How to Make Vegan Pumpkin Pancakes – Easy Recipe for Breakfast

Why You’ll Love These Vegan Pumpkin Pancakes

If you’re a fan of cozy fall flavors, fluffy pancakes, and quick breakfasts, these vegan pumpkin pancakes are a must-try! They are warm, lightly spiced, naturally sweetened, and completely egg-free and dairy-free, making them perfect for a plant-based morning treat.

Here’s why you’ll love them:

🍁 Full of Fall Flavor – A Cozy Autumn Treat

One bite of these pancakes, and you’ll taste the essence of fall! With pumpkin purée, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, these pancakes are bursting with warm, comforting spices.

✅ Why It Matters:

• Pumpkin purée adds natural sweetness, moisture, and a rich texture.
• Pumpkin spice blend (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves) enhances the cozy autumn taste.
• Maple syrup pairs perfectly with the flavors for a naturally sweet and fragrant pancake.

💡 Pro Tip: For the best pumpkin flavor, use pure pumpkin purée, not pumpkin pie filling (which contains added sugar and artificial flavors).

🥞 Fluffy & Egg-Free – Perfectly Light & Airy Pancakes

Just because these pancakes are vegan and egg-free doesn’t mean they’re dense or dry! Thanks to a combination of baking powder and flax egg, they turn out light, airy, and soft.

✅ What Makes Them Fluffy?

• Baking Powder: Acts as the primary leavening agent, creating air pockets that help the pancakes rise.
• Flax Egg (or Chia Egg): Helps bind the ingredients together, ensuring a smooth batter and a soft texture.
• Dairy-Free Milk: Adds moisture and helps keep the pancakes tender and light.

💡 Pro Tip: Let the batter rest for 5 minutes before cooking. This gives the baking powder time to activate, resulting in extra fluffy pancakes!

⏱️ Quick & Easy to Make – A 15-Minute One-Bowl Recipe

Mornings can be busy, so a fast, delicious breakfast is always a win! These vegan pumpkin pancakes are made with simple pantry staples and come together in just 15 minutes.

✅ Why They’re So Easy:

• Minimal Ingredients: No fancy substitutes, just everyday items like flour, pumpkin, and plant-based milk.
• One-Bowl Recipe: Mix everything in a single bowl for easy prep and cleanup.
• Quick Cooking Time: Each pancake cooks in 2-3 minutes per side, meaning you can enjoy a stack in no time!

💡 Pro Tip: Want to make these pancakes even faster? Make a big batch and freeze them!

Ingredients You Need for the Best Vegan Pumpkin Pancakes

The secret to making fluffy, flavorful, and perfectly spiced vegan pumpkin pancakes lies in using the right combination of wet and dry ingredients. Each ingredient plays a role in ensuring the pancakes are soft, light, and bursting with warm fall flavors. Below is a breakdown of what you’ll need and why these ingredients are essential.

🌿 Wet Ingredients: The Key to Moist & Flavorful Pancakes

The wet ingredients add moisture, structure, and a hint of natural sweetness to the batter. They also help bind everything together, ensuring the pancakes have a soft, fluffy texture without eggs or dairy.

1. Pumpkin Purée – The Star Ingredient 🎃

Pumpkin purée is the heart of this recipe, giving the pancakes their signature moist, rich texture and deep pumpkin flavor. It also provides natural sweetness, meaning less added sugar is needed.

✅ Why It’s Important:

• Adds moisture and softness to the batter.
• Infuses a deep pumpkin flavor that pairs perfectly with warm spices.
• A great source of fiber, vitamin A, and antioxidants.

💡 Pro Tip: Always use pure pumpkin purée, NOT pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie filling contains added sugar and artificial spices, which can overpower the pancakes.

2. Dairy-Free Milk – Light & Fluffy Texture 🥛

A good dairy-free milk keeps the pancake batter light and smooth, ensuring a fluffy consistency once cooked.

✅ Best Options:

• Almond Milk: Mild and neutral, blends well with all flavors.
• Oat Milk: Naturally creamy with a slightly sweet taste.
• Soy Milk: Higher in protein, making the pancakes a bit richer in texture.

💡 Pro Tip: Make sure your plant-based milk is room temperature before adding it to the batter. Cold liquids can prevent the batter from mixing smoothly.

3. Flax Egg (or Chia Egg) – The Perfect Egg Replacement 🥚

Since traditional pancakes use eggs for structure and binding, we replace them with a flax egg or chia egg—a simple mix of ground flaxseeds (or chia seeds) and water.

✅ Why It Works:

• Helps bind the ingredients together, just like eggs.
• Adds a boost of fiber and healthy omega-3s.
• Creates a soft and fluffy texture without making the pancakes dense.

💡 Pro Tip: To make a flax egg, mix 1 tbsp ground flaxseed with 3 tbsp water, stir, and let sit for 5 minutes until thick and gel-like. If you don’t have flaxseeds, use chia seeds instead!

4. Maple Syrup & Vanilla Extract – Natural Sweetness & Flavor 🍁

These two ingredients enhance the sweetness and depth of flavor in your pancakes.

✅ Why They Matter:

• Maple Syrup: A natural sweetener that pairs beautifully with pumpkin and spices.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, aromatic touch that makes the pancakes extra delicious.

💡 Pro Tip: Use pure maple syrup instead of artificial pancake syrup for better flavor and quality. For a different twist, you can also try date syrup or agave nectar!

🌾 Dry Ingredients: The Secret to Fluffy & Spiced Pancakes

The dry ingredients provide structure, help the pancakes rise, and bring out the cozy, warming flavors that make these pancakes taste like fall.

1. Flour Options – Choosing the Right Base 🌾

The type of flour you use affects the pancakes’ texture, fluffiness, and nutritional value. Here are three great options:

✅ Best Choices:

• All-Purpose Flour: The classic choice for soft and fluffy pancakes.
• Whole Wheat Flour: Adds more fiber and a slightly nutty flavor, making the pancakes heartier.
• Oat Flour: Naturally gluten-free and gives a light, slightly chewy texture.

💡 Pro Tip: For extra fluffiness, mix ¾ cup all-purpose flour with ¼ cup oat flour for a balanced texture!

2. Pumpkin Spice Blend – The Essential Fall Flavor 🍂

A combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves creates that warm and comforting pumpkin spice flavor.

✅ Why It’s Important:

• Cinnamon: Adds warmth and sweetness.
• Nutmeg & Cloves: Provide a hint of deep spice and depth.
• Ginger: Balances out the sweetness with a bit of zing.

💡 Pro Tip: If you don’t have pre-mixed pumpkin spice, make your own! Combine 1 tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp nutmeg, ¼ tsp ginger, and ¼ tsp cloves for a homemade blend. Need more details? Check out this homemade pumpkin spice mix recipe.

3. Baking Powder – The Key to Fluffy Pancakes 🎈

Baking powder is essential for making pancakes rise and giving them a light, airy texture.

✅ Why It Works:

• Creates air pockets in the batter, making the pancakes fluffy and soft.
• Helps the pancakes puff up while cooking, giving them that perfect rise.

💡 Pro Tip: Use aluminum-free baking powder to avoid a bitter aftertaste!

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Vegan Pumpkin Pancakes

Making fluffy vegan pumpkin pancakes is incredibly simple and requires just a few easy steps. By following this step-by-step guide, you’ll create soft, airy, and flavorful pancakes packed with cozy fall spices and natural pumpkin goodness. Let’s dive in!

🥣 Step 1: Prepare the Wet Ingredients

The wet ingredients provide moisture, binding power, and a deep pumpkin flavor that makes these pancakes stand out.

1️⃣ Whisk Together Pumpkin Purée, Dairy-Free Milk, Flax Egg, Maple Syrup & Vanilla Extract

In a large mixing bowl, add the following:

• Pumpkin purée (½ cup) – Adds moisture, color, and natural sweetness.
• Dairy-free milk (¾ cup) – Keeps the batter light and fluffy (almond, oat, or soy work best).
• Flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water) – Replaces eggs and helps bind the batter.
• Maple syrup (1 tbsp) – A natural sweetener that complements pumpkin and spices.
• Vanilla extract (1 tsp) – Enhances flavor depth and warmth.

Use a whisk to mix everything until smooth and well combined.

💡 Pro Tip: Let the flax egg sit for 5 minutes before adding it to the mix. This allows it to thicken, mimicking the binding effect of an egg!

🌾 Step 2: Combine with Dry Ingredients

The dry ingredients help structure the pancakes, ensure fluffiness, and bring out the warm fall flavors.

2️⃣ Whisk Together the Dry Ingredients in a Separate Bowl

In another large mixing bowl, whisk together:

• ✅ Flour (1 ¼ cups) – Use all-purpose, whole wheat, or oat flour for different textures.
• ✅ Baking powder (2 tsp) – The secret to light and airy pancakes!
• ✅ Salt (¼ tsp) – Enhances the overall flavor.
• ✅ Pumpkin spice blend (1 tsp) – A mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves for the perfect autumn taste.

Stir well to distribute the baking powder and spices evenly.

💡 Pro Tip: If using oat flour, let the batter rest for 5 minutes after mixing to allow the oats to absorb moisture and create a smoother consistency.

3️⃣ Gently Fold the Wet and Dry Ingredients Together

• Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients.
• Using a spatula or wooden spoon, gently fold the batter together until just combined.
• The batter should be thick but pourable—avoid overmixing to keep the pancakes light and fluffy.

🚀 Why This Step Matters: Overmixing activates the gluten, making the pancakes dense instead of airy. A few small lumps in the batter are perfectly fine!

🔥 Step 3: Cook the Pancakes

Cooking the pancakes at the right temperature ensures they turn out golden brown, soft inside, and slightly crispy around the edges.

4️⃣ Heat a Non-Stick Skillet with a Little Coconut Oil

• Place a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium-low heat.
• Lightly grease with coconut oil, vegan butter, or cooking spray.

💡 Pro Tip: To check if the pan is ready, sprinkle a few drops of water—if they sizzle and evaporate slowly, it’s the perfect temperature!

5️⃣ Pour in ¼ Cup of Batter Per Pancake

• Scoop ¼ cup of batter and pour it onto the pan.
• Use the back of the spoon to spread it slightly into a round shape.
• Let cook for 2-3 minutes or until small bubbles form on the surface.

🚀 Why This Step Matters: The bubbles indicate that the baking powder is working, and it’s time to flip!

6️⃣ Flip and Cook the Other Side

• Once bubbles appear and the edges look set, use a spatula to flip the pancake.
• Cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
• Transfer to a plate and repeat for the remaining batter.

💡 Pro Tip: Keep cooked pancakes warm by placing them on a plate covered with a clean kitchen towel or in a 200°F (93°C) oven while you finish the rest!

By following these simple steps, you’ll get the fluffiest, most flavorful vegan pumpkin pancakes—soft on the inside, lightly crisp on the outside, and packed with warm autumn spices.

Serve them with maple syrup, pecans, vegan butter, or a dusting of cinnamon for the ultimate cozy breakfast!

For more vegan pancake recipes, check out our recipes:

• How to Make Fluffy Vegan Banana Pancakes – Dairy-Free & Egg-Free Recipe
• How to Make Vegan Pancakes – Easy, Fluffy & Delicious!

Let me know in the comments below if you likes this recipe! I like to hear your feedback, tips, and any creative twists you added 🙂