This Healthy Pumpkin Muffins recipe is made with whole grains, less butter and sugar, and only 160 calories each! They taste just like the bakery and are freezer friendly!

Looking for more pumpkin recipes? Try my Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread, Classic Pumpkin Roll, Pumpkin Bars with Caramel Frosting, or Pumpkin French Toast!

Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins on a platter with a bite taken out of the front one.

What I love about them:

  • Healthy, but just as good as a bakery – I love that these have less sugar and fat than regular pumpkin muffins, but they still taste like a sweet treat and I can feel comfortable offering them to my kids.
  • Freezer Friendly – Make a double batch and freeze the leftovers for a quick snack, or for part of kids lunches.
  • Add protein: Make them even healthier by replacing a few tablespoons of the flour with a scoop of protein powder!

How to make Healthy Pumpkin Muffins:

Combine dry ingredients: flour, cornstarch, pumpkin spice, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. 

Mix wet ingredients in a separate bowl: eggs, honey, butter, and canned pumpkin puree (or homemade pumpkin puree). Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients then pour the wet mixture in. 

Stir batter together, being careful not to over-mix it, and then add chocolate chips (optional). Divide batter between the muffin cups.

Three images showing the dry ingredients, wet ingredients, and after they are combined to make a pumpkin muffin batter.

Bake healthy pumpkin muffins at 350 degrees F for about 15-20 minutes. Enjoy!

Freshly baked, healthy pumpkin muffins in a muffin tin.

Freezing Instructions:

To Freeze: Allow healthy pumpkin muffins to cool completely, then place them in a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. 

More Healthy Muffin Recipes:

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Recipe

Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins on a platter with a bite taken out of the front one.
Prep 14 minutes
Cook 16 minutes
Total 30 minutes
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Equipment

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 puree
  • 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

Cornstarch helps the flour act more like cake flour (which has a lower protein content and makes bakery items extra tender). If you don't have cornstarch, substitute ¼ cup more whole wheat flour.
Freezing Instructions: Allow muffins to cool completely, then store in a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 161kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 3gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 44mgSodium: 247mgPotassium: 118mgFiber: 2gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 3380IUVitamin C: 1.1mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 1mg

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Recipe inspired by 100 Days of Real Food.

I originally shared this recipe October 2015. Updated September 2018, October 2021 and September 2023.

This post contains affiliate links.

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About The Author

Lauren Allen

Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.

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kheldreth@neo.rr.com
2 years ago

Hello! I want to try this but was wondering if I could double or triple it? I like to make big batches and freeze them. Thank you so much for your delicious recipes! I recently discovered your website and new cookbook.

Admin
2 years ago

Yes! There is a button to double or triple the recipe ingredients in the recipe card. Thanks for the support. We love you!

Kailey
2 years ago

Made these with AP flour, they were super good but were a bit dry. Any recommendations on how to make these more moist?

Thanks

Alissa
3 years ago

5 stars
I have now brought this dessert to back-to-back friend gatherings and it was a hit at both! It is so easy to make and is honestly the best apple crisp I have had. Served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream…yum!!

Carolee
3 years ago

5 stars
One of my girlfriends recently brought these to a get together and they were the first thing gone. Everyone was asking for the recipe and she shared that she got the recipe from your site. I will definitely be making these soon – they were amazing!

Rhea
3 years ago

5 stars
I made this today with my Kindergarten class. We had to make some changes due to allergies. We used flax eggs and applesauce instead of melted butter. They turned out so moist and delicious! And completely vegan!

Crucita
3 years ago

If I use AP flour, do I still need to use cornstarch? thank you 🙂

Joanne
3 years ago

Can I sub applesauce for butter in this recipe? If so, how much? Thank you!

Molly
3 years ago

5 stars
These came out so moist and delicious! I didn’t have any chocolate chips on hand so added a bit of cream cheese extract instead to add a little extra kick. I’ll definitely be making these again, hopefully with chocolate chips!

Pj
3 years ago

3 stars
I was looking for a pumpkin muffin recipe with whole wheat flour. This one intrigued me but I agree with what other reviews said-the texture was gritty. Sorry.

Kathy
4 years ago

I was wondering if I could substitute banana for the pumpkin, keeping everything else the same? They sound delicious with the pumpkin, but I have some bananas I need to use up. These really look wonderful.