Cozy Pumpkin Spice Pumpkin Seed Milk (Dairy-Free Fall Favorite)

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Attention, pumpkin spice lovers! Up your autumn sipping game with this homemade pumpkin spiced pumpkin seed milk. With hints of vanilla and warm pumpkin pie spice, it's like a cozy sweater for your insides and an easy way to get your coffee fix without the hefty price tag.

Closeup of a jar filled with homemade pumpkin seed milk seasoned with pumpkin spice.

Plus, if you're allergic to nuts and need a healthy dairy-fee alternative to almond or cashew milk, this is the perfect recipe!

I used to have a Starbucks just outside my apartment in NYC in the East Village (Mudd Coffee was also right down the street). And like clockwork every fall, (especially on the weekends) I'd get my pumpkin spice latte fix while I walked around the city.

Now that I live in Italy, which by all measures, is the land of amazing cappuccinos and lattes, sadly they haven't caught on to the pumpkin spice trend.

Also Italy has very few Starbucks with the nearest one to us an hour away in Verona (where interestingly Howard Shultz is said to have gotten the inspiration for Starbuck's because of its coffee culture).

If you love this recipe, you might also enjoy my Homemade Almond Milk or my nearly 99-year old Granny's Pumpkin Bread recipe.

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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
Substitutions
Variations
Equipment
Storage
Serving
Top Tips
FAQ
Related Recipes
Recipe
Food Safety

Why You'll Love This Recipe

A perfect dairy-free alternative to traditional pumpkin spice lattes
Easy nut-free dairy milk alternative for those with nut allergies
Packed with nutrients from pumpkin seeds (hello, zinc and magnesium!)
Customizable sweetness and pumpkin spice levels
Affordable alternative to almond milk or other nut milk varieties
Perfect for drinking as is or added to tea or fall smoothies

Ingredients

raw pumpkin seeds
water
dates (sub maple syrup or honey)
pure vanilla extract
homemade pumpkin pie spice (or favorite brand)
salt

See recipe card for quantities.

Top down view of a glass jar full of homemade pumpkin spiced pumpkin seed milk resting on an orange and white pot holder with a green and yellow pumpkin half in view.

Instructions

1. Soak seeds. Soak pumpkin seeds in water (covered) overnight, rinse, and drain using a fine mesh strainer.

Raw pumpkin seeds in water after soaking overnight.

Strained soaked pumpkin seeds in a fine mess sieve.

2. Blend the ingredients. Add everything to a blender and mix on high until the the milk is smooth.

Pumpkin spice pumpkin seed milk ingredients added to a Vitamix blender.

Frothy pumpkin seed milk after blending on high speed and before straining.

3. Adjust seasonings and strain. Add more dates for sweetness or more pumpkin spice if desired. Strain and serve or store, Enjoy!

A clear glass pitcher next to a green pumpkin on an orange and white pot holder.

Hint

For an extra indulgent treat, try warming the milk gently on the stove and topping it with a sprinkle of cinnamon. It's like a fall hug!

Find detailed instructions in recipe card.

Substitutions

Regular Pumpkin Seed Milk: Omit the pumpkin spice for an unflavored milk
Sunflower seeds: Try raw sunflower seeds for a different flavor or cheaper option
Maple Syrup or Honey: Substitute the dates with maple syrup or honey
Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice: Substitute your favorite pumpkin pie spice (which can be expensive) with this McCormick's copycat pumpkin pie spice recipe

Variations

Unsweetened (plain) pumpkin seed milk: Omit dates, vanilla extract, and pumpkin spice
Protein Boost: Blend in 1 tablespoon of chia seeds, just know it will thicken the almond milk since chia seeds can hold up to 10 times their weight in liquid

Equipment

Vitamix or other High-speed blender
Nut milk bag or fine-mesh strainer with cheesecloth (what I use)
Large bowl or measuring cup
Airtight container for storage

Storage

Store the pumpkin seed milk in a repurposed glass jar or airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep fresh for up to 7 days. Give it a good shake before using, although it doesn't seem to separate as some nut milk can.

Serving

Serve this milk chilled over ice in the summer, piping hot in the winter with a cinnamon stick and homemade marshmallow, use it in your morning coffee or tea for an instant pumpkin spice latte, or warm it up for your kids for a cozy bedtime drink.

It's also fantastic in fall-inspired smoothies, as a base for overnight oats and chia seed pudding, or to dip your favorite chocolate chip cookies into!

Top Tips

Soak your pumpkin seeds overnight for the creamiest milk
Add more pumpkin pie spice if you want more than a subtle pumpkin spiced taste
For a much sweeter dairy-free pumpkin spice milk, add more dates or even maple syrup
Don't discard the pumpkin seed pulp - use it in baking, added to pancake batter, to make protein balls, or add to smoothies for extra nutrition
Pumpkin seeds are naturally high in the amino acid tryptophan which the body converts into serotonin and melatonin, which are hormones that promote better sleep.

FAQ

Is pumpkin seed milk suitable for people with nut allergies?

If you have allergies to nuts this is a perfect dairy-free milk option that tastes just as great.

Can you make pumpkin seed milk without soaking pumpkin seeds?

While you can make pumpkin seed milk without soaking them first, the milk will be much creamier after soaking properly. And you can check out my homemade almond milk post to learn how to quick soak seeds and nuts.

What if I don't have pumpkin pie spice mix?

Make your own using my McCormick's Pumpkin Pie Spice copycat recipe, or add a little powdered cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice to taste.

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