This 5 Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies recipe is the easiest way to bake soft, chewy, and flavorful pumpkin cookies with just a handful of wholesome ingredients. If you’re looking for a quick fall dessert that tastes cozy but doesn’t require a long grocery list, these cookies will become your go-to.
These 5 Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies are naturally sweetened, gluten free, and packed with warm pumpkin pie spice. They’re also easy enough to make on a busy weeknight or with kids in the kitchen. The combination of pumpkin, oats, almond butter, and maple syrup gives them a hearty yet indulgent texture that feels like a treat but stays nourishing. If you enjoy simple cookies like this, you’ll also love my 3 Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies or the classic No Bake Pumpkin Cookies.
In This Post
Why You’ll Love These 5 Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies
- They’re naturally gluten free and dairy free.
- Only 5 simple pantry ingredients needed.
- Soft, chewy texture with a cozy pumpkin spice flavor.
- Quick to make in under 25 minutes.
- Perfect for healthy snacking or a light dessert.
table talk
With Liliya!
Every time fall rolls in, my kitchen instantly smells of pumpkin pie spice. These cookies are my little shortcut when I crave that cozy pumpkin flavor but don’t feel like spending hours in the kitchen. They’re quick to mix, super forgiving, and perfect for when I just want a warm, sweet treat with my coffee.
Liliya
Ingredients Needed For 5 Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies
- Pumpkin puree. Use canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) for best results. Homemade pumpkin puree can work too, but make sure it’s thick and not watery.
- Almond butter. Provides richness and helps bind the dough. Natural almond butter with just almonds and salt works best.
- Maple syrup. Adds sweetness and a subtle caramel flavor that complements pumpkin beautifully. You can swap with honey if preferred.
- Oats. Old-fashioned rolled oats give these cookies their hearty texture, while quick oats will make them softer.
- Pumpkin pie spice. This blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves brings that classic pumpkin cookie flavor.
- Optional: Chocolate chips. A fun mix-in that adds extra indulgence without complicating the recipe.
How I Make 5 Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies
(This is a quick overview of how I make 5 Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies, with tips along the way. You’ll find the full ingredients & instructions in the recipe card below.)
- Mix wet ingredients. Stir together pumpkin puree, almond butter, and maple syrup until smooth and fully combined.
- Add dry ingredients. Fold in the oats and pumpkin pie spice, making sure everything is evenly coated.
- Optional add-ins. If using chocolate chips, fold them in now so they don’t melt prematurely.
- Shape cookies. Scoop about ¼ cup of dough per cookie onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Wet your hands and press them into rounds.
- Bake. Bake for about 12 minutes until set. The cookies will firm up as they cool.
- Cool and enjoy. Let them rest for at least 10 minutes before serving.
Expert Tips for 5 Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies
Choose the right oats. Rolled oats give the cookies a chewy texture, while quick oats create a softer, cake-like cookie. Pick whichever texture you prefer.
Drain homemade pumpkin puree. If you make your own puree, make sure to strain out excess water, or the cookies may turn out soggy. Canned puree is usually thicker and more reliable.
Don’t skip the spice. Pumpkin pie spice is what gives these cookies that classic fall flavor. If you don’t have it on hand, mix cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger together instead.
Wet your hands before shaping. Since the dough is sticky, wetting your fingers makes it much easier to flatten and round the cookies neatly.
Let them cool completely. These cookies firm up as they cool, so resist the urge to eat them right out of the oven. A 10-minute rest on the pan makes them perfect.
Add a touch of salt. A pinch of sea salt enhances the sweetness of pumpkin and maple syrup and balances the flavors beautifully.
5 Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies Variations and Substitutions
- Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies. Fold in dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips for an indulgent touch.
- Nutty Pumpkin Cookies. Add chopped walnuts, pecans, or pumpkin seeds for crunch and extra nutrition.
- Cranberry Pumpkin Cookies. Mix in dried cranberries for a tart, chewy contrast to the sweet pumpkin flavor.
- Coconut Pumpkin Cookies. Stir in shredded coconut for added chewiness and a tropical twist.
- Gluten Free Pumpkin Cookies. The recipe is naturally gluten free if you use certified gluten free oats.
- Vegan Pumpkin Cookies. Already vegan-friendly as long as you stick to maple syrup instead of honey.
- Peanut Butter Swap. Use peanut butter in place of almond butter for a stronger nutty flavor that pairs wonderfully with pumpkin.
- Protein Pumpkin Cookies. Add a scoop of vanilla or unflavored protein powder to boost nutrition. If the dough gets too dry, splash in a bit of almond milk to balance it.
Storing / Freezing 5 Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies
- At room temperature: Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- In the fridge: Store up to 1 week for the best freshness.
- In the freezer: Freeze baked cookies in a single layer, then transfer to a bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature.
FAQs About 5 Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies
Can I make these cookies without nut butter?
Yes, though you’ll need a binder to replace it. Sunflower seed butter or tahini are excellent nut-free alternatives that still provide richness.
Can I substitute honey for maple syrup?
Absolutely. Honey works just as well, though it will make the cookies slightly sweeter and a little denser.
Can I make these cookies oil-free?
This recipe doesn’t use oil at all. The almond butter adds just enough healthy fat to keep the cookies moist.
Do these cookies spread while baking?
Not much. That’s why it’s important to flatten them into cookie shapes before baking, since they’ll mostly hold the same shape in the oven.
Why are my cookies crumbly?
If the dough was too dry, it may need a little extra pumpkin puree or almond butter. Next time, add a teaspoon at a time until the dough sticks together.
More Peanut Butter Goodies To Try
Before you get started! If you try this 5 Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies recipe, I’d love for you to leave a rating and review. It helps us keep sharing free recipes you can count on.
5-Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies
- Total Time22 minutes
- Yield12 cookies 1x
- DietGluten Free
These 5 Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies are soft, chewy, and full of cozy fall flavor. Made with pumpkin puree, oats, almond butter, maple syrup, and pumpkin spice, they’re naturally gluten free, dairy free, and sweetened without refined sugar. Perfect for a quick and wholesome autumn treat.
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup pumpkin puree
- ½ cup almond butter
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 2 cups oats (rolled or quick oats)
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- Optional: ⅓ cup chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, stir together pumpkin puree, almond butter, and maple syrup until smooth.
- Add oats and pumpkin pie spice. Mix until evenly combined.
- If using, fold in chocolate chips or other add-ins.
- Scoop about ¼ cup dough per cookie onto the baking sheet. Wet your hands, flatten slightly, and round the edges.
- Bake for 12 minutes or until the cookies are set.
- Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use thick pumpkin puree to prevent soggy cookies. Drain homemade puree if needed.
- Rolled oats create a chewier texture, while quick oats yield softer cookies.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week. Freeze for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
More Pumpkin Cookie Recipes to Try
Can’t get enough pumpkin? Check out the full Pumpkin Cookie Recipes collection, or browse everything in our Cookie Recipes.
