Best Pumpkin Oat Milk Coffee

Finding the perfect fall coffee drink that doesn’t break the bank or require a trip to your local coffee shop can feel impossible. After all, those pumpkin spice lattes add up quickly, and let’s be honest – most of us don’t have barista skills or fancy equipment at home to recreate those seasonal flavors we crave.

Luckily, this pumpkin oat milk coffee hits all the right notes: it’s cozy and satisfying, takes just minutes to make with ingredients you probably already have, and gives you that perfect autumn taste without the hefty price tag or long wait in line.

What Kind of Pumpkin Puree Should I Use?

For this pumpkin oat milk coffee, you’ll want to use plain pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling – there’s a big difference! Pumpkin puree is just cooked and mashed pumpkin with no added spices or sugar, while pumpkin pie filling already has sweeteners and spices mixed in. You can find canned pumpkin puree in the baking aisle of most grocery stores, and brands like Libby’s work perfectly for this recipe. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can also make your own by roasting a sugar pumpkin and pureeing the flesh, but the canned version is convenient and works just as well for coffee drinks.

Options for Substitutions

This cozy fall drink is super easy to customize based on what you have in your kitchen:

• Oat milk: Any plant-based milk works great here – try almond milk, coconut milk, or soy milk. Regular dairy milk or half-and-half will give you a creamier texture if you prefer.
• Pumpkin puree: Make sure you’re using pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. If you don’t have any, you can skip it and just enjoy the spiced oat milk coffee, though you’ll miss that pumpkin flavor.
• Pumpkin pie spice: No pumpkin pie spice? Mix together ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, and a pinch each of ginger and cloves. Or just use cinnamon alone for a simpler version.
• Black coffee: Any strong brewed coffee works – drip coffee, French press, or even a strong cold brew if you want an iced version. Just adjust the milk amount if your coffee is weaker or stronger than usual.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest mistake when making pumpkin oat milk coffee is adding cold oat milk directly to hot coffee, which can cause the milk to curdle and create an unpleasant texture – always warm your oat milk gently in a small saucepan or microwave it for 20-30 seconds first.

Another common error is using too much pumpkin puree, which can make your coffee taste muddy and overpower the coffee flavor, so stick to the recommended 2 teaspoons and mix it thoroughly to avoid clumps.

Don’t forget to whisk the pumpkin puree with a small amount of the warm oat milk before adding it to your coffee, as this creates a smooth mixture that blends easily without leaving grainy bits floating on top.

For the best flavor, add your pumpkin pie spice gradually and taste as you go, since different spice blends can vary in strength and you want to complement, not mask, your coffee.

What to Serve With Pumpkin Oat Milk Coffee?

This cozy fall coffee pairs perfectly with just about any breakfast pastry or sweet treat you have on hand. I love sipping it alongside a warm cinnamon roll, pumpkin muffin, or even a simple piece of buttered toast with a drizzle of honey. If you’re feeling fancy, try it with some homemade scones or a slice of coffee cake – the pumpkin spice flavors complement baked goods so well. For a lighter option, a bowl of oatmeal with chopped apples and a sprinkle of cinnamon makes for a cozy autumn breakfast that won’t compete with the coffee’s warm spices.

Storage Instructions

Make Ahead: You can prep a pumpkin spice mixture by combining the pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice in a small container. This keeps in the fridge for up to a week, so you can quickly stir it into your morning coffee without measuring each time.

Best Fresh: This pumpkin oat milk coffee is definitely best enjoyed right after making it while it’s still hot and creamy. The oat milk can separate if it sits too long, and reheating coffee never tastes quite the same as fresh.

Leftover Tips: If you have leftover coffee, you can chill it in the fridge and turn it into an iced version the next day. Just add some fresh oat milk and ice cubes, and give it a good stir since the ingredients might have settled.

Preparation Time	5-10 minutes
Cooking Time	0-5 minutes
Total Time	5-15 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 25-40
• Protein: 0-1 g
• Fat: 0-1 g
• Carbohydrates: 4-6 g

Ingredients

• 8 oz freshly brewed black coffee or nespresso coffee
• 3 tbsp plain unsweetened oat milk
• 2 tsp canned pumpkin puree
• Pumpkin pie spice, for mixing and garnish

Step 1: Brew the Coffee

• 8 oz freshly brewed black coffee or Nespresso coffee

Prepare your coffee by brewing 8 oz of black coffee or using a Nespresso pod.

Pour the hot coffee into your favorite fall mug to set the cozy mood.

Step 2: Froth the Pumpkin Oat Milk Mixture

• 3 tbsp plain unsweetened oat milk
• 2 tsp canned pumpkin puree
• pumpkin pie spice, for mixing and garnish

In a milk frother or high-speed blender, combine the oat milk, pumpkin puree, and a pinch of pumpkin pie spice.

Froth or blend until the mixture is creamy and foamy.

Personally, I like to use a little extra spice at this stage for more autumn flavor.

Step 3: Assemble and Garnish the Latte

• pumpkin pie spice, for mixing and garnish

Pour the hot coffee (from Step 1) into your mug and then top it with the frothy pumpkin oat milk mixture (from Step 2).

Sprinkle a little extra pumpkin pie spice on top for garnish, then enjoy your festive homemade pumpkin spice latte!