These healthy applesauce muffins are made with whole wheat flour, brown sugar and natural sweetener, and they’re completely dairy-free. This recipe calls for simple ingredients and is so easy to put together. And because these muffins are low in fat and high in fiber they make for a clean-eating breakfast or snack option for kids and toddlers (and adults too!).
I’ve come to realize that a lot of muffins are just breakfast cupcakes. That really is what they are. Now, let me be clear; in no way am I going to stop eating them, but you gotta have some balance in your life. It’s time to cut back on the junk food breakfasts. Don’t deny it. Sometimes you have breakfast foods that aren’t really breakfast food because it’s easier to just throw some high corn syrup O’s cereal in a bowl with some milk and eat it. We all do this. I’m guilty of it too but we can’t go on like this.
So if you’re looking for moist applesauce muffins that are healthy yet comforting and delicious, look no further!
I adapted this recipe from my best applesauce muffin recipe which really is the best by the way so you already know that this healthified version is great too.
I love having healthy muffins for breakfast.
This is an easy healthy applesauce muffin recipe that comes together in one bowl and takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. Not bad, right? It’s pretty simple.
I love how convenient these healthy apple muffins are to make too because you don’t actually need apples for this recipe and I know that applesauce is a staple in most households.
Make sure to measure the flour correctly by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling off the excess. This will ensure that the muffins actually come out moist and not dense and dry.
The Health Benefits of Applesauce
- High in water and fiber
- Contains vitamin C
- Is fat free and low in calories
- Aids in weight loss
Applesauce Muffins for Toddlers
My kids love these muffins (and yours will too). They don’t even realize that they’re healthy or whole wheat for that matter and neither can I!
Not only are these muffins great for breakfast, they’re a healthier snack option too.
These are a much better option to keep kids full in between meals and they also help to avoid snacking on things that don’t really hold much nutritional value.
Applesauce Muffins with Honey / Maple Syrup
These muffins are made with natural sweetener (and a little brown sugar too). You can use either honey or maple syrup.
I find that maple syrup has a stronger flavor when used in baked goods but it’s really up to you, your preference, and what you have on hand.
Applesauce Muffins with Oil
Because these muffins are dairy-free there is no butter and no milk in this recipe. You won’t miss either of them though.
You can use almost any kind of flavorless oil for this recipe; vegetable oil, melted coconut oil, and avocado oil.
This recipe uses brown sugar because applesauce muffins with brown sugar are really delicious. Trust me, that tiny bit of molasses from the brown sugar does wonders for the flavor in this recipe.
As you can see from the title these are cinnamon applesauce muffins. I love cinnamon and these babies have a healthy dose. It’s the perfect amount, I promise. They also have a pinch of nutmeg which basically rounds everything out and it enhances the cinnamon and the applesauce too. It’s only right for muffins with applesauce to have some spice.
By the way they taste so amazing warm! They smell like Fall, but yet here I am having them at the end of April. It’s because great recipes like this one are great all year round.
I didn’t know that whole wheat applesauce muffins could be so soft and tender. The oil and the applesauce are responsible for this and I love it. The texture is amazing considering that they’re whole wheat muffins.
Why the need for so much baking soda?
I know that there is an alarming amount of baking soda in this recipe however it is the perfect amount. Don’t worry, the muffins don’t turn out tasting like baking soda at all.
Remember, both the applesauce and brown sugar are acidic ingredients so therefore they are able to neutralize the baking soda resulting in perfectly risen muffins without a metallic aftertaste.
Why are the insides of the muffins pink?
Do not be frightened! The muffins may appear pink on the inside because of the applesauce. I’m not exactly sure how or why this happens but I believe that it’s due to skin being left on some of the apples causing the applesauce to turn pink when cooked or baked. Or it could just be a natural reaction when the applesauce is out in the open for a long time.
Whatever the reason may be, rest assured that the muffins are perfectly safe to eat.
More Healthy Muffin Recipes
- Healthy Oatmeal Applesauce Muffins
- Healthy Banana Applesauce Muffins
- Healthy Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins
- Healthy Pumpkin Banana Muffins
These muffins are good all around. They taste good and they’re really good for you too. In other words, they’re delicious and nutritious!
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Healthy Whole Wheat Cinnamon Applesauce Muffins
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Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce
- 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1/2 tablespoon baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line muffin pan with muffins liners and set aside.
- In a large bowl mix together the applesauce, sugar, spices, and salt until smooth. Stir in the honey/maple syrup.
- Beat in the oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Add the flour, sprinkle in the baking soda and mix until incorporated. Do not over mix.
- Scoop the batter into the muffin pan filling the cups to the top.
- Bake for 21 – 22 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean or mostly clean.
- Cool in pan 10 minutes then remove to cool completely.
Notes
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1 comment
Just baked these muffins for the second time but decided to weigh the whole wheat flour. Oh my! They came out so much lighter…melt in your mouth!