This Pumpkin Pie Spice Recipe is Just 5 Ingredients (and Can be Made in 30 Seconds!)
Make your own DIY pumpkin pie spice recipe. Plus 9 uses for this delicious blend.
We are firmly ensconced in the season of pumpkin spice cookies, oatmeal, chia seed pudding, and, of course, organic lattes and paleo pumpkin pie. But instead of paying more for someone else to blend these spices for you, why not control the quantity and quality of your spice? With just a few pantry spices, a small jar, and literally, 30 seconds, this homemade pumpkin pie spice recipe is yours.
Buying store-bought pumpkin pie spice blends is certainly an easy fix, but mixing your own with warming and seasonal spices takes your autumn to a whole new level. Trust us, once you make your own, you’ll never buy store-bought pumpkin pie spice again.
Pumpkin Pie Spice Ingredients
Although pumpkin pie spice varies from jar to jar, most mixes contain cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. Mace and cardamom can also be added for a twist on the traditional blend. These ingredients all share common nutritious qualities. They all tend to be on the warming side, meaning they promote blood circulation, boost metabolic activity, and aid in digestion as well.
Cinnamon
One of the most common warming spices, this sweet and aromatic spice is filled with antioxidants such as polyphenols. In fact, in a study that compared the antioxidant activity of 26 spices, cinnamon was the overwhelming winner, even outranking other superstar whole foods like garlic and oregano.
Cinnamon is also thought to be anti-inflammatory, helps to lower the risk of heart disease, improves insulin sensitivity, and keeps blood sugar levels stabilized.
There are two types of cinnamon you can purchase: Ceylon and cassia. Ceylon cinnamon is thought to be “true” cinnamon, which boasts the most health benefits. This type tends to be more expensive and harder to find. Look for Ceylon cinnamon online or in health food specialty stores. Cassia cinnamon is a widely available type of cinnamon that’s found at most supermarkets. Both types of cinnamon are beneficial for your health, but Ceylon tends to exhibit more anti-inflammatory and blood moving properties.
Ginger
Like cinnamon, ginger has warming qualities that support total body health. Consuming ginger is thought to be incredibly anti-inflammatory for the body. Multiple studies have shown ginger’s positive impact on improving joint health and inflammation.
Ginger is also an effective treatment for nausea related to everything from motion sickness to morning sickness during pregnancy.
Nutmeg
This sweet and warming spice boosts circulation, improving digestive health, and increasing immune system function. Nutmeg is also thought to be very antimicrobial and may even be an effective treatment for bad breath!
Cloves
This spice is often used in Ayurvedic medicine for its antifungal and antiseptic properties. Like other warming spices, cloves aid in blood circulation, boosting immune system, and improving digestion.
Cloves contain an anti-inflammatory compound called eugenol, which is the primary component of its volatile oils. In animal studies, the addition of clove extract to diets already high in anti-inflammatory foods promotes added health benefits. And in some studies, further reduces inflammatory symptoms by another 15-30 percent.
Allspice
This warming spice promotes digestive function, blood circulation, and healthy heart function. Like cloves, allspice also contains eugenol, and is sometimes used by dentists to kill germs on teeth and gums.
Uses for Pumpkin Pie Spice
This spice blend is so much more than a pie ingredient! Pumpkin pie spice can be used for both sweet and savory recipes throughout autumn (and beyond). We like adding this pumpkin pie spice to everything, but here are our favorites:
Homemade pumpkin pie spice latte. Blend two cups strong black coffee with one tablespoon coconut oil, ¼ cup coconut milk, one teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, one tablespoon homemade pumpkin puree, and one tablespoon maple syrup on high speed for 30 seconds. Garnish with cinnamon and savor.
Pumpkin pie spice whipped cream. Fold in a few dashes for the easiest way to make pumpkin pie that much better. This whipped cream also tastes amazing on homemade hot chocolate.
Bake all the pumpkin spice things. Add to pancakes, oatmeal, cookies, muffins, cakes, waffles, French toast, granola bars, etc.
Roast vegetables. Sprinkle a few dashes on roast sweet potatoes and winter squash for an easy warming side dish.
Sprinkle on homemade popcorn. Add a dash of pumpkin pie spice, sea salt, and coconut sugar for a salty/sweet autumn combination.
Roasted nuts or pumpkin seeds. Sprinkle on mixed nuts or seeds tossed in avocado oil and sea salt and roast at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.
Homemade pumpkin butter. Need we say more?
Pumpkin Smoothie – whip up a PSL-inspired smoothie with pumpkin puree, frozen banana, and a dash or two of pumpkin pie spice.
Now that you know how versatile this spice can be, it’s time to get in your kitchen and whip up a batch of your own. The best part about making this pumpkin pie spice recipe blend? You can customize your ratios depending on which flavors you prefer. Add more cloves and ginger for a spicy taste, or more cinnamon for a sweeter blend. Each batch can be something completely different and customizable to you.
Bring on the pies!
Ingredients
Preparation
- Simply mix all spices together. Store in a small airtight jar or container in a cool, dark place for up to a year. Enjoy!
