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Several weeks ago I went to a paleo potluck dinner at a friends house. I eat very little meat (occasional sushi for dinner), and use quinoa a lot, so a paleo diet wouldn’t work for me but I love the idea of less wheat, no diary, and no sugar added. The day after the potluck I rounded up my little ones for shopping trip to Whole Foods. They always love to snack on a pumpkin muffin while I’m shopping. As they were eating the muffin I decided I wanted to try to come up with a simple grain-free, no-sugar added muffin. I bought almond flour that day and decided to give it a try. The first time I made them I used only almond flour, and they turned out pretty good but the next time I added gluten-free oats and they were much better. I’m not sure if you can have oats on paleo but that’s a staple item in my house. These muffins are paleo inspired, very simple to make, and delicious!
Happy Free Friday! Enjoy!
| Power Pumpkin Muffins |
Recipe: Muffins
Author:
Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 25 mins
Total time: 35 mins
Serves: 12
There is no reason to feel guilty when eating these power packed muffins. There is no flour, no sugar, no eggs, and no oil added to the batter. They get their sweetness from all natural ingredients like apple sauce, banana, and maple syrup. Thanks to the almond flour, pumpkin, and chia seeds these muffins are high in protein and fiber, but low in carbs. A great way to start the day or the perfect after school snack, or post work-out snack.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup Gluten-Free Oats
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 banana
- 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 cups almond flour / meal
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice – or any combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and ginger.
- 3 tbsp chia seeds
- 1/3 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350.
- In a food processor with steel blade add oats, pumpkin, banana, apple sauce, and maple syrup and pulse for about a minute to combine.
- Add the mixture to a large bowl.
- Add the remaining ingredients and mix well.
- Spray muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray and evenly distribute the batter.
- Bake at 350 for 25 minutes, or until cooked through.
10 comments… read them below or add one
I love finding recipe that use pumpkin! I keep fresh pumpkin I’ve cooked frozen for baking year-long.
I’m a big fan of pumpkin too, in case you haven’t noticed.
Hope you enjoy the muffins…they are so easy to make and healthy!
Any substitution for almond flour?
Hi Ami, I have not tried anything yet but I will let you know once I do. Thank you!
do they sell pumpkin puree at whole foods? being that its not really pumpkin season here… how do i get my hand on some puree??
Hi Nikki, You should be able to find it in any grocery store on the baking isle. Whole Foods carries it, normally with all the canned goods. Make sure you don’t buy pumpkin pie mix, just plain pumpkin puree. Enjoy!
These are sooo good! I made them this weekend using whole wheat flour. My son wasn’t a big fan, but I’m trying to get him to like healthier options…so I will keep trying. In the meantime, I get these all to myself!
Thank you Nina! I’m glad enjoyed them! There are one of my favorite snacks. It’ll take time for kids to change their tastebuds but by slowly introducing him to new taste and foods it’ll happen! So great that you trying to give him new things! Have a great day. -Victoria
I made these this weekend and I really like them. I didn’t have almond meal so I used a cup of garbonzo bean flour and cup of whole wheat pastry flour. I thought the batter seemed really dry so added 2T of water and they turned out great! Oh and they were done in 15 min. I didn’t have chocolate chips but next time I would like to add them or raisins.
Hi Kim, I’m so glad you enjoyed them! The changes you needed (more liquid and less cooking time) are because of the changes in flour. When you bake with almond flour you need less liquid. Glad it still turned out for you!! I really love them with a little chocolate chips added but I’m sure raisins would be great too! Have a great day! -Victoria.