Pump Up Your Fall with Pumpkin Protein Muffins!

Introduction

Fall is nearly here, and with it comes the delicious flavors of pumpkin, apple, and cinnamon. It’s the perfect time to get in the kitchen and bake up some healthy treats. But just because it’s baking season doesn’t mean you have to throw your fitness goals out the window. You can still enjoy the cozy flavors of fall while staying on track with your health and fitness journey, by hitting your protein goals!

One of our favorite ways to enjoy the flavors of fall while staying healthy is by making protein-filled treats. Protein is an essential part of our diet and helps to build and repair tissues, make enzymes, and hormones (Harvard Health Publishing, 2021). So why not add some extra protein to your baked goods?

Check out this recipe for Pumpkin Protein Muffins. These muffins are super simple to make! Plus, they’re filled with protein, healthy fats, and are low in sugar. Plus, they are incredibly delicious and are guaranteed to make your house smell amazing!

Pumpkin Protein Muffins Ingredients:

• 1 cup of oats
• 1 cup of pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup of almond butter
• 1/2 cup of honey or maple syrup
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder
• 1/2 cup of chopped nuts (optional)

Pumpkin Protein Muffins Baking Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a muffin tin with paper liners.
2. In a food processor, blend the oats until they become a fine powder.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the oat flour, pumpkin puree, almond butter, honey or maple syrup, eggs, vanilla extract, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and protein powder. Mix until well combined.
4. Fold in the chopped nuts if using.
5. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
7. Let the muffins cool for 5-10 minutes before removing them from the muffin tin.

Conclusion:

These Pumpkin Protein Muffins are the perfect grab-and-go breakfast or snack. They are also incredibly versatile. Feel free to swap out the almond butter for peanut butter or the nuts for chocolate chips. The possibilities are endless!

Remember, eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to give up your favorite fall treats. With a little creativity, you can make delicious and healthy treats that will satisfy your sweet tooth and support your fitness goals. For more nutrition ideas, check out our Custom Meal Plans on Elevate, or register for our Eat to Perform Workshop on October 16th, 2023.

References:

Harvard Health Publishing. (2021). The hidden dangers of protein powders. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-hidden-dangers-of-protein-powders

Smith, J. (2020). The benefits of protein.