Healthy Homemade Pumpkin Spice – Better Tasting Than Store-Bought

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Fall hits, and suddenly everything is “pumpkin spice this, pumpkin spice that.” My kids joke that I’d pumpkin-spice the cat food if I could. (Relax, I haven’t… yet.)

But here’s the deal: most store-bought pumpkin spice blends are either weak on flavor, heavy on fillers, or — not so fun fact — might even contain contaminants like lead if you’re not careful.

That’s why I always keep a jar of my own homemade pumpkin spice on the counter. It’s fresher, cheaper, customizable, and basically guarantees your kitchen will smell like fall on demand.

Why You’ll Love Homemade Pumpkin Spice

• Flavor explosion – Fresh spices = maximum cozy vibes.
• Clean ingredients – You’re in control of what goes in (and what doesn’t).
• Customizable – Craving more cinnamon or extra kick from ginger? Adjust to your taste.
• Multi-tasker – Sprinkle it in oatmeal, lattes, pancakes, roasted veggies… or anything that needs a fall makeover.

The Sneaky Health Perks

Sure, pumpkin spice screams comfort food, but the spices themselves pack real nutrition:

So technically, sprinkling pumpkin spice on your oats = self-care.

How to Get the Freshest, Healthiest, Best-Tasting Spices

Here’s the secret most of us overlook: your pumpkin spice is only as good as your spices. I once met a chef who told me his secret was buying whole spices from Indian markets — which are usually fresher and more affordable than what you’ll find at big-box stores. He stashes them in the freezer until he needs them, then grinds them fresh.

It sounds fancy, but it’s actually budget-friendly and the flavor payoff is huge. Freshly ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves are way more vibrant (and honestly, healthier) than the flat jar that’s been sitting in your pantry for two years.

✨ Pro tip: A good spice grinder (bonus: it can pull double-duty for coffee beans!) makes the whole process quick, easy, and actually kind of fun. Freshly ground spices = bold flavor in your pumpkin spice blend, and freshly ground coffee = mornings that taste way better.

How to Use Your Blend

Once you’ve got your homemade pumpkin spice, here are a few favorite ways to put it to work:

The Bottom Line

Homemade pumpkin spice is one of those tiny kitchen hacks that delivers a big win. You save money, avoid fillers, and end up with a blend that tastes better and works everywhere from lattes to muffins.

So grab your cinnamon and cloves, take five minutes, and make a jar. Trust me, future you (and your kitchen) will thank you.

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Blend

Skip the store-bought blend 🍁 Whip up this quick homemade pumpkin spice recipe for fresher, healthier flavor. Use in lattes, oatmeal, cookies, and more!

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

• Combine cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice and cloves in a small bowl. Whisk until thoroughly mixed.

• Transfer to an airtight jar and store in a cool, dark place. Shake before each use.

• Use 1–2 teaspoons in recipes that call for pumpkin pie spice, or sprinkle into oatmeal, coffee or baked goods.

See section above on purchasing whole spices.

Keyword pumpkin spice, seasoning blend