Vegan Spiced Apple Lentil Muffins ~ Toddler Friendly

Need an easy protein boost for your little one? That's what I was thinking when I realized that raising a child as a vegetarian seems easy, but because of the lack of animal-based proteins, I may be limiting my daughter's nutrition! Bleh :s

So! I'm not a huge lentil fan, but how can you not like those little legumes when encased within a soft, fluffy muffin? Impossible! My first attempt at the recipe using a gluten free oat flour proved tasty, but far too mooshy...as if all the moisture in the world resided in one muffin. So here it is an updated, non-gluten free version!

Recipe Deets (use organic whenever possible!)

1 cup cooked lentils
1 cup all purpose flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder (I added more and it helped with the muffin's "form")
pinch of sea salt
cinnamon to taste
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup coconut sugar (or any type of sugar)
1/4 cup cocnut oil (or olive oil...adds moisture and flavor)
3 tbsp maple syrup (flavor...so feel free to add less sugar because of the maple syrup)
1 cup shredded apple (1 large apple)
1 flax egg (or reg egg if not vegan)

Preheat oven to 375°

- In one bowl mix wet ingredients, and in another bowl mix dry (other than apple)
- Fold dry into wet
- Add apples
- Distribute evenly in muffin pan
- Bake 20 minutes

The great thing about this recipe is that you can substitute the ingredients in accordance to how much sugar/oil you prefer in your baking.

My tiny lady goes crazy for these things! They are perfect snack sized and packed with protein!