These keto pumpkin muffins are unbelievably moist, fluffy, and swirled with a sweet cream cheese frosting. This is the ultimate low carb breakfast, snack, or dessert idea!
How to make Keto Pumpkin Muffins
This recipe is for all of my pumpkin lovers - and just in time for Fall! Low carb pumpkin muffins are a great snack for when you are on the go, or if you're having a sweet tooth. They are super easy to make and come together in just a few minutes.
To make this recipe EVEN BETTER, I added an easy sweet cream cheese icing to swirl in these muffins. You will love the smell of pumpkin lingering in your house as they bake!
What You'll Need
For the muffins:
- Coconut Flour - I prefer making these with coconut flour, as they come out much lighter than if using almond flour.
- Baking Powder - This helps the muffins rise while baking.
- Erythritol Sweetener - I used Swerve.
- Pumpkin Spice - To give it that classic pumpkin taste.
- Pumpkin Puree - I highly recommend Libby's brand.
- Eggs - These serve as a binder, and help the coconut flour to properly bake.
- Melted Butter - This will add some good fat to the muffins, as coconut flour is lower in fat.
- Vanilla Extract - For extra flavor!
For the cream cheese filling:
- Softened Cream Cheese - The cream cheese needs to be really soft for mixing. I microwaved the cream cheese for 20 seconds to get it soft enough.
- Erythritol Sweetener - I used Swerve.
- Vanilla Extract
Step by step instructions
Step 1. Start by mixing all of the dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl.
Step 2. Next, add the pumpkin puree, eggs, vanilla extract, and butter to the same bowl and mix everything together.
Step 3. Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners, and fill each muffin cup with a generous amount of the muffin batter.
Step 4. In a separate small bowl mix together the cream cheese, sweetener, and vanilla extract. Then, add a small spoon of the cream cheese mixture on top of each muffin. Use a toothpick to swirl the cream cheese into the muffins.
Step 5. Bake in the oven for 20 - 25 minutes, and then allow them to cool for 5 minutes. Enjoy!
Is Pumpkin Keto Friendly?
Yes, pumpkin is a low carb vegetable! A half can of pumpkin puree contains about 3 net carbs, making pumpkin keto-friendly when used in moderation. Of course, you'll want to mindful of your portion size as with anything else.
Looking for more keto dessert recipes? You might also like these: Best 4 Ingredient Keto Peanut Butter Cookies
Coconut Flour vs. Almond Flour
I prefer making these muffins with coconut flour, as it is lighter than almond flour. As a result, the muffins come out less dense and fluffier. You cannot substitute coconut flour for almond flour, as it is not a one to one replacement ratio. 1/4 cup of coconut flour equals about 1 cup of almond flour.
Additionally, coconut flour absorbs more liquid than other flours. As a result, you will need to use more eggs when baking with coconut flour in order for it to bind properly.
How to Store Keto Pumpkin Muffins
These muffins can be stored on the countertop, or in the fridge, and should be good for about 3 days. If you would prefer to eat them warm, simply microwave them for about 10 - 15 seconds.
Recipe Tips
- The muffin batter will be fairly thick. This is expected, and there is no need to add any additional liquid to the batter.
- For less sweet muffins, only use 1/2 cup sweetener in the muffin batter. For sweeter muffins, use 3/4 cup. I used 3/4 cup of sweetener.
- If you have trouble swirling the cream cheese into the muffins, simply microwave the cream cheese mixture for about 15 - 20 seconds. This will help to soften it up.
- The amount of sweetener used in the cream cheese filling will impact the color of the cream cheese when baked. Using 1 tablespoon of sweetener will cause the cream cheese to stay whiter while using 2 Tablespoons caused the icing to be more transparent/glaze-like after baking.
Keto Pumpkin Muffins with Cream Cheese Swirl
Unbelievably moist Keto Pumpkin Muffins swirled with a sweet cream cheese icing!
Ingredients
For the muffins
- 1/2 cup coconut flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 cup granulated sweetener, (I used Swerve)
- 2 Tablespoons pumpkin spice
- 4 eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup pumpkin puree, (I used Libby's brand)
For the Cream Cheese Filling
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 - 2 Tablespoons sweetener, (to taste) See Notes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the coconut flour, baking powder, sweetener, and pumpkin spice. Mix everything together.
- Next, add the eggs, melted butter, vanilla extract, and pumpkin puree to the same bowl as the dry ingredients and mix everything together.
- Fill each muffin cup in the muffin pan with a generous amount of the muffin batter.
- Next, make the cream cheese filling. In a separate bowl, add all of the cream cheese filling ingredients and mix everything together.
- Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the cream cheese filling onto each muffin. Use a toothpick to swirl the icing into the muffins. This doesn't have to be neat, and you will likely have some icing leftover.
- Bake the muffins in the oven for 20 - 25 minutes. (My muffins took 22 minutes.) Allow them to cool for 5 minutes prior to serving.
Notes
- The amount of sweetener used in the cream cheese filling will impact how white it appears after being baked in the oven. For example, using 1 Tablespoon of sweetener will cause the icing to stay whiter. While using 2 Tablespoons of sweetener will cause the cream cheese swirl to appear more clear/glaze-like when baked.
- If you don't have a toothpick, you can also use a fork or a butter knife to swirl the cream cheese.
- My muffins were done right at 22 minutes.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 11 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 181Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 109mgCarbohydrates: 8gNet Carbohydrates: 4gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 4g
All nutritional information and calculations are provided as a courtesy. Nutritional values are estimates only. Variations may occur due to product, and brand selection. You should not rely on this information for medical advice.
Kay is passionate about living a healthy low carb lifestyle. She loves low carb comfort foods that are also family-friendly!
Jenny W
Pure deliciousness. Substituted almond flour for the coconut flour and increased the pumpking to 1 cup. Perfection!
Kay Johnson
Thank you! I'm glad that you enjoyed it!
Kristine Huggins
I found these to be super delicious!! It was the first keto baked good we made. I did find it to be a bit too much spice and the cooking times for me were a bit off however they turned out amazing!! Do they freeze well?
Kay Johnson
Thank you, oven times will vary by oven. I have not tried freezing them.
Michelle
These are my go-to breakfast with a cup of coffee! Love them! The best coconut flour recipe I've ever found.
Kay Johnson
I'm so happy to hear that you are enjoying them. Thank you!
Annette Bridges
These are the best!! The consistency is like custard pumpkin pie!!
Kay Johnson
Thank you!
KIMBERLY L SELIGER
Omg..they're like a pumpkin pie in bite size portions, so darn good without all the guilt!
Anna Fletcher-Tse
Oh my goodness. They are moist, creamy, and so easy to make. Never baked with coconut flour (fairly new to Keto lifestyle) but it's a game changer! Definitely making these again.
Kerre
These came out great! I added a bit less pumpkin spice but some vanilla powder to make difference and also added some pumpkin spice essence as well as liquid vanilla. I also added about 1/2 tbs of pumpkin puree to my cream cheese mixture with some powdered vanilla. They came out terrific, I was sure not to overcook and they are truly delicious and were easier to make then they look!
Angela
Thank you for the recipe it has helped me maintain a steady loss. Also my family and mother loves them! I add walnuts and once added lillys white chocolate. ( Though any would work) I also add less pumpkin pie spice and then a bit cinnamon.
Kay Johnson
That sounds delicious! You are welcome. Thanks so much!