Best Pumpkin Streusel Muffins Recipe
If you’re searching for the perfect autumn treat to fill your home with cozy aromas, these Best Pumpkin Streusel Muffins are about to become your go-to recipe. With their fluffy, tender crumb and irresistible brown sugar-cinnamon topping, every bite of these muffins tastes like a little slice of fall. Whether you’re pairing one with your morning coffee or sharing a batch with friends, this recipe brings the comforting flavors of pumpkin spice together in a showstopping bakery-style muffin that feels like pure homemade love.

Ingredients You’ll Need
Whipping up a batch of these muffins is delightfully simple, thanks to a straightforward list of pantry essentials. Every ingredient has a purpose: building soft, moist structure, boosting warm spice, or creating that signature crumbly streusel crown.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the muffin base with just the right balance of structure and tenderness.
- Baking soda: Gives the muffins their lift, ensuring each one bakes up nice and fluffy.
- Salt: Elevates the flavors and balances the sweetness throughout the batter.
- Ground cinnamon: Delivers classic pumpkin spice warmth, both in the batter and the streusel.
- Ground nutmeg: Adds a subtle, nutty depth and enhances the homemade, cozy flavors.
- Ground cloves: Just a pinch gives an earthy, spicy aroma that makes these quintessential fall muffins.
- Ground ginger: Brings a gentle zing that brightens the pumpkin richness.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the crumb moist for days, with a neutral flavor that lets the spices shine.
- Brown sugar: Adds wonderful moisture and caramel-like notes, both in the muffin and the streusel.
- Granulated sugar: Lends sweetness without weighing down the muffins.
- Large eggs: Bind and enrich the batter, giving every muffin stability and fluffiness.
- Canned pumpkin purée: The star! Pure pumpkin packs every bite with flavor, color, and natural moisture.
- Milk: Lightens the batter just enough to make each muffin perfectly tender.
- Vanilla extract: A splash ties together the sweet and spicy notes beautifully.
- Unsalted butter (cold, for streusel): Creates those irresistible, buttery crumbs that melt in your mouth.
How to Make Best Pumpkin Streusel Muffins
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Preheat
Start by heating your oven to 350°F. This ensures a perfectly even rise as soon as your muffins hit the hot oven. Line a standard muffin tin with paper liners for easy cleanup, or generously grease each cup if you prefer crisper edges. Setting this up first makes the baking process a breeze.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, salt, and all the cozy spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. This helps scatter the seasonings evenly so each muffin bursts with flavor in every bite.
Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk the vegetable oil, both sugars, eggs, pumpkin purée, milk, and vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture is smooth and glossy—your kitchen will already start smelling incredible! This creamy blend forms the luscious base for your Best Pumpkin Streusel Muffins.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Add your dry ingredients to the wet, stirring gently with a spatula or wooden spoon. The secret to a perfect muffin? Don’t overmix—stir just until there are no pockets of flour. This light hand keeps the crumb tender and fluffy.
Step 5: Fill the Muffin Cups
Divide your silky batter among the prepared cups, filling each about three-quarters full. A large cookie scoop or spoon works wonders for even portions, ensuring each muffin bakes up beautifully golden.
Step 6: Make the Streusel Topping
In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon for the crumbly topping. Cut in cold, cubed butter with a fork or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse, buttery crumbs. This rustic topping is what sets these muffins apart—don’t skip it!
Step 7: Top and Bake
Generously sprinkle the streusel over each muffin cup, pressing lightly so it sticks. Slide the tin into your preheated oven and bake for 20 to 24 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let the muffins cool in the pan for about five minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This keeps them from getting soggy while still letting the streusel stay crisp. Serve slightly warm for a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
How to Serve Best Pumpkin Streusel Muffins

Garnishes
A little garnish makes your Best Pumpkin Streusel Muffins feel extra special. After the muffins cool, consider a drizzle of simple powdered sugar glaze for that classic bakery look, or dust them with a light sprinkle of cinnamon for added aroma. For festive touches, a few pumpkin seeds on top or a sprinkle of chopped candied ginger can really wow guests.
Side Dishes
Pair these muffins with a creamy cup of spiced chai, your favorite coffee, or even a tangy plain yogurt for breakfast. If serving at brunch, fresh fruit salad or a platter of cheese rounds things out, balancing the muffins’ sweetness with something bright and fresh on the side.
Creative Ways to Present
Pack the muffins in a lined basket for a picnic, or wrap each one individually for a sweet take-home treat. They look charming on a tiered cake stand for gatherings. For dessert, try slicing the muffins and layering them with whipped cream and berries in parfait glasses—an easy pumpkin trifle that makes great use of leftover Best Pumpkin Streusel Muffins!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you manage to have any leftovers, keep your Best Pumpkin Streusel Muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. Their tender crumb actually improves by the next day, and the spice flavor deepens, making each bite even more delightful.
Freezing
These muffins freeze like a dream. Let them cool completely, then wrap each muffin tightly in plastic wrap and pop them into a freezer bag. They’ll keep their flavor and texture for up to two months, giving you a ready-made treat whenever the mood strikes.
Reheating
Ready for a warm muffin moment? Simply unwrap and microwave a frozen muffin for about 25–30 seconds. Or, heat them in a 300°F oven for 8–10 minutes to restore that freshly-baked magic (and revive the crispness of the streusel topping).
FAQs
Can I use homemade pumpkin purée instead of canned?
Absolutely! Just be sure your homemade purée is thick and not watery—excess moisture can change the muffin texture. If needed, dab with a paper towel to remove extra liquid.
Do these muffins work with gluten-free flour?
Yes, you can substitute a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend for the all-purpose flour to make the Best Pumpkin Streusel Muffins gluten-free. Just check that your blend contains xanthan gum for structure.
How can I make the muffins dairy-free?
Swap the milk for any non-dairy alternative (like almond or oat milk), and use a dairy-free butter substitute in the streusel. The results are still incredibly moist and flavorful!
Why did my muffins come out dense instead of fluffy?
Dense muffins are often the result of overmixing the batter or using old baking soda. Make sure to combine just until the flour is incorporated, and check that your leaveners are fresh for the optimal lift.
Can I add nuts or chocolate chips?
Of course! Fold up to 3/4 cup of chopped pecans, walnuts, or chocolate chips into the batter after mixing. They add lovely crunch or melty sweetness to your Best Pumpkin Streusel Muffins.
Final Thoughts
Treat yourself and your loved ones to a batch of these Best Pumpkin Streusel Muffins—the kind of bake that turns ordinary mornings into treasured fall memories. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe brings warmth and joy in every bite. Give them a try, share with friends, and don’t be surprised if they become your most-requested seasonal snack!
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Best Pumpkin Streusel Muffins Recipe
- Total Time: 37 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these deliciously spiced Pumpkin Streusel Muffins that are perfect for breakfast or as a sweet treat. Moist pumpkin muffins topped with a buttery streusel, these are sure to become a fall favorite!
Ingredients
For the muffins:
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup canned pumpkin purée
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the streusel topping:
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a muffin tin with liners or grease.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, and spices.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix oil, sugars, eggs, pumpkin, milk, and vanilla.
- Combine wet and dry: Gently mix dry ingredients into wet until just combined.
- Fill muffin cups: Divide batter evenly into muffin cups.
- Make streusel: Mix flour, sugar, and cinnamon, then cut in butter until crumbly.
- Top muffins: Sprinkle streusel over muffins.
- Bake: Bake for 20-24 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool: Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Notes
- Drizzle cooled muffins with a simple glaze for an extra touch.
- Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature or freeze for later enjoyment.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg