Delicious light and soft Skinny Pumpkin Muffins made with whole grains, low in sugar and only 160 calories each. This is the BEST healthy pumpkin muffins recipe that yields muffins that actually taste like the bakery’s!
These Skinny Pumpkin Muffins will not disappoint! They are soft and cake-like and the pumpkin spice flavors are delicious. I love that they’re healthier than most muffins, so we can all indulge in a little treat without feeling guilty. You can make them with or without chocolate chips, and they freeze really well so make a double batch to have on hand as a special snack.
How to make Pumpkin Muffins:
Start by mixing the dry ingredients together: flour, cornstarch, pumpkin spice, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. If you don’t have pumpkin spice you can make your own by combining cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and ginger.
Next, mix the eggs, honey, butter, and canned pumpkin in a separate bowl.
Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour the wet mixture in. Stir the batter together, being careful not to over-mix it. Now you can stir in some chocolate chips, if you’d like. Fill your muffin tin 2/3 full–this recipe makes 12 muffins.
Bake the muffins at 350 degrees for about 15-20 minutes.
What makes these pumpkin muffins healthy?
All right, I think we can all agree that there are healthier food options out there :). But, as far as pumpkin bread goes, this recipe uses whole grains (yay for extra fiber), it has half the sugar, and a lot less butter or oil than traditional pumpkin bread recipes. The best part is, they seriously still taste FANTASTIC!
How to Make a Cake Flour Substitute:
You will notice that this recipe calls for cornstarch to be mixed with the whole wheat flour. I added cornstarch to this recipe to make the flour more like cake-flour, which results in a more tender and soft muffin. If you don’t have cornstarch substitute more whole wheat flour.
The major difference between cake flour and purpose flour is in the protein content. Cake flour is a more delicate type of flour that has a lower volume of protein. Cooking with cake flour helps makes your bakery items, like these muffins, extra moist and tender. I personally don’t usually buy cake flour. Instead, I like to make my own version of cake flour by combining all-purpose flour with cornstarch. (In this case I used whole wheat flour).
You can make cake flour easily by substituting 2 tablespoons out of one cup of flour, for cornstarch. I like to add my cornstarch to the bottom of the 1 cup measurer and then fill the rest up with all-purpose flour, to make an even cup.
SOME OF MY FAVORITE PUMPKIN RECIPES INCLUDE:
- Pumpkin Pancakes with Cinnamon Cream Syrup
- Pumpkin Cookies with Caramel Frosting
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread
- Classic Pumpkin Roll
- Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
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Skinny Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups whole-wheat flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 Tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/3 cup melted butter , or coconut butter
- 1 cup canned pumpkin
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips , optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a standard 12-cup muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray (or line with muffin liners).
- Whisk dry ingredients together: flour, cornstarch, pumpkin spice, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix wet ingredients together: eggs, melted butter, honey, and pumpkin puree.
- Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the pumpkin mixture and chocolate chips. Mix just until combined. (Do not over-mix).
- Spoon the batter into the muffin pan, filling each cup 2/3 full (or a little more if you want bigger muffins). Bake for 16 – 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. .
Notes
Nutrition
Recipe inspired by 100 Days of Real Food.
I originally shared this recipe October 2015. Updated September 2018.
Have you tried this recipe?!
RATE and COMMENT below! I would love to hear your experience.
Kevin De Silva says
Can you make this into a loaf?
Lauren Allen says
I haven’t tested this in a loaf pan! I’d love to hear if you try it.
Jo says
These muffins are my new favorite! Moist and delicious, especially with the chocolate chips added.
Robin says
Made these this morning and just finished one off. They are delicious!
They rose beautifully, were nice and moist, super fluffy, and filled us up, easily. The instructions for making the muffins are also quite easy to follow.
This is the first recipe I’ve made from your site, and I am now looking forward to trying more!
Lauren Allen says
Thanks for sharing, Robin! I’m happy you found me!
Zaria says
It’s literally so good!
Jill says
Can I use Bob’s red mill one to one gluten free flour instead of regular flour? Am a celiac.
Jill
Lauren Allen says
I haven’t tested it but I think it would work fine!
Jayna says
Wow. I’ll have to say these are some of the best muffins I have ever made. Thank you so much for the recipe.
Laura Knighton says
Can I use regular AP flour ? I don’t have whole wheat on hand.
Thanks,
LK
Lauren Allen says
Yes, thats fine!
Julie says
These are really good – they’re light and great tasting without the heavy whole wheat flour aftertaste.
Marilyn says
Do you use liquid honey or creamed honey?A
Nutch says
I tried making these muffins using coconut flour. It’s not working out as the result doesn’t look like batter. It is too dry and crumbly.
Do you have any suggestions on what I can add to it to make it into batter?
Nutch says
If I had only checked to compare the measurements for wheat flour vs. coconut flour before making this. I ended up adding almond milk and making it into cookies. They do taste good! Next time I’ll follow the recipe 100%!