HEALTHY Muffin Recipes

[Laurlor]

Does anyone have and tried and tested healthy breakfast muffin recipes? DD is unhappy with our breakfast choices so I'm trying to get creative. Thanks!

[2sunshines]

Not a recipe, but I add ground flaxseed and ground chia seeds to pretty much every baked good, so that increases the health value.

[Aerynne]

What is healthy to you? Would you include oil? Refined sugar as long as it's a muffin and not a cupcake? Non-refined sweeteners in any amount (honey, maple syrup)? White flour? Flour of any kind? So many people here define "healthy" so differently so I want to see where we are starting from.

[Laurlor]

Great question. I don't have a hard and fast answer to that. I just want it to have more good than harm, KWIM? So some sugar is fine, just not tons. Oil is fine, but preferably a healthy oil like coconut oil. White flour is fine, but I might prefer a mix of white with some wheat. Adding in healthy fruits, seeds, etc. is great. DD keeps begging me to buy muffins at the store, but they all seem to be high in sugar with little nutritional value. Just wanted to do something homemade that would offer better nutritional value. I'm pretty open to anything that offers mostly good nutritional value.

[2sunshines]

Here's my go to banana bread and muffin recipe.

I use completely whole wheat flour instead of the all purpose. I only use 1/2 cup sugar. And I add in flax seed and chia. So fairly healthy. And my kids love banana bread and muffins.

http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/banana_bread/

[Laurlor]

Originally Posted by 2sunshines

Here's my go to banana bread and muffin recipe.

I use completely whole wheat flour instead of the all purpose. I only use 1/2 cup sugar. And I add in flax seed and chia. So fairly healthy. And my kids love banana bread and muffins.

http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/banana_bread/

Do you do both flax and chia together? Any estimate on how much you add?

Thank you!!

[2sunshines]

There truly is no method to my madness.

I buy the chia and flax as seeds, and then grind them up (separately) small portions at a time, to use when I feel like it. Sometimes I put both in, sometimes I just put one or the other.

For one batch of muffins, I probably add about a tablespoon total. I'd probably start with just one or the other. And maybe even start with a lesser amount and see if anyone notices. Mine never have. And I have a few pretty picky ones... BUT I've been cooking this way for a long time so I'm not sure if they have anything else to compare it too, lol

[Aerynne]

My favorite is Lindsay Nixon's Pineapple Sunshine Muffins, but I can't find the recipe online. They are from the Happy Herbivore Abroad cookbook, which your library might have.

I also love, from the Tightwad Gazette, Amy Dacyczyn's make-your-own-muffin recipe. It says the amounts of grain or flour, liquid, etc, and you can make up what you want.

[greengirl19]

I've made these several different ways for different food restrictions and they're always a winner! http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/20...free-nut-free/

[Vicki_T]

It depends what you mean by 'healthy' - my recipe has oil and white flour (I've not tried replacing it with whole meal but maybe that would work), but no added sugar, only fruit.

1-2 very ripe, mashed bananas
2 medium eggs
125ml vegetable oil
250ml milk
200g self-raising flour
100g oats
100g ground almonds
100g dried, fresh or frozen fruit (with sugar to taste if needed)

[Laurlor]

Originally Posted by Aerynne

My favorite is Lindsay Nixon's Pineapple Sunshine Muffins, but I can't find the recipe online. They are from the Happy Herbivore Abroad cookbook, which your library might have.

I think I found a close adaptation! They look good!

http://annarborvegankitchen.com/2013...shine-muffins/

[heartofjoy]

My go to recipe is from the Le Leche League cookbook. My kids love them. I can post the recipe later this evening.

[Quiteria]

My definition is similar...must have some redeeming quality like fruit or veggies or protein or whole grains, not just a solid lump of white flour and sugar...but some sugar or white flour is okay.

Muffins are one of the few things my kids will eat without complaints, so definitely looking for recipes.

[heartofjoy]

Basic Whole Wheat Muffins

Ingredients:

1 c. whole wheat flour
½ c. wheat germ
½ c. ground flax seed
½ tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp cloves
1/3 c. honey or brown sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 c. milk with a tsp. of lemon juice OR plain yogurt OR buttermilk
3 Tbsp oil or melted butter
Chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Mix dry ingredients in bowl. Make a well in center.

2. Add honey, egg, milk, and oil to the well.

3. Stir until moistened.

4. Fold in chocolate chips.

5. Fill greased muffin cups ½ full. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes.


NOTES: Sometimes I bump up the sugar/honey to 1/2 cup instead of 1/3. If I use brown sugar instead of honey, I add it with the dry ingredients. You can use any oil. I've used olive, coconut, and safflower. I also like to use butter. I can't tell the difference in the outcome. If I use yogurt, I usually do half yogurt and half milk or water so it's not so thick. I've also made this with rice milk back when my oldest was dairy free. You can use 2 cups of flour (white or wheat) if you don't have wheat germ or flax seed. I use white whole wheat as opposed to red whole wheat.

[Bea423]

These muffins (and literally ALL of her baked goods... The sugar cookies are amazing. Nobody knew they had honey AND were whole wheat!) Are a favorite. Her baked goods are light and fluffy and all whole foods. I've been on a long journey looking for good fully whole wheat baking, it's much better years later as I've learned tricks, but it hasn't always been yummy! My husband said "hey you made regular (white flour) muffins this time" (a rare treat). I wanted to high five myself. Now I pretty much just use her recipes

http://www.myhumblekitchen.com/2014/...-chip-muffins/