I absolutely love this Easy Pumpkin Muffins Recipe because it’s like autumn in every bite — warm, spicy, and packed with cozy pumpkin flavor. When I first tried making pumpkin muffins, I was surprised by how simple the ingredients came together to make something so tender and delicious. You’ll find that these muffins work perfectly for a quick breakfast, an afternoon snack, or even a breakfast-for-dinner moment when you want comfort food with minimal fuss.
What makes this Easy Pumpkin Muffins Recipe truly special is how forgiving and straightforward it is, even if you’re not an experienced baker. I used to struggle getting moist muffins with just the right spice balance, but this recipe nails it every time! Plus, it’s a great way to use canned pumpkin, which you might already have hiding in your pantry.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: Most are pantry staples you might already have on hand.
- Moist & Tender Texture: The combination of oil and pumpkin keeps these muffins perfectly soft.
- Balanced Spices: Cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice give just the right cozy flavor without overpowering.
- Versatile & Customizable: Easy to personalize with chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit for your family’s favorite twist.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients in this Easy Pumpkin Muffins Recipe come together to create a flavor-packed treat with that classic pumpkin spice vibe you love. Each component plays a special part to ensure these muffins rise beautifully and stay wonderfully moist.
- All-purpose flour: Using spooned and leveled flour helps keep the muffin texture light and fluffy without being dense.
- Baking soda: This natural leavening agent gives your muffins that perfect rise.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds warm spice that’s essential in any pumpkin recipe.
- Pumpkin pie spice: A signature blend that brings in nutmeg, cloves, and allspice for that classic fall flavor.
- Ground ginger: Just a hint adds a subtle zing that rounds out the spices.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil): Keeps the muffins moist and tender — you can swap in coconut oil for subtle flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the muffins and helps create a light crumb.
- Light or dark brown sugar: Adds a deeper, caramel-like sweetness and moisture.
- Canned pumpkin puree: Not pumpkin pie filling! This gives that rich pumpkin flavor and beautiful orange color.
- Large eggs: Helps bind ingredients and adds structure.
- Milk (dairy or nondairy): Adds a touch of moisture and helps with the batter consistency.
Variations
I love making this Easy Pumpkin Muffins Recipe my own depending on the season or what’s in my pantry. Feel free to play around by adding your favorite mix-ins or adjusting the sweetness to suit your taste!
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins: I toss in 1 cup of chocolate chips right before baking, and my family goes crazy for these gooey bites.
- Nutty Twist: Adding chopped pecans or walnuts gives a satisfying crunch — perfect for a hearty snack.
- Dried Fruit Add-In: Dried cranberries bring a tart contrast that brightens up the rich pumpkin flavor beautifully.
- Healthier Option: I sometimes swap half the oil for applesauce and reduce sugars slightly for a lighter muffin, but be careful not to cut too much or the muffins might turn dry.
- Mini Muffins: For parties or lunchtime treats, make mini muffins by using mini muffin pans and adjusting baking time to about 11–13 minutes at 350°F.
How to Make Easy Pumpkin Muffins Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Mix Your Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 425°F and greasing your muffin pan or lining it with cupcake liners. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, ground ginger, and salt until everything is evenly combined. This step ensures the spices are well distributed so every muffin gets that cozy flavor.
Step 2: Whisk the Wet Ingredients
In a separate medium bowl, whisk the vegetable oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, canned pumpkin, eggs, and milk until smooth and fully blended. I like to make sure the sugars start dissolving a bit in the pumpkin and oil before mixing in the dry ingredients — it helps keep the batter nice and moist.
Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients Gently
Pour your wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Then fold them together gently with a spatula just until you no longer see pockets of flour. Be careful not to overmix — this is the trick to keeping muffins tender and light. It’s okay if the batter is a little lumpy.
Step 4: Fill Muffin Cups and Bake
Spoon the batter into your prepared muffin cups, filling them all the way to the top for those perfect domed tops. Pop them in the oven and bake for 5 minutes at 425°F — this high heat helps create a beautiful rise. Then, reduce the temperature to 350°F and bake for another 16–17 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Total baking time is about 21–22 minutes.
Step 5: Cool and Enjoy
Once baked, let the muffins cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before removing them. This brief rest helps them firm up just enough to handle without falling apart. Then, enjoy warm or at room temperature — they’re amazing either way!
Pro Tips for Making Easy Pumpkin Muffins Recipe
- Don’t Overmix: Folding gently just until combined keeps muffins tender — overmixing leads to tough muffins.
- High Heat Start: Baking first at 425°F then lowering to 350°F helps muffins rise tall with a nice crust.
- Use Fresh Spices: Fresh pumpkin pie spice or a homemade blend gives a much brighter flavor than old spices.
- Fill Muffin Cups to the Top: This little trick gives those classic muffin domes that everyone loves.
How to Serve Easy Pumpkin Muffins Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping these muffins with a light spread of softened butter or a drizzle of honey for an extra touch of indulgence. Sometimes, I’ll sprinkle a little powdered sugar or add a swirl of cream cheese frosting if I’m feeling fancy — perfect for holiday brunches!
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or chai tea to bring out the spices even more. For a more substantial meal, serve alongside scrambled eggs or a bowl of warm oatmeal for breakfast.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re making these Easy Pumpkin Muffins Recipe for a party, arrange them on a platter lined with autumn leaves or pumpkin-themed napkins for a festive vibe. Adding little handwritten tags with spice notes or mix-ins can also be a sweet touch!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually keep leftover pumpkin muffins in an airtight container at room temperature and they stay fresh for about a week. This way, you can enjoy a quick snack anytime without worry.
Freezing
Freezing works like a charm for these muffins! I wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. They freeze well for up to 3 months — just thaw overnight in the fridge when you’re ready to dig in.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop a thawed muffin in the microwave for about 20 seconds or warm it in a low oven for 5 minutes. This brings back that fresh-baked softness and makes them taste like they just came out of the oven.
FAQs
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Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned pumpkin puree?
You can, but fresh pumpkin needs to be cooked and pureed well before using. Canned pumpkin puree is a convenient choice because it’s smooth and moisture-adjusted, ensuring your muffins turn out moist and tender.
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Can I reduce the sugar or oil in this Easy Pumpkin Muffins Recipe?
Yes, you can slightly reduce sugar or oil, but keep in mind that both contribute to moisture and tenderness. Swapping some oil for applesauce or using coconut sugar can be good substitutes, but too much reduction might result in dry muffins.
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How do I make these muffins dairy-free?
Simply use a nondairy milk like almond, oat, or soy milk in place of the cow’s milk. The rest of the recipe is naturally dairy-free if you pick vegetable or coconut oil.
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Can I make mini pumpkin muffins using this recipe?
Yes! Use mini muffin pans and liners, fill them to the top, and bake at 350°F for about 11–13 minutes, skipping the initial high heat step.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Pumpkin Muffins Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s both simple and satisfying every single time I make it. Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned pro, I know you’ll enjoy how effortlessly these muffins come together and how perfectly they capture that comforting pumpkin spice flavor. Give this recipe a try — I’m sure it’ll become your go-to during pumpkin season (and beyond) just like it is for me!
PrintEasy Pumpkin Muffins Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 21 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Easy Pumpkin Muffins are moist, tender, and packed with warm fall spices. Perfect for breakfast or a snack, they come together quickly with pantry staples and canned pumpkin puree. The recipe includes tips for reducing sugar or oil, freezing instructions, and ideas for delicious add-ins like chocolate chips or nuts.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 and 3/4 cups (219g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (100g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1 and 1/2 cups (340g) canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup (60ml) milk (dairy or nondairy)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C). Spray a 12-count muffin pan with nonstick spray or line with cupcake liners to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, ground ginger, and salt until fully combined. Set this mixture aside.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk the vegetable oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, canned pumpkin puree, eggs, and milk until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Fold gently together using a spatula or spoon just until the batter is evenly combined and no flour pockets remain. Be careful not to overmix.
- Fill Muffin Pan: Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin liners, filling each cup all the way to the top for full, tall muffins.
- Bake at High Temperature: Bake the muffins for 5 minutes at 425°F (218°C) to give them a good rise and crust.
- Reduce Temperature and Continue Baking: Without removing the muffins, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (177°C). Bake for an additional 16–17 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Total bake time is about 21–22 minutes.
- Cool and Serve: Let the muffins cool for 5 minutes in the pan before removing. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
- Store Properly: Store muffins covered tightly at room temperature for up to 1 week. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Notes
- Freezing Instructions: Freeze muffins for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and optionally warm in the microwave before serving.
- Special Tools: Use a 12-count muffin pan, cupcake liners, glass mixing bowls, and a whisk for best results.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice Substitute: If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, use 1/4 teaspoon each of ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, and ground allspice, and 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger. Keep the additional 1 and 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon as well.
- Sugar and Oil Adjustments: You can reduce sugar or oil slightly, but this may affect moisture and texture. Substitute some oil with applesauce or swap sugars with coconut sugar if desired.
- Add-Ins: Fold in 1 cup (about 180g) chocolate chips, or 1 cup (130g) chopped pecans/walnuts, or 3/4 cup (105g) dried cranberries before baking.
- Mini Muffins: For mini muffins, bake at 350°F (177°C) for 11-13 minutes, filling mini muffin pans fully.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg