It’s the time of year when we crave comfort food and pumpkin flavored anything. We’ve ditched our bikinis for sweaters and sand between our toes for snow under our boots. So grab an apron and put on your very best chef hat, it’s time to get baking with some healthy pumpkin inspired recipes!
Pumpkin Bread or Muffins
A healthy and delicious snack or dessert full of fall taste.
Ingredients
Dry:
1.5 C whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 C brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice or allspice
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
Dry oats
Wet:
1 C canned pumpkin puree
1/2 C chopped walnuts or chocolate chips
1/4 C nonfat vanilla greek yogurt
1/4 C unsweetened applesauce
2 egg whites
Preheat oven to 350°f .
In two separate bowls mix dry and mix wet. Combine wet to dry, stirring gently until mixture is uniform-ish.
Prepare either a muffin tin or bread pan with non-stick spray or oil. Spoon batter into muffin tin or pour into bread pan. Sprinkle dry oats on top. For muffins, bake for 25 minutes or until slightly golden brown on top. For bread, bake for 75 minutes or until slightly golden brown on top and around sides.
Pumpkin Spice Pancakes
A hearty and healthy breakfast with only 90 calories per serving.
Ingredients
1/2 C canned pumpkin puree
1/2 C low-fat vanilla greek yogurt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 large egg yolk
4 large egg whites
1/4 C cake flour (or sifted all purpose flour)
1/4 tsp salt
Maple syrup or honey
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together pumpkin, yogurt, baking soda, egg yolk and flour. Whisk egg whites and salt together; fold over pumpkin mixture.
Heat large nonstick skillet on medium heat. Use a teaspoon of butter and spread onto the skillet. Pour desired amount of pancake batter onto skillet. Let pancake cook until the sides begin to bubble; then flip and cook thoroughly. Once finished, drizzle with honey or maple syrup.
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Pumpkin Spice Smoothie
A cool alternative to the Starbucks staple. Gluten, dairy, and sugar free!
Ingredients
1/2 C canned or fresh pumpkin
1/2 frozen banana
3/4 C unsweetened almond milk
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice or allspice
1/8 tsp ground ginger
Blend ingredients together until desired consistency.
Oatmeal Pumpkin Cookies
A healthy and savory twist to classic oatmeal cookies.
Ingredients
1 C all purpose flour
2 C quick oats
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
2 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 C sugar
1/2 C unpacked brown sugar
1 large egg
6 tbsp canned pumpkin
2 tsp vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350°F, and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium sized bowl, whisk together flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pumpkin spice, and cinnamon. In a large bowl with a mixer, cream together the butter and the sugars on medium speed. Add the egg followed by the pumpkin and vanilla extract. Stir in the flour mixture and the oats; combine until no streaks of flour remain. Get dirty and work with your hands to create small, tablespoon sized balls of dough. Place on cookie sheets 1/2 inch apart. Bake for about 10-12 minutes or until cookies become light golden brown at edges.