Apple Bloghop: GF Quinoa Apple Muffins

I was never a fan of apples growing up

I only ate them in apple pie, applesauce, and apple juice...

but living in Michigan for 9 years

near the farmer's market in Ann Arbor...

opened up my palette to appreciate apples in all its diverse flavors.

I'm the pickiest apple eater,

But a honeycrisp apple will never cease to make me smitten,

I literally ate one every day for a month

that's how obsessed I was!

This quinoa apple muffin is packed with goodness,

complete protein from quinoa,

honeycrisp sweetness from the apple,

flavor of pure vanilla bean (sent to me from the lovely Nelly)

aroma of pumpkin pie,

it's the perfect healthy fall treat,

especially with a slather of...

apple butter or pumpkin butter. :)

Quinoa Apple Muffins (Gluten Free)

Adapted from Apple Muffins from the Food Network

1 cup quinoa flour

1 cup quinoa flakes

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice*

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup organic cane sugar

2.5 tbsp golden flaxseed meal

6 tbsp water

1/4 tsp vanilla bean or 1 tsp vanilla extract

3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk

1 tbsp lemon

1 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/4 cup expeller pressed canola oil

1 cup honeycrisp apple, peeled & cored

1/2 cup walnuts

Directions:

1. Combine the quinoa flour, quinoa flakes, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, & salt.

2. Cut the vanilla bean in half and scrape out the seeds using a spoon. Add in the dry mixture. 

3. Add in the brown sugar and stir well.

4. Combine flaxseed and water in a separate bowl and let it sit for 3 minutes. 

5. Combine the lemon juice and almond milk together. 

6. Mix flaxseed mixture, almond milk mixture, canola oil, and apple sauce togehter. 

7. Grate the apple using a mandolin and finely chop into little pieces. 

8. Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture. Then add the grated apples.

9. Pour batter into a greased muffin pan or use baking cups. 

10. Finely chop walnuts in a food processor and top muffins for a streusel. 

11. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. 

Other tips: I bought my pumpkin pie spice from Trader Joes. You can make your own with the following: cinnamon, ginger, lemon peel, nutmeg, cloves, and cardamom. For the sugar, you can choose to add more sweetener if you prefer a sweeter taste. Add up to 3/4 cup if desired.

What is your favorite baked good during the fall season?

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October is #applelove month!

Please join in on the #applelove fun by linking up any apple recipe from the month of October 2011. Don't forget to link back to this post, so that your readers know to come stop by the #applelove event! The twitter hashtag is #applelove :). 

Cohosted by:

Bakerstreet, Bloc de recetas, Bon a Croquer, CafeTerraBlog, Cake Duchess, Elephant Eats, Hobby and More, Knitstamatic, Mike's Baking, Queen's Notebook, Simply Reem, Skip to Malou, Teaspoon of Spice, The Daily Palette, The Spicy RD, Vegan Miam, & Versatile Vegetarian Kitchen.