If you love fluffy light cupcakes, you will want to make my Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cupcake recipe. They are full of pumpkin spice flavors. I then topped them with a thick and creamy cinnamon buttercream frosting! They are the perfect cupcakes for fall!
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Pumpkin season is here, and there is so much to celebrate! Who can say no to light and fluffy Gluten Free Pumpkin Cupcakes? These incredible pumpkin cupcakes are full of fall flavors, but they are so fluffy that they make the best dessert!
Half of my family goes nuts over pumpkin recipes Mr. Fearless Dining the most. One kid will eat anything pumpkin as long as it is sweet. My picky one; it really depends on what I made. She is a chocolate fanatic, so I tend to make this Gluten Free Pumpkin Chocolate Swirl Cake for her.
I share all of my tips and tricks to help you make cupcakes that turn out so fluffy that nobody will know they are gluten free! If you are a cupcake fanatic like me, check out all of my delicious gluten free cupcake recipes!
Why nobody can resist these gluten-free pumpkin cupcakes:
These cupcakes truly are incredible. So many pumpkin recipes tend to be dense, but not these gluten free pumpkin cupcakes!! They are so fluffy! Here is why you need to try these:
- They are topped with a creamy cinnamon buttercream frosting, and just WOW! They are so good!
- You don’t need complicated spice mixtures; grab the basics like ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon!
- There is a dairy-free frosting option for those who can’t have dairy!
- This recipe is tried and true with several gluten free flour blends!
Oh my good ness these are absolutely fluffy and moist and delicious. I made batch today.”
Janese S., blog reader
Allergen Information:
These gluten free pumpkin cupcakes are gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and nut-free, so they are great for those with food allergies. (You can easily make the frosting dairy-free as well.)
Substitutions:
- To make this recipe dairy-free, use plant-based butter for the frosting.
- To make this recipe xanthan gum-free, use my DIY Gluten Free Flour Blend. It uses psyllium husk as the binder.
If you prefer more classic flavors of cupcakes, try my delicious, moist Gluten Free Chocolate Cupcakes or my Gluten Free Vanilla Cupcakes recipes.
Ingredient Notes:
For the full list of ingredients and amounts, please go to the recipe card below.
- Gluten-Free Flour BlendโI tested this recipe using Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten-Free Flour Blend and King Arthur’s Measure for Measure Gluten-Free Blend. That doesn’t mean others will not work; I just have not tested other flours, and I can not guarantee the recipe will work if you use other mixes.
- Xanthan Gum – If your gluten free flour blend doesnโt contain xanthan gum or guar gum, please add one teaspoon. See the Substitutions section below for a gum-free option.
- Brown Sugar, Cane Sugar, and Powdered Sugar.
- Pumpkin Puree – I prefer canned because it is smoother, but it will work if you roast pumpkin a lot. Just make sure it isn’t too firm.
- Eggs – Use size large.
- Butter – I used unsalted butter.
- Non-Dairy Milk – I used almond milk, but other dairy-free kinds of milk will work. But I do not recommend canned coconut milk.
- Vanilla Extract – Use pure vanilla extract.
- Light Oil – I used canola oil. Do not use strongly flavored oil.
If you want to learn what gluten free flour blends work in what types of recipes, check out my Guide to Gluten Free Flour.
Tips For Success
1. Do NOT use a standing mixer or electric mixer for this recipe. It will make your cupcakes turn out denser. Mix by hand.
2. Use parchment paper cupcake liners. They don’t stick to the cupcakes, so they come out of the papers cleanly.
Step-By-Step Photos and Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350ยบ F and set the oven rack in the middle of the oven.
Step 1: Add your dry ingredients to a large
Step 2: Add your wet ingredients to a smaller bowl and use a wire whisk to whip them.
Step 3: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
Step 4: VERY gently mix the wet and dry pumpkin cupcake ingredients. Be very careful not to overmix your batter. Mix it until it is just barely mixed. This is the true secret to making light and fluffy cupcakes!
๐ข Sandi says: Every gluten-free flour blend has a different starch-to-grain ratio. The brand of gluten-free flour you use will affect the moisture of the batter. If your cake batter is too runny, add more flour, and if it is too thick, add more liquids.
Read Why Gluten-Free Flour Blends Vary to learn more about this.
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Step 5: Line a muffin tin with parchment paper muffin liners. These are the best because your cupcakes will not stick to the paper. If you don’t have them, spray the muffin tin with coconut oil (or another light oil).
Fill each muffin cup with about 2/3 of batter.
Step 6: Bake the cupcakes at 350ยบ F for 20-22 minutes.
Step 7: Test a cupcake to see if they are baked by inserting a toothpick into a cupcake. If the toothpick comes out clean, it is done baking. If you see batter or crumbs, the cupcakes must be baked longer.
Step 8: Move the pumpkin cupcakes to a cooling rack. Allow them to cool completely before frosting.
Step 9: Now make that yummy cinnamon buttercream frosting! Add butter, powdered sugar, cinnamon, non-dairy milk, and vanilla in a large standing mixer. Mix until it is completely blended and fluffy.
Step 10: Put the frosting into an icing bag and use a star tip to frost each gluten free pumpkin cupcakeโdust with cinnamon.
If you are a pumpkin fanatic, don’t forget to check out all of my incredible Gluten Free Pumpkin Dessert Recipes!
Vary the flavor with these fun ideas:
- Add mini white or milk chocolate chips to the pumpkin batter.
- Drizzle them with icing made with powdered sugar, cinnamon, and non-dairy milk.
- Top them with Halloween sprinkles. Always check to be sure the gluten free sprinkles are gluten free!
- Add chopped nuts like pecans to the cupcake batter.
Cupcake Troubleshooting:
There are many reasons why your gluten-free cupcakes don’t turn out as expected. Here are the most common issues I hear from my readers and how to fix them!
Why are the cupcakes too moist?
If your cupcakes are too moist, you either didn’t bake them long enough, used too much butter or oil, or you used too much liquid. Every gluten-free flour blend has a different starch-to-grain ratio, and this affects the liquid levels as well as how the fat is absorbed in the flour blend. (Imagine starch and oil combined…it can make a pasty gunk. Many gluten free flour blends have a very high starch content.)
Why did my cupcakes sink in the middle?
The two main reasons cupcakes sink in the middle are either you opened the oven door during the baking process, or you used too much liquid in the batter. I know you are tempted to open the oven door to get a better look at the baking cupcakes, but opening the oven door adds a blast of cool air, and it can cause your cupcakes to fall.
Why did the cupcakes stick to the cupcake papers?
This is very common in gluten-free baking. I always recommend using parchment paper cupcake liners. It makes a huge difference! Using the right tools will always make a difference in baking.
For more help troubleshooting cupcake issues, read my Gluten-Free Cake Troubleshooting Guide. It is applicable to cupcakes as well! You can also learn a lot from my Gluten-Free Muffin Troubleshooting Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can easily make this pumpkin cupcake healthier. Substitute coconut sugar for the sugars in the cupcake. Another way is to add 2-3 scoops of collagen protein powder (unflavored) to the dry ingredients. Lastly, add 1/3 cup of almond flour. Use only 1 /4 cup of the gluten free flour blend.
Store your pumpkin cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep fresh for up to 4 days.
You can easily freeze these cupcakes. I recommend freezing them without frosting and then frosting them after they are thawed out.
The cinnamon frosting also tastes amazing on these Gluten Free Pumpkin Cake Bars!
More Gluten Free Cupcake Recipes:
- Gluten Free Funfetti Cupcakes – Fluffy and full of rainbow colors.
- Fluffy Gluten Free Banana Cupcakes – With lots of ripe banana flavor!
- Gluten Free Champagne Cupcakes – Great for New Year or a celebration.
- Delicious Gluten Free Lemon Cupcakes – Full of lemon flavor!
Fluffy Gluten Free Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream
Ingredients
- 1 ยฝ cups gluten free flour blend * see note
- ยฝ cup brown sugar
- ยฝ cup cane sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder aluminum-free
- ยฝ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ยฝ teaspoon ground ginger
- ยผ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ยพ cup pumpkin puree
- 2 large eggs
- โ cup light oil * see note
- ยฝ cup non-dairy or regular milk
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Cinnamon Frosting
- ยฝ cup softened unsalted butter *see note
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons non-dairy milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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Instructions
Cupcakes:
- Add 1 1/2 cups gluten free flour blend, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup cane sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg to a large mixing bowl. Whisk to blend.
- Add 3/4 cup pumpkin puree, 2 large eggs, 1/3 cup light oil, 1/2 cup non-dairy or regular milk, and 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extractto a smaller mixing bowl and whisk.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
- VERY gently mix the wet and dry ingredients together. Be very careful not to overmix your batter. Mix it until it is just barely mixed. This is the true secret to making light and fluffy cupcakes! Don't use a standing mixer.
- Line a muffin tin with parchment paper muffin liners. These are the best to use because your cupcakes will not stick to the paper. If you don't have them, spray the muffin tin with coconut oil spray (or use another light oil).
- Fill each muffin cup about 2/3 full of batter.
- Bake the cupcakes at 350ยบ F for 20-22 minutes.
- Test a cupcake to see if they are baked by inserting a toothpick into a cupcake. Ifย the toothpick comes out clean, it is done baking. If you see batter or crumbs, the cupcakes need to bake longer.
- Move the pumpkin cupcakes to a cooling rack. Allow them to cool completely before frosting.
Cinnamon Frosting:
- In a large standing mixer, add room temperature 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter, 3 cups powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 2 tablespoons non-dairy milk, and 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract. Mix until it is completely blended and fluffy.
- Put the frosting into an icing bag and use a star tip to frost each gluten free pumpkin cupcake. Dust with cinnamon.
Notes
- I have tested this recipe with King Arthur Measure for Measure GF and Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 GF blend. That doesn’t mean others will not work; I just have not tested other flours.
- Xanthan Gum – If your gluten free flour blendย doesnโt contain xanthan gum or guar gum, please add 1 teaspoon.
- The cupcakes are dairy-free. To make the frosting dairy-free, substitute the butter for vegan butter.
- I recommend a very light oil like avocado or canola.
- I used almond milk, but other dairy-free kinds of milk will work, but I do not recommend canned coconut milk.
- To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the cupcake. If the toothpick comes out clean, it is done baking. If you see batter or crumbs, the cupcake needs to bake longer.
- These cupcakes will last up to 4 days in an airtight container or up to 4 months in the freezer.
- Add mini white or milk chocolate chips to the pumpkin batter.
- Drizzle them with an icing made with powdered sugar, cinnamon, and non-dairy milk.
- Top them with Halloween sprinkles. Alwaysย check to be sure the gluten free sprinkles are gluten free!
- Add chopped nuts like pecans to the cupcake batter.
SPECIAL NOTE
Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn’t test, my rule of thumb is to add more flour if your dough or batter is wet and add more liquid if the dough or batter is too dry!
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
i made these using Cup 4 Cup and they turned out great! My girlfriends who are not gluten free couldn’t believe they gluten free!! Thank you for a delicious recipe. This is a keeper.
I am thrilled everyone loved the cupcakes. Thank you for coming back to let me know they were a hit.