Pumpkin Spice Sourdough English Muffins

There’s something about fall baking that just feels magical, and these Pumpkin Spice Sourdough English Muffins might be my new favorite way to celebrate the season.

Lately, I’ve been having so much fun experimenting with different inclusions in my trusty, well-loved English muffin base recipe and this pumpkin-spiced version is nothing short of incredible. Warmly spiced, perfectly golden, and with that signature sourdough flavor, they’re the kind of breakfast (or snack!) that makes the whole kitchen smell like autumn.

Why I love this recipe

• Made with sourdough for better flavor, texture, and digestibility.

• Bold spiced flavor – each bite carries the warmth of pumpkin spice and cinnamon.

• Soft and fluffy texture – with that signature English muffin chew and golden crust.

• Trusted recipe- Adapted from my tried-and-true sourdough English muffin recipe.

What is an English Muffin?

An English muffin is a small, round, flat bread typically cooked on a griddle or skillet rather than baked. It’s known for its soft, chewy interior and signature golden-browned top and bottom, often dusted with cornmeal. When split open—ideally by hand or fork—it reveals a nooks-and-crannies texture that’s perfect for catching melted butter, jam, or eggs. Despite the name, they’re a staple breakfast bread in the U.S. and loved for their versatility.

Troubleshooting: FAQ’s

Why is the center of my English muffin dense?

A dense middle usually means the dough was under-proofed. These muffins need to be light, puffy, and airy before they ever hit the skillet—if they still feel heavy or tight, let them rise longer.

Another culprit? Too much heat on the pan. If the outside cooks too quickly, the center won’t have time to fully set. Cook low and slow for even doneness.

My dough feels very sticky—what should I do?

This recipe is 73% hydration, so a slightly sticky dough is totally normal at first. After a few minutes of kneading or a couple stretch-and-folds, it will smooth out and become easier to work with. You can lightly flour your hands or the surface, but avoid adding too much flour—it’s meant to be a soft dough for that airy crumb.

Why didn’t my muffins puff up?

Make sure your levain is active and bubbly before mixing the dough. Also double check that you let them proof fully—if they haven’t visibly risen and feel light when handled, they’re not ready. A cold kitchen can slow things down, so be patient.

Why are my muffins flat?

If the muffins spread too much during the final proof, the dough may have been over-proofed or too warm. Try chilling them briefly before cooking to help hold their shape.

How to make pumpkin spice sourdough English muffins: step-by-step

Baker’s schedule: Make the sweet levain in the morning, mix the dough in the evening and allow it to rest overnight (8-10 hours) at room temp (68-70 degrees F). Shape the English muffins the following morning, allow to rest (3-5 hours) and bake.

Need more time? After the first rise, the pumpkin spice sourdough English muffin dough can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours for added flexibility and flavor development.

Equipment

• Food scale
• Mixing bowl
• Bench/dough scraper
• Large baking sheet
• Parchment paper

Ingredients

For the sweet levain (optional)

• 15 grams active sourdough starter
• 15 grams honey or sugar
• 40 grams water (decrease to 30 grams if using honey)
• 40 grams flour (all-purpose or bread flour)

Do I have to use a sweet levain? No. A regular 100% hydration sourdough starter works perfectly. Just make sure it’s active, bubbly, and at its peak when you mix the dough. Keep in mind, it may produce a slightly more tangy flavor.

For the dough:

• 80 grams of sweet levain from above (or regular starter)
• 200 grams milk
• 120 grams pumpkin puree
• 25 grams light brown sugar
• 35 grams honey
• 40 grams avocado oil OR melted unsalted butter
• 5 grams vanilla extract
• 2 & 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (8-9 grams)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (2-3 grams) optional but adds warmth
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 430 grams bread flour (plus more as needed)
• 9 grams salt

For frying:

• 1/4 cup cornmeal for coating
• 1-2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for frying)

Instructions

Make the sweet levain

• In the morning mix together the sourdough starter, sugar (or honey if using), and water in a small jar until mostly dissolved. Then add the flour and mix until combined. Cover the jar loosely, and let it rest until doubled in size (6-8 hours).

Mix the dough

**The dough can be mixed by hand or a stand mixer.

• In a large bowl combine the sweet leavin or sourdough starter, milk, pumpkin puree, brown sugar, honey, oil (or butter), vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and nutmeg until combined. Using cold milk is perfectly fine—it helps slow fermentation, making it ideal for a long overnight rise without the risk of overproofing.

• Next, add the flour and salt and mix until a shaggy dough is formed. It will be sticky- this is normal.

• Cover the bowl and let the dough rest for 20 to 30 minutes

Knead the dough

• Cover the bowl and let the dough rest for 20 to 30 minutes, then knead by hand or mixer for 5 to 8 minutes until mostly smooth. Use flour to assist with stickiness, but try not exceed more than 1/4 cup.

Pro tip: The dough will feel sticky—and may become stickier as you knead. To avoid overworking it or adding too much flour, let the dough rest for 10–15 minutes. This allows the gluten to relax, making it much easier to finish kneading afterward.

• Once the dough has come together, is smoother, and slightly tacky cover it in a buttered bowl and let it rest for 20-30 minutes.

• Perform 1 stretch and fold to the dough after it has rested, cover it, and let it rest overnight (8-10 hours) at room temperature (68-70 degrees F).

Shape the pumpkin spice sourdough English muffins

• By morning, the dough should look well-risen (doubled in size).

• Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and generously sprinkle it with cornmeal. Also, prepare a separate plate with cornmeal for coating the dough rounds.

• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, weigh it, and divide it into 10 equal pieces.

• Gently shape each piece into a smooth ball by tucking the seams underneath and pulling the dough toward you to create surface tension. It is normal for the dough to be a little sticky use flour to assist with this.

• Dip both sides in cornmeal and set the muffins on the parchment paper lined pan spaced slightly apart.

• Cover the dough with oiled plastic wrap or a dampened towel and let them rest until doubled in size (3-5 hours) depending on the temperature in your home.

I love using these proofing bags for covering my large baking trays!

• Pro tip: Place the tray in the oven with the light turned on for gentle warmth.

Bake the pumpkin spice sourdough English muffins

• The pumpkin spice sourdough English muffins are ready to be baked once they are doubled in size, airy, and puffy. They should be very light and delicate to the touch.

• Once the pumpkin spice sourdough English muffins have finished their second rise, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and heat a nonstick or cast iron skillet over low heat and add a tablespoon of butter.

• Working in batches of 3 or 4, gently transfer the muffins to the skillet (lightly oil a spatula for easy transferring) and cook for about 3 minutes on each side, or until lightly golden and set on the surface.

• Once the muffins are griddled, transfer them back to the parchment-lined sheet pan and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until fully cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 200–205°F (93–96°C) to ensure doneness.

• Pumpkin spice sourdough English muffins toast beautifully and are the perfect match for cinnamon butter, whipped cream cheese, or jam!

Storage Instructions

• Allow pumpkin spice sourdough English muffins to cool completely before storing. For short-term storage, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

• For the best long-term freshness, freeze the muffins in a zip-top bag or airtight container. To reheat, simply toast them straight from frozen—this preserves their texture and flavor beautifully, just like they were freshly made.

More Sourdough English Muffin Recipes

• Cinnamon Raisin Sourdough English Muffins
• Bacon Cheddar Chive Sourdough English Muffins
• Everything Bagel Sourdough English Muffins
• Sourdough English Muffins (overnight recipe!)