These store well in the fridge so you can make them a day or two ahead if you prefer—or bake and serve warm from the oven. These taste like a cross between baked oatmeal and a traditional pumpkin muffin (they don't have any flour, so they're a little denser than a traditional muffin, but still super moist!).
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and grease a standard size muffin tin.
Place all of the ingredients into a blender or food processor except the chocolate chips.
Blend until very smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl if needed.
Divide among the prepared muffin tin. You want each cup to be about 3/4 full. Top with chocolate chips if using.
Bake for 20-22 minutes or until firm to the touch and lightly golden brown around the edges. Let cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled.
Notes
These muffins can store in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-5 days. Or in the freezer in a zip top freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature.
Serve cold or slightly warmed. Dice into smaller pieces for younger kids.
Gluten-free: Use certified gluten-free rolled oats.
Egg-free: Use a store-bought egg replacer like the kind from Bob's Red Mill or Just Eggs. (Flax or chia eggs can be used, but the texture may be more like baked oatmeal than a muffin.)
Use honey instead of maple syrup if desired. (Do not use honey for kids under age one.)
For mini muffins, bake for 12-14 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into the centers comes out cleanly.
If you love the flavor of pumpkin pie, use 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice.
To make these by hand without a blender or food processor, use store-bought oat flour and mix the ingredients together in a mixing bowl.
Add a few chocolate chips to the tops of each muffin if desired.