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Grain-Free Healthy Pumpkin Muffins and Bread

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Healthy-Pumpkin-Muffins
Wellness Mama » Blog » Recipes » Grain-Free Healthy Pumpkin Muffins and Bread

 Ahh, fall… the glorious season of apples, pumpkins, changing leaves, and cooler weather (finally!). I definitely get in on the fall pumpkin craze and start making pumpkin spice everything this time of year. This coconut flour healthy pumpkin muffins (and bread) recipe is the perfect way to ring in the season.

Healthy Pumpkin Muffins (and Bread!)

Unlike most baked goods, these delicious muffins are a great low-sugar snack or breakfast. Instead of refined sugar or brown sugar, they use natural sweeteners, like honey, stevia, or maple syrup. They’re also packed with plenty of protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Slather some grass-fed butter on the top and they make the perfect yummy fall breakfast.

Perfect Paleo Pumpkin Bread

If this is your first time baking grain-free bread, expect a denser bread or muffin. They’re still moist with a soft texture and all the warm flavors of pumpkin spice (with just the right touch of sweetness).

Instead of all-purpose flour, white whole wheat flour, or even whole wheat flour, these muffins rely on coconut flour. I use this a lot to bake with in my grain-free recipes. Whole grains are often a staple in healthier muffin recipes, but it’s not something our family eats much of.

Since coconut flour can vary, if your batter ends up way too thick, then add a little bit of milk to thin it. Some muffin recipes replace the butter or coconut oil with applesauce. I haven’t personally tried it here, but let me know if you do!

Pure Pumpkin Flavor

You can use homemade pumpkin puree or a can of pumpkin for these. They’re delish either way! Just be sure to not get the can of pumpkin pie filling at the store instead of pure pumpkin. While the filling already has added spices, it also has lots of added refined sugar.

Even though pumpkin has become a staple in fall cooking it’s worth having all year round. Pumpkin is high in vitamin A (the beta-carotene version), vitamin C, and potassium. There’s nothing quite like biting into some warm pumpkin bread or muffins!

The healthy pumpkin muffins are delicious by themselves or with a little melted butter or coconut oil. This recipe also freezes well once baked if you prefer to batch cook.

Healthy Pumpkin Muffin Variations

  • Add in some dark chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried cranberries to the batter.

  • Top with a dollop of raw milk or coconut whipped cream.

  • If you eat dairy, you can pour half of the batter into an 8×8 pan, add slices of cream cheese, and then add the rest of the batter.

  • We also mix it up and use a similar coconut flour base recipe to make grain-free banana bread or apple cinnamon muffins.

Need an egg-free version? Try making the muffins with flax eggs, made with ground flaxseed and water mixed together. Here’s how to substitute eggs in recipes like cupcakes, muffins, and more.

If you are looking for a grain-free, low-carb, and sugar-free bread for breakfast or dessert … try this recipe! It just might become a new favorite.

Healthy-Pumpkin-Muffins

Healthy Pumpkin Muffins Recipe

Simple gluten-free, dairy-free, and grain-free pumpkin muffins made with coconut flour, warm spices, and pumpkin for a healthy and nutritious breakfast. Can also be made as healthy pumpkin bread.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Calories 139kcal
Author Katie Wells

Servings

12 muffins (or 1 loaf)

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400°F.
  • Lightly grease muffin tins (or use paper muffin liners) or an 8×8 baking dish with coconut oil or olive oil. A regular loaf pan doesn't work well.
  • Put all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and mix with an immersion blender or strong whisk until smooth and well incorporated. If the batter is too thick, add a little coconut milk, almond milk, or water to thin, but don’t let it get runny at all.
  • Scoop into greased muffin cups with a ¼ cup measure or pour into a greased 8×8 baking dish. 
  • Bake for 13-18 minutes for a muffin pan or 20-25 minutes for bread. Cook until lightly browned and set in the middle (a toothpick inserted in the middle should come out clean).

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Healthy Pumpkin Muffins Recipe
Amount Per Serving (1 muffins)
Calories 139 Calories from Fat 68
% Daily Value*
Fat 7.6g12%
Saturated Fat 5.8g36%
Cholesterol 68mg23%
Sodium 131mg6%
Carbohydrates 14.6g5%
Fiber 4.7g20%
Sugar 6.7g7%
Protein 3.9g8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notes

Optional: Finely grind almonds or pecans and mix with butter or coconut oil to make a crumble topping.
Store the healthy pumpkin muffins in an airtight container at room temperature. 

Like this recipe? Check out my cookbook, or get all my recipes (over 500!) in a personalized weekly meal planner here!

What’s your favorite way to eat pumpkin? What mix-ins do you like adding to your muffins? Leave a comment and let me know!

Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

165 responses to “Grain-Free Healthy Pumpkin Muffins and Bread”

  1. Susan M. Avatar

    I am allergic to coconut. Can another flour such as almond flour be substituted for the coconut flour?

  2. Katy Avatar

    I just popped these in the oven and realized I forgot the butter/coconut oil. I did not forget to add chocolate chips, though…priorities. We’ll see what happens. I’m imagining my kiddos will be happy to try them in the morning.

  3. Hannah Avatar

    I read the above comments, had to say something. Yes, I did add extra sea salt, spices, and also a bit of maple syrup. But I find with all recipes, I usually need to tweak a little to my personal taste. I do a ton of baking and for a gluten free recipe, this one is very very good. Some of the comments left me sad. Katie works hard to bring us healthy recipes. Everyone is welcome to their own opinion but kindness goes a long way. I was shocked at how mean some of the comments were. Thank you, Katie, for all you do. I know many of us appreciate you!!

    1. Gini Avatar

      Absolutely agree,Hannah!! Katie has a wonderful site, does a fantastic job of keeping us healthy. Everyone has different tastes,-and there is no need for nastiness. JMO.

  4. Hannah Avatar

    These muffins are awesome!!! Thank you!! My kids finished a batch in a few hours… making more now.

  5. GINI Avatar

    I love your recipes—and I really appreciate the ones with nutritional values. I use Weight Watcher point system, so this makes it so easy to convert!!!!! You have the most awesome website-I tell everyone about it!!! I will be trying these this week!!!!!! Thank you!!!!!!!!

  6. Monica Avatar

    Can i use the pumpkin from a can or does it have to be pumpkin puree? Thank you in advance!

  7. Melissa Avatar

    5 stars
    Thank You! These muffins were a huge hit at our house. I’m thrilled that these will freeze well for after baby number 2. Will be be an easy treat for everyone.

  8. Christel Avatar

    As much as I miss the laziness of summer, there is something so cozy about fall, and pumpkin recipes and spices are a perfect way to start the cooler season! Thanks for getting us into the mood!

    Christel in Michigan

  9. TJ Avatar

    5 stars
    Have a batch in the oven now! Smells delicious! (Agree the batter was yummy!) I added a smidge of maple syrup and a dab of Almond milk and I cannot wait for these to be done!

  10. Cindy Avatar

    4 stars
    So I just pulled a batch out of the oven. They are tasty, not really “bready” but more soufflé in texture. And that’s ok. Really good with coffee. After reading through all the comments, I might make a few changes as well. The only changes I made were to mix all the wet ingredients first, and then mix all the dry, and slowly add the dry to the wet. I also added a pinch of salt. Mine made 12. Overall, its a keeper. Its nice to be able to feel like I’m having a little “bread” in the morning with my eggs.

  11. Melodie M. Avatar
    Melodie M.

    5 stars
    I made the pumpkin muffins today and really liked them. I am curious about the calorie and carb content. I used very little liquid stevia and no toppings. Thank you for the great recipes

  12. Jessy Avatar

    5 stars
    These are perfect! I used maple syrup instead of honey or stevia (I live in Ontario…it’s mandatory).

    I made a maple-ginger cream cheese icing (1 pack cream cheese, 1/4 cup maple syrup, 1 tbsp grated ginger and some vanilla) to dollop in the middle of each muffin. Yeah…it’s as good as it sounds and I only used 1/2 the batch of cream cheese.

    I made these to stash in the freezer for when baby comes next month but I think I’ll have to make a second batch..and double it. I think I’ll add my leftover cream cheese to the first batch and maybe some walnuts and dark chocolate to the other.

    Thanks for satisfying my pumpkin craving! Really really great recipe! xo

  13. Tinny Avatar

    5 stars
    I have made this recipe 4 times now, and my husband and I love it! My husband has no issues with eating wheat flour, but I have been ordered by my doctor to go gluten free. Even my husband could not tell that these were gluten-free! I divided the batter between 4 mini loaf pans, lined with greased parchment paper. Over the course of the four times baking these treats, here are the changes I made: used 2T of pumpkin pie spice mix, chose the 1/4c honey option for sweetener, increased vanilla to 1T, added 1/2t xantham gum, baked for 25 minutes. Added the xantham gum to help the finished product maintain it’s loftiness after rising in the oven while baking. Sometimes, gluten-free baked goods “fall” after coming out of oven, so muffins, etc sometimes have a “pit” in the middle, and a bit of xantham gum helps remedy this. The first time I made this recipe, I wrote on the printout, “Doesn’t taste like much of anything. Didn’t have pumpkin pie spice so used mixture of cinnamon and ginger.” The second time I made this, I wrote “Made again with pumpkin pie spice mix, 1 3/4T, MUCH better! Would do again.” So you see, I learned to follow directions! Ha. Am making 8 mini loaves for a fall-themed tea party. The taste-testers loved it as well, and they are not gluten-free people. Anyone know if this freezes well?

  14. Nancy Avatar

    5 stars
    This was a great recipe! I doubled it and added raisins, salt and a little cider vinegar, maple syrup in place of honey… I found it sweet enough with the measurement stated. The extra eggs give these a nice moist, fluffy texture similar to the almond flour muffins I’ve made. I used pumpkin I baked and froze from Halloween and did drain some of the excess liquid, which might be why some people’s didn’t set? I also beat the eggs well before adding the other ingredients, not sure if this makes any difference! Thanks for the recipe!!

  15. Ashley Avatar

    5 stars
    I make these all the time for my kids. I make big batches and freeze them for easy snacks. The kids love them. I usually follow the recipe exactly but sometimes I add raisins too.

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