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The nights are drawing in, the temperatures are dropping and the leaves are turning brown. Which means one thing – it’s officially PSL season! So you might be wondering, is Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte gluten free? Here’s what you need to know…
It still amazes me that a whole season has been built around one drink, so it’s understandable you may have FOMO if you haven’t yet had a Pumpkin Spice Latte.
Since I first wrote this post in 2016 quite a bit has changed, so now for 2024 here’s the updated guide to if Pumpkin Spice Lattes are gluten free in the UK.
The Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte range usually launches at the end of August – but as of today (August 8th 2024) it’s available in the UK on the Starbucks app.
For those of you currently stood in a Starbucks (UK) with your phone in hand, hastily Googling ‘Is Starbucks pumpkin spice latte gluten free’ – the quick answer is that it doesn’t have any gluten-containing ingredients.
However, Starbucks does use non-gluten-free oat milk and there is always a risk of cross contamination (plus any drink with oat milk is not gluten free there).
For more details on gluten free oat milk and the risk of cross contamination jobs in coffee shops, check out my guide to gluten free oat milk.
The PSL hype begins
There’s always been a bit of mystery surrounding this almost cult-status autumnal drink, the pumpkin spice latte, or PSL as it’s often abbreviated.
Personally, I used to be the biggest fan of the drink, but now it’s a little too sweet for my personal preference.
And with the added oat milk risk, as a diagnosed coeliac I tend to avoid.
The return of PSL always sparks an excitement of the nights drawing in, cosy evenings cuddled up watching television and baking delicious, comfort food.
Pumpkin spice is a bit of an American sensation which seems to be getting bigger and bigger each year. And I love that vibe!
Is there gluten in a pumpkin spice latte?
According to the Starbucks Autumn Allergy Information 2024, the following UK Pumpkin Spice drinks do not contain any gluten-containing ingredients:
- Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
- Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino
- Pumpkin Spice Cream Frappuccino
- Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte
- Sweet Pumpkin Frappuccino (without the sugar topping)
All of the above do not contain gluten when ordered with milk, almond milk, coconut milk or soya milk.
Which Starbucks autumn drinks contain gluten?
The following drinks in the Pumpkin Spice range do contain gluten and are not suitable for people on a gluten free diet:
- The Blue Grey Sugar Topping on the Frappuccino drinks contains barley so make sure to ask for any drinks without this.
- Any drink with oat milk is not gluten free or suitable for people with coeliac disease as Starbucks does not use gluten free oat milk.
What other autumn drinks are gluten free in Starbucks?
As well as Pumpkin Spice Lattes, there are also some other autumn drinks on the menu.
The Salted Maple and Caramel Latte, Iced Latte, Frappuccino and Cold Brew does not contain gluten ingredients when made with milk, almond milk, coconut milk or soya milk.
What about cross contamination?
Like most places, Starbucks deliver the usual ‘we cannot guarantee a gluten free environment’ line:
“There is a possibility of cross contamination with it being around other products that contain gluten.”
However, it’s important to note that the oat milk Starbucks uses, much like Costa Coffee, is not gluten free.
Unfortunately no studies have ever been done on the risk of cross contamination from milk steamers, so it’s impossible to say how great the risk is.
For me personally, I would treat it much like anywhere else when eating out with coeliac disease.
Would you eat from a toaster where normal bread had been toasted? No.
So would I drink from a steamer where non-gluten-free milk had been steamed?
Through time and experience I’ve come to the conclusion that my personal answer to that would also be no.
But I do believe it’s important to base your experience on an individual store basis.
In some stores you may have a particularly helpful barista who can deep clean the steamer, or use a fresh one, so it’s important to have that discussion.
What do you think?
Do you avoid Starbucks at all cost? Or do you drink their coffees? Comment below and let me know your thoughts.
Hello, I am so happy to find a UK based gluten-free blogger! I was excited to read this article but wanted to add that although Starbucks said they only have the one drink that contains gluten, I am fully aware that the caramel syrup has gluten in it! Which means no drinks with caramel in it! So sad I know! Also shocked they failed to mention this!
hey i’m a barista at starbucks and the java chips have gluten in it as well!!
If you’re using alternative milks, you have to watch them like a hawk as I’ve caught some not cleaning the Frappuccino jugs properly between drinks. The person was “what’s the problem, it’s vegan?” And I had to call over the manager. So I don’t tend to do the Frappuccinos anymore.
That’s such a shame – generally I don’t tend to drink there anyway as they use non-GF oat milk 🙁
I have been glutened many times from coffees and certain things containing gluten that run through machines. So I avoid Starbucks & Costa like the plague. Gutting a death of a 13yr old with a dairy allergy has happened from Costa making a mistake and not possibly not giving her Soya milk. Whilst I understand Coeliac isn’t an allergy this situation does highlight the risk and silent damage that could be caused to Coeliacs
I avoid both Starbucks and Costa due to the possible cross contamination with their milk steamers, would it be so difficult to use GF oat milk!