Low Sugar Pumpkin Muffins (Gluten Free)

Muffins can be a great quick “go to” breakfast or snack item. However, when they are prepared fresh in a store or in pre-packaged products, they are usually loaded with sugar and other refined ingredients. These low sugar pumpkin muffins keep sugar content to only 6 grams per muffin! Additionally, they boast of 7 grams of protein, healthy fat, and 3 grams of fiber per muffin to support blood sugar balance, which is critical for a healthy metabolism.

Gluten Free Pumpkin Muffins

Yes, muffins can be made without wheat flour and still taste great! Don’t believe me? Give it a try sometime. I like to make these muffins with oat flour and almond flour. Using these two flour brings a good variety of nutrients and flavor to the muffins.

For DIY oat flour: while you COULD buy oat flour, you could save money by simply grinding rolled oats into a blender or coffee grinder. Makes oat flour in seconds!

For Lower Carb version: You could try using all almond flour. Just note that I have not tested that version yet!

Making Muffins Low Sugar

This recipe is a great example of using way less sugar than typical recipes but still taste great! Of course, these don’t taste quite as sweet, but try them out for yourself and see if you actually prefer less sweet like I do! Your body will thank you, too. Being aware of the amount of refined carbohydrates like sugars and other refined ingredients in your food can begin to address blood sugar imbalance. And blood sugar balance is a key foundation to tackling weight gain and reducing inflammation in the body.

Healthy Toppings for Pumpkin Muffins

Your low sugar pumpkin muffins can be eaten as a healthy dessert. But since they’re also so balanced, they actually double as a healthy snack! To make them even more balanced, pair them with additional protein, like Greek yogurt “frosting” (as seen in the photos). Just simply spread plain Greek yogurt on top with a sprinkle of cinnamon. Why Greek yogurt? It packs in a lot more protein with no added sugar compared to traditional flavored yogurts. In my practice, I’m all about teaching my clients how to balance out their meals and snacks with protein, fat, and fiber (PFF).

Why is that important? Check out my free downloadable guide about PFF to see more great information. In a nutshell, it’s a simple framework for building meals and snacks to promote blood sugar balance; the fundamental process involved in weight management and an overall healthy metabolism.

Find more of my healthy and easy snack recipes here!
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Recipe blog written by Jennifer Franzen, RDN | reviewed by Victoria Peck-Gray, RDN