Pumpkin Oatmeal Muffins

I like whipping a batch of these muffins up on Sunday for a an easy, ready-to-go morning meal throughout the work week. If you’re anything like me, the cooler weather has me trading in my shakes and smoothies for a warmer more hearty breakfast.

These soft, chewy, texture-filled Pumpkin Oatmeal Muffins are naturally gluten-free (make sure your oats are certified GF), kid-friendly and totally customizable. I stuck with mini Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips (my favorite brand! they’re vegan and allergy-friendly), but feel free to get creative and add in about 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of other favorites. Chopped pecans and dried cranberries would be lovely with the pumpkin spice flavor. Another delicious variation would be trading the pumpkin out for cooked sweet potato, butternut squash or kabocha squash. And be sure to check out my banana oatmeal muffins!



If you’re enjoying a leisurely breakfast at home and don’t really need the grab-n-go option of a muffin, these are just as good all mushed up in a bowl with a splash of almond milk and my husband has been enjoying them slathered with almond butter. This recipe for the oatmeal muffins was adapted from my Baked Cranberry Pumpkin Oatmeal, which makes a great Thanksgiving Day breakfast.

Ingredients

• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats gluten-free as needed
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup pumpkin puree not pumpkin pie filling
• 1 egg or 2 egg whites
• ¼ cup pure maple syrup honey works too
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk any milk will work
• ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts optional
• ¼ cup dried craisins or any dried fruit optional
• ¼ cup mini chocolate chips optional, but recommended

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray. In a large bowl, stir together oats, baking powder, seasonings and salt.
2. Add pumpkin, egg, maple syrup, vanilla extract, milk and add-ins. Stir well to incorporate.
3. .....................................

for full instruction please see : www.kimscravings.com