Pumpkin Pie Spice Substitute is a great way to add a little bit of autumn into your favorite recipes. Make your own cozy, homemade pumpkin spice using just 5 pantry spices.
I love to have control of what goes into my families food. Therefore, I love to make my own seasoning blends. Here are two of my favorites: my Homemade Apple Pie Spice and my Homemade Burger Seasoning.
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Why this Pumpkin Pie Spice Substitute Recipe is a Keeper
I love this recipe for homemade pumpkin pie spice substitute because not only is it quick and easy, it’s a great recipe to have in stock for fall recipes. It is the perfect substitute.
- Customizable Freshness: Homemade pumpkin pie spice blends use spices that are freshly opened and ground, resulting in a significantly more potent and vibrant flavor than pre-mixed store-bought jars that may have been sitting on a shelf for months or years.
- Control over Ingredients: You can adjust the ratios to perfectly match your preference. Your pumpkin pie spice recipe is heavily flavored by cinnamon, while the ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves provide a balanced warmth. Easily morph this recipe into Apple Pie Spice.
- Cost-Effective: If you already have these five common spice jar in your pantry, mixing your own substitution for pumpkin pie spice mixture is far cheaper than buying a specialty pre-mixed jar.
How Much of this Homemade Blend Equals One Teaspoon of Store-Bought Pumpkin Pie Spice?
Use the equal amount of pumpkin pie spice. So if your recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, use one teaspoon of store-bought pie spice.
Pro Tip for this Pumpkin Spice Blend
Toasting Whole Spices: For the most intense flavor, buy the whole versions of the spices (cinnamon sticks, whole nutmeg, whole cloves, etc.). Lightly toast them in a dry skillet for 2 minutes until fragrant, then let them cool before grinding them into a powder using a spice grinder or coffee grinder. Note: This requires a spice grinder.
Ingredient for Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice Substitute
You only need a few easy-to-find spices to add the flavor of pumpkin pie spice at home, many of which you probably have in your spice cabinet already. Use this for any recipe that call for pumpkin pie spice.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Cinnamon: To make homemade pumpkin pie spice, you will need cinnamon. This is what brings the sweet, warm and spicy backbone to this fall spice.
- Nutmeg: The recipe calls for nutmeg to add the warm and woody notes to the simple pumpkin pie spice.
- Allspice: All spice is another warm spice that blends beautifully with the cinnamon and nutmeg.
Variations and Substitutions for Homemade Spice Blend
This easy recipe for pumpkin pie is super easy to customize. I like to switch it up by trying different flavors and spices instead.
- Cloves or Allspice: Reduce or omit the allspice and cloves for a milder, more cinnamon-forward flavor in this substitute for store-bought spice.
- Ginger: Increase to 3 teaspoons. Add an extra teaspoon of ginger if you prefer a sharper, spicier “bite” in your blend.
- Add Extra Flavor: Add 1 teaspoon of ground cardamom. Cardamom introduces a sophisticated, floral, and slightly peppery note, making your blend instantly gourmet. Black pepper can add some heat too.
- Nutmeg: Use freshly grated nutmeg. Use a microplane to grate your own nutmeg and mix it into the blend. The difference in aroma is immense.
Special Equipment for Substitute Pumpkin Pie Spice
Although there aren’t any tools needed to make this substitute pumpkin pie spice, a few are useful when it comes to storing.
- Jars: Use a small jar to store this spice recipe.
- Funnel: I also like to use a small funnel to help the spices get into the jar.
How to Make DIY Pumpkin Pie Spice
This recipe comes together in just 1 quick and easy step. This recipe is so good, it’s a great one to have on deck during the fall season.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Mix Spices: Combine ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, ground allspice and ground cloves.
Prep Ahead to Make Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
Since this substitute for pumpkin pie spice is already super easy, there are only a couple things you can do ahead of time.
- Make it Months Ahead: This blend can be mixed and stored up to 6 months in advance of its use. The flavor will slowly mellow over time, but it will still be potent and delicious.
- Pre-Measure Spices: For quicker assembly, you can pre-measure the larger quantities of the main spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger) into individual small labeled bags, then combine them when you are ready to make a large batch.
Store and Use Leftover Cinnamon and Nutmeg Spice Mix
- Store: Store your homemade pumpkin pie spice blend in an airtight container in a cool, dark place (like a pantry or spice cabinet), away from heat and light. Avoid storing it near the stove, as heat breaks down essential oils faster.
- Use Leftovers: There are a ton of way to use the best homemade pumpkin spice substitute that don’t include making pies.
- Coffee: Stir 1/4 teaspoon into your morning coffee grounds before brewing. You could also add some after to make it a pumpkin spice latte.
- Oatmeal/Yogurt: Sprinkle pumpkin spice blend over oatmeal, yogurt, or blend into a breakfast smoothie.
- Candied Nuts: Toss pumpkin spice mix with a little butter and honey to coat pecans or walnuts, then toast for a quick snack.
- Hot Chocolate: Add a pinch to your hot cocoa for a warming seasonal twist.
Questions About This Best Pumpkin Pie Spice Substitute
Sure! If you have some in stock, be sure to check the expiration dates before using in the best substitute.
Spices don’t “expire” like milk or meat, but they do lose flavor, aroma, and potency over time. You’ll know they’re past their prime if they smell weak, taste bland, or look faded.
Tips to Make Your Own Pumpkin Pie Spice
- Label and Date When you Make Pumpkin Pie Spice: Always label your container with the blend’s name and the date it was made. While it is safe indefinitely, its maximum flavor potency is within 6-12 months.
- Check Individual Spice Freshness: Before mixing, give each individual spice a sniff. If you have any spices that smell dusty, faint, or have no discernible aroma, it’s time to replace them. No amount of mixing can make a stale spice taste fresh.
- Small Batches are Best: Since this blend relies on peak freshness, consider making smaller batches more often, rather than one giant batch that will last for years.
- Keep Pumpkin Pie Spice on Hand for Recipe: Serve in pumpkin bread, Chia Spice recipes or Pumpkin Spice Air Fryer Apples or Pumpkin Spice Cookies.
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Substitute Pumpkin Pie Spice
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Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons Ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons Ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons Ground nutmeg
- 1 ½ teaspoons Ground all spice
- 1 ½ teaspoons Ground cloves
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in an airtight spice jar and shake to combine.
Christina’s Notes
- Great for Coffee: Sprinkle this spice blend into your morning latte or coffee creamer for an instant taste of fall.
- Grind Your Own Spices: For an even fresher and more intense flavor, consider grinding your own spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Hint of Vanilla: For a unique twist, add a dash of vanilla bean powder to your blend. It will infuse your recipes with a subtle vanilla undertone.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.