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Spiced Pear Muffins with Nut Topping {Paleo Option}

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Grain free Spiced Pear Muffins with a sweet nutty topping! Delicious, easy to make paleo muffins (paleo friendly that is) that are light, fluffy, and naturally sweetened. 

pear nut muffins stacked

What to make with an abundance of fruit? Make naturally sweetened MUFFINS with winter pears!

Today’s we’re updating an oldie but goodie recipe. Yep, we’ve got another perfect paleo muffin (actually paleo friendly muffin) made with fruit! A recipe to help you utilize nature’s candy, winter candy. Aka PEARS.

Fact –>  Did you know that pears have more fiber, potassium, and folate than apples? I know, now you really can keep the doctor away.

Speaking of health, I made these pear muffins way back in 2015 and just had to reshare the health perks (and backstory), as well as the new updated recipe! Also, I think you’ll love how fluffy these muffins bake up due to one secret ingredient…. keeping reading! Ok?

Grain free Spiced Pear Muffins with a sweet nutty topping! Delicious, easy to make paleo muffins (paleo friendly that is) that are Light, fluffy, and naturally sweetened. 

So here we go, Grain free Spiced Pear Muffins with a Sweet Nutty Topping….

First things first, let’s talk about Grain free baking.

You see, a couple years ago we had a few fellow triathletes stay with us for the Austin 70.3 ironman. It was good fun and of course lots of time was spent in the kitchen. Eating, prepping, talking, etc. One of my husband’s triathlete friends has gone through a whole slew of health problems and started asking me questions about eating grain free. Questions like “should he try eating grain free to improve health?”

And..  “What are the benefits of eating grain free, health wise?”

My response? I’d say anyone looking to might be suffering from low immunity or digestive problems.. or STRESS! Gosh, that sounds like a lot of people these days, myself included sometimes. But really, sometimes eliminating grains and added sugar can help calm down the system and INCREASE your ability to absorb proper nutrients.

How so?

Well…

“Grains contain Phytic Acid, a mineral blocker that prevents absorption of calcium, magnesium, iron, copper and zinc. This phytic acid is found in the bran of all grains. BUT … Evidence shows that sprouting increases the content of many important vitamins, and breaks down the phytic acid.” (source) 

Does that mean we never eat grains? Of course not!

We love our Gluten free oatmeal, rice bowls, quinoa, etc. But you could always try switching to grain free for a period of time so the body can REALLY absorb nutrients. Or you could try soaking your grains and nuts so that you can break down the phytic acid. Make sense?

But don’t worry, we’re not here to deprive you of good food during the holiday season. We’re here to give you ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS! There’s plenty of GRAIN FREE Goodies you can make in the meantime! Yep, even grain free apple muffins. But shh… don’t tell the pear I said that.

Grain Free Baking Made easy!

Note – These paleo muffins are not nut free, obviously, which means they aren’t totally off the hook with phytic acid, but they are a great start!

Here’s whatcha need to make a fluffier grain free “paleo muffin.”

  • Pears
  • Honey
  • Almond Flour
  • Coconut Flour
  • Cinnamon and Ginger spices
  • Naturally Refined coconut oil or clarified butter
  • Baking Powder
  • eggs
  • and to make them fluffy... a natural sparkling drink such as ginger kombucha, ginger ale, club soda, etc.

You’ll be soaking your pears in this bubbling goodness and honey, then adding them to your grain free baking mix!

pear muffins batter for making fluffy muffins

Oh and let’s not forget the nuts, walnuts. Although feel free to leave those out if needed or swap out for a granola topping. EIther way, you’ll get super delicious and easy to make paleo muffins! PEAR-FECT!

Grain free Spiced Pear Muffins with a sweet nutty topping! Delicious, easy to make paleo muffins (paleo friendly that is) that are Light, fluffy, and naturally sweetened. 

Grain free Spiced Pear Muffins with a sweet nutty topping! Delicious, easy to make paleo muffins (paleo friendly that is) that are Light, fluffy, and naturally sweetened. 

Oh and one last PEAR-fect tip!

How to pick a RIPE PEAR!

Choose hard pears and leave on a counter to ripen. A pear ripens from inside out, so it’s best to buy pears hard and then let them sit on the counter until ripened. PEARS are RIPE and ready for baking or eating when the thinner stem to soft pressure.

Grain free Spiced Pear Muffins with a sweet nutty topping! Delicious, easy to make paleo muffins (paleo friendly that is) that are Light, fluffy, and naturally sweetened. 

Okay, enough fruit talk. Let’s get to the recipe.

 

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paleo ginger spiced pear muffins

Spiced Pear Muffins with Nut Topping

★★★★★

4.5 from 11 reviews
  • Author: lindsay cotter
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 -40 minutes
  • Yield: 10 1x
Print Recipe

Description

Ginger Spiced Pear Muffins with a sweet nutty topping! Grain free, paleo option.

Scale

Ingredients

  • 3 small Seckel Pears or 2 Anjou Pears – stems removed (these are smaller pears)
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon (extra for sprinkling walnuts)
  • 2 tsp ground ginger or 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger
  • 1/4 cup natural Ginger-ale, ginger kombucha, or club soda (see notes for more options)
  • 1/4 cup to 1/3 c honey. Plus an extra for topping.
  • 1 1/2 cup almond flour
  • 1/4 cup coconut flour
  • 1/2 cup arrowroot starch or tapioca starch
  • Optional add in – 1/4 cup nuts or seeds
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • Dash of sea salt
  • 1 tbsp butter or melted naturally refined coconut oil
  • 3 eggs
  • Toppings  – 1/3 cup candied walnuts or walnuts halves mixed in additional honey and pinch of cinnamon (see notes for other options)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line a muffin tray with liners or spray with oil.
  2. Next, slice the stem off the pears and proceed to dice into smaller pieces. Place in medium bowl and then mix in your spices and ginger ale or club soda and honey.  Let that soak.
  3. In another bowl, sift your flours and starches together. Mix in your baking powder and salt.
  4. Whisk together your eggs until fluffy then gradually fold into your dry flours mix. Mix in your melted butter.
  5. Gently pour your pear and ginger mixture into the egg/flour batter bowl. Mix gently until batter is thoroughly blended.
  6. Pour batter into oiled muffins cups, set aside.
  7. If You have candied walnuts already prepared, go ahead and crush them in a small bag then sprinkle on top of each muffin. Sprinkle with extra cinnamon. If you don’t have candied walnuts, simply crush your walnuts in small bag, pour into a bowl, then mix the walnuts with a pinch of cinnamon and 1 tbsp or more of honey. Scoop these on top of the muffins before baking.
  8. Place muffins in oven on center rack and bake at 350F for 22-25 minutes or until muffins are golden brown. Remove from oven and Let them cool 10 minutes before removing from pan .
  9. Optional –> for more sweetness – 1/3 cup baking stevia or 3-4 tbsp  more honey or maple syrup

Notes

  • Gingerale substitutes- sparkling water, Zevia gingerale, a ginger Kombucha, etc.
  • How to check for ripeness in Pears – check for ripeness at the thinner stem end — it should be yield to soft pressure.
  • No Nutty topping? No prob! You can use granola or any other nut of choice. Or omit all together!
  • Category: breakfast/snack
  • Method: baking
  • Cuisine: breakfast/snack

Keywords: pear, muffins, paleo, spiced, breakfast, gluten free, dairy free

 

paleo ginger spiced pear muffins

What’s your go to way to use up winter fruit? Have you ever tried grain free baking or a grain free diet? Let’s ponder that for january, mmm k?

Cheers,

LC

Related Posts

Photo of Lindsay Cotter of Cotter CrunchHi, I’m Lindsay!  Gluten Free Nutrition Specialist, food photographer and author of Nourishing Superfood Bowls, and meal plan guru! I’d love to know you more! Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and drop a comment below.

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  2. Michele @ paleorunningmomma says

    November 14, 2014 at 5:18 AM

    Grain free baking is a lot easier than I imagined and muffins are my favorite thing to bake when we want a quick treat. I will have to try these! And I completely agree about going grain free to deal with inflammation, has done wonders for me!

    Reply

  6. Tina Muir says

    November 14, 2014 at 6:46 AM

    What a great idea Lindsay! I am not really a muffin person when it comes to baking….as cupcakes tend to be my favor thing in that category! Haha! However, if I was to enjoy a muffin….this would definitely be one I would! I prefer making bars myself though!

    Reply

  7. Cara's Healthy Cravings says

    November 14, 2014 at 6:55 AM

    I must admit I have not attempted making grain free muffins, but as you said, you make it so easy! This recipe looks so great, I love a good spiced fruit muffin. My fav muffins are usually packed with lots of fruit and spices and I usually sprinkle some sort of nut/seed crumble on the top. Happy Friday 🙂

    Reply

  8. Brittany says

    November 14, 2014 at 6:59 AM

    I’m not grain free, but I haven’t actually had very many grains in the past couple of months such as rice, oatmeal, or quinoa. I eat more bread than any of those, but I think rice was bloating me for a while, so I’ve felt better without it! These look amazing!

    Reply

  11. SuzLyfe (@suzlyfe) says

    November 14, 2014 at 7:27 AM

    I was so excited when I saw the name of these muffins–what great flavors! I am so lucky to not have to also manage the gluten in my diet, but I do find that I tend towards a more GF lifestyle at times when I can feel my body getting over loaded.

    Reply

  12. Megan (The Lyons' Share) says

    November 14, 2014 at 7:38 AM

    Great information. You make it seem so much more manageable by highlighting that you do it only in times of high stress. If I am stressed, I definitely do notice more bloating when I consume more grains, and though I try to cut back on them in times of stress, I’ve never eliminated them completely for a period of time. Of course, the muffins look divine and I will definitely be trying them! 🙂

    Reply

    • LCCotter says

      November 14, 2014 at 7:42 AM

      everyone reacts differently, yes? I think soaking them really helps too.. but i don’t always have time, therefore I just eliminate for a while. ya know?

      Reply

  13. Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says

    November 14, 2014 at 7:42 AM

    Lindsay, thse look stunning!! I’m not a huge grains eater to begin with, but I loved reading about how the Kiwi alters his diet/grain intake with his training blocks. I’d never really thought of that before but it totally makes sense! Great post!

    Reply

  20. Shashi @ runninsrilankan says

    November 14, 2014 at 9:21 AM

    Oh wow – I so need these muffins – and the fact they have ginger-ale (in any form) means my daughter will be all over them too!
    Thanks for the info on the benefits of going grain free lady! Have a wonderful weekend!

    Reply

  22. Laura @ Mommy Run Fast says

    November 14, 2014 at 9:43 AM

    I’m reading Wheat Belly Total Health right now and although I’ve mostly just cut out wheat it makes me curious to experiment with grain free. I like your balance of using it for set times to reduce inflammation, but not 100% of the time. That’s so much more doable for the average American that cutting it out completely!

    Reply

  26. Amanda @ .running with spoons. says

    November 14, 2014 at 11:52 AM

    Never in a million years would I have guessed that these are grain free — they look incredible! I need to start experimenting with grain-free baking a little more. I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable with gluten-free, and now you’re throwing a whole other ball at me. Eesh 😛

    Reply

  28. Abby says

    November 14, 2014 at 12:24 PM

    when I saw these on Instagram I had to come over here! They look SO good!
    And I like that you took the guesswork out of grain-free cooking. I don’t do it, so it is intimidating!

    Reply

  29. jobo says

    November 14, 2014 at 1:14 PM

    I LOVE the information you impart in these blogs my friend. I never even thought of grain free during times of stress. So interesting. And these look fantastic!!

    Reply

  44. Julie Granja says

    October 4, 2015 at 10:59 AM

    I just made these this weekend, and OMGoodness, were they incredible!! The taste AND texture were superb. Can’t wait to try them with apples now. Can you tell me how much chopped apple to use instead of pear? 1 or 1 1/2 cups? Thank you 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply

    • Cotter Crunch says

      October 4, 2015 at 1:56 PM

      Wonderful! So glad. I would imagine the apple would be about the same amount. I would maybe soften the apple after dicing it. So throw it in the microwave for 30 seconds. if you want them more moist. not a necessity, just a thought

      Reply

  46. Liz S says

    December 13, 2018 at 6:07 AM

    Love that pears are as nutritious as they are delicious! This recipe is definitely the perfect, sweet way to enjoy them.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  47. Michel Sharp says

    December 13, 2018 at 8:15 AM

    Looks delicious, but what can I use in place of almond flour and can I use an egg
    replacement for the eggs. Also, can i use apple instead of pears?

    Reply

  51. Rachel says

    December 16, 2018 at 9:34 AM

    These look amazing! Your photography is wonderful! I wish I could try them. Unfortunately I’m allergic to almonds. Thankfully no other nuts!! 😁

    Usually when something calls for a little almond flour, I swap ground up walnuts or pecans. For recipes like this, that have an almond flour base, making that swap would change the flavor and texture too much.

    Finding grain free and almond free recipes has been a challenge. I’ve tried a few that I found through searching the internet, but they weren’t awesome. In your grain free expertise and food blogging experience, do you know of any resources for grain free and almond free baking? No worries if nothing comes to mind. 😃

    Reply

  52. Jennifer Blake says

    December 16, 2018 at 9:55 AM

    When it comes to muffins my go to is usually banana but I love this pear alternative! Amazing flavor.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  56. Maribel says

    March 18, 2019 at 7:02 PM

    Hi! I’m in the middle of making these muffins-you list baking powder but in the directions you say baking soda. Which one is it? : ) Thanks!

    Reply

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