Halloween Inspired Gluten-Free Pumpkin Banana Chip Muffins

These Halloween inspired Pumpkin Banana Chip muffins are perfect for people with allergies.  They are gluten, egg, dairy, and peanut free. They are perfectly spiced, with a soft and moist texture that can be hard to find in Gluten Free baking. They are a great option for snacks, and breakfasts on the go. They fill the fall season with a comforting warmth!

Halloween is just a short day away, and this means candy, treats, and dressing up as your favorite character, person, or thing. The options are endless! My favorite part of Halloween has always been making my costume! It is always fun looking for bits and pieces to make yourself into whoever you want to be. As a child I was always wrapped up in the warmest snowsuit I had, and was shoved into an oversized costume to stay warm for a prairie Halloween. It was usually difficult to move, but I always managed to get the biggest bag of loot. Back then I did not have Celiac disease and could eat whatever goodies I received, after my parents inspected them of course! However, things are not the same now. I can no longer enjoy my favorite treats, such as Twix bars, Coffee Crisps, and Kit Kats.

I could not imagine being a child with allergies. Halloween would lose a bit of its enjoyment when you have to give away most of your candy to friends, and family. However, children with allergies enjoy the tradition of trick-or-treating just as much as any other child. Thankfully the Teal Pumpkin Project has been developed to raise awareness for allergies, and gives children with with allergies the opportunity to find some enjoyment in their candy bags. People paint a pumpkin, which is typically orange, teal and place it outside their home. This alerts trick-or-treaters with allergies that they can go to that house and receive an allergen free treat, such as stickers, pencils, or erasers. Children can still dress up and participate in traditional trick-or-treating without having to worry about becoming ill, or not being able to enjoy any of their goodies. The Teal Pumpkin Project promotes inclusion of all individuals and promotes safety for those who struggle with various allergies. To find out more about the Teal Pumpkin Project click HERE.

Lately I have been finding the same problem that trick-or-treaters with allergies face on Halloween. While I always pack my own food and snacks for a day at school, sometimes it would be nice to be able to grab a gluten-free treat when I get myself a coffee. The psychology club on campus is having a bake sale and I offered to make muffins. When deciding what kind of muffins to bake I thought it would be great to make something that everyone can enjoy. There are always bake sales on campus that I find myself walking by without supporting, as I cannot usually enjoy any of the delicious treats. These Halloween inspired muffins are gluten, egg, and peanut free. They have the option of being dairy free, but the pumpkin marshmallow on top may contain milk. I did not place the marshmallow on all of the muffins, just in case.

Pumpkin Banana Chip Muffins

 1 Cup Pumpkin Puree

1/3 Cup Coconut Oil

2 Bananas

½ Cup Brown Sugar

½ Cup White Sugar

1 ½ Cups Gluten Free Flour

½ Tsp Baking Soda

1 Tsp Baking Powder

1 Tsp Xantham Gum

½ Cup Chocolate Chips

1 Tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice

Cream Cheese Glaze

4 Oz Tofu Cream Cheese 

1/3 Cup Icing Sugar

Almond Milk

Cream together Pumpkin Puree, Oil, Bananas, and Sugar. Add try ingredients and mix until combined. Fold in Chocolate Chips. Fill Muffin tins 2/3 full. Bake at 350 Degrees for 25 Minutes. While the muffins are baking, beat the cream cheese and add Icing Sugar. Beat in Almond Milk, adding small amounts until you reach desired consistency. Once the muffins are cooled, cover with cream cheese glaze and enjoy!

I hope everyone can safely enjoy Halloween and have a few treats. If you are looking for a safe way to trick-or-treat, or want to provide a safe place for children with allergies please consider joining the Teal Pumpkin Project. I do not get trick-or-treaters in my neighborhood, but am going to keep some pencils and spider rings on hand just in case. I am still piecing together my costume, but it is going to be difficult to top last year’s homemade batman and robin costumes! After Halloween it will be time to start getting ready for final exams and Christmas! I have been making slow changes in my routine after my stomach attack, and am ready to share them with you all! Stay tuned for tips and recipes for getting back into healthy eating, weight watchers, and regular work outs after being knocked down for many weeks! It feels great to slowly be getting back to myself!   

Happy Halloween!

K.         

2013 Homemade Batman & Robin Costumes

Gluten Free Banana Muffins

Gluten free banana muffins are moist and full of flavour! They are allergen free and make the perfect snack or breakfast treat. They can be enjoyed fresh from the oven, or frozen and enjoyed at anytime!

Things are still crazy with school, but I am getting away this weekend to go camping with friends and family! I can not wait to get out of town and refresh before my finals next week. It will be a great time to get some fresh air and recharge my body and mind! Every trip needs a snack, and I have stocked by cooler with vegetables, fruits, crackers, and my favourite - MUFFINS! Muffins are necessary for road trips because they are quick, not messy, and can be enjoyed at anytime. I have finally perfected my Banana Muffin Recipe, and I cannot get enough of them! They have the perfect flavour, the right amount of chewyness, and butter or jam only makes the experience better!

These muffins are great because they are egg, gluten, and dairy free. They are full of fibre, and are relatively low for weight watchers points. I find that freezing bananas takes up a lot of space in the freezer, and frozen bananas do not do the flavour any justice. For this recipe you can blend all of the wet ingredients and freeze in a freezer bag. When you are ready to make muffins, unthaw and add to the dry ingredients. It saves time, and valuable freezer space. However, they are best if made when the bananas are starting to turn brown, and frozen after. These muffins can be frozen and taken out for lunches, snacks, and they are good for breakfast with a protein shake.





Gluten Free Banana Banana Muffins
3 Bananas
3/4 Cup Unsweetened Apple Sauce
1/2 Cup Almond Milk
1 Tbs Molases
1/4 Cup Coconut Oil

1 1/4 Cup Gluten Free Flour
3/4 Cup Oat Bran (or oats blended in the blender)
1 Tbs Flax Seed
2 Tsp Baking Powder
1 Tsp Baking Soda
1/2 Tbs Cinnamon
1/2 Tbs Nutmeg

Blend all wet ingredients in the blender until smooth, add to the try ingredients. Put 1/3 Cup of mix into muffin tins and bake at 350 for 18-20 minutes.

Makes 15 Muffins

Being gluten free can be a struggle, but if you take the time to experiment with your ingredients you can enjoy great foods! Gluten free is a different lifestyle, but it should be looked at as a journey rather than a burden. You will be healthier and happier when you go gluten free if you suffer from celiacs or a gluten intolerance. 

I hope that everyone takes some time this weekend to get outside and enjoy some fresh air and summer. Everyone has bad days or weeks (even months). But Monday is the start of a new week, and the best way to start it off right is to take some time to refresh and recharge first! I know I plan to start the week with a bang! Next week is finals week for spring classes, and to stay sane I am going to make the time for yoga and regular workouts. I am beginning to miss the gym and need to get back into a routine because the days are passing by way to quickly. 

Happy Friday!

K.