Healthy Pumpkin Spice Muffins: A Family-Friendly Christmas Recipe

Baking during the holidays is a wonderful way to bond with your kids, and this healthy pumpkin spice muffin recipe makes it easy to create something delicious without the excess sugar. These muffins are just like our delicious muffin bites and are full of real, nutritious ingredients that not only taste amazing but also fuel your family with energy. Plus, with simple adjustments, they can be made gluten-free, vegetarian, or packed with extra protein!

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
• 1 cup pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 2 large eggs (or vegetarian option: 2 flax eggs, see below)
• ⅓ cup maple syrup or honey (natural sweetener without refined sugar)
• ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
• ¼ cup Greek yogurt (or higher protein option: use protein-enriched Greek yogurt)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt
• ⅓ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
• Protein boost option: ¼ cup unflavored protein powder or almond flour

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease it.
2. Combine the dry ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour (or gluten-free flour), baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and salt.
3. Mix the wet ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the pumpkin puree, eggs (or flax eggs), maple syrup, applesauce, Greek yogurt, and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix!
5. Add nuts or protein (optional): If desired, fold in the chopped nuts for extra crunch and healthy fats. If you want to increase the protein content, add the protein powder or almond flour.
6. Bake the muffins: Spoon the batter into the muffin tin, filling each cup about ¾ of the way full. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
7. Cool and enjoy: Let the muffins cool for 5 minutes in the tin before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy them warm or store them for an easy grab-and-go snack.

Alternate Instructions:

1. Gluten-Free Version: Substitute the whole wheat flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Ensure your baking powder is gluten-free as well.
2. Vegetarian Option: Replace the eggs with flax eggs. To make flax eggs, mix 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed with 5 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it thickens, then use as you would eggs.
3. Higher Protein Option: Add ¼ cup of unflavored protein powder or almond flour to the dry ingredients. You can also use protein-enriched Greek yogurt for an extra boost.

Why This Recipe Is Great for Families:

• Kid-Friendly: Not only are these muffins easy to make, but they’re also fun for kids to help out with. They can stir, measure, and pour while learning about healthy ingredients.
• Nutrient-Rich: The pumpkin provides a good source of fiber and vitamins, while Greek yogurt and eggs add protein and healthy fats.
• No Refined Sugar: Sweetened naturally with maple syrup or honey, these muffins avoid the spike in blood sugar often caused by refined sugar.

These healthy pumpkin spice muffins are perfect for a cozy winter morning or a festive Christmas snack. They’re guilt-free, flavorful, and a great way to create memories with your family while keeping the holidays nutritious.