A Snack Kids Love: Honey Oat Pumpkin Muffins
Posted by Kelly Jones, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN on
The health benefits of Pumpkin
Pumpkin is more than a warming fall flavor. In addition to being packed with plenty of carotenoid antioxidants, which support eye health as well as skin, hair and nails, pumpkin may even calm the digestive tract. Other studies suggest that pumpkin extract can have a hypoglycemic effect, benefiting those with or who are at high risk of diabetes, so ingesting it in it’s whole food form can’t hurt!
The health benefits of Honey
Raw honey has a slightly lower glycemic effect when compared to white sugar, so I try to use it in lieu of white sugar for daily sugar needs. That is not in any way to say I avoid refined sugar, as I’m sure it’s added to some packaged foods I buy and also is the reason frosting exists. However, since I know that blood sugar spikes impact my anxiety, I try to choose lower glycemic options when feasible and pair them with protein, fiber and fat if it isn’t before a workout.
Raw honey also contains higher antioxidant levels when compared to honey that has been heated (most honey on store shelves) and has been shown in research to be just as effective as popular sports gels in supporting endurance activity. 1 ingredient win right there!
Recipe
My favorite ingredients
- 1 flax egg (1 tbsp flax set with 2.5 tbsp water)
- ¼ cup raw honey
- 1½ cups pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup soy milk or other non dairy milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup quick or rolled oats
- 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
How to make them
-
Preheat oven to 350°F.
-
Mix all wet ingredients in a bowl with a whisk or hand mixer.
-
In a separate bowl, whisk all dry ingredients together.
-
Slowly incorporate the dry into the wet mixture, but do not over blend.
-
Pour batter evenly into a standard muffin tin.
-
Bake for 15-17 minutes.
-
Let cool for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack.
Recipe Notes
- Flours: Feel free to use a whole wheat pastry flour, sprouted wheat flour, spelt flour, or just plain old wheat or unbleached white. I have not tried the recipe with any gluten-free options, so if you do, please leave a comment and let me know how it goes!
- Vegan option: While these are called “honey” muffins, you can certainly swap honey for a nice thick, real, maple syrup.
- Pumpkin pie spices: My go-to’s are Trader Joe’s or Simply Organic’s pumpkin spice blends. If you want to make your own, here’s a recipe I use on occasion and is included in my pumpkin spice energy bite recipe.
- 1/4 C cinnamon
- 4 tsp ginger
- 1/2 tbsp ea: nutmeg and allspice
- 1 tsp clove
Breakfast, lunch and two snacks per day are provided to each child and are included in the tuition fee and are Registered Dietitian approved. At the start of each month, a parent selects these items for their child using Google form. We are a peanut-free facility & vegetarian options are available for every meal!
Schedule a tour today!
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!