Better Than Starbucks Dairy Free Pumpkin Spice Latte

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Let’s just say my first experience with a pumpkin spice latte was not a good one.
I gave it a try at the golden arches… Cough… Mcdonald’s and let’s just say they overdid it. The spice was so strong I could barely swallow it.

I am far from wimpy when it comes to spices but if I feel like I might as well be chewing on a cinnamon stick… Um no.

Being dairy free now this pretty much leaves me always making coffee at home or buying black coffee if I am desperate.

Because this girl is not wasting $5 on a drink at Starbucks unless it is my only choice and I might fall asleep driving home. Not to mention the moral issues with that company but that’s beside the point.

Dairy Free Alternatives

Whether you are looking for a vegan pumpkin spice latte because it’s a life choice or you are like me and dairy will give you hives I’ve got you covered.

I have been dairy free for over 2 years now and let’s just say that takes a lot of joy out of a good cup of coffee. But with people having more and more health issues these days there are starting to be some GREAT dairy-free alternatives.

Here are some of my favorites dairy swaps:

  • Cows Milk – Ultra-pasteurized almond milk (this is my go-to milk of choice)
  • Whipped Cream – Whipped Coconut Milk (It does have a hint of coconut but it’s not strong and hardly ever messes up a recipe. It often is just an added flavor it is a GREAT dairy-free whipped topping)
  • Heavy Whipping Cream – Coconut Cream

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients For PSL

½ cup milk
1 tablespoon canned pumpkin puree 
¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup coffee
2 teaspoons half and half
1 teaspoon sugar

Toping
Whipped cream
Nutmeg or Cinnamon

Tools

Steps To Make The Dairy-Free Pumpkin Spice Latte

  • Steep coffee in a french press or coffee maker.
  • In a microwave-safe bowl, whisk the first four ingredients together. Microwave on medium heat until frothy, approximately one to two minutes.
  • Watch carefully to avoid boiling over and spoiling the Almond milk.
  • Pour the mixture into a tall mug, and then add the hot coffee. Next, add cream and sugar. Stir well.
  • Top with Coconut Whipped cream and sprinkle of nutmeg if you’d like.

Printable Recipe Card🔽

Dairy Free Pumpkin Spice Latte

Easy pumpkin spice latte with dairy free swaps. Easy to make at home.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 4 minutes
Course coffee
Servings 1 Person

Equipment

  • 1 Microwave safe bowl
  • 1 Coffee maker or french press
  • 1 Milk Frother

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 Cup Milk DF Swap: Almond milk
  • 1 Tablespoon Canned Pumpkin Puree  or to taste
  • 1/4th Teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice Don't over do it
  • 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 1 Cup HOT Coffee
  • 2 Teaspoons Half and Half DF Swap: Coconut Cream
  • Whipped Cream DF Swap: Canned Whipped Coconut Cream
  • Nutmeg or Cinnamon

Instructions
 

  • Steep coffee in a french press or coffee maker.
  • In a microwave-safe bowl, whisk the first four ingredients together. Microwave on medium heat until frothy, approximately one to two minutes. Watch carefully to avoid boiling over and spoiling the milk.
  • Pour the mixture into a tall mug, and then add the hot coffee.
  • Next, add cream and sugar. Stir well.
  • Top with whipped cream and sprinkle of nutmeg if you’d like.

Notes

Daily Swaps
  • Cows Milk – Ultra-pasteurized almond milk (this is my go-to milk of choice)
  • Whipped Cream – Whipped Coconut Milk (It does have a hint of coconut but it’s not strong and hardly ever messes up a recipe. It often is just an added flavor it is a GREAT dairy-free whipped topping)
  • Heavy Whipping Cream – Coconut Cream
Keyword coffee, latte, pumpkin spice

Favorite Coffee Brands

I will hands down forever be a Yuban Coffee lover. 

But if they are not available there are a few that are acceptable if I must swap them out… Can you hear the disdain in my voice?

Pr Tip: For my gardeners out there who don’t want to throw their pumpkins out after the season has passed. This is a great way to put them to use. 

Cut your pumpkins into smaller chunks and bake the pumpkins in the oven at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until soft with poked with a knife. Then let it cool. Puree them with a blender and put them in the freezer. Now you have your own homemade actual pumpkin puree.

Common Questions About Making A PSL

Can Pumpkin Spice Latte be made dairy-free?

Yes!! Almost any coffee drink can be made dairy free if you look for the right alternatives. 

What non-dairy milk is best with Pumpkin Spice Latte

Most people recommend Oak Milk which I would agree with. But I am also allergic to gluten and have a slight allergy to oats themselves. So obviously I can’t test it out to see the results. But as far as looks go, oat milk does seem to get frothier than Almond milk.

How do you order a Pumpkin Spice Latte vegan?

Yes if the coffee shop offers dairy alternatives you can swap out the milk for a non-dairy option.

How much milk is in a Pumpkin Spice Latte

1 part milk to 2 parts coffee. So it is going to depend on the size you are trying to make but 1/2 cup milk (or milk alternative) to 1 cup coffee.

Is there milk in a Pumpkin Spice Latte

Yes, but there are plenty of alternatives to swap out if dairy is an issue for you.

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