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Easy Pumpkin Muffins

These easy pumpkin muffins are delicious at any time, regardless of the season. I appreciate them in the fall and winter, but there is no point in limiting yourself. The way I make them delivers a mouthful of gluten-free deliciousness with every single bite!

Pumpkin muffins with oatmeal

If you want them in the spring or summer, go right ahead and make them. This pumpkin muffin recipe is super easy, and the results are amazing.

My husband and I enjoy all food—nutrition-packed dishes as well as sugary treats that aren’t so nutritious. These muffins are a great balance of sweet and healthy.

Enjoy them at breakfast with an omelet or a piece of fruit.

Did you know that pumpkin is loaded with vitamins and other essential elements? For that reason alone, we should all eat it year-round.

Whether you have a pumpkin pie smoothie or eat one of these delicious muffins, you can rest assured that you’re doing a good thing for your body.

Versatile Recipe

This is a versatile recipe. If you like nuts of any kind, chop them up and fold them into the batter.

However, if you prefer to leave them out, that’s fine too. They’re just as good either way.

Since our granddaughters were spending the night with us when I made them, I chose to leave out nuts. I think the girls would like the extra crunch, but I’m not sure.

You can also add some applesauce to the batter. A couple of tablespoons will give you some extra nutrition and make them even moister.

I’ve made them both ways, and for the most part, I can’t tell the difference in taste.

If you ever want to add even more nutrition, you can. In fact, people who claim to dislike veggies will still love these muffins. Some of the easiest vegetables to add include shredded carrots, chopped spinach, and summer squash.

You can also add steamed zucchini that has been run through the food processor. Be careful not to overdo the additions because you don’t want to hide the pumpkin flavor.

What to consider when making pumpkin muffins:

You can make smaller muffins by not filling the muffin tins.

Add or decrease the amount of pumpkin pie spice to satisfy your family’s taste.

A little bit of applesauce adds moisture as well as flavor and nutrition.

Additionally, if you want more texture, add chopped nuts.

Although this is a gluten-free recipe, you can use regular flour if you want. Unless you have a gluten issue, it doesn’t matter.

Allow the muffins to cool for at least 5 minutes before removing them from the pan. Otherwise, they might fall apart.

What Goes into Gluten-Free Pumpkin Muffins

Although I make these pumpkin muffins gluten-free, you can use regular all-purpose flour. It doesn’t matter, as long as you use the same amount.

Over the past few years, gluten-free products have gotten much better than they originally were. In fact, most people have no idea they’re eating gluten-free food when they taste my cooking.

Gluten-free flour, oats, pumpkin, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, egg, and brown sugar

You’ll need flour, rolled oats, canned pumpkin, brown sugar, butter, an egg, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla extract.

How to Make Pumpkin Muffins

Combine the oats, flour, baking powder, and pumpkin pie spice in a medium-size bowl. Next, mix the butter, brown sugar, and eggs in a large bowl.

Gradually pour the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and stir until it is well mixed. I don’t recommend beating muffin mix because it will develop more of a cake-like texture.

Scoop the mix into 8 medium-size muffin cups that have been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.

Batter in a muffin tin

Bake for 18-20 minutes and remove from the oven. Finally, allow them to cool before you remove them from the tins.

Serve your gluten-free pumpkin muffins with eggs, ham, or just with a cup of coffee. You can also enjoy them for an afternoon snack or light dessert.

You can also put them on a dessert table with peanut butter cookies, macaroons, and other sweet treats.

Bowl of gluten-free pumpkin muffins

Frequently Asked Questions About Pumpkin

Pumpkin is one of those foods that typically shows up in the fall and seems to disappear after the holidays. That’s unfortunate because it is so wonderful.

What Are the Benefits of Eating Pumpkin?

According to Healthline.com, pumpkin is rich in vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants. In addition to boosting your immune system, it helps promote heart and skin health.

Can Eating Too Much Pumpkin Turn Your Skin Orange?

Pumpkin is one of the many foods that can cause your skin to take on a yellowish-orange cast. However, you’d have to eat quite a bit of it for that to happen.

Is Pumpkin a Superfood?

Due to its abundance of nutrients, many people consider pumpkin a superfood. Incorporating it into a healthy diet will add even more health benefits.

More Delicious Recipes You’ll Enjoy

While you’re in a baking mood, you’ll certainly want to try this pineapple upside down cake and these peanut butter cookies. Surprisingly, the cake practically bakes itself in your rice cooker. And the cookies will melt in your mouth.

Since I like muffins for breakfast, I’ve developed this recipe for banana nut muffins. They’re just as easy to make, and they’re ideal for those days when you need to grab breakfast on the run.

If you enjoy chocolate as much as I do, you’ll also love my friend Julie’s double chocolate chip muffins.

We also love these blueberry muffins that I make in the air fryer. You can also bake them in the oven if you prefer.

Bowl of pumpkin muffins

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Muffins

Yield: 8 muffins
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 28 minutes

These muffins are delicious at any time of day. Serve them with fruit or an omelet for breakfast or in the afternoon for a quick pick-me-up.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup of gluten-free all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup of rolled oats
  • 2/3 cup of canned pumpkin (not the pumpkin pie filling)
  • 2/3 cup of brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons of butter
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon of baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • Chopped nuts (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a muffin tin (medium-size cups) with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. In a medium-size mixing bowl, combine the flour, oats, baking powder, and pumpkin pie spice.
  3. In a large bowl, mix the butter and brown sugar until it is well blended and has a creamy texture.
  4. Add the eggs and mix well. If you’re using a hand mixer, turn it on high for one minute. Or you can beat it by hand for two minutes.
  5. Add the pumpkin and vanilla to the wet mixture and blend well.
  6. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and stir until everything is combined. Don’t over-mix it, or you will wind up with a cake-like texture. If you want to add nuts, do it now and fold them in.
  7. Distribute evenly in the muffin cups. 
  8. Bake for approximately 18 minutes. 
  9. Remove the muffins and allow them to cool for at least 5 minutes before removing them from the muffin pan.
Nutrition Information
Yield 4 Serving Size 2 muffins
Amount Per Serving Calories 506Total Fat 18gSaturated Fat 7gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 9gCholesterol 78mgSodium 319mgCarbohydrates 78gFiber 4gSugar 38gProtein 9g

The nutrition information is a product of online calculators. I try to provide true and accurate information, but these numbers are estimates.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Please feel free to share!

Marilyn

Wednesday 10th of April 2019

Thank you for sharing at #ThursdayFavoriteThings. Pinned and shared.

southernhomeexpress

Wednesday 10th of April 2019

Thanks, Marilyn!

Julie @ Back To My Southern Roots

Thursday 4th of April 2019

Looks like a great recipe!

southernhomeexpress

Thursday 4th of April 2019

Thanks, Julie! They are delicious and super easy to make.

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