Healthy Morning Glory Muffins

Healthy Morning Glory Muffins packed with wholesome ingredients like carrots, apples, whole wheat flour, raisins and maple syrup. This healthy muffin recipes is the perfect grab and go breakfast or midday snack!

They’re a delicious morning muffin, just like these healthy blueberry muffins, almond flour banana muffins, or healthy carrot muffins.

If your worst nightmare is ‘plain’ foods, then these healthy morning glory muffins are your multi-textured, flavorful, and healthy snacks dream come true.

With a bit of everything including nuts, dried fruit, coconut flakes, whole grains, and Instant Pot applesauce, there’s so much to love!

Nutritious and delicious breakfast muffins are busy mornings best friend! I also keep healthy banana zucchini muffins and broccoli cheese egg muffins on hand for a variety.

These Morning Glory Muffins Are

Why Are These Muffins Healthy?

As far as healthy muffin recipes go, this healthy morning glory muffins recipe contains very few ’empty calories,’ relying on nourishing, wholesome ingredients instead. They are perfectly balanced with fiber, heart-healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals!

Veggie loaded muffins are also lower in sugar opting to use maple syrup instead! Using applesauce helps reduce oil and results in a lower fat muffin that is lighter yet still extra moist with a ton of flavor.

Best of all these morning glory muffins can fit into a variety of dietary lifestyles. Choose to use whole wheat for a whole grain muffin, or use gluten free all purpose flour. Either way, these healthier muffins are a morning win.

Ingredients and Substitutions

While the ingredients list for this morning glory muffin recipe may seem long, don’t worry! It’s primarily pantry staples, making this recipe easy to pull together whenever desired!

• Flour: Use whole wheat, spelt, or gluten free all-purpose flour (you can see how I experiment with several flours for these healthy zucchini muffins).
• Eggs: You’ll need one large egg.
• Applesauce: Mashed banana or plain Greek yogurt may work in its place. Even pumpkin puree could work, but muffin will be less sweet.
• Sweetener: Honey or maple syrup will work. I can’t guarantee results with a sugar free syrup.
• Oil: I’ve reduced the oil in this recipe to just ¼ cup (around 1 tsp per muffin) and prefer avocado oil, or coconut oil.
• Fruit and veggies: Shredded carrots and apple. Any type of apple will work! You may also love these healthy apple muffins or healthy carrot muffins.
• Vanilla extract: Use pure, natural vanilla extract.
• Ground cinnamon: This warming spice really enhances the flavor in these morning muffins.
• Leavening agents: These healthy morning glory muffins rely on baking powder (aluminum free) and baking soda to achieve the correct consistency.
• Salt: Just a pinch enhances the overall flavor.
• Dried fruit: I used raisins. Other options include cranberries, chopped dates, apricots, prunes, figs, etc. Use what you have!
• Coconut: I use unsweetened shredded coconut flakes for flavor, texture, and heartiness. Though, omit them if preferred. I love them in these almond muffins!
• Walnuts: You can gently crush them by hand rather than having to dirty a chopping board. Pecans, almonds, pine nuts (not a nut), and/or sunflower seeds would also work.

You’ll also need cooking spray (I use Misto).

How to Make Morning Glory Muffins

This morning glory muffins recipe requires just a few simple steps. You could even get the kids involved!

• Prep: First, preheat the oven to 425 F and spray a nonstick 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray. I like to use parchment paper liners but they are optional. Set aside.
• Mix the muffin batter: Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, whisk all wet ingredients with leavening agents and flavorings.

• Gently fold in flour: And stir until just combined.

• Add veg, fruit and nuts: Stir until carrots, apple, dried fruit, coconut, and nuts are all incorporated into the batter.

• Fill the muffin tin: Divide the batter evenly among your muffin tin (I use an ice-cream scoop). If you would like you can stud them with oats before baking.

• Bake: Bake for 7 minutes at 425 F (creates a nice dome top) and then reduce heat to 350 F (without removing the muffins from the oven) and bake for another 13 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (or with just a few crumbs, but not wet).

Optional Variations

These healthy morning glory muffins are truly versatile. Here are just a few ways you can adapt the recipe to your liking!

• Citrus zest: Add a teaspoon of orange zest for a subtle layer of flavor. 
• Zucchini: Instead of apple, use shredded zucchini, squeezing out the excess liquid.
• Crushed pineapple: Another addition in place of shredded carrot and apple is crushed pineapple (1 cup with excess juice squeezed out), these are often called sunrise muffins.
• Orange juice: Use fresh, unsweetened orange juice (or pineapple juice) in place of some of applesauce for citrusy flavor.

FAQs

How Do I Grate Carrots and Apples for Muffins?

I recommend using the large holes on a box grater and leaving the peel on for extra fiber. There is no need to squeeze out any excess liquid.

Can I Make These Egg Free?

You can experiment with a chia seed egg or learn how to make a flax egg to prepare this morning glory muffin recipe.

Why Are My Muffins Dense?

This can happen if you’ve over mixed the batter or added too much flour/liquid. Follow the recipe the first time. That way, if you make any adjustments, you can see how they affect the texture and tweak them further to your liking.

How Should I Store These Muffins?

Allow the morning glory muffins to cool entirely and then store them at room temperature for 2 days. You can also store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to one week.

I FULLY endorse baking a double or triple batch of these healthy morning muffins. Especially when you can store them for up to three months in a resealable freezer bag. For healthy muffin recipes, thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

If you want to enjoy a warm muffin, you can reheat it for 30-40 seconds in the microwave.  

More Healthy Muffin Recipes

• Banana applesauce muffins
• Lemon zucchini muffins
• Healthy chocolate chip muffins
• Healthy pumpkin muffins
• Healthy cranberry orange muffins
• Browse best healthy muffin recipes!

You might also enjoy browsing through my entire muffins collection!