Meet your new fall favorite: Easy Pumpkin Muffins! They’re perfectly moist, warmly spiced, and come together in under an hour. Whether you want an autumn breakfast treat, a cozy snack, or something to share with friends, these pumpkin muffins promise to deliver big flavor with minimal fuss.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ridiculously Easy Prep: No electric mixer required — just two bowls and a whisk!
- Perfectly Moist Every Time: The blend of pumpkin puree and oil guarantees soft, fluffy muffins that never turn out dry.
- Big, Cozy Fall Flavor: Packed with pumpkin puree and warm spices, each bite bursts with autumn goodness.
- Super Versatile: Easily customize with add-ins like nuts, chocolate chips, or a sprinkle of sugar on top.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All you need for these Easy Pumpkin Muffins are a handful of pantry staples and pure pumpkin. Each ingredient plays a starring role, from lending the perfect rise to delivering that signature pumpkin spice aroma that fills your kitchen.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure and ensures the muffins are tender, not dense.
- Baking soda: Gives your muffins a lovely lift, making them light and fluffy.
- Ground cinnamon & pumpkin pie spice: The dynamic duo that infuses that iconic, irresistible fall flavor.
- Ground ginger: Adds a subtle zing and warmth that complements the pumpkin beautifully.
- Salt: A little goes a long way to bring out every cozy flavor.
- Vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil): Keeps the muffins wonderfully moist from the first bite to the last.
- Granulated sugar & brown sugar: They sweeten the muffins and provide a delicate hint of caramel from the brown sugar.
- Canned pumpkin puree: The star ingredient! Make sure it’s pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling.
- Eggs: Help bind everything together and create structure.
- Milk (dairy or nondairy): Adds richness and helps achieve the perfect batter consistency.
Variations
Part of the fun with Easy Pumpkin Muffins is how well they play with different flavors and add-ins. You can easily tweak this recipe to suit your pantry, your dietary needs, or your current cravings.
- Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins: Stir in 3/4 cup of chocolate chips for a melty, decadent twist that pairs beautifully with pumpkin spice.
- Nutty Pumpkin Muffins: Add a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans for welcome crunch and extra richness.
- Gluten-Free Version: Simply swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free 1:1 baking blend.
- Vegan Muffins: Use nondairy milk, and trade the eggs for flax eggs. It works like a charm with pumpkin’s natural moisture!
How to Make Easy Pumpkin Muffins
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Muffin Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 425°F (218°C). Line a 12-count muffin pan with paper liners, or if you prefer, just give it a quick spray with nonstick cooking spray. This helps those beautiful muffins pop right out — no sticking, no fuss.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, ground ginger, and salt. Giving these ingredients a quick whisk ensures your muffins bake up evenly with flavor and spices in every single bite.
Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
Grab a separate medium bowl, and whisk together the oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, pumpkin puree, eggs, and milk. Make sure everything’s nice and smooth — your batter should be a gorgeous, golden-orange color at this stage!
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Pour the wet ingredients into your bowl of dry ingredients. With a spatula or big spoon, gently fold everything together until you no longer see dry flour. Be careful not to overmix — a few lumps are totally fine and guarantee tender muffins.
Step 5: Fill and Bake
Spoon the batter evenly into the muffin cups, right up to the top. Bake at 425°F for 5 minutes to help the muffins rise, then (without opening the oven door) lower the temperature to 350°F (177°C) and bake for another 16–17 minutes. They’re done when a toothpick comes out clean or with just a few crumbs clinging on.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy
Let your Easy Pumpkin Muffins cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. This makes them easier to handle and helps set the crumb, so every muffin holds up beautifully — even when slathered with butter!
Pro Tips for Making Easy Pumpkin Muffins
- The Secret Bake: That initial 5-minute blast at 425°F helps your muffins rise sky-high with glorious domed tops.
- Do Not Overmix: Gently fold the batter for tender, fluffy muffins—stirring just until the flour disappears will do the trick.
- Pumpkin Choice Matters: Always opt for pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. The difference in flavor and consistency is night and day!
- Customize Your Texture: Want a little crunch on top? Sprinkle raw sugar or pumpkin seeds over the batter before baking.
How to Serve Easy Pumpkin Muffins
Garnishes
For a simple but delightful touch, dust your Easy Pumpkin Muffins with a hint of powdered sugar or a drizzle of maple glaze. If you’re feeling fancy, a dollop of cinnamon butter or a swirl of cream cheese frosting can take them from brunch treat to dessert showstopper in a snap.
Side Dishes
Pair your muffins with a creamy chai latte, a seasonal fruit salad, or even a bowl of spiced yogurt for an autumn brunch that feels utterly special (even if it’s just your Tuesday morning pick-me-up!).
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the muffins in a harvest basket lined with a cute napkin for a rustic brunch. Or, try stacking them on a cake stand and finishing with a few cinnamon sticks and pumpkin décor for a cozy fall gathering centerpiece. You can also wrap individual muffins in parchment and twine for a sweet gift or lunchbox surprise!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Easy Pumpkin Muffins stay moist and flavorful for days! Simply keep them in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll be lovely for up to a week. If your kitchen runs warm, pop them in the fridge to extend freshness by a couple more days.
Freezing
To freeze, let the muffins cool completely, then wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep their just-baked goodness for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight at room temperature or microwave them for a quick treat!
Reheating
For that fresh-from-the-oven experience, simply pop a muffin in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. You can also reheat several in a low oven (about 300°F) for a few minutes. Warm muffins and a little melted butter? Pure pumpkin muffin happiness!
FAQs
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Can I use homemade pumpkin puree in Easy Pumpkin Muffins?
Absolutely! Homemade pumpkin puree works beautifully—just be sure to drain any excess liquid first so your muffins stay fluffy. Canned puree gives more consistent results, but either will do the job.
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Why do you bake at two different temperatures?
Baking first at 425°F helps the muffins rise quickly for tall, domed tops. Then, lowering to 350°F ensures they bake through without burning or drying out. It’s the secret to perfect bakery-style Easy Pumpkin Muffins!
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Can I make mini pumpkin muffins with this recipe?
Yes! Just divide the batter among mini muffin tins and reduce the baking time to about 11–13 minutes, keeping an eye out for doneness. They make adorable bite-sized treats for parties or lunchboxes.
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What’s the best way to add toppings or mix-ins?
Stir your favorite nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit right into the batter before scooping. Or sprinkle coarse sugar, oats, or seeds over the tops just before baking for extra texture and bakery flair on your Easy Pumpkin Muffins.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend these Easy Pumpkin Muffins enough for anyone craving a pumpkin treat that’s simple, satisfying, and absolutely packed with cozy fall flavor. Whenever you need a foolproof baking project or a little seasonal comfort, this is the recipe you’ll want in your back pocket. Happy baking!
PrintEasy Pumpkin Muffins Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 21 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These easy pumpkin muffins are the perfect fall treat, with warm spices and a tender crumb. Simple to make and delicious to enjoy!
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: Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C) and prepare a muffin pan with liners.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, ginger, and salt.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix oil, sugars, pumpkin puree, eggs, and milk.
- Combine wet and dry: Pour wet ingredients into the dry mixture and fold gently until just combined.
- Fill muffin pan: Spoon batter into muffin liners, filling to the top.
- Bake: Bake at 425°F for 5 minutes, then reduce heat to 350°F and bake for 16–17 minutes more until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool and store: Allow muffins to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before serving. Store at room temperature.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a handful of chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the batter.
- These muffins freeze well for longer storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg