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Easy oil-free vegan pumpkin muffins are moist, fluffy and full of fall spices. Made with whole wheat flour these muffins are healthy and delicious!
This morning when I was doing my grocery shopping I couldn’t help but notice that the fall flavors, pumpkin in particular were taking over the shelves.
There’s no need to grab a packaged muffin mix.
These vegan pumpkin muffins are sure to satisfy your fall pumpkin cravings! With 10 minutes of prep and easy clean-up you’ll feel good about using healthier ingredients and have a moist and fluffy muffin to bite into.
When I became a plant-based vegan, I thought I had to leave my love of everything pumpkin behind. No more amazing pumpkin bread, pumpkin lattes, or pumpkin pie. I was certain the vegan/plant-based version of these warm and comforting treats would never compare to the original.
Boy, was I wrong!
You can make muffins, brownies, cakes, and more with a few modifications. They’ll be healthier, although still an occasional treat, than store bought mixes or bakery muffins that have high calorie counts.
For quite some time I felt stuck not knowing how to bake vegan. I hung up my apron.
As time passed, I realized that baking was so much more to me than eating a sweet treat.
It brought back memories of cooking in the kitchen with my mom. It provided me a sense of peace and calm. The process helped me relax. I enjoyed the simplicity of measuring, and mixing, and getting excited to taste my final product.
I did some research and experimenting in the kitchen and what I discovered was that I could still enjoy baking while creating something delicious, healthy, and plant-based.
Are vegan pumpkin muffins healthy?
This recipe includes sugar but it’s reduced compared to the typical muffin recipe. They are oil-free which complies with many plant-based vegans that do not include oil in their diets. They’re also much healthier than a box mix you’ll find in the store because these are made with whole wheat flour and natural pumpkin puree.
What does my family think of vegan pumpkin muffins?
My kids were playing with their legos while I was making these muffins, and the smell from the oven brought them running into the kitchen offering their services as my taste testers.
They love these muffins as an after school snack, and a quick breakfast in the morning. My husband who’s not a big fan of sweets in the morning likes to bring one with him to work as a snack between meetings.
Why will you love this recipe?
These vegan pumpkin muffins are simple to make with only 10 minutes of prep time.
Whether you’re looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, have an easy snack at the ready, or a quick bite before heading off in the morning, these vegan pumpkin muffins with all the comforting flavors of fall deliver.
Ingredients you’ll need to make Vegan Pumpkin Muffins:
- whole wheat flour
- baking powder
- baking soda
- cinnamon
- nutmeg
- cloves
- ginger
- brown sugar or coconut sugar
- 2 bananas
- unsweetened applesauce
- unsweetened almond milk (or other unsweetened dairy free milk)
- organic pumpkin puree
If you don’t have these staple baking ingredients in your pantry, they’re a must! Whole wheat pastry flour is a great alternative to bleached white flour. It’s packed with fiber, and whole food approved! I’m a fan of Bob’s Red Mill Whole Wheat Pastry Flour. I always feel good about the quality of Bob’s Red Mill products because it’s sourced Non-GMO.
Tools and equipment you’ll need to make Vegan Pumpkin Muffins:
I’ve been trying to get away from teflon non-stick bakeware because of the potential risks of the teflon coating. If you’re moving towards stainless cookware, I recommend these reasonably priced stainless muffin tins.
I also find these muffin cups to be perfect for vegan and oil-free baking. They’re made with parchment paper which makes them easily peel away from the muffins without sticking!
HOW TO MAKE VEGAN PUMPKIN MUFFINS – STEP BY STEP
Before you get started pre-heat your oven to 350 F.
See my step by step photos to make these vegan pumpkin muffins.
Step 1-Place two ripe bananas in a food processor or blender. I find a food processor to work best.
Step 2- Blend until completely smooth.
Step 3-Add applesauce, almond milk, and pumpkin puree.
Step 4-Blend until smooth.
Step 5-Whisk together whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and brown sugar.
Step 6-Pour wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients.
Step 7-Stir to combine. At this time you can add 1/2 cup of nuts or chocolate chips.
Step 8-Line muffin tin with muffin cups. Using a measuring cup scoop 1/4 cup of mix into each cup about 3/4 of the way full.
Step 9-Place in pre-heated oven. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool for 5 minutes in muffin tins. Remove and allow to cool completely on a cooling rack.
VARIATIONS
Add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips, walnuts, or pecans.
You can also sub the brown sugar for coconut sugar at a 1:1 ratio.
If you’d like to make these gluten free you can sub the whole wheat flour with a gluten-free flour blend. This one is my favorite!
Vegan Pumpkin Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp cloves
- 1/4 tsp ginger
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 whole bananas
- 1 cup canned pure pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- Blend two large bananas in a blender or food processor until completely smooth.
- Add applesauce, pumpkin, and almond milk. Blend until combined.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger together in a large bowl.
- Whisk in brown sugar and set aside.
- Pour wet ingredients until bowl with dry ingredients.
- Stir until just combined. Do not over stir.
- If you'd like, you can fold in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips, or chopped nuts.
- Using a measuring cup scoop 1/4 cup of batter into muffin cups filling 3/4 of the way full.
- Bake 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
- Cool in muffin trays for 5 minutes. Remove and allow to cool completely on metal cooling rack. Store at room temperature.
Notes
- You'll want 2 cups of blended bananas. You can measure this out to be sure your bananas blend to 2 cups. If you're a little short you can add a bit more applesauce or almond milk.
- Don't over mix your dry ingredients with your wet ingredient to avoid tough muffins.
- You can choose to spray the inside of the muffin cups with cooking spray so the muffins easily peel away from the paper or use parchment paper muffin cups.
(recipe adapted from Happy Herbivore)
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER FAMILY FAVORITE RECIPES!
If you’ve tried my Vegan Pumpkin Muffin recipe, please rate it and let me know how it turned out. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for more plant-based family recipes your whole family will enjoy!
Adrianne
23 Aug 2019Oh yum, I love the idea of pumpkin in a muffin! These look fabulous and I can’t wait to try them. Cheers
Paula Montenegro
23 Aug 2019I’m always amazed at vegan recipes that are wonderful and so much healthier! These look and sound fabulous! They’re definitely going into my make-now recipe board! Thanks for sharing.
Danielle
23 Aug 2019Healthy muffins are so welcome! 🙂 Can’t wait to make a big batch of these – just about enough for the whole week. And they look so fluffy!
Kelly Anthony
23 Aug 2019These vegan pumpkin muffins have me excited about fall which means cooler weather and pumpkin spice everything.
Sonia
23 Aug 2019They look so good and I am happy to see a oil free recipe. Definitely trying this soon.
Tatiana
27 Aug 2019OOooo these look so goooood!! I’m going to have to try find pumpkin for them, but could really do with one right now with a cup of tea hahaha. Thanks for sharing
Pam Greer
27 Aug 2019We aren’t vegan, but these muffins are a favorite! We love that they are made with whole wheat flour and less sugar!
Traci
27 Aug 2019Omgosh this recipe is going into my staple vegan cake collection! Can’t wait for everyone to try it! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Tonje
27 Aug 2019Yes! Pumpkin season is here, and I’m all in! Love this recipe, it was definitely a hit at our house 🙂
Eden | Sweet Tea and Thyme
27 Aug 2019These muffins look so good! Love that you used applesauce, I love that substitute!
Mariah
29 Aug 2019I think these are the ones you made for us, and they were delicious! I also love how the muffins are sweetened with apples and bananas!