Love Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes, but hate the calories, price tag, and FIFTY grams of sugar? Follow these easy instructions and make a delicious and healthy homemade pumpkin spice latte year round!
I’m a huge fan or turning the recipes I love into healthy, guilt-free recipes.
Because, let’s face it, I like to eat, and I like to not feel guilty.
I also like to be healthy.
When I can get these 2 loves together (1-eating and 2-being healthy), it’s the stuff of magic.
I’ve reworked strawberry shortcakes, chocolate pudding, peanut butter cups, lemon bars, cheesecake, and so many more.
Each time, my focus is on maintaining the flavor and enjoyment factor of the food but finding ways to remove refined sugars, oils, fats, and so on.
So, naturally, it was time for me to take a look at my pumpkin spice latte recipe.
Because a healthy pumpkin spice latte that’s just as good as a Starbucks pumpkin spice latte would just let me win at life.
Mmmmm.
Never made homemade pumpkin spice latte?
DIY pumpkin spice latte is very easy so you don’t have to worry. This healthy pumpkin spice latte will allow you to welcome Fall with open arms every year.
I know you love to have options so this healthy pumpkin spice latte recipe comes with 3 options. In this way, you get to enjoy your pumpkin spice latte just the way you like it. You can make regular pumpkin spice latte, vegan pumpkin spice latte, or iced pumpkin spice latte.
There’s really not a big difference between making a regular pumpkin spice latte and a healthy pumpkin spice latte. Not in technique anyway. And the good news is you don’t need an expensive espresso maker. <— Although, they are pretty and fancy!
Let’s go over the pumpkin spice latte ingredients and see how to make a pumpkin spice latte healthier:
I replaced the brown sugar with pure maple syrup which is a clean, unrefined sweetener (and because I kinda got a thing for maple syrup). More on refined sugars here if you’re interested. I replaced the cream with unsweetened almond milk and vanilla protein powder. The protein powder creates a frothy texture when emulsified with the almond milk using an immersion blender, plus adds a ton of protein which is just awesomeness. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can use a sealable jar (like a mason jar with a lid) to shake the milk and protein powder into a foamy texture. Instead of using a high sugar syrup for the pumpkin spice flavoring, I used dried spices.
A pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks has 420 calories, 14 grams of protein, 0 grams of fiber, 50 grams of sugar, and 18 grams of fat! No, thank you. That’s enough calories for an entire meal and waaaay more sugar than anyone needs in one sitting.
What about this healthy pumpkin spice latte?
Healthy pumpkin spice latte nutritionOne large cup will provide you with…
290 calories 17 grams of protein 4.6 grams of fiber 14 grams of sugar 11 grams of fatNow, you can totally make a pumpkin spice latte at home without an espresso maker, not pay a ton of money at Starbucks, and have a delicious, pumpkin latte this Fall (or any time of the year!) Plus, you can change up how much coffee you add to your recipe and whether it’s caffeinated by easily adjusting the amounts and type of coffee.
WHAT’S IN PUMPKIN SPICE?I get this question A LOT, especially during this time of the year. So, what’s in pumpkin spice? Pumpkin spice is a blend of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and, most of the time, allspice.
While you can buy pre-blended pumpkin spice, I prefer to make my own homemade pumpkin spice. The best thing about making your very own pumpkin spice recipe is that you can adjust the spices to suit your taste. For example, in this pumpkin spice coffee recipe you can add more cinnamon and less ginger. Or more nutmeg and less cinnamon.
The only ingredient in this recipe that isn’t vegan is the protein powder which you can easily fix by choosing a vegan protein powder of your choice to make this a vegan pumpkin spice latte. Also, as written, this recipe is gluten-free, high protein, and low carb.
And, if (like me), you are okay with calling protein powder “clean-ish,” then this is a clean pumpkin spice latte for ya, too.
Read: guilt-free.
This is another question I get A LOT. Unfortunately, protein powder, while useful in adding lean protein into your diet, can often get extremely processed and carry a lot of refined ingredients and chemicals. My advice is to look for protein powders that have a very short list of ingredients and do not include any artificial sweeteners, if possible. The list below of healthier protein powders are the ones I’ve found to contain the least amount of ingredients PLUS taste good.
Orgain Organic Plant Based Protein Powder – this vegan protein powder is a mix of organic pea protein, organic brown rice protein, and chia seeds protein. For my healthy pumpkin spice latte recipe, I recommend using the vanilla flavored one but this vegan protein powder has other flavors available including Chocolate Peanut Butter, Vanilla and Cookies & Cream. ALOHA Organic Plant Based Protein Powder – a mix of pea protein, hemp seed protein, and pumpkin seed protein, this vegan protein powder contains no additives and it is sweetened with coconut sugar. This protein powder comes in 4 flavors: vanilla, banana, mixed berry, and chocolate. Yuve Vegan Protein Powder with Superfoods – this protein powder includes whole chia seeds plus other healthy ingredients that are good for you. And you have 2 options to choose from – vanilla and chocolate.
Pumpkin spice latte, and any latte for that matter, is a mix of coffee, milk, and milk foam. Texture perfection, if you ask me. And this healthy pumpkin spice latte with almond milk is no different.
Here’s how to froth almond milk:
Use an immersion blender or a sealable glass jar that can be microwaved. Pour the almond milk into the cup of the immersion blender or in the jar. Use the immersion blender for approximately 30 seconds on the almond the milk to allow it to get a little bubble. If you use a sealable jar, shake the almond milk vigorously for 30-45 seconds with the lid on tight. Place the almond milk into the microwave. Heat on high for 30-40 seconds. Repeat these 2 steps a second time until the almond milk is nice and frothy. Pour the coffee and pumpkin mixture into a mug. Hold back the milk foam with a spoon and carefully pour the steamed almond milk into the mug. Spoon the foam over the top.
Most of the days, I like my pumpkin spice latte hot. However, there are days when I prefer it iced and refreshing.
To transform this pumpkin spice latte into an iced pumpkin spice latte:
Fill a glass with ice. Pour the pumpkin mixture over ice. Pour the coffee. Pour the almond milk and add the foam as I explained earlier.Yes. It’s just this easy.
3 MORE HEALTHY COFFEE RECIPESI know Fall is all about pumpkin spice coffee recipes, but in a true coffee lover fashion, I have to talk to you about other coffee recipes. And I really don’t want you to go out and buy an expensive coffee drink that’s not good for you when I have these healthy coffee recipes I can share with you. Ok, 2 of these coffee recipes are for coffee drinks. The 3rd one is for coffee ice cream. Which, in my book, means that this coffee recipe list is the perfect list for when you want to satisfy your sweet tooth cravings and coffee cravings while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
HEALTHY COFFEE SMOOTHIELet’s begin this list with a Healthy Coffee Smoothie. Just as my pumpkin spice latte, this coffee smoothie is healthier than the sugar-filled coffee drinks you can buy at a coffee house.
Ready in 5 minutes and perfect for busy mornings, this coffee smoothie is breakfast and coffee in one drink. Get the recipe.
ALMOND BUTTER, CHOCOLATE & COFFEE BEAN PROTEIN SHAKEAnother breakfast-perfect coffee recipe I want to share with you is this Almond Butter, Chocolate & Coffee Bean Protein Shake recipe.
This recipe includes 2 of my favorite things – coffee and almond butter. And it’s yummy and easy to make. Get the recipe.
COFFEE ICE CREAMNow the Coffee Ice Cream recipe I teased you with. Healthy, dairy-free, vegan, paleo, and gluten-free, this coffee ice cream is coffee and ice cream deliciousness.
Not to mention making this ice cream is super easy and you won’t even need an ice cream maker. Get the recipe.
Love Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes, but hate the calories and price tag? Follow these easy instructions and make a delicious and healthy homemade pumpkin spice latte year round!
* To make strong coffee, add 1.5 – 2 times the amount of coffee you’d regularly use in relation to the water.
This post contains affiliate links for products I use regularly and highly recommend.
The post Homemade Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe appeared first on A Sweet Pea Chef.
Delicious, fluffy and healthy chai-spiced sweet potato pancakes perfect for using up leftover sweet potato! The best solution when you’re feeling under the weather, going through a tough breakup, or just experiencing a heavy case of anxiety is to dance to a good playlist and make a batch of really delicious fluffy pancakes. Wouldn’t you [...]
The post Chai-Spiced Sweet Potato Pancakes + a cozy playlist appeared first on Ambitious Kitchen.
Soups are one of the best ways to eat healthy and delicious! Here are our best easy soup recipes that the whole family will love.
When people ask Alex and me where to start for eating healthy, we typically reply, “soup!” Why? There are multiple benefits to cooking up a big pot of soup. Here’s a collection of our best soup recipes, but first: what’s so great about soups?
Soups make it easy to eat lots of vegetables at once. You can eat a vegetarian meal without eating any real nutritious vegetables: for example: grilled cheese! And we admit, sometimes when we look at a refrigerator of raw veggies, we feel uninspired. Soups make eating a variety of vegetables at once easy and delicious. Soup recipes make meal planning a breeze. In the winter months, our meal plans start to look something like this: Soup and bread. Soup and salad. Soup and corn muffins. Soups work for a weeknight, a special dinner with company, or made ahead for lunches. Soups are cozy and comforting. No explanation needed here: there’s nothing more hygge (read: extremely cozy) than a steaming bowl of soup. Just add a fuzzy blanket and a candle.Over the years we’ve made hundreds of soup recipes, but here are a few of the best soup recipes that stand out here on A Couple Cooks. And, they’re healthy and easy soup recipes too!
Moroccan Spiced Cauliflower Soup
This Moroccan spiced cauliflower soup is show stopping and vibrant, full of delicious vegetables and cozy spices! Think cumin, coriander, ginger, turmeric and cinnamon: a big bowl is positively restorative! Here the cauliflower is roasted until lightly charred, then pureed with those Moroccan spices into a silky puree. For the garnish: a bit of the roasted cauliflower, green onion and a drizzle of olive oil. This vegan soup is pretty simple to put together, full of nutrients, and gluten-free.
Tip: For this cauliflower soup recipe, it’s helpful to have an immersion blender because it lets you puree the soup right in the pot where the soup was cooked! (If you don’t have one, you can pour the hot soup into a standard blender.)
Chipotle Black Bean Tortilla Soup
This soup recipe is a popular one from our cookbook, Pretty Simple Cooking! And you’ll be amazed by how much flavor is achieved in just over 30 minutes. The secret here is adobo sauce from a can of chipotle chilis: it brings in a smoky flavor without adding too much heat! Adobo is sauce one of our tips for adding big flavor to vegetarian dishes. Topped with homemade crunchy tortilla strips, you won’t be able to stop eating it. It’s such a crowd pleaser that we’ve reprinted the book recipe right here on our blog! And, you can watch this video of us making it.
Creamy Red Lentil Soup
This dreamy, creamy red lentil soup is an easy vegetarian dinner recipe that’s ready in under an hour. Red lentils are packed with nutrients and can cure any case of the fall or winter blues! While cooking red lentils takes away their beautiful bright pink color, this red lentil soup results in a complex and delicious flavor. And what really amps it up is the garnish – don’t skimp on this one! The combination of crunchy toasted almonds, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of tangy lemon makes this soup next level.
Tip: If you have time, soak the lentils in a bowl of water overnight before you make this recipe. Soaking the lentils cuts down the cooking time and means you have less hands-on time to worry about when making this soup!
Classic Vegetarian ChiliChili is an age old soup recipe that’s super (soup-er?) satisfying. This classic vegetarian chili recipe is one of our fan favorites. Think you can’t eat chili without meat? This chili recipe will convince you otherwise. A few of our secrets: we’ve added bulgur wheat to mimic the texture of meat, and added canned green chilis and a whole ton of chili powder. Topped with cheese and sour cream, this one is over the top delicious and a total crowd pleaser.
Creamy Vegan Tomato Soup with Stars
Sweet potato soup? The soup recipe is full of unexpected flavor! The magic ingredient is peanut butter, which makes for a rich creamy base along with spices like cumin and turmeric. Handfuls of spinach bring in a nutritional punch, and it’s garnished with harissa: a North African chili paste! You can find mild harissa in most grocery stores: mild harissa adds a lot of flavor without any heat. Add a handful of crushed peanuts for a garnish and you’re in business.
Italian Vegetable and Gnocchi Soup
This tomato artichoke lentil stew recipe is one of our old favorites that Alex created on a whim. When he explained the recipe concept I wasn’t on board: until I tasted the tangy, delicious and hearty flavors he served up in the bowl! This soup recipe has gone on to become my family’s traditional Christmas Eve soup. If that doesn’t speak for this soup, I don’t know what will!
Twenty cloves of garlic in a soup? Yes, the hearty dose garlic in this soup recipe is what makes the broth incredibly restorative and tasty. And don’t worry, the garlic is cooked down so you won’t have garlic breath: we promise! This vegetarian soup recipe also features kale and mushrooms, making it ultra nutritious with the nutrient-dense dark leafy greens. When Alex first tasted this one, he said “Best soup ever.” Let’s see if you agree!
Cozy Farro & Brussels Sprouts Soup
This soup recipe is one we created intentionally to embrace the cozy-ness of the colder months. Brussels sprouts are one of our favorite vegetables, but we’d never tried a Brussels sprouts soup. Here, we’ve shredded them and added them to a soup recipe with lots of veggies and farro, a whole grain that’s a bit like barley but cooks faster. The soup is flavored with shallot, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce, and a few handfuls of greens are thrown in at the end. Brussels sprouts soup might sound unexpected, but it’s perfect for boosting immunity and getting your cozy on.
Tomato Artichoke Soup
Instead of a chunky tomato artichoke lentil stew like above, this one is pureed into a bright red smooth sauce that essentially tastes like pizza. It’s based on a recipe from one of our favorite local restaurants here in Indianapolis (Patachou), and is a favorite every time we make it. Homemade croutons and Parmesan cheese are a must for the garnish.
Hearty Sprouted Lentil Stew with Kale
Have you ever cooked with sprouted lentils? Sprouting lentils makes them easier for your body to digest the nutrients. Sprouted lentils are sold dried in stores (we found ours for this one at Whole Foods), or you can also sprout lentils at home. This soup recipe uses sprouted lentils along with kale, tomato, onion and carrot to make an unexpectedly delicious, totally nutritious and super hearty stew. It’s lovely for dinner with crusty bread and leftovers are perfect for lunch.
All Star Vegetarian Sweet Potato Chili
How about one more chili recipe? This vegetarian sweet potato chili is super savory and you absolutely won’t miss the meat! Chunks of sweet potatoes add nutrients, and you can use any types of beans you’d like: black beans, pinto beans, or chili beans. A few secret ingredients here: cocoa powder and balsamic vinegar. It makes for a filling and satisfying chili that rounds out our list of soup recipes. Bon appetit!
Looking for other vegetarian soups?This website is full of vegetarian soups and vegan soups! Here are a few other vegetarian soups we’d recommend:
Moroccan Chickpea & Sweet Potato Stew Creamy Coconut Curry Pantry Soup Simple Indian Spiced Soup with Tomato & Lime
A Couple Cooks - Recipes for Healthy & Whole Living
