This Healthy Morning Glory Muffins recipe (Sugar-Free) These wholesome morning glory muffins are sugar and butter-free and filled with healthy ingredients like whole wheat flour, wheat germ, apples, carrots, raisins, toasted pecans, sunflower seeds, and unsweetened shredded coconut, making it perfect for on-the-go breakfast!
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What are Healthy Morning Glory Muffins?
Healthy Morning Glory Muffins are a type of muffin that are made with wholesome ingredients like whole wheat flour, wheat germ, apples, carrots, and raisins, as well as toasted pecans, sunflower seeds, and unsweetened shredded coconut. This sugar- and butter-free recipe makes it a healthier breakfast or snack option. The Healthy Morning Glory Muffins are easy to make and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days at room temperature or up to a week. They can also be frozen for up to 2 months, making them a great make-ahead option for busy mornings or meal prep.
Ingredients
Note: The full ingredients list is provided in the recipe card below.
- Whole Wheat Flour: Provides fiber and nutrients compared to refined white flour, making the muffins more wholesome and nutritious.
- Baking Soda: Acts as a leavening agent, helping the Healthy Morning Glory Muffins rise and become light and fluffy.
- Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm and aromatic flavors to the muffins.
- Ground Ginger: Adds a subtle spicy kick and enhances the overall flavor profile.
- Allulose Sweetener: A sugar substitute that adds sweetness without the calories of regular sugar, making the muffins sugar-free and suitable for those watching their sugar intake.
- Kosher Salt: Enhances the flavors in the muffins and balances the sweetness.
- Eggs: Provide structure and moisture to the muffins, acting as a binding agent.
- Avocado Oil, Grape Oil, or Sunflower Oil: Adds moisture to the muffins and contributes to a tender texture. These oils are generally considered healthier alternatives to butter or vegetable oil.
- Fresh Orange Juice: Adds a tangy and citrusy flavor to the muffins, enhancing the overall taste.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a pleasant aroma and flavor to the muffins.
- Carrots: Provide natural sweetness, moisture, and texture to the muffins. They also add nutrients like vitamin A and fiber.
- Granny Smith Apple: Adds sweetness, moisture, and a hint of tartness to the muffins. It also contributes to the overall texture.
- Shredded Coconut: Adds texture, flavor, and sweetness to the muffins.
- Toasted Pecans or Walnuts: Provide a crunchy texture, nutty flavor, and added richness to the muffins.
- Raw Sunflower Seeds: Add a subtle crunch and contribute to the overall texture of the muffins.
- Wheat Germ or Flaxseed Meal: Adds nutritional value, including fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, to the muffins.
- Raisins: Add natural sweetness and bursts of flavor throughout the muffins.
- Orange Zest or Lemon Zest: Adds a bright and citrusy aroma to the muffins, enhancing the overall taste experience.
Tools you'll need
- Muffin tin (12-cup)
- Large bowl
- Whisk
- Grater
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula
How to Make Healthy Morning Glory Muffins
Note: The full instructions are provided in the recipe card below.
Preheat the oven to 375 °F. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray, or use cupcake liners. Whisk together the sifted whole wheat flour, monk fruit, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and orange zest in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, salt, oil, orange juice, and vanilla extract together. Add to the flour mixture, along with the raisins, carrots, apple, coconut, pecans, sunflower seeds, and wheat germ. Fold everything together until combined, and no pockets of flour remain, don't overmix.
Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin pan, filling them to the top. They will be full. Bake the healthy Morning Glory Muffins for about 25 minutes, until domed and a cake tester inserted in the center of one of the inner muffins comes out clean. Remove the healthy Morning Glory Muffins from the oven and let them cool in the pan on a rack for about 5 minutes. Turn the muffins out onto the rack to cool completely. Cover and store at room temperature for up to 3 days. Enjoy our Healthy Morning Glory Muffins (Sugar-Free)!
Substitutions
- Sweetener: You can use other sweeteners such as stevia, erythritol, honey, or maple syrup. Remember that the sweetness level may vary depending on the type and amount of sweetener you use.
- Baking powder and baking soda: Baking powder is used to create lift in the muffins while baking soda helps to neutralize the acidity and provides additional lift. If you don't have both, you can use one or the other, but the texture and rise of the muffins may be slightly different.
- Nuts and seeds: You can use other nuts and seeds in this recipe, such as almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, or sesame seeds. Just chop them into small pieces to blend well into the batter.
- Spices: You can add spices such as nutmeg, allspice, or cardamom to the recipe to enhance the flavor. Be careful not to add too much, as these spices can be strong.
Variations
- Gluten-free: You can replace whole wheat flour with a gluten-free blend, such as almond or 1:1 gluten-free baking flour. Be sure to adjust the amount of flour and liquid accordingly.
- Vegan: Replace the eggs with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoon water), and use non-dairy milk and oil.
- Chocolate chip: Add ½ cup of dark chocolate chips or chopped chocolate to the batter for a sweet and indulgent twist.
- Pumpkin: Replace the carrots with shredded pumpkin or sweet potato, and add 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice to the batter.
- Banana: Replace the shredded apple with mashed ripe banana, and add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the batter.
- Blueberry: Fold 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries into the batter before baking.
How to Serve
- Breakfast on the go: These muffins are perfect for a quick and healthy breakfast when you're in a rush. Grab one or two and enjoy them with coffee or tea.
- Snack: These muffins also make a great snack to have on hand during the day. They are packed with healthy ingredients and will give you an energy boost.
- Brunch: Serve these muffins at a brunch gathering with friends or family. They are a great addition to other brunch items, such as fruit, yogurt, and eggs.
- Dessert: While these muffins are healthy and sugar-free, they can still satisfy your sweet tooth. Serve them as a healthier dessert option with a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of honey.
How to Store & Re-Heat
To store: The cooled Healthy Morning Glory Muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
To reheat: In the microwave until warm through, about 5 to 10 seconds.
Make-Ahead
After the Healthy Morning Glory Muffins have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months. If you're eating them the next day or later, reheat them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a toaster oven for a few minutes until they are warm.
You can prepare and freeze the batter in the muffin cups until ready to bake. Simply thaw the Healthy Morning Glory Muffins batter in the refrigerator overnight and bake as directed. For meal prep, portion the muffins into individual containers or bags for an easy grab-and-go breakfast or snack. Add fresh fruit, yogurt, or other sides to create a well-rounded meal.
How to Freeze
Allow the Healthy Morning Glory Muffins to cool completely to room temperature. Wrap each muffin tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place the wrapped muffins in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date and contents. Freeze for up to 2 months. When you're ready to enjoy the Healthy Morning Glory Muffins, remove them from the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
You can also reheat them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or in a toaster oven for a few minutes until they are warm. You can always have a quick, healthy breakfast or snack option by freezing these muffins.
Tips for Making The Best Healthy Morning Glory Muffins
- Use fresh ingredients: Make sure your ingredients are fresh and not expired for the best taste and texture.
- Measure accurately: Use a kitchen scale or spoon and level your ingredients for accurate measurements.
- Don't overmix: Mix the batter until combined to avoid overworking the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough muffins.
- Add eggs one at a time: Beat each egg until fully incorporated before adding the next one to ensure even mixing.
- Use room temperature eggs: Take them out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before using them.
- Preheat the oven: Make sure the oven is fully preheated before baking to ensure even baking.
- Fill muffin cups to the top: Fill the muffin cups to the top for a domed muffin top.
- Grease or line the muffin tin: To prevent sticking, grease it with nonstick cooking spray or line it with muffin cups.
- Don't overbake: Check the muffins for doneness a few minutes before the recommended time to avoid overbaking.
- Cool completely: Let the muffins cool before storing or freezing to avoid condensation.
- Use a combination of fats: A combination of oil and unsalted butter or avocado oil will make the muffins moist and flavorful.
- Use a combination of sugars: Granulated and brown sugar will add moisture, depth of flavor, and a crisp top.
- Customize with add-ins: Add your favorite nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or spices to make your muffins.
FAQ
Can I Substitute the buttermilk?
You can substitute it with homemade sour milk or whole milk. However, I recommend using the full-fat kind for the best Healthy Morning Glory Muffins (Sugar-Free)!
How to ensure a moist Healthy Morning Glory Muffins?
You can do a few things to ensure your muffins are moist and delicious. First, use oil or a combination of unsalted butter and oil. These fats help create a moist and tender texture while flavoring the muffin. Second, before mixing the batter, be sure to preheat your oven; this will help the muffins cook more evenly and prevent them from drying. Third, don’t overmix the batter – overmixing can result in tough, dry muffins. And finally, use a combination of light or brown sugar and granulated sugar for moisture, depth of flavor, and crisp top.
How do you freeze Muffins before baking?
Scoop the batter into the muffin cups, filling just above three-quarters full. Freeze until set, about 3 hours. The muffins can be removed to zippered freezer bags at this point and stored for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Place the muffins in a pan and bake until they are lightly golden and a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes.
How do you freeze Healthy Morning Glory Muffins after baking?
Double wrap completely cooled muffins with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap and place them in a heavy-duty bag—thaw overnight on the countertop.
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Recipe
Healthy Morning Glory Muffins (Sugar-Free)
Ingredients
- 250 g (2 cups) white whole wheat flour or whole wheat flour, spooned and leveled and sifted
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- 242 g (1 ½ cups) Allulose Sweetener
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 large eggs , room temperature
- ¾ cup avocado oil , grape oil, or expeller-pressed sunflower oil
- ¼ cup fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups carrots , peeled and shredded (about 4 large carrots)
- 1 large Granny Smith apple , peeled, cored, and shredded
- 40 g (½ cup) shredded coconut, unsweetened
- 36 g (⅓ cup) toasted pecans or walnuts, chopped
- 33 g (⅓ cup) raw sunflower seeds, unsalted
- 33 g (⅓ cup) wheat germ or flaxseed meal
- ⅔ cup raisins
- 1 tablespoon orange zest or lemon zest
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 °F. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray or use cupcake liners. In a large bowl, whisk together the sifted whole wheat flour, monk fruit, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and orange zest.
- In a separate bowl, beat together the eggs, salt, oil, orange juice, and vanilla extract. Add to the flour mixture, along with the raisins, carrots, apple, coconut, pecans, sunflower seeds, and wheat germ. Fold everything together just until combined and no pockets of flour remain, don't overmix.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin pan, filling them all the way to the top. They will be very full. Bake the Sugar-Free Morning Glory Muffins for about 25 minutes, until domed and a cake tester inserted in the center of one of the inner muffins comes out clean.
- Remove the healthy Morning Glory Muffins from the oven and let cool in the pan on a rack for about 5 minutes. Turn the muffins out onto the rack to cool completely. Cover and store at room temperature for up to 3 days. Enjoy our Morning Glory Muffins!
Notes
- To store: The cooled Healthy Morning Glory Muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- To reheat: In the microwave until warm through, about 5 to 10 seconds.
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.