Healthy Pumpkin Bran Muffins

Start your day right with these Healthy Pumpkin Bran Muffins! Low in fat, sugar-free, yet rich in protein and vital nutrients!

A batch of freshly baked Pumpkin Bran muffins.

This Healthy Pumpkin Bran Muffins Recipe is the perfect start to your day! They are packed with vitamins and nutrients and taste delicious! Plus, these bran pumpkin muffins are so versatile and you can really make them your own. I swirled in some low fat cream cheese into come and added pumpkin seeds on top to others.

These pumpkin bran muffins check two of our favorite boxes – healthy and delicious. To keep that healthy streak going, try Healthy Breakfast Fruit Pizza, Healthy Zucchini Bread, and Healthy Whole Wheat Bran Muffins. They are sure to be a hit in your home too!

Reasons to Love These Healthy Bran Muffins

  • These Pumpkin Bran Muffins are packed with essential nutrients.
  • Bran muffins are versatile. You can customize it with fruits, nuts, or spices.
  • These muffins are a quick, convenient breakfast or snack option.

Recipe Ingredients

Close-up view of Pumpkin Bran muffins, topped with pumpkin seeds.
  • Pumpkin Puree: Pumpkin Puree adds a creamy texture and rich, earthy sweetness.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Offers a warm, spicy note that is quintessential in pumpkin recipes.
  • Greek Yogurt: Adds creaminess and tang and helps to tenderize the muffins.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Variations

  • Spice Variations: For a seasonal twist, consider adding pumpkin pie spice or allspice to your muffins. These spices bring warm, aromatic flavors that evoke the essence of autumn and complement a variety of muffin recipes. A dash of pumpkin pie spice or allspice will infuse your baked goods with a cozy, comforting taste.
  • Topping Options: Sprinkle coarse sugar for a sweet crunch, add chopped nuts for texture, or fruit and raisins for a burst of flavor. A streusel topping can also offer a decadent, crumbly finish.

How to Make Healthy Pumpkin Bran Muffins

Step 1: Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (218 degrees Celsius). Lightly spray or line one muffin tin, and set aside.

Step 2: In a small glass measuring cup or bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, yogurt, egg, oil, brown sugar, and vanilla.

Step 3: In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the bran, flour, flaxseed meal, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients along with any “mix-ins” (or reserve for the top), folding/mixing just until you see just a bit of dry ingredients (about 17-20 strokes).

Step 4: Scoop the batter into the prepared pan, dividing evenly between the wells. If you are using pepitas, sprinkle them on the tops or if you are using cream cheese, place a teaspoon on top of each muffin and use a knife to gently fold it in. Place in the oven and bake for 12-14 minutes or until the tops are golden brown and spring back when touched. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pans for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Pumpkin Bran muffins with cream cheese on top in a cup liner.

Expert Tips

  • Puree Perfection: Making your own Homemade Pumpkin Puree is fun and easy and would be amazing in this recipe!
  • Even Baking: Fill each muffin well evenly using an ice cream scoop or a large spoon. This promotes uniform cooking and perfectly shaped muffins.
  • Oil Consistency: Make sure that the coconut oil you use in this recipe is melted and not solid when you are adding it.
A close-up view of healthy Bran muffins on a plate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make jumbo muffins with this Healthy Bran Muffins recipe?

Yes, you can make 6 jumbo muffins using this recipe. Simply adjust the baking time to about 17-20 minutes, checking periodically. Ensure they are fully baked once the tops are golden brown and spring back when touched.

How can I check if the muffins are fully baked?

Insert a toothpick into the center of a muffin. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached, the muffins are done baking.

Storage Info

STORE these Healthy Pumpkin Bran Muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week. To FREEZE, store them in your freezer in a sealed bag or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil for up to 3 months.

To REHEAT, thaw if frozen, and warm in a microwave for about 20-30 seconds or in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) for 5-10 minutes until heated through.

Did you try this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ rating below and share it on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest!

A batch of freshly baked Pumpkin Bran muffins.

Healthy Pumpkin Bran Muffins Recipe

Start your day right with these Healthy Pumpkin Bran Muffins! Low in fat, sugar-free, yet rich in protein and vital nutrients!
4.70 from 33 votes
Pin Rate
Course: Breads & Muffins
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 17 minutes
Servings: 12 muffins
Calories: 160kcal
Author: Andrea
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Ingredients

  • 1 cup pumpkin puree - not pie filling
  • 2/3 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1 egg
  • 1/3 cup coconut oil
  • 1/4-1/3 cup maple syrup - OR honey OR brown sugar*
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cup wheat bran
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour**
  • 1 tbsp golden flaxseed meal
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds - (pepitas), chopped nuts, bittersweet chocolate chips, dried fruit or ⅓ the fat cream cheese
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Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (218 degrees Celsius). Lightly spray or line one muffin tin, and set aside.
  • In a small glass measuring cup or bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, yogurt, egg, oil, brown sugar, and vanilla.
  • In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the bran, flour, flaxseed meal, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients along with any "mix-ins" (or reserve for the top), folding/mixing just until you see just a bit of dry ingredients (about 17-20 strokes).
  • Scoop the batter into the prepared pan, dividing evenly between the wells. If you are using pepitas, sprinkle them on the tops or if you are using cream cheese, place a teaspoon on top of each muffin and use a knife to gently fold it in. Place in the oven and bake for 12-14 minutes or until the tops are golden brown and spring back when touched. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pans for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

NOTES

*If you like your muffins on the sweeter side, use the full ⅓ cup of sweetener.
**You can use only whole-wheat flour, only all-purpose flour, or ½ cup whole-wheat flour + ½ cup all-purpose flour. They taste great no matter what you use!
STORE the Pumpkin Bran Muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week. To FREEZE, store them in your freezer in a sealed bag or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil for up to 3 months.
To REHEAT, thaw if frozen, and warm in a microwave for about 20-30 seconds or in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) for 5-10 minutes until heated through.

Nutrition

Serving: 12serving | Calories: 160kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.004g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 250mg | Potassium: 232mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 3201IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 2mg

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About the Author

Andrea

Hi I'm Andrea!

Hotelier turned Food Blogger to help make your life simple, one recipe at a time.

4.70 from 33 votes (23 ratings without comment)

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Comments:

  1. 4 stars
    They have everything I like in them. But the batter was very thick, so I probably stirred them too much. Had to add 1/2 cup of skim milk. Maybe I will put less dry ingredients next time. They aren’t sweet at all, but that’s fine with me!

  2. 5 stars
    Thanks a lot for this pumpkin bran muffins recipe! So easy to make and tasted really delicious! Fam loves it, will have it again! Highly recommended!

  3. 5 stars
    You wouldn’t know that these were healthy. So much flavor and the texture is perfect too! This is something I won’t feel guilty about snacking on!

  4. 5 stars
    I have now made this recipe 3 times all with slight variations.
    The first time was as the recipe was written.
    Second time. I added frozen apple chunks. I chopped them in small cubes, mixed into flour mixture before adding wet ingredients. I used butternut squash instead of pumpkin
    Today, used butternut squash, appplesauce for half the oil, molasses for the sweetener, raisins and apples. This recipe is perfect for variations.
    All three times the muffins were perfect.