Nutmeg vs Pumpkin pie spice
A side-by-side guide to substituting Pumpkin pie spice for Nutmeg (or vice versa).
Use 0.5 tsp of Pumpkin pie spice for every 1 tsp of Nutmeg.
Side-by-side
Pumpkin pie spice
Conversion: Use 50% as much (0.5 tsp per 1 tsp)
Tags: common
Notes: Pumpkin pie spice contains nutmeg plus cinnamon, cloves, and ginger, so use half and expect slightly different flavor complexity. Works well in baked goods and warm desserts.
Read the full guide: Pumpkin pie spice
Calculate the exact swap for your recipe in seconds.
Open calculator →When to use Pumpkin pie spice instead of Nutmeg
Pumpkin pie spice contains nutmeg plus cinnamon, cloves, and ginger, so use half and expect slightly different flavor complexity. Works well in baked goods and warm desserts. The conversion is use 50% as much (0.5 tsp per 1 tsp).
Common questions
Yes — Pumpkin pie spice contains nutmeg plus cinnamon, cloves, and ginger, so use half and expect slightly different flavor complexity. Works well in baked goods and warm desserts. Ratio: Use 50% as much (0.5 tsp per 1 tsp).
Use 50% as much (0.5 tsp per 1 tsp). For other quantities, use the SubSwap calculator.
They are similar in most uses, but Pumpkin pie spice contains nutmeg plus cinnamon, cloves, and ginger, so use half and expect slightly different flavor complexity..
Pumpkin pie spice is one of the options SubSwap lists for Nutmeg. The 'best' choice depends on your recipe — see the full list of Nutmeg substitutes.
Looking for more Nutmeg substitutes beyond Pumpkin pie spice?
See all Nutmeg swaps →