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Protein Muffins - Pumpkin Spice Comfort with a Healthy Twist

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature if possible)
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (or dairy-free yogurt)
  • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup or honey
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil or melted coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup rolled oats (quick oats also work)
  • 3/4 cup white whole wheat flour or oat flour
  • 1/2 cup vanilla or unflavored whey or plant-based protein powder
  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (or 1.5 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp ginger, pinch cloves)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • Optional mix-ins: 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips, chopped pecans, or pepitas

Method
 

  1. Prep your pan and oven: Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners or lightly grease it.
  2. Whisk the wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk pumpkin puree, eggs, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, oil, and vanilla until smooth.
  3. Blend or pulse the oats (optional): For a softer crumb, pulse the oats a few times in a blender. Leave them whole if you want more texture.
  4. Combine the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, stir together oats, flour, protein powder, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  5. Bring it together: Add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep muffins tender.
  6. Fold in extras: If using chocolate chips, nuts, or pepitas, fold them in. The batter will be thick—that’s normal.
  7. Fill the tin: Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full.
  8. Bake: Bake for 17–22 minutes, or until the tops are set and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
  9. Cool: Let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Cooling helps them set and improves texture.
  10. Enjoy: Serve warm or at room temperature. A swipe of almond butter on top is excellent.