The best vegan pumpkin muffins recipe made with real pumpkin, full of pumpkin spice flavor, and completely oil-free. Ready in less than 30 minutes, these healthy vegan muffins are moist, easy to make, fluffy, and absolutely delicious!
Yes, it’s pumpkin season and there’s no shortage of pumpkin recipes filling the internet. But, I don’t give a crap! I love this time of year and all that comes with it. Bring on the pumpkins!
Let’s face it, no autumn recipe collection is complete without some delicious pumpkin spice muffins. And, these bad boys are pretty awesome.
These fluffy vegan pumpkin muffins with a hot cup of coffee are perfect for breakfast, an after-school snack, or anytime you just need a little energy boost.
And, don’t get me started about the aroma that fills your kitchen as they bake. Heavenly.
So grab your ingredients, preheat your oven, and put on a pot of coffee. It’s time to bake!
Ingredients You Will Need
- Pumpkin Puree: You’ll need 1 ½ cups of fresh pumpkin or one 15-ounce can of pure pumpkin. I prefer the canned option for convenience so just be sure it’s pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling or pumpkin pie mix.
- Unsweetened Apple Sauce: One of the reasons these pumpkin muffins are so healthy is because we are eliminating oil. I think you’ll find they’re just as moist and fluff up nicely.
- Flax Egg: Flax is a natural binder and a very important ingredient. It also keeps this recipe healthy. Ground flaxseed is combined with warm water and works just like an egg without all the unnecessary calories, fat, and cholesterol.
- Flour: For best results, I prefer whole wheat pastry flour or organic unbleached all-purpose flour. They’re not as dense as regular whole wheat flour or whole grain flour. If you require a gluten-free option I would use a gluten-free flour like Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour. Oat flour is also a good option but I would not use coconut flour or almond flour. You won’t get the same results.
- Sweetener: I decided to go with a combination of dark brown sugar and pure maple syrup and it works really well. And, smaller amounts of each add just the right amount of sweetness. The two work so well together but you could use whole amounts of one or the other.
- Spice: I used my homemade DIY Pumpkin Pie Spice and you should too:)
- Baking Soda & Baking Powder: Leavening agents are a must in baking and you don’t need much to make these muffins rise. Initially, I only used baking soda and they were great. But, adding just a tad of baking powder gave it the perfect amount of lift.
- Non-dairy Milk: I love using oat milk in these types of recipes, it’s almost like a secret weapon. But, feel free to use whatever plant milk you have on hand and available.
- Vanilla: I would say this is entirely optional but the aroma and depth of flavor vanilla adds is heavenly.
Some delicious add-ins like chopped pecans, walnuts, and vegan chocolate chips take these “already amazing” muffins to the next level.
How To Make Vegan Pumpkin Muffins
These easy vegan pumpkin muffins are so simple to make and a treat everyone will love. You will find a full list of ingredients with exact amounts in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees and line a muffin tin with muffin liners.
- Prepare the flax eggs and set them aside.
- In a large bowl add the flour, dark brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin spice, and salt and whisk together. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, add the flax eggs, pumpkin purée, applesauce, maple syrup, milk, vanilla extract, and stir to combine.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir together. Do not over mix! Stir until everything is just incorporated into the batter. (If using any add-ins, fold them into the batter now)
- Fill each muffin cup to the rim. If you like, you can sprinkle with oats for decoration but totally not necessary.
- Bake the muffins on the center rack for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick or knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and let cool in the muffin pan for 5 minutes then move to a wire rack. Cool slightly and serve warm.
That’s it! Delicious, easy, healthy, and moist vegan pumpkin muffins.
How To Store Leftover Pumpkin Muffins
Your muffins can be kept at room temperature on the counter in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can store them in the fridge for up to a week.
Can I Freeze Vegan Pumpkin Muffins
Yes, absolutely! They’re great for making ahead of time to enjoy at a later date. Let them cool completely after baking, place in freezer-safe containers, and then store in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them simply allow them to thaw in the refrigerator or on your counter.
Why You Will Love These Muffins
They’re…
- completely oil-free, made with real pumpkin, and other wholesome simple ingredients
- full of pumpkin flavor, warming fall spices, and perfectly sweetened
- fluffy, moist, and tender
- ready in less than 30 minutes including prep time
More Vegan Pumpkin Recipes
- Vegan Pumpkin Granola
- Pumpkin French Toast
- The Best Vegan Pumpkin Bread
- Pumpkin Dessert Hummus
- Best Vegan Pumpkin Pie
- Vegan Pumpkin Chili
I hope you enjoy these Vegan Pumpkin Muffins. Please leave a comment below with a star rating. And, be sure and share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #shaneandsimple. I want to see your work. Enjoy!
Vegan Pumpkin Muffins (Healthy and Easy)
- Total Time30 minutes
- Yield12 muffins 1x
- DietVegan
The best vegan pumpkin muffins recipe made with real pumpkin, full of pumpkin spice flavor, and completely oil-free. Ready in less than 30 minutes, these healthy vegan muffins are moist, easy to make, fluffy, and absolutely delicious!
Ingredients
- 2 flax eggs
- 1 ¾ cups whole wheat pastry flour
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 Tablespoon Shane & Simple pumpkin spice
- Pinch of salt
- 1 can (15-ounce) 100% pumpkin, not pumpkin pie mix
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened non-dairy milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional add-ins:
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
- ¼ cup non-dairy chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375˚F degrees and line a muffin tin with muffin liners.
- Prepare the flax eggs and set them aside.
- In a large bowl add the flour, dark brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin spice, and salt and whisk together. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl add the flax eggs, pumpkin purée, applesauce, maple syrup, milk, vanilla extract, and stir to combine.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir together. Do not over mix! Stir until everything is just incorporated into the batter. (If using any add-ins, fold them into the batter now)
- Fill each muffin cup to the rim. If you like, you can sprinkle with oats for decoration but totally not necessary.
- Bake the muffins on the center rack for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick or knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and let cool in the muffin pan for 5 minutes then move to a wire rack. Cool slightly and serve warm.
Notes
Let the muffins cool in the pan. Allow five minutes for the muffins to cool slightly before you pop them out of the tin and move them to a wire rack. But, watch the timer because longer than 5 minutes could result in soggy muffins.
Do not use coconut flour or almond flour for this recipe. You won’t get a good result.
Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour is a good option for making these muffins gluten-free.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 116
- Sugar: 9.3 g
- Sodium: 133.2 mg
- Fat: 1.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 24.9 g
- Fiber: 3.4 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Prep Time: 10 mins.
- Cook Time: 20 mins.
- Category: Vegan Breakfast Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegan
This looks like a great recipe, Shane. Thank you, and I look forward to trying it. That said, my ‘salt tooth’ prefers less sweet items. How would you amend this recipe to be more savory (i.e., not at all sweet, perhaps even a bit spicy)?
This is a wonderful recipe. After making it once, I did substitute molasses for the maple syrup and added raisins. Liked it even better that way.
Oh my kitchen smells divine and my tummy is in heaven. Just made these …oh Lordy they’re dangerous…I just devoured 3 !!!
These muffins are so delicious and moist! Most vegan muffins I have tried are dry – these are perfect. Added vegan chocolate chips. My very non-vegan son has eaten 3 a day. Thanks for another great recipe, Shane!
While delicious,my muffins were not at all firm inside…more like canned pumpkin slightly cooked. I did not alter the recipe other than using regular organic ap flour, perhaps that was unwise and I did have to use turbinado sugar and added less of it and a dash more maple syrup… added chopped pecans but that was all I altered… after resting them, they looked great…I had one and reheated oven and cooked an additional ten minutes. My oven has not had any issues baking other recipes of similar ingredients, so I don’t understand why they are so “liquidy” inside. Used parchment paper muffin liners. They released from them just fine.
Your recipes never fail me. Loved these muffins. Perfect for a chilly autumn morning, next to a hot cup of coffee. Thank you!! Keep’em comming! 🙏🏻♥️
These were so easy to make and delicious
These pumpkin muffins were very good. I made a batch with nuts and one without. Thank you for the recipe.
I was looking for a vegan pumpkin muffin recipe without oil. This was fantastic, thank you for sharing. Bob’s Red Mill AP GF flour worked out great.
Would using 2c of canned pumpkin work?
Sure thing.
Shane, these are wonderful! I used half gluten-free (1-to-1) flour and half oat flour. They turned out perfect. I especially love that the recipe uses the whole can of pumpkin, rather than just a measly 1/2 cup like those other recipes. True pumpkin muffins, instead of pumpkin wannabes. :^)
Do you think date sugar would work in place of the brown sugar?
Hi, Claire! Yes, most definitely.
Is a flax egg one tablespoon of ground flax seed to 2 tablespoons of water?
I would use 2 1/2 – 3 Tbsp of water.
Hi, Shane.
Can I substitute ground hemp hearts protein powder for part of the flour? If so, how much? Thank you!
Hi, Laure! Honestly, I have no idea how that would work. All I can say is just try it and if it doesn’t work, back to the drawing board. I’m sorry, I wish I had a better answer. But, on the bright side, you’re seeing how I develop recipes. LOL!
Hi Shane, just made these for snacks this week.
They are delicious! Used date sugar& date syrup,& oat flour. Thank u for recipe! 😇
Can I substitute aquafab for the flax eggs?
I would try unsweetened applesauce. The flax might be a little too dense. But, otherwise, yes.
These are delicious. I put some in the freezer and they are great when thawed, too! I have made many of your recipes and yours is my first choice when searching for something specific to try as I know it will be excellent. Thanks for all your work developing and sharing your terrific content!
Flax seed doesn’t agree with me, is there something I can as a substitute? Thanks!
Chia is great.
Would date paste work instead of brown sugar. Would dates make the muffin dough too wet?
You should be fine.
Hi Shane I just love following your recipes yours are always the top on my list. I’m on a low histamine diet and I in general don’t use vanilla extract but wondering if I could instead use vanilla bean powder?
Yes, you totally could do that. But, you could leave it out altogether if you choose.
I am kind of lazy and have found that with these muffin recipes, you can cook them in and 8X8 pan and they come out great. Just in case you don’t like the mess of having to put the batter in muffin tins. I have been doing this for a long time. You might need to cook a little longer, Just check with a toothpick to see when they are done!!
Will white whole wheat pastry flour work with these muffins? Thanks
Absolutely!
Delicious! I love your recipes!
Thank you so much! You’re very kind.
Hello Shane,
Do you think I could use coconut sugar in place of the dark brown sugar or would it be better for me to use all maple syrup. Thanks!😊
Absolutely!
Can I use regular whole wheat flour. I don’t usually have pastry flour in my cupboard.
Thanks……..and I love your recipes
Sure thing.
Hi!
I’m putting together the recipe now, is there a link to your DIY pumpkin spice mixture?
Thank you!
YES! And, thanks for catching that sorry I didn’t include it. Here it is: https://shaneandsimple.com/pumpkin-pie-spice-recipe/
I just made these and failed 🙂 I think I must have not followed the instructions to the letter because the middle was not cooked all the way. Bummer … my sister drove across town to get a taste. I will try again. Bummed. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you!
Hi, Joi! Hmmm, not quite sure. I would say make them again and make sure you did follow the directions. If that doesn’t work, holla back and we’ll try and figure it out.
Thanks Shane for the quick response! Trying again this morning and will let you know!
These muffins are delicious! I made them as mini muffins and added few mini chips and Craisins. Have never tried whole wheat pastry flour, they definitely have a soft and moist texture Kids are gobbling them up for lunch and I also gave them as three separate gifts with rave reviews, thank you! I love all your recipes!
Thank you so much for sharing this with me. Blessings.
Wow! These are superb and turned out gorgeous! Can’t wait to take these to an event!
Thank you!!!
Oh my goodness! Shane, you have delivered another winner! I just popped these out of the oven and they are ever so tasty. I may have just eaten two in a row and am eyeing a third! 🙂 They are super moist and the rise on them was spectacular. Because I try to stay away from fats, I did not use the pecans or chocolate chips but if you do I think they will put these absolutely over the top. Beautiful muffins with mild sweetness and a light pumpkin spice flavor. Recommend 100%!
Thank you so much!
The muffins were very good, but they stuck to the liners quite a bit. Is there a certain kind or brand of liner that might not do that?
Hi, Amy and sorry about that. Just a couple of thoughts: 1) Be sure and follow the cooking instruction. Don’t let them sit in the pan more than 5 minutes after cooking. Then, move them to a wire rack for just a bit. 2) I use an unbleached parchment paper liner. There’s a link in the post and down at the bottom in the recipe card. You could also use a silicone muffin pan or lightly spray a nonstick muffin tin.
Let me know if any of this helps.
Hi Shane, first, I love your recipes! They are delicious and the cleanest of all I usually use date syrup which I make from medjool dates and water along with oat flour which sub for all flours. Will both work in this recipe? Thank you again for all your recipes.
You shouldn’t have any problems. 🙂
Will it be awful if I use whole wheat flour? That is all I have on hand.
No, not at all.
The best vegan pumpkin muffins recipe made with real pumpkin, full of pumpkin spice flavor, and completely oil-free. Ready in less than 30 minutes, these healthy vegan muffins are moist, easy to make, fluffy, and absolutely delicious!