These wholesome oatmeal muffins are excellent for breakfasts and snacks! Deliciously cozy with plenty of heat spices, tender oats fill each chew. A particular ingredient and mixing trick yield an extremely tender and moist texture, with nearly no further effort. Really — this muffin recipe is sort of simple to make!
One spring weekend throughout highschool, my dad dropped me off at a buddy’s home. Between our busy schedules and the way she lived a number of cities away, we hardly ever noticed one another, so we took benefit of that sunny Saturday and deliberate a whole day of enjoyable.
Round midday, we walked two miles alongside the bike paths and trails in her neighborhood that finally led to a cute downtown space. She recommended one of many smaller native eating places, and the hostess instantly seated us outdoors at a small desk for 2.
I opened the menu and began scanning the assorted choices. My buddy identified her favorites, together with a cranberry and apple spinach salad and one other of goat cheese and blended greens, whereas a waiter set down two frosty glasses of ice water and a petite wicker basket within the heart of the desk.
After we thanked him, my buddy pulled again the linen serviette to disclose two kinds of heat, freshly baked bread: an ethereal white sourdough and a heartier complete wheat. Entire oats garnished the tops of the latter, and as we completely loved snacking on each superbly tender varieties whereas ready for our entrées, I made a psychological observe to strive adorning my subsequent batch of muffins the identical approach.
The next weekend, again in my very own kitchen, I pulled out a set of blending bowls and set to work. After dolloping the batter into our well-worn muffin tins, I sprinkled a tiny pinch of oats on high of every one. I smiled down on the pale flakes, slid the pans into the oven, and set a timer.
When it beeped, I slipped my hand into an oven mitt and positioned the tray on high of the range. Impatient, I leaned towards the granite countertop and stared at their superbly tall domed tops, lazy curls of steam rising from the tip of every, silently keen them to chill sooner. Lastly, after what felt like an eternity, I gently picked up the primary one to maneuver it to a wire rack…
And all the oats fell off — each final flake.
The identical factor occurred once more… And once more… And once more. Irrespective of how gingerly I touched them, the toasted and barely crunchy oats popped proper off and scattered all around the ground. Not a single one remained on the muffins.
By the point all twelve sat on the cooling rack, I couldn’t assist however snicker… And I additionally discovered a helpful lesson.
Oats do a lot better inside of muffins!
In order that’s the best way I made these final wholesome oatmeal muffins! I folded the oats into the batter, somewhat than sprinkling them on high, and I completely liked the best way they turned out.
Extremely tender, deliciously cozy, candy and spiced and delicious… They at all times appear to vanish rapidly — as a result of they’re excellent for breakfast, mid-morning espresso breaks, and even afternoon snacks!
QUICK OVERVIEW – THE ULTIMATE HEALTHY OATMEAL MUFFINS
Issue: Primarily simple, together with for a lot of newbie bakers.
Style: A lot of heat spices shine towards a comfortable backdrop of oats.
Texture: Very tender and moist, with tender oats in each chew.
KEY INGREDIENTS TO MAKE THE ULTIMATE HEALTHY OATMEAL MUFFINS
Let’s speak about what you’ll must make these final wholesome oatmeal muffins! Many of those substances are baking staples, so there’s probability you have already got nearly every part you want.
Oats. No surprises right here! To make these wholesome oatmeal muffins, you’ll use instantaneous oats. They’re additionally known as “fast cooking” or “one minute” oats — they usually’re not those that are available particular person packets with flavors like maple brown sugar or apple cinnamon!
Identical to conventional old style rolled oats, instantaneous oats solely embrace one ingredient: oats. Nonetheless, they’ve one key distinction. Whereas old style rolled oats are giant and thick, instantaneous oats are a lot thinner and smaller. This measurement distinction means they soften sooner, so utilizing instantaneous oats offers your muffins the perfect tender and tender texture!
Tip: In case you’d prefer to make your final wholesome oatmeal muffins gluten-free, then use licensed gluten-free instantaneous oats. They work completely!
Flour. I examined a number of kinds of flour. Common complete wheat flour and white complete wheat flour have been my two favorites! They each have the identical well being advantages, like further fiber and micronutrients, and produce the identical moist and fluffy texture.
But I seen that they yielded barely completely different flavors. Common complete wheat flour supplied a refined nuttiness, which added to the muffins’ coziness, nevertheless it additionally muted a little bit of the spices’ taste. (We’ll get to what these spices are in a minute!) With its milder style, white complete wheat flour fully light into the background, so the flavour of the oats and heat spices actually shone.
So in case you’re an enormous spice fan (like I’m!), use white complete wheat flour! In case you’re not too choosy and primarily need cozy-tasting muffins, go together with common complete wheat flour (it’s normally simpler to seek out!) — or simply attain for whichever of the 2 flours presently sitting in your pantry stash.
Tip: In case you’d prefer to make your final wholesome oatmeal muffins gluten-free, then see the Notes part of the recipe. I’ve shared my high gluten-free suggestions there!
Spices. That’s proper — plural! You’ll add cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to those wholesome oatmeal muffins. Cinnamon provides that acquainted comforting taste you recognize and love, whereas nutmeg gives richness and ginger yields an additional cozy background heat.
I performed round with the quantities of every of those spices. With out every other mix-ins (like carrots, zucchini, or apples — like I’ve performed in completely different variations!) to distract from or complement their taste, I discovered I craved extra spices in these muffins. After a number of rounds of testing, I landed on a ratio that yielded the proper heat, cozy, and comforting taste!
Tip: I extremely suggest utilizing Saigon cinnamon! It has a barely richer, sweeter, and stronger taste than common cinnamon. It’s mainly the one form I take advantage of in my baking now, and I purchase it on-line right here. (It’s actually inexpensive!)
Unsalted butter. Solely a small quantity! Many muffin recipes name for ¼ to ½ cup of butter or oil (if no more!), however you solely want ½ tablespoon for this recipe. That helps hold your final wholesome oatmeal muffins low calorie and low fats! However I promise they’re simply as moist and tender as different muffins. We’ll cowl why that’s momentarily!
Tip: You’ll be able to simply substitute any neutral-tasting oil for the butter. Coconut, canola, and lots extra — so be at liberty to make use of no matter you’re most snug with!
Egg whites. These bind collectively the substances, they usually additionally contribute to your oatmeal muffins’ construction. The whites include nearly all of the protein in eggs, and that protein helps your muffins rise within the oven and likewise helps forestall them from collapsing whereas cooling.
Greek yogurt. One in every of my favourite substances in wholesome baking! I’ve used it to make nearly every part possible: muffins, scones, pancakes, waffles, desserts, cupcakes, brownies… Even frosting and whipped cream!
On this recipe, Greek yogurt provides the identical moisture to the batter as further butter or oil — however for a fraction of the energy. It’s additionally stuffed with protein, so it offers your wholesome oatmeal muffins a protein increase too!
Milk. Nearly any sort will work, so be at liberty to make use of no matter you have already got in your fridge! I sometimes use unsweetened almond milk, unsweetened cashew milk, and fat-free milk essentially the most.
Sweetener. To sweeten these final wholesome oatmeal muffins, I turned to a different one in every of my favourite substances: liquid stevia. Stevia is a plant-based, no-calorie sweetener that accommodates nothing refined or synthetic (aka it’s clear consuming pleasant!). It’s additionally extremely concentrated, so slightly goes a great distance. You solely want 1 ½ teaspoons to sweeten your total batch of muffins!
Tip: Many stevia manufacturers and merchandise have completely different sweetness ranges, so that they’re not essentially 1-for-1 substitutes for one another. For the perfect outcomes, I extremely suggest utilizing the identical one which I do! I purchase it on-line right here as a result of that’s the perfect worth I’ve discovered. It’s not a “one-time use” ingredient both — you need to use it to make all of these different recipes of mine too!
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST HEALTHY OATMEAL MUFFINS
Now that you simply’ve gathered your substances, let’s cowl make the perfect wholesome oatmeal muffins! Like I promised earlier, this recipe is pretty easy and simple. Nonetheless, I’ve some tricks to share with you to make sure your muffins prove completely!
Measure accurately. I do know, I do know… I sound like a damaged report and say this all the time — nevertheless it’s extremely necessary! So sure, I’m going to repeat myself but once more.
Be sure you measure every of the substances correctly, particularly the oats and flour! Use this technique or a kitchen scale. (← That’s the one I personal!) An excessive amount of of both one will dry out your muffins, notably the oats. They act like little sponges and absorb plenty of moisture from the batter!
Nonetheless, for liquid substances (those given in mL), skip the size and use common measuring cups as an alternative. Nearly each liquid ingredient has a distinct density, which implies that all of them have completely different weights per quantity. So except you’re keen to search for every one’s density and do the mathematics to transform from mL to grams… Common measuring cups are a lot sooner — and extra correct!
Combine by hand. That’s proper! Put away your stand mixer and hand-held mixer. They have an inclination to overmix low-fat batters, like this one. Overmixing results in rubbery, gummy, dense, or robust textures. Not good… However in case you make your batter by hand, your wholesome oatmeal muffins ought to prove completely tender and tender!
So use a whisk the place explicitly instructed and a fork for every part else. Yup, that’s proper — a fork! Not a spatula or picket spoon. I do know it sounds unusual, however there’s a cause behind this logic…
Spatulas and picket spoons have flat, huge surfaces. A fork has empty area between its tines. These empty areas let substances move by way of and blend collectively extra effectively, which additionally helps guard towards overmixing, so a fork helps yield a softer and moister texture. I take advantage of this fork trick on a regular basis — and it really works like a attraction!
Soak the oats. I already constructed this into Step 2 of the recipe, however I wish to cowl why! In your first bowl, you’ll combine the oats with the Greek yogurt and a number of the milk. By doing so, the oats begin absorbing moisture forward of time, so they start to melt earlier than you even pop your muffins into the oven. That helps create a good higher moist and tender muffin texture!
Trace: It’s the identical approach my in a single day oats recipes work! Mixing the oats with yogurt and refrigerating them in a single day yields the identical tender texture as in case you had cooked them the extra conventional approach within the microwave or on the range.
Tip: Be sure you let the oats sit in that yogurt-and-milk bathtub for at the very least 10 minutes. So long as you soak them first, earlier than measuring any of the opposite substances or mixing them collectively, they need to have sufficient time to start plumping up and softening!
Prep the liners. Low-fat batters, like this one, have a tendency to stay to muffin liners like superglue. (Belief me… I spent an embarrassing period of time prying one batch out with an offset spatula and toothpicks!)
So earlier than dolloping the batter into your muffin cups or muffin liners, generously coat them with nonstick cooking spray. This little trick means the muffins ought to pop proper out of the pan or, in case you’re utilizing liners, they need to peel away fairly simply, identical to with conventional muffin recipes.
Bake. It’s time! Slide your pan into the oven, set a timer, and wait… Impatiently, in case you’re something like me. (The additional cozy aroma wafting all through the home doesn’t precisely assist!) The muffins ought to rise properly within the oven, with superbly tall domed tops, they usually’re performed baking when the facilities really feel agency or a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out with a number of crumbs hooked up.
Then all that’s left to do is eat — the perfect half!
THE ULTIMATE HEALTHY OATMEAL MUFFINS – FLAVOR VARIATIONS
Consider this wholesome oatmeal muffins recipe as a implausible clean canvas. With a number of tweaks and mix-ins, you possibly can simply customise them to fit your tastes and fulfill your cravings! I’ve included a few of my favourite taste variations beneath. (I extremely suggest beginning with the carrot one… These muffins style like carrot cake!)
FAQS ABOUT THE ULTIMATE HEALTHY OATMEAL MUFFINS
Are these oatmeal muffins sugar-free, low calorie, low fats, gluten-free, or clear consuming?
They certain are! As written, these wholesome oatmeal muffins are clear consuming, sugar-free, low fats, and low calorie (in comparison with conventional recipes!). I’ve additionally shared my high suggestions for making them gluten-free within the Notes part of the recipe.
Can I take advantage of old style rolled oats?
Type of! Measure the identical quantity of old style rolled oats, however pulse them in a blender or meals processor first, till they’re ⅛ to ¼ of their authentic measurement. This makes them nearer in measurement to instantaneous oats, so your muffins ought to have an analogous tender and moist texture.
What a couple of completely different flour?
Yup! White complete wheat flour and common complete wheat flour are my two favorites, however complete wheat pastry flour and all-purpose flour additionally work. (See the Notes part for my gluten-free suggestions!)
Can I take advantage of complete eggs?
Sure once more! Use two giant eggs, and scale back the milk by 1 tablespoon to compensate for the added quantity from the yolks.
I don’t like stevia. Can I substitute one thing else?
Completely! I perceive it’s an ingredient that doesn’t essentially work for everybody, so I’ve included a number of completely different sweetener choices within the Notes part of the recipe. Verify there — and bear in mind you’ll want to vary the quantity of milk to compensate for this modification too!
How a couple of completely different sort of milk?
You wager! Nearly any sort will work, so be at liberty to make use of no matter you have already got in your fridge.
I like a robust spice taste. Can I add extra?
You sound identical to me! You’ll be able to completely bump up the spices, in case you’d choose. Bear in mind, cinnamon = coziness, nutmeg = richness, ginger = heat. Cinnamon is commonly the best one to tweak, so strive beginning there. (In case you aren’t utilizing it already, I additionally extremely suggest Saigon cinnamon — it has a stronger taste!)
My muffins turned out gummy or dry. Why is that?
There are a number of widespread culprits. First, be sure you’re measuring the substances accurately. An excessive amount of flour or too many oats will rapidly dry out your muffins and might make them crumbly. (And don’t use a kitchen scale for any substances given in mL!) Second, gently combine by hand. No stand mixers or hand-held mixers! Third, don’t overbake these muffins. That may also make them dry!
(See the “Find out how to Make the Greatest Wholesome Oatmeal Muffins” part above for extra particulars about every of those!)
What’s one of the simplest ways to retailer these wholesome oatmeal muffins? And the way lengthy do they final?
Retailer any leftover muffins in an hermetic container within the fridge. They need to hold for at the very least 4 days, if not longer! These oatmeal muffins additionally freeze rather well. (I sometimes suggest eradicating any paper liners earlier than freezing. They don’t at all times peel away as simply after thawing.)
Time for breakfast! And if you make your personal, would you thoughts leaving a remark and score the recipe? (You may also snap an image and share it with me on Fb!) I’d love to listen to what you consider these final wholesome oatmeal muffins!
The Final Wholesome Oatmeal Muffins
These wholesome oatmeal muffins are excellent for breakfasts and snacks! They’re easy to make and deliciously cozy with plenty of heat spices and tender oats in each chew. Greek yogurt and “soaking” the oats (in Step 2!) yield an extremely tender and moist texture, with nearly no further effort! Leftovers will hold for at the very least 4 days if saved in an hermetic container within the fridge.
Directions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F, and coat 12 muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray. (If utilizing liners, then line 12 muffin cups with liners and coat them with cooking spray.)
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In a medium bowl, stir collectively the oats, Greek yogurt, and ¼ cup of milk. In a separate bowl, whisk collectively the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a 3rd bowl, whisk collectively the butter, egg whites, vanilla, and stevia. Add within the oat combination, stirring till no giant lumps stay. Stir in ½ cup of milk. Alternate between including the flour combination and remaining ½ cup of milk, starting and ending with the flour combination, and stirring simply till included. (For finest outcomes, add the flour combination in 3 equal components.)
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Divide the batter between the ready muffin cups. Bake at 350°F for 26-29 minutes or till the tops really feel agency to the contact and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clear or with a number of dry crumbs hooked up. Cool within the pan for five minutes earlier than transferring to a wire rack to chill fully.
Notes
IMPORTANT MIXING NOTE – READ BEFORE BEGINNING: Do not use a stand mixer or hand-held mixer to make the batter. This may end in rubbery, gummy, dense, or robust muffins. Use a whisk the place instructed, and use a fork for every part else.
IMPORTANT FLAVOR NOTES – READ BEFORE BEGINNING: For a stronger spice taste, enhance the cinnamon by a further ¼ to ½ teaspoon and/or the ginger by a further ¼ teaspoon. (See the FAQ part in my weblog publish above the recipe for extra particulars!)
For sweeter muffins, enhance the liquid stevia by a further ¼ to ½ teaspoon.
OATS NOTE + ALTERNATIVE: On the spot oats are additionally known as “fast cooking” or “one-minute” oats. They’re smaller and thinner than conventional old style rolled oats, so that they soften sooner (which supplies these muffins their moist and fluffy texture!). They solely embrace one ingredient — oats! — identical to old style rolled oats. You will discover instantaneous oats proper subsequent to the standard old style rolled oats on the grocery retailer. (They’re not those within the small flavored packets of oatmeal!)
In a pinch, to make your personal, add ¾ cup (75g) of old style rolled oats to a blender or meals processor, and pulse till they’re ⅛ to ¼ of their authentic measurement.
FLOUR ALTERNATIVES: Common complete wheat flour, complete wheat pastry flour, or all-purpose flour could also be substituted instead of the entire wheat flour. (See the “Flour” header within the “Key Components to Make the Final Wholesome Oatmeal Muffins” part above for more information about which flours I like to recommend!)
SPICE NOTES: I choose Saigon cinnamon (I purchase it on-line right here!) as a result of it tastes stronger, richer, and sweeter than common cinnamon. The nutmeg provides richness, and the ginger creates a stunning background heat. (See the “Spices” header within the “Key Components to Make the Final Wholesome Oatmeal Muffins” part in addition to the FAQ part in my weblog publish above the recipe for more information!)
EGG WHITES NOTE + ALTERNATIVE: The muffins require 2 full egg whites. The whites include nearly all of the protein in eggs, and that protein is required to make sure the muffins keep their form and texture whereas cooling. With out each egg whites, the muffins will collapse whereas cooling and prove a lot denser.
In case you choose to make use of complete eggs, then use 2 giant eggs AND lower the milk by 1 tablespoon (15mL) to compensate for the added quantity from the yolks.
STEVIA NOTES + ALTERNATIVES: Many stevia manufacturers and merchandise have completely different sweetness ranges, so that they’re not essentially 1-for-1 substitutes for one another. For the perfect outcomes, use the identical liquid stevia that I do. I purchase it on-line right here (← that’s the perfect worth I’ve discovered!), and also you’ll use it in all of these recipes of mine too. (It is one in every of my favourite substances!)
Nonetheless, in case you strongly choose to omit the liquid stevia from the muffins, substitute ¾ cup (144g) granulated sugar, brown sugar, or coconut sugar AND scale back the milk to ¾ cup + 2 tablespoons (210mL). You might also substitute ¾ cup (180mL) pure maple syrup, honey, or agave AND scale back the milk to ½ cup (120mL) as an alternative. The baking time might fluctuate barely with both of these substitutions as properly.
MILK ALTERNATIVES: Any milk could also be substituted instead of the nonfat milk.
GLUTEN-FREE OPTION: For the gluten-free flour, use the next: 1 cup (120g) millet flour, ½ cup (60g) tapioca flour, ½ cup (60g) brown rice flour, and 1 ½ teaspoons xanthan gum. Many store-bought gluten-free flour blends (I like this one from Bob’s Pink Mill) will work as properly, if measured like this.
HOW TO STORE: Retailer the absolutely cooled muffins in an hermetic container within the fridge. They need to hold for at the very least 4 days, if not longer.
FREEZING TIPS: Peel off the paper liners earlier than freezing. (It’s tougher to peel them off after thawing or reheating the muffins!) I prefer to thaw particular person muffins within the microwave on 50% energy till they’re warmed throughout. They virtually style freshly baked like that!
FLAVOR VARIATIONS: This recipe works as an ideal clean canvas! I’ve shared modify it to create different taste variations right here (zucchini, apple, banana, carrot, pumpkin, peach, and extra — however I extremely suggest beginning with the carrot one… it jogs my memory of carrot cake!).
{gluten-free, clear consuming, low fats, decrease sugar}
View Diet Data + Weight Watchers Factors
You might also like Amy’s different recipes…
♡ The Final Wholesome Blueberry Muffins
♡ The Final Wholesome Chocolate Muffins
♡ The Final Wholesome Morning Glory Muffins
♡ Wholesome Blueberry Oatmeal Breakfast Fast Bread
♡ Wholesome Apple Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
♡ Wholesome Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
♡ Wholesome Oatmeal Raisin Snack Cake
♡ …and the remainder of Amy’s wholesome muffin recipes!
