a lot! But rest assured, there are ways to make fall’s favorite beverage a little bit better for you. Here are a handful of healthy pumpkin spice latte recipes you can make at home.

1. Adaptogenic Pumpkin Spice Latte from The Simple Green

Heidi from The Simple Green adds reishi mushroom extract (a popular adaptogen) to her riff on the PSL. “Adding a small amount of reishi mushroom extract to my warm drinks is a subtle and simple way to help me feel calm and centered,” Heidi told Clean Plates. “For me, simplicity is key when it comes to maintaining my sense of wellness.”

Her version is also dairy-free, gluten-free, and uses maple syrup as the only sweetener.

2. Pumpkin Spice Matcha Latte from Simply Quinoa

Instead of using coffee or espresso as the base, Alyssa of Simply Quinoa uses matcha, which gives her morning drink a vibrant green hue. She also adds MCT oil to keep her alert. “For me, my PSML (pumpkin spice matcha latte!), is one of the ways I stay energized and productive throughout the day,” Alyssa explains.

3. Homemade Pumpkin Chai Latte from Cookie + Kate

Kate of Cookie + Kate uses spiced chai (or decaf rooibos) to make her version of the pumpkin spice latte. It has the same warming spices of the original drink, and is only sweetened with a little maple syrup or honey. “It’s creamy and full of flavor, but not overwhelmingly rich,” she explains. “Add homemade coconut whipped cream if you want to make it taste like dessert!”

4. Vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte from Well and Full

Sarah from Well and Full was inspired to create a version of Starbucks’ most popular drink because her sister was obsessed with it. “The original Starbucks PSL didn’t actually contain any pumpkin — it was all artificial flavoring. I knew I could do better!” Sarah told Clean Plates.

Sarah’s vegan latte includes pumpkin spices, almond milk, black coffee, and a little bit of maple syrup for sweetener. “To me, wellness involves wholesome ingredients and good taste — for the body and the soul. This vegan pumpkin spice latte checks both boxes!”