Vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte
This vegan pumpkin spice latte is warming, flavorful, and irresistibly cozy! With the perfect blend of pumpkin purรฉe, spices, plant milk, and coffee, itโs unbelievably indulgent and satisfying. Itโs perfect as a morning beverage or afternoon pick-me-up!
๐งก Why you’ll love this recipe
- Authentic fall flavors: This vegan pumpkin spice latte is made with real pumpkin purรฉe and pumpkin spice โ no pre-mixed syrups here!
- Customizable: Whether you’re a fan of soy or oat milk, or you prefer agave over cane sugar, this recipe can easily be adjusted to suit your taste.
- Cost-effective: Save your hard-earned dollars and make this cafรฉ-worthy treat at home. You’ll be surprised how much you can save over time!
- Simple & quick: With just 6 ingredients and a couple of steps, you can have this vegan pumpkin spice latte ready in no time.
If you love vegan pumpkin spice latte, you should really check out our dirty chai latte, vegan champurrado, vegan atole de arroz, or vegan atole de guayaba.
๐ Creamy vegan pumpkin spice latte
This vegan pumpkin spice latte is our ode to the season of cozy sweaters, golden leaves, and warming drinks. Made insanely popular by Starbucks, the PSL is synonymous with fall, but thereโs a new kid in town.
Our homemade version carries a more authentic and pronounced pumpkin flavor youโll love. Plus, it has a balanced sweetness, thanks to real pumpkin purรฉe and the ability to adjust the sweetener. Youโll still get that full-bodied, creamy texture with soy or oat milk, but they wonโt leave you feeling weighed down like traditional dairy milk!
We like to double-boil the mixture (like in our dirty chai latte) to give it a light and airy consistency without needing to use a milk frother. So, if youโre looking to switch up your daily PSL for a more budget-friendly and plant-based option, youโre going to want to bookmark this recipe!
๐ Ingredients & substitutions
- Plant milk: Soy and oat milk are our preferred options for their rich consistencies. Almond or cashew milk will also work, but your latte may be less creamy. You can also use coconut milk if you enjoy the flavor.
- Pumpkin purรฉe: Provides an authentic pumpkin flavor and a velvety texture. Both store-bought and homemade purรฉe work well.
- Agave: Agave gives a smooth, mild sweetness without overpowering the flavor of the pumpkin. You can also use maple syrup, cane sugar, coconut sugar, or coconut nectar as alternatives.
- Vanilla extract: Adds depth and a hint of sweetness. Try to use pure vanilla extract whenever possible for the most aromatic results.
- Pumpkin pie spice: Imparts warmth and a spicy kick. We always make a big batch of pumpkin spice to keep on hand. You can make your own with 2 tablespoons of cinnamon, 2 teaspoons of ginger, 1 teaspoon each of cloves and allspice, and ยฝ teaspoon of nutmeg.
- Espresso: Balances the sweetness and provides that caffeine kick. You can also use strongly brewed coffee, like from a Bialetti Moka Express or an Aeropres.
For a complete ingredient list and step-by-step guide, scroll down to our recipe card.
๐ How to make a vegan pumpkin spice latte
Step 1: Blend the core ingredients
Start by combining your plant milk, pumpkin purรฉe, agave, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice in a medium saucepan. Stir the mixture continuously to help incorporate the spices.
Step 2: Boil & aerate
Next, bring the mixture to a boil. Once it starts bubbling vigorously, remove it from the heat briefly. When you bring it to boil again, you’ll notice tiny bubbles. This is our quick hack to give the latte a frothy and airy texture, emulating what steam frothers do at coffee shops.
Step 3: Brew the coffee
While the pumpkin mix simmers, brew your espresso. Whether you’re using a classic espresso machine, a Bialetti Moka Express, or an Aeropress, make sure the coffee is robust to balance out the sweet, spicy flavors of the pumpkin mix.
Step 4: Assemble the latte
Pour the brewed coffee into a coffee mug and top it with the simmered pumpkin mix. Enjoy your latte while itโs still hot with your favorite toppings. Happy drinking!
If you have questions about this vegan pumpkin spice latte recipe, check out our FAQs or leave a comment down below!
๐ซ What to serve with a pumpkin spice latte
Every cup of this vegan pumpkin spice latte deserves the perfect finishing touch. Here are some garnishes that youโre going to want to try:
- Vegan whipped cream
- Extra pumpkin spice
- Cinnamon stick
- Vegan chocolate shavings
- Toasted pecans
๐ก๏ธ Storage & reheating
Feel free to make a double batch of this vegan pumpkin spice latte recipe and store leftovers for later. Hereโs how:
- Fridge: Keep the cooled latte in an airtight container or jar for up to 2 days.
- Freezer: You can freeze the mixture in ice cube trays, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. You can either reheat the cubes for a warm latte or use them to chill an iced vegan pumpkin spice latte.
- Reheating: Warm the latte gently in a saucepan on the stove, stirring often to prevent a film from forming.
โป๏ธ Variations
- Chai: Swap out the pumpkin pie spice for chai spices. Cloves, cardamom, and ginger would be delicious!
- Mocha: Stir in 1-2 tablespoons of cocoa powder for a chocolate-forward flavor.
- Golden latte: Add a teaspoon of turmeric and a pinch of black pepper for an anti-inflammatory boost.
- Alcohol: For a grown-up version, mix in a splash of spiced rum.
- Sugar-free: Instead of using agave or sugar, opt for monk fruit or stevia.
๐งโ๐ณ Top tips
- Double boil: The trick to creating a frothy latte without a steam frother is to boil the mixture twice. Donโt skip this step!
- Bean quality: Invest in high-quality coffee beans for the best flavor profile.
- Watch the heat: Make sure you’re not boiling the mix too aggressively, as this can cause the milk to curdle.
- Coffee options: While espresso shots are the best, strongly brewed coffee works as well, especially if you donโt have access to an espresso machine.
๐ฌ FAQ
Opt for decaffeinated coffee beans for a caffeine-free vegan pumpkin spice latte. Alternatively, skip the coffee and enjoy a pumpkin-spiced milk beverage. Or, turn it into a tea latte with decaf black tea or naturally caffeine-free tea (like rooibos).
The key is to look for small bubbles when boiling the mixture. Ensure you’ve boiled it twice for optimal frothiness. Or, use a milk frother or blender to create microbubbles.
Instead of boiling the ingredients for the drink, you can just blend them in a high-speed blender and serve everything over ice.
โ๏ธ More drink recipes
If you’re a fan of warm, comforting drinks like this vegan pumpkin spice latte, explore our collection of other drinks:
- Vegan Rompope: A creamy and dairy-free recipe for a Mexican version of eggnog.
- Vegan Atole de Elote: A sweet and corn-filled atole perfect for warm days.
- Hokkaido Milk Tea: Creamy milk tea thatโs easy to serve warm or chilled.
- Taro Milk Tea: Purple bubble tea made with taro root and dairy-free milk.
Creamy Vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Whisk
- Measuring spoons
- Mugs
Ingredients
- 2 cups plant milk (soy or oat work best)
- 2 tablespoons pumpkin purรฉe (plus more to taste)
- 2 tablespoons agave (or cane sugar)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ยฝ – ยพ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (we use ยพ)
- 2 shots espresso (or 3-4 ounces strongly brewed coffee)
For serving
- Vegan whipped cream
- Extra pumpkin spice
Instructions
- Add the plant milk, pumpkin purรฉe, agave, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice to a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then remove it from the heat until it stops bubbling.
- Bring it to a boil once more (this helps aerate the mixture), then remove it from the heat. Brew your espresso shots or coffee (a Bialetti Moka Express or Aeropress are also great options).
- Assemble the lattes by dividing the espresso or coffee between the bottom of 2 mugs. Top them with the simmered pumpkin mixture.
- Finish your vegan pumpkin spice lattes off with a dollop of vegan whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin spice. Happy drinking!
Video
Notes
- Double boil: The trick to creating a frothy latte without a steam frother is to boil the mixture twice. Donโt skip this step!
- Bean quality: Invest in high-quality coffee beans for the best flavor profile.
- Watch the heat: Make sure you’re not boiling the mix too aggressively, as this can cause the milk to curdle.
- Coffee options: While espresso shots are the best, strongly brewed coffee works as well, especially if you donโt have access to an espresso machine.
- Nutritional information is a rough estimate and should not be taken as health advice.
Nutrition
Mitch Chapman is a food writer, photographer, and one of the founders of Broke Bank Vegan. With a background in healthcare and the restaurant industry, he has a passion for sharing healthy yet flavorful plant-based food.