Gluten Free Carrot Pecan Muffins are the perfect homemade treat for the spring & Easter season! They’re soft, moist and filled with flavourful spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. These muffins are made with simple and natural ingredients like almond flour, carrots, eggs, coconut oil, pecans & maple syrup, so you can feel good about enjoying them!
DID YOU KNOW? Carrots are rich in beta carotene, which your body converts into vitamin A. This nutrient promotes good vision and is important for growth, development, and immune function.
However, beta-carotene is a fat soluble nutrient that needs to be coated in fat for greatest absorption. In addition, the absorption rate is better (up to 6.5-fold) if the carrots are cooked vs. raw.
Lastly, opt for whole carrots vs. baby carrots. Baby carrots are misshapen mature carrots that have been shaved down to a smaller more uniform size. The outer part that’s thrown away is much more nutritious than the inner core. The greatest concentration of nutrients is in the skin and the tissue right below it. When you remove the outer portion of the carrots, you also remove on-third of its phytonutrients.
So, to get the most health benefits from carrots, buy them whole then cook (sauté, steam, bake) them in a high-quality fat like avocado oil, coconut oil or olive oil.
Boost your beta-carotene intake by adding carrots to your homemade healthy treats. Try these yummy Carrot Pecan Muffins. They’re perfect for the Easter and Spring season!
What you need for Gluten Free Carrot Pecan Muffins:
Gluten Free Carrot Pecan Muffins are the perfect homemade treat for the spring & Easter season! They're soft, moist and filled with flavourful spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. These muffins are made with simple and natural ingredients like almond flour, carrots, eggs, coconut oil, pecans & maple syrup, so you can feel good about enjoying them!
1cupfinely shredded carrots, I used a food processor for this
1/2cupchopped pecans
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350F and place liners in muffin tray.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk almond flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda and salt.
Mix in eggs, oil, and maple syrup.
Stir in the shredded carrots and chopped pecans.
Distribute batter evenly in the muffin tray.
Bake for 20 minutes. Let cool before removing from tin. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or store in the freezer for longer.
Notes
TIME SAVER TIP: Use a food processor for steps 2 & 3, if you have one.
Double Chocolate Banana Muffins are delicious & bursting with rich chocolate flavour! These healthy paleo muffins are free of gluten & dairy and packed with all the good stuff, including quality protein and healthy fats. Even better, they’re naturally sweetened with ripe bananas, so they’ll keep you on track with your health and weight loss goals.
If you love my Chocolate Chunk Banana Muffins then I’m about to make your palate explode with this spin on one of my most popular recipes to date!
I’ve upped the flavour on these muffins by adding more rich chocolate flavour plus an optional crumble that can be used on top.
These muffins are a great breakfast option on days when you’re running out the door. They also make for a delicious healthy snack or treat.
Let me know your thoughts on this recipe. I hope you enjoy them as much as my boyfriend does 🙂
TIP: Make a batch and store them in the freezer. Simply grab one whenever you need quick fuel…They thaw out within 10-15 minutes. If you plan to eat the batch within a week, they can be stored in the fridge.
What you need for Double Chocolate Banana Muffins
Eggs*
Coconut oil
Bananas
Honey or maple syrup (optional) Coconut flour Almond flour Cacao or cocoa powder
Baking powder
Dark chocolate chips
*Do you have an allergy or intolerance to eggs? Use one of the egg substitutes in the recipe notes below.
Want more delicious & wholesome muffin recipes? Then you’ve got to try these …
Double Chocolate Banana Muffins are delicious & bursting with rich chocolate flavour! These healthy paleo muffins are free of gluten & dairy and packed with all the good stuff, including quality protein and healthy fats. Even better, they’re naturally sweetened with ripe bananas and only a tiny amount of extra sweetener, so they’ll keep you on track with your health and weight loss goals.
Beat eggs in bowl, mash bananas with a fork on a plate, then add all wet ingredients together and mix thoroughly.
Mix all dry ingredients in a separate bowl then add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and continue to mix until a thick smooth batter is formed. (Note: Steps 2 & 3 can be done using a food processor to make things easier.)
Add chocolate chips to batter and mix in with a spatula.
Optional step for toppings: Add walnuts and coconut chips to food processor and pulse until a crumble is formed. If you don't have a food processor, put ingredients in a bag and crush with the bottom of a mug or can. Mix in dark chocolate chips.
Fill muffin tins 3/4 of the way with batter. Add toppings (optional).
Bake for 18-20 minutes. Let cool before removing from tin.
Notes
Substitute with 4 flax eggs or 4 chia eggs for egg free version ...
1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water (whisk until gelatinous and creamy) = 1 egg
1 tbsp chia seeds + 3 tbsp water (Stir and allow to rest for 15 minutes) = 1 egg
Steps 2 & 3 can be done using a food processor to make things easier.
Sugar Free Strawberry Jello is the perfect healthy snack for adults and kids! It’s naturally sweetened with real strawberries & honey, and packed with gut healing gelatin. Give this fun and easy recipe a try!
DID YOU KNOW? Gelatin is a protein product derived from collagen and its unique amino acid profile gives it many health benefits.
One of those benefits includes improving gut health — in particular, protecting the gut wall from damage.
Glutamic acid (an amino acid found in gelatin), is converted to glutamine in the body. Glutamine has been shown to improve the integrity of the gut wall and help prevent “leaky gut”.
A “leaky gut” is when the gut wall becomes too permeable, allowing bacteria and other potentially harmful substances to pass from the gut into the bloodstream, a process that shouldn’t happen normally.
This is thought to contribute to common gut conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Sugar Free Strawberry Jello is the perfect healthy snack for adults and kids! It's naturally sweetened with real strawberries & honey, and packed with gut healing gelatin. Give this fun and easy recipe a try!
Flourless Brownie Bites are the perfect healthy treat! They are soft, chewy and made with pure and natural ingredients, BUT all you’ll taste is real brownie flavour! You may never feel the need to have a high-carb, sugar loaded, processed brownie again after trying these little bites sent from heaven!
DID YOU KNOW? Dates have high levels of soluble fiber, which keep bowel movements regular by adding bulk to stool and helping it move faster through the intestines.
If you suffer from constipation, try adding dates into your diet as a natural constipation relief remedy. Consume in moderation.
In addition, dates are packed with vitamins and minerals and are a perfect natural sweetener and sugar alternative. I incorporate them into my gut healing smoothies and sweet treats (like the recipe below).
If you’re on the hunt for healthy treat ideas, I highly recommend whipping up a batch of these delicious and decadent brownie bites. They are plant-based, paleo, gluten & dairy free, plus naturally sweetened with dates.
Flourless Brownie Bites are the perfect healthy treat! They are soft, chewy and made with pure and natural ingredients, BUT all you'll taste is real brownie flavour! You may never feel the need to have a high-carb, sugar loaded, processed brownie again after trying these little bites sent from heaven!
Add almonds and coconut flakes into food processor and process until nuts are chopped into small pieces.
Add dates, cocoa powder, vanilla extract and sea salt into the food processor with almonds and continue to process until ingredients starts to stick together. If mixture is too dry, add a teaspoon of water at a time until mixture becomes sticky when you press it together.
Scoop out mixture with a tablespoon and roll into balls.
Enjoy right away or store in an air-tight container in the fridge for later.
These gluten & grain free Rum Balls are the perfect way to get the party started during the holidays! Chocolate and rum come together in this recipe to make a rich and soul warming treat! Enjoy this healthy spin on rums balls any time of the year–not just the holidays.
My love for rum balls dates back to my little Jen days. My Nonna (a.k.a. Ma) use to make them for the family around Christmas time. Not sure who inspired her to make rum balls since they’re not a traditional Italian recipe, BUT I’m glad she did because they were delish!
Since my craving for rum balls is still strong, I decided to put a healthy spin on this popular treat which can be enjoyed any time of the year–not just the holidays.
Most traditional rum ball recipes are packed with low-quality and inflammatory ingredients like vanilla waffers, confectioners’ sugar and corn syrup.
Instead of using vanilla waffers, I use a combo of almond flour and shredded coconut, which creates a great gluten free base. I also kicked nasty corn syrup and confectioners’ sugar out and replaced them with a natural and pure sweetener, maple syrup.
The combination of coconut, rum and chocolate makes this a delicious treat you’ll crave all year round. Give this easy, no-bake recipe a try!
For a alcohol free and kid friendly version, omit rum and increase maple syrup to 1/2 cup.
These gluten & grain free Rum Balls are the perfect way to get the party started during the holidays! Chocolate and rum come together in this recipe to make a rich and soul warming treat! Enjoy this healthy spin on rums balls any time of the year--not just the holidays.
Mint Chocolate Balls are the perfect healthy treat! The rich flavour of chocolate combined with refreshing peppermint, makes these balls irresistible! These decadent bites are free of gluten, grains, dairy & refined sugar + paleo, plant-based & raw. They’re easy to make and even easier to pop!!
DID YOU KNOW? Peppermint may relieve digestive symptoms, such as gas, bloating and indigestion.
A review of nine studies in 926 people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) treated with peppermint oil for at least two weeks concluded that peppermint provided significantly better symptom relief than a placebo.
In one study in 72 people with IBS, peppermint oil capsules reduced IBS symptoms by 40% after four weeks, compared to only 24.3% with a placebo.
Additionally, in a review of 14 clinical trials in nearly 2,000 children, peppermint reduced the frequency, length and severity of abdominal pain.
Pair these yummy bites with my Peppermint Mocha–it’s a match made in heaven!
Mint Chocolate Balls
Mint Chocolate Balls are the perfect healthy treat! The rich flavour of chocolate combined with refreshing peppermint, makes these balls irresistible! These decadent bites are free of gluten, grains, dairy & refined sugar + paleo, plant-based & raw. They're easy to make and even easier to pop!!
5-8dropspeppermint essential oil (food-grade), or 1/2-1 tsp peppermint extract (start with less and add more if needed)
1/8tsp.sea salt
2tbspcoconut flakes, for coating
Instructions
Soak dates in water for 30-minutes and drain.
Add nuts and coconut flakes into food processor and process into a fine crumble.
Add dates, cocoa powder, peppermint oil/extract and sea salt into the food processor and continue to process until ingredients start to stick together. If mixture is too dry, add a teaspoon of water at a time until mixture becomes sticky when you press it together.
Scoop out mixture with a small spoon and roll into balls.
Spread remaining coconut flakes on a plate and roll balls into the flakes to coat.
Store in an air-tight container in the fridge.
Notes
Pair these yummy bites with my Peppermint Mocha--it's a match made in heaven!
My mission is to help women heal their gut, lose weight and feel great through simple and delicious smoothies, whole food nutrition & healthy lifestyle habits.
