Make these healthy (and so easy) Pumpkin Oatmeal Muffins to share with the kids for breakfast or snack—with or without chocolate chips!
Pumpkin Oatmeal Muffins
You know I love a healthy muffin recipe and these pumpkin muffins are a staple in our house in the fall and winter. (Though no shame if you love pumpkin all year round!) They are so easy to make in a blender or food processor and you can make them with one arm if you have a kiddo on your hip—which is handy because I know how real life goes.
And they are super moist and not very crumbly, so make a perfect breakfast or snack for kids…and us parents.
These muffins have a base of oatmeal, so contain a lot of fiber and B vitamins. Add in the protein from milk and eggs and the Vitamin A from pumpkin and you have a balanced meal in muffin form. I love the hint of pumpkin pie spice too!
TIP: These taste like a cross between baked oatmeal and a traditional pumpkin muffin.
Ingredients You Need
To make this recipe you’ll need the following ingredients:
- rolled oats
- pumpkin puree
- milk (dairy or nondairy)
- maple syrup (or honey)
- eggs
- vanilla extract
- pumpkin pie spice
- baking soda
- chocolate chips, optional
TIP: To make these gluten-free, use certified gluten-free rolled oats.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at the process involved in making these muffins. Scroll down to the bottom of this post for the full recipe.
- Add the ingredients to a blender or food processor.
- Blend until very smooth.
- Portion into a muffin tin.
- Top with chocolate chips and bake.
TIP: You can serve these cold, at room temperature, or even slightly warmed.
Storing Healthy Pumpkin Muffins
These muffins are super moist and store well in the fridge or freezer—which is handy for pulling out quick breakfasts and snacks all week long. I also love them as a simple lunch component paired with fruit and a simple veggie for lunch.
Best Tips for Success
- These muffins can store in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-5 days. Or in the freezer in a zip top freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature.
- Serve cold or slightly warmed. Dice into smaller pieces for younger kids.
- Dairy-free: Use plain unsweetened nondairy milk.
- Gluten-free: Use certified gluten-free rolled oats.
- Be sure to use pumpkin puree, not pie filling.
- Use honey instead of maple syrup if desired. (Do not use honey for kids under age one.)
- For mini muffins, bake for 12-14 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into the centers comes out cleanly.
- If you love the flavor of pumpkin pie, use 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice.
- To make these by hand without a blender or food processor, use store-bought oat flour and mix the ingredients together in a mixing bowl.
- Add a few chocolate chips to the tops of each muffin if desired.
- You may also like Healthy Pumpkin Muffins, Pumpkin Bars, Mini Pumpkin Cupcakes, and Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies.
I’d love to hear from you if you try these muffins, so please comment below!
Pumpkin Oatmeal Muffins
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 cup milk
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and grease a standard size muffin tin.
- Blend until very smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl if needed.
- Divide among the prepared muffin tin. You want each cup to be about ¾ full. Top with chocolate chips if using.
- Bake for 20-22 minutes or until firm to the touch and lightly golden brown around the edges. Let cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool.
- Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled.
Notes
- These muffins can store in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-5 days. Or in the freezer in a zip top freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature.
- Serve cold or slightly warmed. Dice into smaller pieces for younger kids.
- Use canned or homemade pumpkin puree.
- Dairy-free: Use plain unsweetened nondairy milk.
- Gluten-free: Use certified gluten-free rolled oats.
- Egg-free: Use a store-bought egg replacer like the kind from Bob's Red Mill or Just Eggs. (Flax or chia eggs can be used, but the texture may be more like baked oatmeal than a muffin.)
- Use honey instead of maple syrup if desired. (Do not use honey for kids under age one.)
- For mini muffins, bake for 12-14 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into the centers comes out cleanly.
- If you love the flavor of pumpkin pie, use 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice.
- To make these by hand without a blender or food processor, use store-bought oat flour and mix the ingredients together in a mixing bowl.
- Add a few chocolate chips to the tops of each muffin if desired.
Are these supposed to come out super moist? Not sure if they were undercooked or just a super moist texture from the pumpkin? Made mini muffins and baked them for 13 minutes
They are moist but should have a typical muffin texture. It it seemed raw, then either the baking soda wasn’t active or fresh or they didn’t bake long enough.
What do you include in your pumpkin pie spice in what proportion? Thanks!
I buy it premade from the store but if you want to make it at home, there’s a good recipe on Sally’s Baking Addiction.
we aren’t fans of honey or maple syrup. is it ok to just use sugar? If so would it be the same amount?
Yes, use the same amount and add a splash of milk.
Can I use steel cut oats in this recipe?
It may work if you have a very strong blender that will grind them into what is essentially oat flour. If not, you may taste little pieces of them which would not be ideal.
I want to make this for my 10 month old so would like to leave out any sweetener. Given that, what adaptation would you recommend? I’m worried omitting the maple syrup/honey without modifying the recipe at all will make it too dry. Thank you!
You can add a splash of milk to compensate. Enjoy!
Can I add one ripe banana for sweetness and decrease or omit maple syrup ?
I would not add banana in addition to the pumpkin but you could do half banana and half pumpkin, then omit the maple syrup and add a splash of milk.
We love this recipe!!!! We are a gluten free house – the texture of these muffins is so good for just being oats! My 2 year old and husband equally love these muffins. They never last long! Thanks for the great recipe!
If I use oat flour, is it 2 cups ?
Yes, that’s what I do.
Deliscous recipe ! Healthy too 🙂
These worked great in my mini silicone pan! Almost gone in just a few minutes. Toddler and picky pre teen approved!
Fantastic! It turned out so moist and delicious. I baked it in a loaf pan instead of as muffins because I’m lazy 🙂 I also did half milk, and half whole milk greek yogurt to add some protein. I topped my loaf with some oats toasted with butter and cinnamon to make it look pretty. I love this website and that I can find healthy recipes for not only my toddler but also for my whole family!
how long do i bake for full size muffins?
The main recipe here is for standard size muffins.
Extremely moist. Beginner friendly. Budget friendly. Clean ingredients with no extra fillers. Loved these healthy muffins. Thank you so much!
These are so good, easy to make, clean ingredients! I made some for me with nuts and chocolate chips or dried cranberries for the kids.Teenagers ate them up!Thank you for this!
I love this recipe. I use raisins instead of chocolate. And sometimes add pecans. One thing I noticed is that I kept thinking it was undercooked. But it was just cooked oats and a different texture. Once they cool it doesn’t seem undercooked anymore. Delicious and perfectly chewy and moist. Today I tried to make the batter into pancakes. Kids loved it- I didn’t so much. I also used half the batter and baked it in a 9” cake pan. That turned out great. Happy kids can eat as much as they want
These were perfect! I was looking for a treat I could have on my weight loss journey and one that my husband would enjoy. This is a win on both counts!