When I was in high school, my friend Christa’s mom would bake pumpkin spice muffins, amongst other things (she is a great baker!). 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!
You are going to see A LOT of muffin recipes on this website (you can also follow my muffin pin board on Pinterest for even more recipes). They are a favourite in our home, I like coming up with new flavour combos, and I also enjoy re-visiting old faves to make them my own. Plus, they are such an easy school snack to whip up for the kids and they pair perfectly with morning tea or a hot, afternoon latte.
You may think January is a strange time to be sharing a pumpkin spice muffin recipe, but this is a recipe I make 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!).
When it comes to the add-in for your vegan gluten free pumpkin spice muffins, you can go with either raisins or chocolate chips. For this batch I did half with raisins and half with chocolate chips. If you do use raisins, try using this raisin trick.
I love raisins, everyone else in my family loves chocolate chips. So by going this way, I made everyone happy. What is it with raisins anyways? Why do people not like them in muffins and cookies? I LOVE them. How about you?
P.S. Another pumpkin spice treat recipe you may like is my pumpkin spice mini muffins! And click here for even more pumpkin recipes!
How to Make Vegan Gluten Free Pumpkin Spice Muffins
- 2 tbsp ground flax seeds
- 6 tbsp water
- 1 3/4 cups gluten free flour blend (I use Bob's Red Mill, see note below)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 cup melted coconut oil (plus extra for greasing muffin tin)
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 3/4 cup coconut sugar
- 1 cup unsweetened pumpkin puree (see note below)
- 3/4 cup chocolate chips OR raisins
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Preheat oven to 375°F.
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Prepare your flax eggs by whisking together ground flax seeds and water. Set aside to thicken.
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Line a muffin tin with liners or generously grease the inside of each cup with coconut oil.
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In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger.
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In a large bowl, mix the coconut oil, vanilla, and flax eggs together. Stir in coconut sugar and pumpkin puree until blended.
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Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and stir until combined. Fold in chocolate chips or raisins.
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Divide batter into the 12 muffin cups.
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Bake for 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the middle of the largest muffin comes out clean.
- 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), so please know that your results may not be great if ingredients are substituted.
- 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.
Danielle says
These look SUPER yummy! Must try!
Gwen says
Let me know how you like them, Danielle!
Amrita says
WOW Gwen!!!! You are crazy good with the camera – my goodness look at that clarity…I could almost reach into my screen for a lovely muffin. Good job girl <3 – can't wait to see more of your stuff!
Gwen says
Such an amazing compliment coming from you, Amrita! I love your blog and photography. Thank you so much!
Lindsey says
I’m not the best at cooking or baking, so I was elated that these turned out perfectly. The recipe was easy and I’ve made it twice already.
Gwen says
Thanks for circling back to let me know you liked the recipe, Lindsey! I’m so happy to hear they turned out perfectly for you!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
I saw these on Finding Vegan and was shocked that they are vegan and gluten-free! They look perfect!!
Gwen says
Sarah, I’m not just saying this because it’s my recipe, but they ARE perfect 🙂 I make them all year long, my kids ask for them all the time. If you make them, I hope you love them too. Thanks for your note and for stopping by!
Heather says
I have made these twice now. First time as directed but with an egg instead of the flax seed/water combo. They were tasty but the batter was thick. Second time, I added two eggs and 1/4-1/2 cup coconut milk (from a can). Delicious and perfect consistency to put into muffin cups. Same bake time. Next time I am going to substitute applesauce for the eggs. Thank you for the recipe. It has been a struggle to find gluten/dairy free options that I find yummy.
Gwen says
Hi Heather, I’m so happy it worked for you with the modifications and that you like the recipe 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to let me know 🙂
lanie says
first time using flax eggs. Great muffins! Will be a staple
Gwen says
So glad you like it, Lanie! Flax eggs are such a great egg substitute in a lot of baking 🙂
Becky says
I don’t have flax seeds, but have egg replacer. How many eggs is this supposed to replace? Can’t wait to try:)
Gwen says
Hi Becky! The flax mixture in this recipe is for 2 eggs. I haven’t tried making this with an egg replacer, I’d love to hear how it turns out for you 🙂
Becky says
I haven’t made them the your way to compare, but I used an egg replacer and avocado oil instead of coconut, and they turned out great! My kids give them two thumbs up! Thanks so much!!
Gwen says
Becky, I’m so happy they turned out great with the substitutions and that your kids love them. That’s always the true test…the kids! Thanks for circling back to let me know 🙂
April says
My family loves these muffins! It’s so hard to find a good recipe that is gluten, egg and dairy free. My son is allergic to all three and it’s been a challenge finding foods that he’ll not only tolerate but enjoy eating. These are a HUGE hit! Thank you so much for the great recipe. I’m going to try your morning glory muffins and oat squares next.
Gwen says
So happy to hear this, April! My family loves them too, I make them A LOT 🙂 I’m glad you are able to make something for your son that he both enjoys and can actually eat safely. I hope the Morning Glory Muffins and squares are also a hit, let me know how it goes!
Becca says
Just made these with a few substitutions, because I used the ingrediants I have for normal baking. I used the Bob’s Mill Whole Wheat All-Purpose Flour, and I used two farm fresh chicken eggs instead of the egg substitute (we have a lot of chickens), and homemade pumpkin puree. I loved adding in the coconut sugar, its adds such a distinct flavor. Also, I only baked for 16min and they turned out so good and my home smells like fall. ? thanks for a delicious new pumpkin recipe!
Gwen says
I’m so glad it worked out well with your substitutions, Becca! Thanks for stopping by and letting me know, your comment will help other readers in case they’re wondering if the recipe will work with the same swaps you made. I’m so happy you like the muffins! And yes, I love baking with coconut sugar too!
Lissa says
Great recipe, but I made some modifications as well. I didn’t realize I had pinned a vegan/gluten free recipe, no offense to vegans! I used regular unbleached flour, veg oil, brown sugar, and 2 eggs. They came out amazing! So your recipe rocks even if you change a few things! Thank you!
Gwen says
LOL! Well, I’m very glad to hear that despite this being a vegan gluten-free recipe that you stuck with it and came up with substitutions that worked for you, Lissa! Happy that things ended well 🙂
Yvonne says
It’s beginning to look a lot like fall in Texas, so baking is on my mind. A gluten-free recipe is a must for me. In my hurry to smell the scent of fall, I subbed 2 eggs in place of the flax seed “eggs” (only whole flax seeds in the pantry). The batter was dense, but the results were outstanding.
Gwen says
So happy to hear that this substitution worked for you, Yvonne! And glad that the results were outstanding! 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to comment and let me know, I appreciate it 🙂
Monica says
I used unsweetened applesauce instead of oil and they turned out good! They are pretty high in sugar content so if I make them again I will definitely use less sugar.
Gwen @ Delightful Adventures says
I’m glad to hear you like them, Monica! Good to know that the applesauce works well as a substitute for the oil. Thank you!