How to Make a “Skinny” Pumpkin Spice Latte at Home

How to Make a “Skinny” Pumpkin Spice Latte at Home

Pumpkin Spice Season is Here!

It’s OFFICIALLY pumpkin spice season, y’all! I never say y’all, but it seemed appropriate, as I will be sitting on a hay bale in a trailer being pulled behind a tractor while wearing skinny jeans, a flannel shirt, and knee-high boots at some point in the next month.

It’s time for pumpkin errrrrything. Bring on pumpkin bread, pumpkin carving, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin waffles, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin donuts, pumpkin chili, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin painting, and of course…the one, the only, the infamous pumpkin spice latte.

But WAIT! Before you hit the road to Starbucks to spend the better part of $10 on your favorite fall coffee concoction, let me enlighten you with the sugary, calorific truth behind the Starbucks pumpkin spice latte.

What’s in a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte?

In a 16-ounce Grande (because, does anyone ever order a tall? More like small, amiright?) Pumpkin Spice Latte, you’ll be staring down the barrel of a .380 – 380 calories, that is. And let’s not neglect to mention that in that warm, comforting, cardboard-wrapped, recyclable cup, there’s a whopping 14 grams of fat and 50 grams of sugar. I mean, wowee!

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On the brightside, it does contain 14g of protein. As a bonafide macro-tracker, stand-alone, that protein number would typically impress me. Looking at the big picture, however, it doesn’t even begin to make up for its simply rude, disrespectful calorie and carbohydrate amounts. And that’s saying something considering this is coming from someone who typically doesn’t give a damn about sugar or carbs. And who eats relatively high-calories as far as societal standards for women goes.

What you could have instead

For 380 calories and 14 grams of fat, I could get a heck of a lot more satisfying food and drink, and it wouldn’t even need to be what you think of as “health” food.  I’m not saying it has to be 70 baby carrots, although it could be if that’s your jam. I’m talking about a filling sandwich with a side of Doritos, or a feel-good king sized candy bar, or nearly two servings of peanut butter. Or, my personal favorite, almost 50 animal crackers dipped in a couple tablespoons of frosting. If you watch my food diary stories on Instagram, you know.

So, why waste precious calories and macros on something you can make at home, and manage to also eat good alongside it?

What You’ll Need to Make a “Skinny” Pumpkin Spice Latte at Home

Using my Keurig, microwave, and a milk frother, I create a delicious, steaming blend of coffee, milk, and pumpkin spice for a fraction of the price – and calories – right at home. For this recipe (see below!) you’ll want to purchase some pumpkin spice Jordan’s Skinny Syrup.  They have multiple sugar-free, fat-free, and calorie-free pumpkin-y flavors (pumpkin spice, pumpkin caramel, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin pecan, etc), so pick whichever sounds the most delicious to you! You can purchase online, or check the shelves of your local Marshall’s, HomeGoods, and TJMaxx stores.

How to Make a “Skinny” Pumpkin Spice Latte at Home

“Skinny” Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe card:

Simple, quick, and satisfies my need for pumpkin spice in my life this time of year. And best of all, I can have multiple lattes a day with macros like this — just 40 calories/6C/0F/4P each!  That’s using skim milk, of course, so the macros will change if you use a different milk of choice.  With 2% milk, for example, you’re looking at 65 calories/6C/2.5F/4P.

Now, if you simply cannot stay away from the Starbucks version of the Pumpkin Spice Latte, at least ask for skim steamed foam and 86 (omit for anyone who wasn’t a server in a past or present life) the whip to save yourself over 100 calories. For more Starbucks coffee orders that won’t break the macro bank, check out my Macro-Friendly Starbucks Orders.

Thanks for reading How to Make a “Skinny” Pumpkin Spice Latte at Home, and tag me in your PSL creations on Instagram so I can re-share on my stories!

Other posts you may enjoy:

I Started Tracking Macros at My “Happy” Weight and Here’s What Happened.

Calorie Cycling: Why I Cycle My Calories and Why it Might be Right for You, Too

5 Quick and Easy Macro-Friendly Weekday Breakfasts

Meal Prep Recipe Roundup! 8 of My Favorite Make-Ahead Lunches (& My Macro-Friendly Prep Tips)