Healthy Oatmeal Pumpkin Muffins – Not Your Normal Comfort Food

With the scent of Fall in the air, and cold weather approaching our taste buds naturally turn to comfort food.  High in fat, many (if not most) of the classic comfort foods definitely don’t qualify as healthy.  But with some slight modifications, such as sprinkling oat flour in place of white flour, you can sneak in some hidden nutritional benefits without sacrificing flavor.  Take these oatmeal pumpkin muffins.  The oats retain moisture wonderfully, contribute a light, nutty flavor, and add all important fiber.  So even though they aren’t as loaded as many high fiber foods, they are a great way to sneak some fiber into your diet (and that of your kids) without sacrificing taste or flavor.

Healthy Oatmeal Pumpkin Muffins

Preheat an oven to 375°F, and gather the following ingredients:

1. 2 1/2 cups boiling water
2. 2 cups rolled oats
3. 1 stick (8 tbsp) unsalted butter – softened
4. 1 can of pumpkin
5. 2 large eggs
6. 2 cups brown sugar, packed
7. 3 cups all purpose flour
8. 1 tbsp baking soda
9. 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
10. 1 tsp cinnamon
11. 1 tsp nutmeg
12. 1 tsp ginger
13. Baking spray

In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.  Mix thoroughly with a fork.

In a second mixing bowl, add the rolled oats, and using a fork, cut the butter into the oats, then carefully pour the boiling water over the mixture.  Stir and cover, allowing  this to sit for 20-minutes.  Afterward, add the pumpkin, eggs, and brown sugar.  Blend this mixture thoroughly and pour it into the flour/spice mixture.  Blend until mix reaches a smooth consistency.

Spray a large muffin pan with baking spray to prevent sticking, and spoon the mixture into the pan until cups are half full.  Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until muffins are golden on top and the centers are barely moist when cut.  Cool and enjoy!  Store covered to drying out.  Recipe makes 1 1/2 dozen large muffins.

Nutrition:

• Serving size:  1 large muffin
• Calories:  254
• Protein:  3.8-grams
• Fiber:  1.8-grams
• Fat:  6.1-grams

Optional:  Adding 2 cups of either raisins, pecans, walnuts, or even hickory nuts, can enhance the benefits and flavor at the cost of a few extra calories!

For best results, make these a day ahead to give the spices a chance to do their work.

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