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.
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?
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!
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!
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.
Okay, enough fruit talk. Let’s get to the recipe.
Spiced Pear Muffins with Nut Topping
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 -40 minutes
- Yield: 10 1x
Description
Ginger Spiced Pear Muffins with a sweet nutty topping! Grain free, paleo option.
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
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line a muffin tray with liners or spray with oil.
- 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.
- In another bowl, sift your flours and starches together. Mix in your baking powder and salt.
- Whisk together your eggs until fluffy then gradually fold into your dry flours mix. Mix in your melted butter.
- Gently pour your pear and ginger mixture into the egg/flour batter bowl. Mix gently until batter is thoroughly blended.
- Pour batter into oiled muffins cups, set aside.
- 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.
- 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 .
- 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
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
