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    Home » Breakfast and Brunch

    3 Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins

    September 17, 2021 by Chenée Lewis

    202 shares
    stack of pumpkin muffins with the text "3 ingredient pumpkin muffins"

    These 3 ingredient pumpkin muffins with spice cake are so easy! Pumpkin muffins with just 3 ingredients for a quick fall treat! And don't miss my super easy Pumpkin Pecan Dump Cake, the decadent Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls, and my no-bake Pumpkin Mousse Pie!

    close up of easy 3 ingredient pumpkin muffins on wire rack
    Easy 3 Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins
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    Easy 3 Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins Recipe

    This recipe is a game changer! I vaguely remember having cupcakes made with pumpkin and chocolate cake mix years ago -- they were delicious, but these easy pumpkin muffins are even better! You'll literally only need to mix together your two base ingredients, plus a mix-in, and you're ready to bake them! It's almost unfair how simple these muffins are! Perfect when you want a treat for yourself or your guests, but you have NO time!

    And these muffins aren't just easy -- they're delicious. The pumpkin makes them SO moist and bursting with the fall flavors of pumpkin season. You definitely won't miss the eggs, butter, or oils! And because we're using a spice cake, they've got all the warm fall spices you love baked right in! Perfect way to enjoy a quick breakfast on an autumn morning.

    stack of pumpkin muffins
    Easy Pumpkin Muffins

    Spice Cake Pumpkin Muffins Ingredients

    Here's all you'll need for this recipe: a box of spice cake mix, a can of pumpkin puree, and chopped pecans.

    It's so simple! And really, this easy pumpkin muffin recipe only has a base of two simple ingredients, so you could get away with making these a 2 ingredient pumpkin muffins recipe! I do add some chopped pecans (there's your third ingredient), and I love the way these pumpkin muffins turned out!

    Alternative Mix-Ins

    I love the buttery crunch of pecans, and I think they go so well with the spices and pumpkin flavor. But if you prefer, you can swap out the pecans for walnuts, or make them a little more decadent with chocolate chips or butterscotch chips!

    iced pumpkin muffins
    Spice Cake Pumpkin Muffins

    Optional Toppings and Mix-Ins

    If you're feeling giddy, you can turn these into 4 ingredient pumpkin muffins and add some cinnamon sugar on top before you bake like I did! I love the added sweetness and spice, plus there's a bit of crunch that's just perfect! Or go even further and turn these into 5 ingredient pumpkin muffins by topping them after baking with a quick cream cheese icing (recipe for the icing in the recipe card below)!

    You can also make these 3 ingredient pumpkin muffins with cinnamon chips -- just fold in ⅔ cup of cinnamon chips before scooping out your muffin batter! You can also use chocolate chips to make chocolate pumpkin muffins!

    Equipment

    No need for a mixer, or even a whisk -- you can mix up these easy 3-ingredient pumpkin muffins with just a spoon and a bowl! Then once it's mixed, you'll need a muffin tin and muffin liners, and that's it!

    Are Pumpkin Muffins Healthy?

    These spice cake pumpkin muffins are a simple recipe -- with just cake mix, pumpkin, and pecans, I'd say it's relatively healthy. Cake mix can have some objectionable ingredients, depending on the brand you choose. But these easy 3 ingredient pumpkin muffins with spice cake mix are egg-free, dairy-free (check your cake mix box to be sure), and full of nutrients from the pumpkin! Plus, we're skipping any butter or vegetable oil, so these muffins are relatively low in fat.

    So all in all, while a boxed cake mix is not be fully healthy (and I'm not necessarily an expert), these muffins are a healthier option than others might be. Baby steps.

    pumpkin muffins, one with a bite taken out of it
    3 Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins - Healthy Option

    How Do You Make 3 Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins?

    It's pretty simple: you just mix everything up in a large bowl. Then once everything's mixed together, scoop them into your lined muffin cups and bake! It's really that simple. My favorite thing about this cake mix pumpkin muffins recipe is that there's almost no measuring! And no weighing your dry ingredients, creaming your butter, or whipping egg whites!

    Don't get me wrong, I love the process of baking -- I find it meditative, and it's so awesome when something you work hard on turns out well. But there's something so refreshing about an easy recipe that turns out THIS good.

    pumpkin muffins on a wire rack
    Easy 3 Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins

    Tips and F.A.Q.

    Can I freeze these spice cake pumpkin muffins?

    Yes! Make sure they're fully cooled and then wrap them individually in plastic wrap. You can then put them in an airtight container or freezer bag and they'll be fresh for up to 6 weeks. To thaw, just let them sit at room temperature, still wrapped, for about an hour.

    Can you use homemade pumpkin puree instead of canned pumpkin?

    You sure can! A can of pumpkin purée is about 1-½ cups of pumpkin, so just measure it out and mix it in!

    Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin purée?

    I wouldn't recommend using pumpkin pie filling, since the spices and sweeteners in the spice cake mix are more than enough. Pumpkin pie filling (also labeled pumpkin pie mix) has added sweeteners and spices of its own, which will definitely be too much in these spice cake pumpkin muffins.

    How do I store these 3 ingredient pumpkin muffins?

    Once cooled, store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days.

    I love all things pumpkin and I want MORE!

    Some of my favorite pumpkin recipes are my Pumpkin Mousse Pie with Maple Cookie Crust, my Sour Cream Pumpkin Bread with Maple Brown Butter Glaze, and my Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls. So you've got a lot of options to feed your pumpkin cravings!

    More of my Favorite Muffin Recipes

    • Buttermilk Blueberry Muffins with Lemon Zest
    • White Chocolate and Raspberry Muffins
    • Pancake Mix Muffins
    • Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins with Orange Zest
    close up of easy 3 ingredient pumpkin muffins on wire rack

    3 Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins with Spice Cake Mix!

    Print Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    These 3 ingredient pumpkin muffins with spice cake mix are so easy! Pumpkin muffins with just 3 ingredients for a quick fall treat! Try these spice cake pumpkin muffins today!
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 22 minutes
    Total Time: 27 minutes
    Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine :American
    Servings: 12 muffins
    Calories: 211kcal
    Recipe Source: Chenée Lewis

    Equipment you may need

    • 12-cup muffin pan
    • measuring cups and spoons
    • rubber spatula
    • mixing bowls
    • cupcake liners

    Ingredients

    • 1 box spice cake mix - 15.25 ounces
    • 1 can pumpkin purée - 15 ounces
    • ⅔ cup chopped pecans - plus more for topping

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners and spray lightly with cooking spray.
    • In a bowl, combine cake mix and pumpkin purée and stir to combine. Fold in pecans.
      1 box spice cake mix, 1 can pumpkin purée, ⅔ cup chopped pecans
    • Fill muffin cups evenly and top with more pecans.
    • Bake in preheated oven for 22-24 minutes, or until a toothpick in the center of a muffin comes out clean.
    • Cool 10 minutes in pan, then serve warm or transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

    Video

    Notes

    Optional Cream Cheese Icing: Combine 2 tablespoon softened cream cheese and 1 tablespoon softened butter in a bowl. Mix in 1 cup powdered sugar until smooth. Add 3-6 teaspoon milk and whisk to combine. Add addition milk if necessary to reach desired consistency. Drizzle over cooled muffins.
    3 Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins with Cinnamon Chips: Fold in ⅔ cup of cinnamon chips before scooping batter for a bit more sweetness and spice.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 muffin | Calories: 211 kcal | Carbohydrates: 31 g | Protein: 3 g | Fat: 9 g | Saturated Fat: 2 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5 g | Sodium: 238 mg | Potassium: 221 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 18 g | Vitamin A: 5516 IU | Vitamin C: 2 mg | Calcium: 47 mg | Iron: 2 mg
    Nutrition Disclaimer
    Tags: 2 ingredient pumpkin muffins, 3 ingredient pumpkin muffins healthy, 3 ingredient pumpkin muffins weight watchers, 3 ingredient pumpkin muffins with applesauce, 3 ingredient pumpkin muffins with cinnamon chips, 3 ingredient pumpkin muffins with egg, 3 ingredient pumpkin muffins with spice cake, 3 ingredient pumpkin muffins without cake mix, 4 ingredient pumpkin muffins, 5 ingredient pumpkin muffins, betty crocker spice cake pumpkin muffins, easy 3 ingredient pumpkin muffins, easy pumpkin muffins, libbys pumpkin muffins cake mix, pumpkin cake mix muffins weight watchers, pumpkin muffins with cake mix and eggs, spice cake pumpkin muffins
    Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can't wait to see (and share) your results! Follow me on Instagram at @chenee_today and tag #cheneetoday!

    PIN this spice cake pumpkin muffins recipe for later!

    stack of pumpkin muffins with the text "3 ingredient pumpkin muffins"
    Pin this easy pumpkin muffins recipe for later!

    Last Updated on October 11, 2022 by Chenée Lewis

    More Breakfast Recipes and Brunch Ideas

    • Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls
    • Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls
    • Apple Cider Donut Cake
    • Vegan Pumpkin Smoothie
    202 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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    1. Gina Abernathy

      November 05, 2022 at 8:46 am

      5 stars
      So easy and so delicious!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        November 05, 2022 at 11:59 pm

        Thank you so much! I love these!

        Reply
    2. kushigalu

      November 05, 2022 at 4:20 am

      5 stars
      Perfect fall recipe. These pumpkin muffins look delicious.

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        November 05, 2022 at 11:59 pm

        Thank you! I love these for fall!

        Reply
    3. Irena

      November 05, 2022 at 2:45 am

      5 stars
      Love simple recipes like this using little clever hacks like a cake box mix! I couldn't get the same spice cake mix here in Australia so I used regular vanilla cake mix and added some spices to it myself.

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        November 05, 2022 at 11:59 pm

        Great idea! Glad you liked them!

        Reply
    4. Tara

      November 05, 2022 at 2:00 am

      5 stars
      These muffins are my new go-to fall breakfast/snack! So easy and I love that it doesn't need a ton of ingredients!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        November 06, 2022 at 12:01 am

        Yeah they're so easy! Glad you like them!

        Reply
    5. Britney Brown

      October 15, 2021 at 6:20 pm

      5 stars
      I cannot believe that this recipe only required 3 ingredients and turned out SO good! We loved these muffins so much and ate them all fresh out of the oven!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        October 18, 2021 at 12:35 am

        Thanks! They're almost too easy!

        Reply
    6. Rose Marie Mac Gilvray

      October 01, 2021 at 2:48 pm

      5 stars
      Love,love,love these muffins. ! !

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        October 01, 2021 at 8:50 pm

        Thank you so much! So glad you like them!

        Reply
    7. Karla

      September 29, 2021 at 2:44 pm

      5 stars
      These are perfect for families! Easy to make and delicious

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        October 01, 2021 at 8:52 pm

        Thank you! Definitely a kid favorite!

        Reply
    8. Jazz

      September 29, 2021 at 12:38 pm

      5 stars
      These are the easiest muffins I've ever made and they taste amazing. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        October 01, 2021 at 8:52 pm

        Thank you! I love how simple they are!

        Reply
    9. Tamara Johnson

      September 28, 2021 at 9:07 am

      5 stars
      Wow these muffins were delicious! I was in a pinch to make something for a brunch I was invited to. These were a HUGE hit! People kept asking for the recipe! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        October 31, 2021 at 9:17 pm

        Thank you for trying them out! 🙂

        Reply
    10. Karla

      September 27, 2021 at 7:40 am

      5 stars
      These were so easy to make and they are really good too!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        October 10, 2021 at 9:59 am

        Thank you! I'm so glad you like them as much as I do!

        Reply
    11. Robin

      September 26, 2021 at 11:13 pm

      5 stars
      I made these muffins for breakfast thinking I'd have some again the next morning. They were so good however we finished them all in one day!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        September 27, 2021 at 3:14 pm

        Haha that happens sometimes!

        Reply
    12. Jeri

      September 26, 2021 at 9:26 pm

      5 stars
      Loved how easy this came together! So delicious, perfectly moist and I enjoyed the crunch from the pecans. Great recipe!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        October 31, 2021 at 12:15 pm

        Thanks so much! They're definitely a go-to of mine!

        Reply
    13. Lilly

      September 23, 2021 at 1:45 pm

      5 stars
      Okay, after seeing your reel on Instagram and how easy these muffins are to make, I just HAD to give it a try! And wow, I am so happy I did. Not only are they super easy to make, but they are delicious!! Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        September 23, 2021 at 2:14 pm

        They're SUPER easy! So glad you liked them!

        Reply
    14. Marta

      September 23, 2021 at 5:41 am

      5 stars
      Prefect for breakfast and ready so quick! They were a great companion to my coffee..

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        September 23, 2021 at 10:31 am

        So glad you liked them!

        Reply

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    About Chenée

    I’m Chenée (kinda rhymes with “today”) and I love all types of baking! But my favorite recipes are ones that are quick and easy, and still yield impressive results. The ones you can't help but make again and again! That's what I share here, and I hope I can make your baking life a little easier along the way. MORE ABOUT CHENÉE >>

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