Vegan Pumpkin Streusel Muffins

These soft pumpkin streusel muffins have a crunchy-sweet topping and big flavor, but are still able to be vegan and gluten free.

I have a crush on these muffins.

These moist, sweet, spicy pumpkin muffins that taste like they came from a bakery. That sport a snazzy cinnamon streusel topping that actually stays on. That rock a fall vibe harder than a cozy sweater jumping in a pile of crunchy leaves.

As if being a super yummy perfect autumn treat wasn’t enough, the recipe makes the usual dozen plus six bonus muffins. There’s have plenty to share, pack in lunches or just hoard in the freezer like a greedy little muffin troll.

That’s all good, but here’s where I start to swoon: these lovely pumpkin muffins are buff AND sensitive. They’re light, gluten-free, made with whole ingredients AND vegan. They’re the snack cake equivalent of a hot guy wearing glasses.

And I have proof that if you don’t tell people they’re healthy…they won’t know.

Back in the day (“the day” being my entire life, until I was about 30), it was hard for me to enjoy food if I knew it was healthy. I know that’s a common experience, so I share the healthy nitty gritty with you all, and my mom, who really likes knowing that stuff. For almost everyone else, I keep it on the down low unless I’m asked.

I just want everyone to have a good time.

Ok, so use discretion in who you share this with: these are made with oat flour, which lends itself to gluten-free baking. I’ve made them with premade gluten-free flour blends too, which are more expensive but give great results. I sweeten them with maple syrup instead of processed sugar, and I supplement that with some applesauce. That way I don’t have to use all the sweetener as most pumpkin muffin recipes call for. Holy nuts, a lot of them want you to use two cups of sugar! I use one cup of maple syrup and a cup of applesauce, and to me that’s plenty sweet.

I totally and completely love using flax eggs! They’re healthy, easy to use, and the stuff I make with them always turns out great. I used flax “eggs” in this recipe, but chia “eggs” or another vegan egg replacer would probably yield the same results.

I know standard muffin recipes often call for 1/2 cup of oil, or something like that, but here I’m using two tablespoons (!) of coconut oil instead. And they’re still super moist and have a lovely crumb. One of the reasons I’m getting away with that little oil is pumpkin makes a nice natural fat substitute. Any time you bake with pumpkin you’re kind of baking with nature’s fat substitute. Sweet!

I make the streusel topping with coconut oil instead of butter and coconut sugar instead of brown sugar. I add a dash of cinnamon too. It’s crumbly and delicious _and_ actually stays on the muffins! A little falls off, but in a fun way.

I stirred some crushed pecans into my batter, and they taste fabulous. I used to be one of those people who never put nuts in anything, but I’m changing my tune on that. I think these would also be excellent with a handful of raisins, or chocolate chips if you’re feeling wild and crazy.

The recipe makes 18 muffins, and that’s way too many for me to be left alone with, so I sent half of them home with Graeme. These would be perfect to make for a potluck or brunch or coffee get together. They also freeze well, so you can make them now and still be enjoying moist, spicy, delicious pumpkin muffins well into December.

Click here for the streusel topping recipe.

Vegan Pumpkin Streusel Muffins

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• Author: Gin Butters
• Yield: 18 muffins 1x

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Description

These soft pumpkin streusel muffins have a crunchy-sweet topping and big flavor, but are still able to be vegan and gluten free.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 flaxmeal "eggs" (1/2 cup water + 3 tablespoons flaxmeal, stirred and refrigerated)

Dry ingredients:

• 2 1/3 cups old-fashioned oats, pulsed to a flour consistency in a blender
• 1 cup old-fashioned oats, left whole
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet ingredients:

• 1 (15 oz) can pure pumpkin puree
• 1 cup maple syrup
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil

Streusel topping:

• 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
• 1/4 cup coconut sugar
• 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

Optional add-ins:

• 1/2 cup chopped nuts, raisins, or chocolate chips

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Line an 18-cup muffin tin with papers (or work in batches).
2. Stir the water and flaxmeal together and refrigerate for at least 5 minutes to thicken.
3. Stir the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.
4. Stir the wet ingredients together in a separate bowl. Add the thickened flaxmeal eggs and stir to combine.
5. Fold the wet ingredients into the dry until totally combined. Stir in any optional add-ins.
6. Fill each muffin paper about 3/4 full.
7. Combine all the streusel ingredients in a small bowl and stir until crumbly. Top each muffin with a generous pinch of streusel.
8. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into one of the middle muffins comes out clean.
9. Remove the muffins from the tin to cool completely on a wire rack. Repeat with remaining batter if needed.
10. Let the muffins cool completely before unwrapping.

Notes

Don’t tell people these are vegan and gluten-free until after they’ve had one — they won’t be able to tell. The streusel actually stays on, which is half the battle. These freeze beautifully: wrap individually and thaw at room temperature or warm in a low oven.

• Category: Baking

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