Carrot Apple Oat Muffins

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp ground flax meal or 3 eggs
• 9 tbsp water
• 2 cups uncooked oats; certified gluten-free if needed
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tbsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup maple or date syrup; honey can be used when vegan preparation is not needed
• 1 medium apple, roughly chopped
• 1 cup grated carrot
• 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
• 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°F and line a 12-cup muffin tin.
2. If using flax, combine flax meal with water and let stand 5 minutes. If using eggs, whisk them separately.
3. Blend oats, salt, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon until the oats resemble coarse flour.
4. Add the flax mixture or eggs, vanilla, syrup, apple, carrot, coconut oil and almond milk. Blend until smooth, scraping down the blender as needed.
5. Divide batter among 12 muffin cups.
6. Bake about 25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely; refrigerate up to a week.