The Ultimate Pumpkin Spice Buyer’s Guide

Discover the Hidden Ingredients in Your Favorite Fall Treats

Pumpkin spice season is here, and that means everything from coffee to cookies will be getting a limited edition pumpkin spice version. But here’s the deal: not all pumpkin spice treats are worth the hype. A lot of them are packed with sketchy ingredients that can turn your cozy snack into a not-so-great choice.

Don’t worry though—we’ve got your back! In this Ultimate Pumpkin Spice Buyer’s Guide, we’re breaking down what to avoid, what to enjoy, and how to make the best of this delicious season.

Products WITHOUT Real Pumpkin Spice

These products aren’t necessarily bad, but they don’t have the real pumpkin spice ingredients you’d expect. Some of them do have a few sketchy additives, though.

1. Dunkin Pumpkin Spice Coffee Beans

2. Dunkin' Pumpkin MUNCHKIN Coffee Creamer

3. International Delight Pumpkin Pie Spice Cold Foam Coffee Creamer

4. OREO Pumpkin Spice Sandwich Cookies

5. Dunkin' Pumpkin Spice Coffee K Cup Pods

6. Kellogg's Frosted Flakes Pumpkin Spice (does have real cinnamon)

7. Werther's Original Harvest Pumpkin Spice Soft Caramel Candy

8. Ole Smokey Pumpkin Spice Cream (does not list but likely uses natural/artificial flavors)

9. Jell-O Pumpkin Spice

10. Quaker Pumpkin Spice Instant Oatmeal

11. Pillsbury Grands! Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Rolls

12. GHIRARDELLI Milk Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Caramel SQUARES

13. Dunkin’ Pumpkin Spice Flavored Cold Brew Coffee

14. Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Naturally Flavored Coffee, Keurig K-Cup Coffee Pod

15. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Pumpkin Spice Light Roast K-Cup Coffee Pods

16. Great Value Pumpkin Spice Flavored Syrup

17. Little Debbie Pumpkin Spice Flavored Mini Donuts

18. Swiss Miss, Pumpkin Spice Hot Cocoa K-Cup Pods

19. Little Debbie Family Pack Pumpkin Spice Rolls

20. Duncan Hines Dolly Parton's Pumpkin Spice Cookie Mix

21. Pillsbury Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Bread Batter (has very small amount of pumpkin flakes)

22. Coffee-Mate Pumpkin Spice Liquid Coffee Creamer

23. HOSTESS Pumpkin Spice Flavored TWINKIES

24. Pepperidge Farm Milano Cookies, Pumpkin Spice

25. Krusteaz Quick Bread Mix 3 x 15 oz. - Pumpkin Spice

Foods with Real Pumpkin Spice Ingredients

These actually use real ingredients, which is a plus. A few have some questionable additives, but at least they’re working with real pumpkin spice.

1. Pumpkin Spice Cheerios (has real cinnamon & nutmeg…no pumpkin)

2. Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Rolls

3. Freshness Guaranteed Pumpkin Spice Flavored Madeleines Cookies

4. Great Value Pumpkin Spice Pancake & Waffle Mix (uses dried pumpkin flakes & natural flavors)

5. Great Value Pumpkin Spice Quick Bread & Muffin Mix

6. Aloha Pumpkin Spice Protein Bars

7. bettergoods Gluten Free Pumpkin Spice Muffin Mix

8. Kellogg's Special K Pumpkin Spice Breakfast Cereal

9. belVita Pumpkin Spice Breakfast Biscuits

10. Great Value Pumpkin Spice Cookie Mix

11. Betty Crocker Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Cookie Mix

12. Tate's Bake Shop Pumpkin Spice Cookies with White Chocolate Chips