Substitutions

What can I use instead of pumpkin pie spice?

Q: Can I use homemade blend instead of pumpkin pie spice?

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice = 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon + 1/4 tsp ground ginger + 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg + 1/8 tsp ground allspice. This matches the standard commercial proportions, so both the flavour balance and the total volume land where the recipe expects. Fresher than most jars, and you can adjust the ginger up if you want more bite.

Q: Can I use apple pie spice instead of pumpkin pie spice?

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice = 1 tsp apple pie spice. Apple pie spice is the same cinnamon-led family with more cinnamon and usually cardamom in place of some of the ginger. Sweeter and less gingery. Very few people would identify the difference in a finished cake.

Q: Can I use ground allspice instead of pumpkin pie spice?

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice = 3/4 tsp ground allspice. Allspice tastes of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove simultaneously, covering three of the blend's four components in one spice. More clove-forward and without any ginger. Fine in a dense fruit cake, thin in a pumpkin pie.

A sweet-baking blend led by cinnamon, with ginger, nutmeg and allspice or cloves behind it. It contains no pumpkin.

What it does in a recipe: A single-spoon warm spice base for autumn baking, custards and spiced drinks. Pick the swap that covers that job — the ratios below are written so you can act on them without doing any arithmetic.

Also called: Pumpkin spice, Mixed spice

4substitutes

2close matches

Spicescategory

Quick answer

Homemade blend

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice = 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon + 1/4 tsp ground ginger + 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg + 1/8 tsp ground allspice

All substitutes, best first

4 ways to replace pumpkin pie spice

Homemade blend

Closest match

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice = 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon + 1/4 tsp ground ginger + 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg + 1/8 tsp ground allspice

This matches the standard commercial proportions, so both the flavour balance and the total volume land where the recipe expects.

MethodWhisk the spices into the dry ingredients rather than adding them to a wet batter, so they disperse evenly.

Trade-offFresher than most jars, and you can adjust the ginger up if you want more bite.

BakingDrinksSaucesVeganVegetarianGluten-freeDairy-freeEgg-freeNut-freeSoy-free

Apple pie spice

Closest match

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice = 1 tsp apple pie spice

Apple pie spice is the same cinnamon-led family with more cinnamon and usually cardamom in place of some of the ginger.

Trade-offSweeter and less gingery. Very few people would identify the difference in a finished cake.

BakingDrinksVeganVegetarianDairy-freeEgg-freeNut-freeSoy-free

Allergen checkBoth of these are packaged blends whose fillers are the manufacturer's choice, and wheat-based anti-caking agents appear in some. Read the label before baking gluten-free, and check with the producer where a diagnosed allergy is involved.

Ground cinnamon with a pinch of nutmeg

Reliable

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice = 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon + 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

Cinnamon is over half the blend and nutmeg is the next most recognisable note, so this pair covers most of what the palate detects.

Trade-offMissing the ginger's warmth at the back of the throat, which is what stops the blend tasting flat.

BakingDrinksVeganVegetarianGluten-freeDairy-freeEgg-freeNut-freeSoy-free

Ground allspice

Reliable

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice = 3/4 tsp ground allspice

Allspice tastes of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove simultaneously, covering three of the blend's four components in one spice.

Trade-offMore clove-forward and without any ginger. Fine in a dense fruit cake, thin in a pumpkin pie.

BakingCookingVeganVegetarianGluten-freeDairy-freeEgg-freeNut-freeSoy-free

Worth knowing

British mixed spice is a near relative but usually contains coriander seed and less ginger. The two swap one for one without much complaint.

At a glance

Pumpkin pie spice in summary

Category	Spices
Job in a recipe	A single-spoon warm spice base for autumn baking, custards and spiced drinks
Suits	Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy-free, Egg-free, Nut-free, Soy-free
Swaps available for	Dairy-free Egg-free Gluten-free Nut-free Soy-free Vegan Vegetarian
Number of substitutes	4

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Cooking around an allergy? Diet tags here describe the ingredient itself, not any particular brand. Processed products change formulation without notice and shared production lines are common, so read the label on everything you use. A severe allergy is a medical matter — confirm with the manufacturer or your clinician rather than relying on a substitution chart.