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You are here: Home / Recipes / Healthy Pumpkin Muffins

Healthy Pumpkin Muffins

Last updated on September 21, 2020. Originally published October 4, 2020 2 Comments

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These are the best healthy pumpkin muffins ever! They’re tender and moist with a beautiful crumb, naturally sweetened, perfectly spiced and made with whole wheat flour but you’d never guess they’re good for you! This healthy pumpkin muffin recipe is easy to make in 30 minutes, and is a nutritious fall breakfast! 

overhead view of 4 Healthy Pumpkin Muffins on a cooling rack, one cut in half.

Fall baking is my favorite (hello pumpkin bread), but sometimes I want to make lighter versions of my favorite recipes, like these Healthy Pumpkin Muffins. They’re tender and moist with a beautiful crumb, naturally sweetened, perfectly spiced and made with whole wheat flour but you’d never guess they’re good for you! 

This healthy pumpkin muffin recipe is easy to make in 30 minutes – including baking time. You can top them with raw sugar (or not), or add your favorite mix-ins to make them extra-special! Serve them warm with a generous slather of this homemade cinnamon honey butter and you’ll experience breakfast nirvana!

front view of a Healthy Pumpkin Muffin with a bite taken out of it

Healthy Pumpkin Muffin Recipe: Ingredients & Substituions

  • Pumpkin Puree. Be sure to use pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling). Fresh or canned both work well. 
  • Salted Butter. Unsalted butter, coconut oil, ghee, etc. can be used in place of salted butter if desired. 
  • Vanilla Greek Yogurt. Any yogurt variety works well in this healthy pumpkin muffin recipe. I prefer vanilla Greek yogurt for the extra protein, flavor and sweetness. I also love using vanilla bean Icelandic yogurt! 
  • Maple Syrup. I’ve used honey in place of maple syrup with great results, however I prefer syrup because the maple flavor screams “fall.” 
  • Eggs. You can use chia or “flax” eggs by combining 2 TBS ground chia seeds or flaxseed meal and 5 TBS warm water and letting it set for 10 minutes, then use in the recipe. The muffins might bake flatter if you do this. 
  • Whole wheat flour. All-purpose, spelt, whole wheat pastry flour, white whole wheat flour, etc. can be used in place of regular whole wheat flour.
  • Pumpkin pie spice. See recipe notes for how to make your own pumpkin pie spice. 
  • Raw sugar. This is optional, but I love the extra shine and crunch a sprinkle of raw sugar gives to the tops of these healthy pumpkin muffins. 
  • Mix-ins. You can add up to 1 cup of mix-ins of your choice, I will discuss options later in this post! 

overhead view of the ingredients in this Healthy Pumpkin Muffin recipe

How to make Healthy Pumpkin Muffins

This healthy pumpkin muffin recipe is easy to make and takes 30 minutes from start to finish. As always, we’ll walk through the recipe step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video. 

Combine dry ingredients. 

In a medium bowl, combine whole wheat flour, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda and sea salt. Set aside.

Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice

If you’d like to make your own pumpkin pie spice, mix together the following, then use 2 tsp of the mixture in the recipe and save the rest for your other pumpkin recipe endeavors (like this pumpkin pie, paleo pumpkin bread, or pumpkin baked oatmeal).

  • 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • ½ tsp cloves
  • ½ tsp allspice

two overhead photos showing how to make Healthy Pumpkin Muffins

Whisk together wet ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, melted butter, yogurt, maple syrup, eggs and vanilla until smooth.

two overhead photos showing how to make Healthy Pumpkin Muffins

Add dry ingredients

Once the wet ingredients are smooth, add the dry ingredients and stir until mixture is smooth and there are no lumps.

Optional: Add mix ins

If desired, add mix-ins of your choice, here are some suggestions: 

  • Chocolate chips
  • Cinnamon chips (YUM)
  • White chocolate chips
  • Dried cranberries or rasins
  • Nuts: pecans, walnuts, etc.

two overhead photos showing how to make Healthy Pumpkin Muffins

Portion into muffin tin

Measure 3-4 TBS of batter into each well of a standard muffin in.  If desired, sprinkle the tops of the muffins with raw sugar.

I prefer to generously grease my muffin tins instead of using cupcake liners, but you may bake them either way. 

two overhead photos showing how to make Healthy Pumpkin Muffins

Bake

Bake the healthy pumpkin muffins in the preheated oven for 17-20 minutes, or until the tops spring back when touched and a toothpick inserted in the center of the muffins comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. 

Cool

Let cool in the pan for 2-5 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, using a spoon or knife to release the sides from the pan and gently remove them.

overhead photo of 6 Healthy Pumpkin Muffins in a muffin tin

Serve!

Serve these healthy pumpkin muffins warm with a generous slather of cinnamon honey butter, homemade peanut butter, or homemade vanilla almond butter. 

Store

Store these healthy pumpkin muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. 

front view of a stack of two Healthy Pumpkin Muffins

How to freeze healthy pumpkin muffins: 

  1. Let muffins cool completely
  2. Transfer to an airtight container or freezer-friendly plastic bag.
  3. Transfer to the freezer and freeze for up to 2 months. 

To reheat: 

Reheat the healthy pumpkin muffins in one of three ways:

  1. Warm in the microwave for about 40 seconds per muffin. 
  2. Remove from the freezer and let them thaw to room temperature overnight.
  3. Warm in the oven preheated to 325 degrees F for about 5-10  minutes or until warmed through.

If you love this recipe, try these: 

  • Paleo pumpkin muffins or paleo pumpkin bread are delicious, gluten-free fall baking recipes.
  • Pumpkin baked oatmeal is another delicious and healthy fall breakfast recipe!
  • This is the best pumpkin bread recipe ever! 
  • PIE! If you haven’t dried our from-scratch pumpkin pie or dairy free pumpkin pie they are must-makes this fall.
  • This no bake vegan pumpkin cheesecake is healthy and delicious!

overhead photo of a Healthy Pumpkin Muffin cut in half with butter

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Healthy Pumpkin Muffins
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5 from 3 votes

Healthy Pumpkin Muffins

These are the best healthy pumpkin muffins ever! They're tender and moist with a beautiful crumb, naturally sweetened, perfectly spiced and made with whole wheat flour but you'd never guess they're good for you! This healthy pumpkin muffin recipe is easy to make in 30 minutes, and is a nutritious fall breakfast! 
Course Breakfast, brunch
Cuisine American
Keyword healthy pumpkin muffin recipe, healthy pumpkin muffins
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 12 Muffins
Calories 150kcal
Author Laura

Equipment

  • measuring spoons
  • measuring cups
  • spatula
  • glass batter bowl
  • whisk
  • cake tester
  • standard muffin pan

Ingredients

  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • ¼ cup salted butter melted
  • ½ cup vanilla Greek yogurt
  • ½ cup maple syrup or honey
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • 4 TBS raw sugar for sprinkling optional
  • Optional: 1 cup of mix ins.
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a standard, 12-cup muffin tin. Set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, combine whole wheat flour, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda and sea salt. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, melted butter, yogurt, maple syrup, eggs and vanilla until smooth.
  • Add dry ingredients and stir until mixture is smooth and there are no lumps.
  • If desired, add mix-ins (chocolate chips, nuts, seeds, etc.).
  • Measure 3-4 TBS of batter into each cup of the prepared muffin tin. If desired, sprinkle the tops of the muffins with raw sugar.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 17-20 minutes, or until the tops spring back when touched and a toothpick inserted in the center of the muffins comes out clean.
  • Let cool in the pan for 2-5 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Serve!

Video

Notes

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Pumpkin Puree. Fresh or canned both work well. 
  • Salted Butter. Unsalted butter, coconut oil, ghee, etc. can be used in place of salted butter if desired. 
  • Vanilla Greek Yogurt. Any yogurt variety works well. My top preferences are Greek and Icelandic yogurts for their thickness and creaminess. 
  • Maple Syrup. I've used honey in place of maple syrup with great results.
  • Eggs. You can use chia or "flax" eggs by combining 2 TBS ground chia seeds or flaxseed meal and 5 TBS warm water and letting it set for 10 minutes, then use in the recipe. The muffins might bake flatter if you do this. 
  • Whole wheat flour. All-purpose, spelt, whole wheat pastry flour, white whole wheat flour, etc. can be used in place of regular whole wheat flour.
  • Pumpkin pie spice. See recipe notes for how to make your own pumpkin pie spice. 

Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice (1 TBS)

Stir the following spices together and use 2 tsp of this in this recipe in place of the pumpkin pie spice.
  • 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • ½ tsp cloves
  • ½ tsp allspice

Store

Store these healthy pumpkin muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. 

How to freeze healthy pumpkin muffins: 

  1. Let muffins cool completely
  2. Transfer to an airtight container or freezer-friendly plastic bag.
  3. Transfer to the freezer and freeze for up to 2 months. 

To reheat: 

Reheat the healthy pumpkin muffins in one of three ways:
  1. Warm in the microwave for about 40 seconds per muffin. 
  2. Remove from the freezer and let them thaw to room temperature overnight.
  3. Warm in the oven preheated to 325 degrees F for about 5-10  minutes or until warmed through.

Nutrition

Calories: 150kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 199mg | Potassium: 187mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 3335IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 1mg

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine! 

 

You might also like:

Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Seeds
Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (Better than Cinnabon)
Homemade Vegan Peanut Butter Frosting

Filed Under: Breakfast, Fall Recipes, Healthy Recipes, Muffin Recipes, Pumpkin Recipes, Recipe Videos, Recipes Tagged With: breakfast, muffins, pumpkin

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Amanda

    December 22, 2020 at 1:12 pm

    5 stars
    Wow amazing! I made it dairy free with an overripe banana and added a little unsweetened applesauce. I used a cashewmilk vanilla yogurt made by forager instead of greek yogurt. It’s not too pumpkin flavored it was great! I made tiny muffins to try out my new muffin tin and they were done in about 16-17 minutes. Thank you!

    Reply
  2. Clova Neil

    October 19, 2020 at 4:28 pm

    5 stars
    Tried this recipe………Very tasty muffins……Kids loved them ……….Even with whole wheat flour, they were quite good

    Reply

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About Laura

 

Hello I’m Laura! I am a former chemistry teacher turned wife and mom of five beautiful babies with one on the way in 2021! I’m a green smoothie addict, lover of the outdoors, and a peanut butter & nap enthusiast! Click here to read more >>

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