Healthy Pumpkin Muffins for a Nutritious Start
These Pumpkin Muffins are a delicious, heart-healthy treat, perfect for starting your day with essential nutrients. Made with fiber-rich pumpkin puree and warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, they support immune health and blood sugar management. The recipe also offers options for using healthier oils and low-fat milk, aligning with wellness goals often encouraged by health insurance plans. Enjoy them plain or with a light cream cheese frosting for a guilt-free indulgence. At just 220 calories per muffin, they’re a nutritious addition to any balanced diet.
Ingredients:
– 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 1 tsp baking soda
– ½ tsp baking powder
– ½ tsp salt
– 1 tsp ground cinnamon
– ½ tsp ground nutmeg
– ½ tsp ground ginger
– ½ tsp ground cloves
– 2 large eggs
– 1 cup canned pumpkin puree (rich in fiber and vitamins for a heart-healthy diet)
– ½ cup vegetable oil (consider using heart-healthy oils like olive or canola oil)
– ¼ cup milk (choose low-fat or plant-based for lower cholesterol)
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. Preheat Oven: Set oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. These spices are not only flavorful but may also support healthy blood sugar levels, a key aspect of managing chronic conditions covered by many health insurance plans.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together eggs, pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, milk, and vanilla extract. Pumpkin is a great source of beta-carotene, which supports a strong immune system, a common health goal often promoted by health insurance wellness programs.
4. Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.
5. Fill Muffin Tin: Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about ¾ full.
6. Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Regular baking can be part of a healthy lifestyle, often encouraged by health insurance providers through wellness incentives.
7. Cool: Let the muffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes:
– Top with a light cream cheese frosting for an added treat, or enjoy them plain to keep the calories low—a great choice for those following a weight management plan supported by health insurance.
– These muffins are a delicious way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet, which is beneficial for overall health and can help lower health insurance costs by reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
Prep Time: 15 mins | Cooking Time: 20-25 mins | Total Time: 40 mins | Kcal: 220 per muffin | Servings: 12
