Healthy Pumpkin Muffins

Ingredients

• 2 cups old-fashioned oats*
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk plain or vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup grated carrot squeezed in a paper towel or kitchen towel to remove moisture
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 3 tablespoons melted coconut oil or any mild-flavored oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon Ceylon or regular cinnamon for topping
• Chopped pecans for topping optional

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with parchment or cupcake liners, or lightly grease with cooking spray. Set aside.
2. Puree oats in a blender or food processor until they reach a flour-like consistency. Add in the pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda and sea salt, and pulse until the mixture is evenly combined. Set aside.
3. In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, coconut oil and vanilla extract until evenly combined. Fold the dry ingredients in with the wet ingredient mixture, and stir until the mixture is just combined. (Try to avoid over-mixing.)
4. Portion the ingredients into prepared baking cups. Then sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon (and pecans it your using) on top of each muffin, if you would like.
5. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the muffins comes out clean. Remove from the oven and place the pan on a cooling rack for 5 minutes.
6. Serve warm. Or let the muffins cool to room temperature, then store in a sealed container for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
7. ** you can sub oats for almond four or all purpose flour**