Vegan gluten free pumpkin spice muffins that are so easy to make and SO delicious, you'll want to make them year-round—not just during the fall!
They can also be made just vegan if you aren't gluten-free!
When I was in high school, my friend Christa's mom would bake pumpkin spice muffins, amongst other things (she is a great baker!). I remember being so excited when I'd go over after school and she had just baked a fresh batch.
Those muffins were AMAZING, and obviously memorable since I still think of them after all these years. They were spiced perfectly, they were loaded with chocolate chips, and they were my favourite thing to eat when I visited their house.
Over the years, I've tried to re-create them and I think I've hit the mark with these vegan gluten free pumpkin spice muffins. The major difference between these and the pumpkin spice muffins from my high school days is that these are vegan and gluten-free. But you wouldn't even know it.
They're fluffy, flavourful, perfectly-spiced, and so good, you'll want to make them ALL THE TIME!
If you're not gluten-free, I've got you covered because I've tested this recipe with regular, all-purpose flour as well, and that flour substitution works wonderfully.
So feel free to try this recipe either way, you can't go wrong with either version.
Because these muffins are a favourite in my home, I make them year-round—not just during the fall.
This is all thanks to some smart pre-planning in the fall when I make and freeze a big batch of homemade pumpkin puree (it's so easy!).
You can learn how to do it too, learn How to Make Homemade Pumpkin Puree.
When it comes to the add-in for your vegan gluten free pumpkin spice muffins, you can go with either raisins, chocolate chips, or nuts (chopped pecans or chopped walnuts).
For the batch in the pictures, I went with semi-sweet chocolate chips, my family's favourite, but if you do use raisins, try using this raisin trick.
If you haven't baked a vegan recipe before or a vegan gluten-free recipe, you may be wondering what the texture will be like and if it will be different from a non-vegan or non-gluten-free recipe.
If so, have a look at this picture:
I hope the picture answers those questions! These muffins turn out soft, moist, and fluffy every time if you follow the recipe as it is written. Just as perfect as any regular non-vegan or non gluten-free muffin.
Before you make this recipe, have a look at how easy they are to make in the video found either above or on the side (if you're on desktop) or below in the recipe card (if you're on mobile):
Did you watch? It's not complicated at all, right? If you make them, please leave me a comment below or share a pic on Instagram and tag me (I'm @delightfuladventures!)
You can also see the video on Facebook so you can share it with your friends or you can pin it on Pinterest to save for later.
If you like this recipe, you may also like these, too:
- Pumpkin Spice Mini Muffins
- Oatmeal Muffins
- Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Muffins
- Vegan Gluten Free Pumpkin Spice Waffles
- Vegan Gluten Free Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread
- Pumpkin Steel Cut Oats
- Vegan Gluten Free Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins
Note: For those of you who have asked about the scoop I use in the video this is the one I use to put the batter into the muffin pan!
And finally, for those wondering about the flax eggs in this recipe, read this post to learn how to make them and everything else you need to know about using them as an egg replacement in vegan baking: How to Make a Flax Egg (A Vegan Egg Substitute for Baking).
How to Make Vegan Gluten Free Pumpkin Spice Muffins
Vegan Gluten Free Pumpkin Spice Muffins
Suggested Equipment:
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons ground flax seeds
- 6 tablespoons water
- 1 ¾ cups (245g) gluten free flour blend (see important notes about flour below)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (see note about spices below)
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 cup (240g) unsweetened pumpkin puree (see note below)
- ¾ cup (113g) coconut sugar
- ½ cup (120ml) melted coconut oil (plus extra for greasing muffin pan)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¾ cup (135g) chocolate chips (raisins, nuts, or seeds can be used instead, see note below)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177° C).
- Prepare your flax eggs by whisking together ground flax seeds and water. Set aside to thicken.
- Line a muffin tin with liners or generously grease the inside of each cup with coconut oil.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger.
- In a large bowl, mix the pumpkin puree, coconut sugar, coconut oil, vanilla, and flax eggs together. Stir until blended.
- Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and stir until combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips.
- Using a spoon or a large scoop, divide batter into the 12 muffin cups.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the middle of the largest muffin comes out clean.
- Let muffins cool in the muffin pan for a few minutes and then remove and place them on a cooling rack.
Recipe Notes:
- It's important to know that different gluten-free flour blends use different ingredients and ratios, so results will always vary if you substitute. I have never used any other brand of flour to make this recipe (other than Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour (Amazon link) in the red bag, NOT the blue bag), so please know that your results may not be the same as mine if substitute with another gluten-free flour blend.
- I've tested this recipe with all-purpose flour and it works great, so if you aren't gluten-free, you can use regular flour as a 1:1 substitute for the gluten-free flour.
- This recipe will NOT work with coconut flour or any other single gluten-free flour, it must be a blend, the one mentioned above for the best results.
- Make sure to measure your flour correctly.
- If you do not have the three separate spices needed for this recipe, replace them with 1 tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice.
- Any type of neutral flavoured oil can be used in place of coconut oil, such as safflower or sunflower.
- Brown sugar may be used instead of the coconut sugar.
- To freeze, once they have fully cooled, wrap them up tightly so they're airtight, place them in a container or freezer bag, and freeze. They will keep in the freezer for up to three months. When you're ready to serve, thaw at room temperature.
- Make your own pumpkin puree instead of buying the canned stuff. Click here to see how easy it is and how to do it yourself.
- Nutrition info is based on one muffin made with chocolate chips and using the recipes as written. Nutrition info is only to be used as a rough guide. Click to learn how nutrition info is calculated on this website.
Nutrition Info:
This post was originally published January 5, 2015, images were updated September 2017.
Kristen says
Oh my gosh, these are fabulous!! I’m new to gluten-free baking and I’d never know they were GF if I hadn’t made them myself. I swapped applesauce for the oil and they turned out great. I can’t wait to try more of your recipes!
Gwen Leron says
I'm glad you enjoyed these, Kristen! This is one of my favourites that I make A LOT. Enjoy the rest!
Sharon says
I don’t usually leave reviews BUT I don’t usually try out a gluten free vegan recipe and have it turn out perfectly perfect in every way the first time.! These were easy., delicious., and actually had a “normal” muffin texture! I only sprinkled a few chocolate chips on top and made a few without them altogether and they are amazing! I was a little worried when I tasted the batter because there wasn’t a lot of spice flavor and it tasted kinda beany from the flour but after baking, everything melded together great! I’m wondering if you’ve ever tried freezing them?
Well done and thank you! Can’t wait to try out another recipe if yours!
Gwen Leron says
Hi Sharon! I'm so glad you decided to leave a comment and especially happy that you liked the muffins. And yes, any time you use a bean based flour, the batter is always going to taste horrible, but the good thing is that it will taste nothing like the final result. You can definitely freeze these muffins for a month or two, BUT, I find that recipes made with this flour in particular, it's best to enjoy them fresh. I have plenty of other muffin recipes on my site, and they are all like normal muffins, so I hope you try some more. If you do, let me know how things go and also feel free to get in touch if you have any questions. Thanks for taking the time to leave your message 🙂
Jessica says
Absolutely love these! I add crystallized ginger bits on top and that makes them even better. Thanks for the amazing recipe.
Gwen Leron says
Very happy you like them, Jessica! This is one of the first recipes I "veganized" years ago! Ginger and pumkpin go so well together, so your addition of the crystallized ginger sounds amazing! Thanks so much for your note and rating, I appreciate them very much 🙂
Stella Hinojos says
These are really good muffins!
Gwen Leron says
Thanks Stella, so glad you like them! they are a big favourite here, too 🙂
Megan says
These were fantastic . Thank you SO very much for the recipe. It's wonderful to find really good tasty recipes for those of us with all the food allergies. So appreciate your time and effort in making these available to the rest of us.
Gwen Leron says
You're welcome, Megan! So happy you enjoyed them. Thanks for taking the time to leave your note 🙂
J Helmer says
My 8 year old daughter made these for our family and they were absolutely delicious. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Gwen Leron says
You're very welcome! So happy to hear she made them and everyone liked them. Thanks for your note 🙂
Natalie says
This is the best gluten free/vegan muffin I’ve tried!! How ever I used 1/4 cup of applesauce instead of flax egg, and only 1/8 cup of oil. Literally so good I’ve already made them twice this season!!
Gwen Leron says
Glad to hear the recipe worked well with your substitutions, Natalie! Happy to hear that you like the recipe, this is one of my favourite muffins of all that I make 🙂 Thanks so much for taking the time to leave your note!