This Vegan Pumpkin Spiced Boba Tea is so creamy, lightly sweetened and packed with handmade pumpkin-flavored boba. They are the perfect fall drink to have!
Boba tea (Bubble Tea) is one of my favorite drinks to have when I was little. My mom does not make it often, but every time she does, I try to fill my cup with as much boba as my mom would let me. Boba tea originates from Taiwan during the 1980s and consists of a sweetened tea with added milk and boba, also called tapioca pearls.
In the past, boba tea was usually made with simple tea flavors such as black and jasmine tea but nowadays there are many fun flavors such as strawberry, matcha, and taro. One of the reasons why I enjoy making boba tea at home is because I can control the sweetness of the tea. The ones sold in cafes can be a bit too sweet for me.
Making boba tea requires only a few ingredients- tea of choice, tapioca pearls, milk of choice and a sweetener.
Here is an overview of this Vegan Pumpkin-Spiced Boba Tea.
Ingredients
Pumpkin Puree: I used canned pumpkin puree as it was easier for me and required less preparation, but if you want to make it from scratch, you can roast a “sugar pumpkin” (also known as “pie pumpkin” until it is soft and you can puree it.
Sugar: I made it refined sugar-free by using maple syrup, but you can also use regular sugar, coconut sugar or any other sweetener of choice and adjust accordingly.
Milk: I used unsweetened almond milk, but you can also substitute with any other plant-based milk of choice.
Tea: I used chai tea in this recipe, but you can substitute with earl grey, black or jasmine tea. You want a tea that is a bit stronger in flavor because when you add the tea with milk and ice, the drink would be water down. A stronger tea will prevent this.
Tips
Can I substitute it with another tea?
Yes! I recommend using stronger tea flavors such as black or jasmine as it’s flavor will be retained after adding milk and ice.
Can I use store-bought tapioca pearls?
Yes! I made the tapioca pearls from scratch with a hint of pumpkin flavor to it, but you can also use packaged tapioca pearls. If you are using packaged tapioca pearls, I recommend just cooking as many as you need. The boba will stiffen when it is cooled.
What kind of milk can I use?
You can use any type of plant-based milk of your choice! However, if you want a creamier drink, I recommend almond, soy or oat milk.
What kind of sweetener can I use?
I used maple syrup with this recipe, making it refined sugar-free and a bit more fallish. However, you can also use regular sugar, coconut sugar, and any other sweetener of choice and adjust the taste accordingly.
Can I prepare the boba tea ahead of time?
You can steep the tea the night before and store it in the refrigerator. However, I do not recommend assembling the entire drink until you are ready to drink it.
If you like this Vegan Pumpkin-Spiced Boba Tea, you might also like:
Vegan Panda Boba and Matcha Tarts
Vegan Cherry Lime Mocktail
Vegan Peach Lime Mocktail
I cannot wait for you to make this Vegan Pumpkin-Spiced Boba Tea! If you do, please tag me on Instagram @astepfullofyou or leave a comment below letting me know how you like them! Enjoy!
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This Vegan Pumpkin Spiced Boba Tea is so creamy, lightly sweetened and packed with handmade pumpkin-flavored boba. They are the perfect fall drink to have!
Ingredients
Pumpkin Boba (Tapioca Pearls)
4 ½ tbsp (45g) tapioca flour
1 tbsp (22g) cane sugar
2 tbsp (31g) pumpkin puree
½- 2 tbsp water
Chai Tea
2 cups (500g) plant-based milk of choice (I used almond milk)
¼ cup (62g) pumpkin puree
1 tsp (3g) pumpkin-pie spice
2 tbsp (30ml) maple syrup (add more if you want it to be sweeter)
2 chai tea bags
Instructions
- Make the Pumpkin Boba. Add the tapioca flour and cane sugar to a bowl. Mix until well combined. Add in the pumpkin puree and ½ tbsp of water. Mix until a dough forms. If it is too dry, add in ½ tbsp of water at a time until the dough comes together.
- Roll the dough into tiny small balls.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add in the tapioca pearls and stir gently. Once you see the tapioca pearls float on top of the water, allow them to cook for 30 seconds. Then, remove them from the boiling water and into a bowl with a tiny bit of cold water. Set aside.
- Make the tea. Add the milk, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice and maple syrup to a pot over medium heat. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer. Add in the chai tea bags and allow the tea to steep for 10 minutes. Then, remove the tea bags from the pot. Taste and add more maple syrup if desired.
- Add about 2-3 tbsp of the Pumpkin Boba to 2 drinking glasses. Top with some ice. Then, add in the chai tea mixture. Serve and enjoy!
Keywords: boba tea, tapioca pearls, pumpkin, bubble tea
