The best sourdough pumpkin muffin youโ€™ve ever eaten. They are soft, sweet and are topped with an irresistible, spiced oat crumble. The ultimate fall treat that you will want to make again and again. Make them the quick way or ferment for more health benefits.

sourdough pumpkin muffins with a crumb topping spread in a wood cutting board on a green towel

This may be one of my favorite fall recipes yet! These sourdough pumpkin muffins are soft, delicious, and topped with a sweet, brown sugar and oat crumble that gets nice and crunchy on top.

The perfect mix of soft and crunchy, while also making your house smell amazing.

One of my favorite things to grow are pumpkins. They are easy to grow, they stay fresh for a really long time, and they are also beautiful to use in fall decor. On top of all that, they are delicious to use in recipes.

If you are new to preserving, pumpkins and squashes are a favorite of mine. Properly cured, some squashes can last at least 6 months at room temperature.

From sweet to savory, pumpkin can go a long way. Make a creamy pasta saucenachos, soup, pumpkin cinnamon rolls, and so much more. It is probably one of my favorite veggies to use.

For this recipe, I used someย jerrandale pumpkin pureeย that I made last year. I needed it out of my freezer to make room for more pumpkin puree this year.

sourdough pumpkin muffin with oat crumb topping spread out on a wood cutting board on a wooden table

Sourdough Pumpkin Muffin Making Tips:

  • If you donโ€™t want to add the crumb topping, I would suggest adding 1/4 cup more brown sugar to the batter. Without the crumble, it loses some of the sweetness.
  • For a more tangy flavor, use sourdough discard that hasnโ€™t been fed in a day or allow to long ferment. For a less tangy flavor, use an active sourdough starter.
  • This recipe can be long fermented for more health benefits, or made into a quick version for a yummy, fast recipe.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosureย here.

sourdough pumpkin muffin with a bite taken out on top of a white and blue striped towel

Ingredients

Butter โ€“ When baking, almost always use unsalted butter. This allows you to have more control over the amount of salt added.

Brown sugar โ€“ Adds a wonderful warm flavor to the muffins.

Pumpkin puree โ€“ Canned or homemade. If you are using homemade pumpkin puree that has been frozen, I would suggest thawing completely and then straining off any extra liquid.

Eggs 

Sourdough starter discard โ€“ Active sourdough starter or sourdough discard can be used in this recipe since the rise comes from chemical leaveners.

Vanilla 

All-purpose flour โ€“ Nothing fancy here.

Baking soda & baking powder โ€“ This gives this sourdough pumpkin bread itโ€™s rise.

Salt โ€“ Salt is an important ingredient that brings out all the flavors and sweetness.

Pumpkin spice โ€“ Whatโ€™s a pumpkin dessert without pumpkin spice?

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Crumb Topping

Oats โ€“ Old fashioned or quick will work just fine.

All-purpose flour โ€“ Could also substitute with einkorn flour.

Brown sugar โ€“ Mixed with butter and oats, this  make the topping sweet and crunchy.

Pumpkin spice

Butter โ€“ Softened, so it easily incorporates with the other ingredients.

Tools:

Stand mixer or hand mixer

Measuring cups and spoons

Muffin pan

FAQ: 

overhead photo of sourdough pumpkin muffins spread out on a wooden cutting board

Why are my pumpkin muffins so dense?

Most likely they are dense from over mixing. You want to mix the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients until everything is just incorporated.

Is pure pumpkin the same as pumpkin puree?

Yes. The only ingredient in both is just pumpkin. You donโ€™t want to use pumpkin pie filling, because this includes other ingredients, including sugar, that you donโ€™t need.

overhead photo of eight sourdough pumpkin muffins with crumb topping on a wood cutting board. Crumble is spread out around the muffins

What can I do with pumpkin?

Do pumpkin muffins need to be refrigerated?

No, they can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Or add to a freezer safe bag and freeze for up to 6 months.

sourdough pumpkin muffins with an oat crumb topping on a wooden cutting board with a white background

How To Make Quick Sourdough Pumpkin Muffins

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 

Lightly grease a muffin tin or line with cupcake liners.

In a stand mixer or bowl, mix melted butter and brown sugar for five minutes until light and fluffy. 

pumpkin puree, eggs, brown sugar, sourdough starter in metal stand mixer bowl

Add in eggs, vanilla, pumpkin puree, and sourdough starter. 

flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice in a glass bowl

Combine dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin spice, and salt) well in a medium bowl. 

adding flour slowly to a stand mixer bowl

Add in dry ingredients 1/3 at a time and mix until just incorporated. You donโ€™t want to over-mix. 

oats, flour, brown sugar, butter, and pumpkin spice in a small turquoise bowl

In a small bowl, add softened butter, brown sugar, flour, oats, and pumpkin spice and mix until well combined. I find my hands to be the best tool for this job.

pumpkin muffin batter in a lined muffin tin

Add equal amounts of batter to each muffin well. For super easy distribution, use an ice cream scooper like this one.

crumble oat topping on muffin batter in a muffin pan

Top each muffin with crumble.

Place in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Test with a toothpick or cake tester. When it comes out clean, it is ready.

Allow the muffins to cool for a few minutes and transfer to a baking rack.

sourdough pumpkin muffins with a oat crumb topping out of the oven cooling in the muffin pan

Long Fermented Sourdough Pumpkin Muffin Directions:

At 12-24 hours before you plan to make the pumpkin muffins, mix together sourdough starter, melted butter, eggs, and flour. Cover with a towel or plastic wrap and allow to ferment at room temperature for 6 hours. Put the batter in the fridge and allow it to ferment for another 6-18 hours.

The next day, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line or grease muffin tins.

Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, add brown sugar, vanilla, pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, salt, baking powder, and baking soda to the mixing bowl.

I highly recommend using a stand mixer, because the fermented dough will be stiff and difficult to combine with the other ingredients by hand.

Set on low to medium speed until completely combined.

Pour into the muffin pan.

Top with crumb toppings.

Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Allow the muffins to cool for a few minutes and transfer to a baking rack.

How To Store:

Store at room temperature, in an airtight container (or in a ziplock bag), for up to 5 days. 

You can also store the muffins in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Find More Fall Recipes:

If you try this recipe and love it, I would love if you gave it 5 stars! Thank you! Tag me on Instagram @farmhouseonboone.

Sourdough Pumpkin Muffins

4.56 from 134 votes
Soft, sweet and are topped with an irresistible, spiced oat crumble. The ultimate fall treat that you will want to make again and again. Make them the quick way or ferment for more health benefits.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 18 muffins
sourdough pumpkin muffins with a crumb topping spread in a wood cutting board on a green towel
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Ingredients 

  • 1/2 cup melted butter
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup sourdough starter discard
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin spice

Crumble Topping

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup oats
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 4 tablespoons softened butter
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Lightly grease a muffin tin or line with cupcake liners.
  • In a stand mixer or bowl, mix melted butter and brown sugar for five minutes until light and fluffy.
  • Add in eggs, vanilla, pumpkin puree, and sourdough starter.
  • Combine dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin spice, and salt) well in a medium bowl.
  • Add in dry ingredients 1/3 at a time and mix until just incorporated. You donโ€™t want to over-mix.
  • In a small bowl, add softened butter, brown sugar, flour, oats, and pumpkin spice and mix until well combined. I find my hands to be the best tool for this job.
  • Add equal amounts of batter to each muffin well. For super easy distribution, use an ice cream scooper like this one.
  • Top each muffin with crumble.
  • Place in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Test with a toothpick or cake tester. When it comes out clean, it is ready.
  • Allow the muffins to cool for a few minutes and transfer to a baking rack.

Notes

  • If you donโ€™t want to add the crumb topping, I would suggest adding 1/4 cup more brown sugar to the batter. Without the crumble, it loses some of the sweetness.
  • For a more tangy flavor, use sourdough discard that hasnโ€™t been fed in a day. For a less tangy flavor, use an active sourdough starter.
  • This recipe can be long fermented for more health benefits, or made into a quick version for a yummy, fast recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 223kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 312mg | Potassium: 103mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 3444IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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4.56 from 134 votes (122 ratings without comment)

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104 Comments

  1. Carlyn Walker says:

    5 stars
    Some of the best muffins I’ve EVER made!!!
    Also subbed coconut oil for butter and did 1/2 monk fruit sugar and 1/2 brown. Still amazing what a great recipe!!!

  2. Aimee says:

    Hi! Thank you for this recipe, Iโ€™m excited to try the muffins. ๐Ÿงก. I doubled the batch and was wondering if I could freeze some of the batter to use maybe in a couple of weeks?

    1. Lisa Bass says:

      It may work out better to freeze the muffins after you bake them.

  3. Whitney says:

    These muffins turned out fluffy and like a taste and smell of fall. They were delicious! I added as much cinnamon as pumpkin spice because I love cinnamon and will try adding chocolate chips next time. I’m new to the sourdough world but I was able to bake this recipe with sprouted spelt flour and sourdough starter. Thank you for making this recipe and for making the instructions easy to follow!

  4. Olivia says:

    I canโ€™t wait to try these! My husband loves all things pumpkin! Could you substitute maple syrup or honey for the brown sugar in a 1:1 ratio?

    1. Lisa Bass says:

      Yes, that should work!

  5. Jen says:

    5 stars
    Yum! I made these today with fresh milled soft white wheat, left out baking soda/powder, allowed to ferment at room temp for 8hrs, then added baking soda/powder and baked as instructed. They’re delicious! Not too sweet but with a nice buttery, crunchy, sweet topping. Thanks!

    1. April Smith says:

      Did you use cup for cup with your fresh milled flour? I’d like to do this fresh milled soft white also.

  6. Chelsea Norton says:

    Hi! Have you ever tried with chocolate chips?

  7. Rachel says:

    5 stars
    These are delicious! Perfect fall muffins.

  8. Amanda says:

    Looking forward to trying this recipe! For long fermentation, can you just mix all the ingredients together and then let it ferment in the fridge overnight?

    1. Lisa Bass says:

      I would leave out the leaveners and add them next day if you want to mix all the other ingredients together the day before.

  9. Therese says:

    5 stars
    I love this recipe! It is always so tasty.

    Can you make these muffins without the baking powder and baking soda? Would you just let it rise once you took it out of the fridge?

    Thanks!

  10. Amber M. says:

    Thank you for this recipe. I have it fermenting on the counter now. Can’t wait to try them in the morning! Would you say that the method of a longer fermentation process like you have here could be used for other sourdough discard recipes?

    1. Lisa Bass says:

      Yes!