These 3 ingredient pumpkin muffins with spice cake are so easy! Pumpkin muffins with just 3 ingredients for a quick fall treat!
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And don't miss my super easy Pumpkin Pecan Dump Cake, the decadent Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls, and my no-bake Pumpkin Mousse Pie!
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.
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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! And if you love pecans, try my Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars or my Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie!
And if you're a major pumpkin lover, you'll also want to check out my Pumpkin Pie in Graham Cracker Crust and my Pumpkin Cold Foam Recipe!
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!
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.
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.
Tips and F.A.Q.
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.
You sure can! A can of pumpkin purée is about 1-½ cups of pumpkin, so just measure it out and mix it in!
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.
Once cooled, store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days.
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
📖 Recipe
Equipment you may need
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
Nutrition
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Last Updated on October 25, 2025 by Chenée Lewis
Debbie says
This recipe was a big hit! Five stars!
Chenée Lewis says
Wonderful! Thanks Debbie 😊
Don says
My family loved this!
Chenée Lewis says
So great to hear that Don!
Barbara says
I'm blown away by how moist, rich and tasty a muffin with only 3 ingredients turned out! The frosting takes it over the top. I just had one with coffee and I feel the equivalent of when I treat myself to a hot stone massage, pampered and indulged.
Chenée Lewis says
Thank you so much Barbara! I'm so glad you liked them! This is one of my favorite recipes 🙂
Gail Payne says
Hi Chenee - I baked your 3-ingredient pumpkin muffins yesterday, and they are divine! I had my doubts, though, due to the "3 ingredients" part. The batter was stiff, so I added a tablespoon or so of half and half to try to loosen it up a bit. Your directions also said to spray lightly with cooking spray. Where? I used the liners and didn't spray anywhere. All went well, and we are thoroughly enjoying the delicious muffins. I'm so glad to have found you! Thanks! Gail P.
Chenée Lewis says
I'm glad it worked out for you! I like to spray my paper muffin liners with a little cooking spray but it's not strictly necessary 🙂
Nancy R says
Serve warm with butter. Yum yum. My family loved them.
Chenée Lewis says
Delish! Glad to hear it!
Mary Fairchild says
What size scoop did you use to fill liners?
Chenée Lewis says
I believe it was a large scoop, three tablespoons. The batter should be almost to the top of the liners.
TAYLER ROSS says
We made these muffins for breakfast this morning and they were DELICIOUS! And I loved how simple they were!
Chenée Lewis says
So glad to hear it! Great way to start the day!
Shelley says
At first I was like ... ok ... wait ... 3 ingredients?!?! But yes sireee, this is genius! So easy and yummy and perfect for autumn. Thank you!
Chenée Lewis says
Thanks for giving them a try! 🙂
Ali says
I can’t believe these muffins were only made with 3 ingredients! They were SO easy to make and delicious!
Chenée Lewis says
I wouldn't believe it either if I hadn't made them! 🙂