These wholesome gingerbread oatmeal muffins style so cozy and festive! They’re actually moist with delicate oats and heat spices filling each chew. This straightforward muffin recipe comes collectively shortly and likewise works fantastically as a make-ahead breakfast choice. It’s particularly excellent for the vacation season — and even Christmas morning!
For Christmas one 12 months, my brother and I flew to Arizona to go to our grandparents. Mother headed out earlier than us and booked us flights that allowed us to maximise each second with household, which meant…
Waking up at 4 am to go away for the airport.
We effortlessly cruised alongside the barren freeways within the pitch-black darkness that morning, making it to the terminal in document time. Nonetheless, that luck ended the second we handed by means of the sliding glass doorways into the constructing. The chaos of the vacation season meant the safety checkpoint line snaked by means of the walkways, wrapped round itself, and wound all the best way across the baggage declare room too. It could’ve taken nearly two hours to shuffle ahead and eventually move by means of, at which level we might’ve missed our flight…
So with crossed fingers, we darted over to the second terminal. Bingo — solely 4 households waited in line there! We shortly breezed by means of and rolled our carryon luggage down the again hallway connecting the 2 terminals to succeed in our gate.
With zero nonstop flights to the small airport closest to our grandparents’ city, we disembarked in Las Vegas for our connection. We walked across the retailers and stalls searching for breakfast and caffeine and to stretch our legs whereas we waited, but nearly each line seemed so long as the TSA checkpoint. Miles and miles of individuals so far as we may see!
Surprisingly, Starbucks had the shortest queue, so we joined the top of it. Once we reached the cashier, I instantly realized why… There was nearly nothing left within the glass bakery case and chilled snack cabinets!
I ordered a tall black espresso, choosing one thing easy and fast, then headed again to the gate. Regardless of the huge crowds, we managed to snag two seats subsequent to one another, and we pulled out snacks from our backpacks to nibble on as a substitute. Nuts and darkish chocolate… Fairly the breakfast!
Because the holidays and journey chaos usually sneak up on me, I’m planning forward this 12 months and getting ready straightforward, transportable, on-the-go breakfast recipes to keep away from any repeat experiences of that loopy Christmas. These wholesome gingerbread oatmeal muffins are on the high of my record!
They’re excellent each for busy journey days and for slowly savoring throughout a leisurely morning at residence. With how a lot we liked them, I’d even bake a batch for our Christmas morning breakfast too!
QUICK OVERVIEW – HEALTHY GINGERBREAD OATMEAL MUFFINS
Problem: Primarily straightforward, together with for a lot of newbie bakers.
Style: Flippantly sweetened and really cozy with wealthy undertones and loads of heat, comforting spices.
Texture: Moist and tender with delicate oats in each chew.
KEY INGREDIENTS TO MAKE HEALTHY GINGERBREAD OATMEAL MUFFINS
Let’s go over what you’ll must make these wholesome gingerbread oatmeal muffins! I’m hoping that your cabinets already maintain frequent baking staples like baking powder, vanilla, and salt, so we’ll concentrate on the extra attention-grabbing substances.
Oats. I’m certain you guessed this could be an ingredient from the second you learn the recipe title! To make these gingerbread muffins, you’ll use immediate oats. They’re additionally known as “fast cooking” and “one-minute” oats. Opposite to what sure gadgets on grocery retailer cabinets might recommend, immediate oats are not those that are available in particular person packets with flavors like apple cinnamon and maple brown sugar!
Identical to old school rolled oats, immediate oats solely include one ingredient: oats. Nonetheless, they range in a single essential approach. On the spot oats are smaller and thinner than old school rolled oats. This measurement distinction implies that they soften quicker, which supplies your gingerbread oatmeal muffins one of the best moist and tender texture!
Tip: Should you’d prefer to make your wholesome gingerbread oatmeal muffins gluten-free, then use licensed gluten-free immediate oats. They work completely!
Flour. When creating this wholesome muffin recipe, I wished to make use of some kind of entire wheat flour, so I examined each common entire wheat flour and white entire wheat flour. I do know the identify of the latter usually confuses individuals… Regardless of what it might sound like, it’s not a mixture of normal entire wheat flour and white (aka all-purpose) flour!
Right here within the US, common entire wheat flour comes from a hearty number of crimson wheat. White entire wheat flour is made by finely grinding one other kind known as — you guessed it! — white wheat. White wheat has a lighter and milder taste in comparison with crimson wheat, nearer to that of all-purpose flour, however each common entire wheat flour and white entire wheat flour have the identical well being advantages of additional fiber and micronutrients.
Trace: It’s much like crimson and inexperienced grapes. Totally different flavors however related well being advantages!
Due to its lighter style and texture, I discovered that the comfy gingerbread taste was a bit extra pronounced within the check batch made with white entire wheat flour, in order that’s the one I used to make these wholesome gingerbread oatmeal muffins. Nonetheless, that distinction was on the delicate aspect, so should you can solely discover common entire wheat flour, that’s utterly tremendous. I promise your muffins will nonetheless style festive, cozy, and comforting!
Tip: Should you’d prefer to make your wholesome gingerbread oatmeal muffins gluten-free, then see the Notes part of the recipe. I’ve included my suggestions there!
Spices. They supply half of the enduring gingerbread taste! Properly… One specifically does. No surprises right here — it’s floor ginger!
Identical to with the kind of flour, I examined completely different quantities of ginger. I really like my gingerbread-flavored treats on the additional spicy aspect, however I understand that many individuals don’t share my obsession for that fairly zesty style… So I’ve discovered to dial it again for the recipes that I share with you. 😉
I discovered that 1 tablespoon of floor ginger offered a really heat and festive taste with out tasting “spicy” or overpowering, type of just like the equal of sitting in entrance of a gently crackling fireplace whereas wrapped in a delicate fleece blanket. Very cozy and cozy! That’s the model you’ll discover within the recipe card beneath.
Personally, I favor my gingerbread with a bit extra zip, so I bump up the quantity of ginger to 4 or 4 ½ teaspoons. That provides a brighter zing that lingers in your tongue on the finish of each chew, as should you added a second log to that fireside and scooted just a few inches nearer. Should you’re a fan of spicy gingerbread too, I extremely advocate it!
Then to spherical out the spice taste, you’ll additionally sprinkle in cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Cinnamon provides that acquainted comforting heat, whereas the nutmeg and cloves present a deep fullness and richness.
Tip: One thing else I extremely advocate? Saigon cinnamon! It tastes a bit stronger, sweeter, and richer than common cinnamon. Many shops have began stocking it, and it’s actually reasonably priced. I purchase mine on-line right here. It’s virtually the one form of cinnamon I take advantage of in my baking now!
Molasses. That is simply as essential because the ginger… Molasses offers the opposite half of the enduring gingerbread taste! In case you haven’t heard of it, or maybe may use a refresher, molasses is an unrefined liquid sweeter with a thick viscous consistency much like honey. It has a wealthy and complicated taste with a really delicate earthy undertone, but it’s actually cozy and versatile too!
There are two fundamental sorts of molasses: common unsulphured molasses and blackstrap molasses. The primary one is the type that you simply wish to make these muffins! Blackstrap molasses has distinct bitter notes, however common unsulphured molasses merely tastes cozy and fairly candy. This is the type I sometimes purchase, and you’ll usually discover it on the baking aisle close to the opposite sweeteners.
Sweetener. For the remainder of the sweetness in these gingerbread oatmeal muffins, I turned to one in every of my favourite substances: liquid stevia. Stevia is a plant-based, sugar-free, no-calorie sweetener that incorporates nothing refined or synthetic (aka it’s clear consuming pleasant!). It’s additionally extremely concentrated. You solely want 1 teaspoon to sweeten this complete batch of muffins!
Tip: Many stevia manufacturers and merchandise include completely different sweetness ranges, so that they’re not essentially 1-for-1 substitutes for one another. For one of the best outcomes, I extremely advocate utilizing the identical one which I do! You could find it at some health-oriented shops, however I purchase it on-line right here as a result of that’s one of the best value I’ve discovered. (You’ll additionally use it in all of these recipes of mine. I promise it’s not a “one-time use” ingredient!)
Unsalted butter or oil. In contrast to many conventional recipes that decision for wherever from ¼ to ½ cup of butter or oil, you merely want ½ tablespoon for this one. That actually helps hold your wholesome gingerbread oatmeal muffins low fats and low calorie! Then the remainder of their supremely delicate and moist texture comes from…
Greek yogurt. It’s one other one in every of my favourite wholesome baking substances! I’ve used it to make the whole lot from muffins and scones to brownies and cupcakes to muffins and cheesecakes… And even frosting and whipped cream! In these muffins, Greek yogurt provides the identical moisture to the batter as further butter or oil however for a fraction of the energy. It provides your gingerbread oatmeal muffins a protein enhance too!
Egg whites. These bind collectively the opposite substances, they usually additionally play a job within the construction of your muffins. The whites include nearly all of protein in eggs, and that protein helps forestall your muffins from collapsing whereas cooling and turning out fairly dense. Be sure you use each egg whites for one of the best delicate, moist, and fluffy muffin texture!
Milk. Nonfat milk and unsweetened vanilla almond milk are the 2 varieties I mostly use. Virtually any kind will work although, so be happy to substitute no matter you have already got in your fridge!
HOW TO MAKE HEALTHY GINGERBREAD OATMEAL MUFFINS
Gathered your substances? Hooray! It’s time to speak about make one of the best wholesome gingerbread oatmeal muffins. As I promised earlier, this recipe is easy and easy to make. I even have some suggestions to make sure your batch seems fantastically!
Measure accurately. This little jingle might sound as acquainted as “Frosty the Snowman” or “Rudolph the Purple-Nosed Reindeer…” So be happy to sing alongside should you already know the phrases!
It’s extraordinarily essential to measure the substances accurately. Utilizing incorrect quantities can wreck your muffins and make them prove crumbly and dry, squat and sunken, and even boring and bland.
For the flour and oats, use this methodology or a kitchen scale. (← That’s the one I personal!) Do not dip your measuring cup into the container to scoop out both one. This can lead to including 1 ½ instances as a lot, and that further flour or oats will instantly throw off the ratio of moist and dry substances. It’ll make your muffins too dry, they usually’ll additionally style not practically candy sufficient. But should you use the right method, your gingerbread oatmeal muffins will likely be completely flavorful and delicate!
For the molasses and milk, use common measuring cups, not a kitchen scale. I do know many digital kitchen scales supply a “fluid ounces” choice, however that solely works for liquids whose density is precisely 1.0g/mL, like water. Most liquid substances have a distinct density — aka they weigh a distinct quantity (grams) per quantity (cups or mL) — so until you wish to search for the precise density of every liquid ingredient and do the mathematics to transform them… Common measuring cups are a lot quicker and simpler — and extra correct too!
“Soak” the oats. I’ve already constructed this into Step 2 of the recipe! You’ll combine the oats along with the Greek yogurt and molasses first, earlier than whisking collectively any of the opposite substances, to let the oats start absorbing moisture. This soaking “head begin” helps them soften much more, which yields an much more moist and tender texture in your gingerbread oatmeal muffins!
Combine by hand. Put away your stand mixers and hand-held mixers! These are inclined to overmix low fats batters, like this one. Overmixing usually results in a tricky, gummy, rubbery, or dense texture. Not good! But should you stir collectively the batter by hand and use a mild contact, you’ll find yourself with extremely delicate and moist muffins.
So use a whisk the place explicitly instructed and a fork for the whole lot else. That’s proper — a fork!
Sure, it’s unconventional. Sure, it’s my secret trick. Sure, it really works like a attraction. (Or like slightly vacation magic, should you favor that cause throughout this time of 12 months!)
The open areas between the fork’s tines permit the substances to move by means of and blend extra effectively in comparison with the extensive, flat, impenetrable floor of a picket spoon or spatula. Extra environment friendly mixing helps guard in opposition to overmixing, which subsequently creates a greater tender texture. (Bonus: Forks are dishwasher secure, so that you’ll have fewer issues to clean by hand!)
Alternating additions. This method is usually used to make cake batter, however I discover it really works rather well for muffin batter too. Should you haven’t heard of it earlier than, “alternating additions” is a shorthand approach of claiming to modify between folding in a little bit of the flour combination till it’s simply included, stirring in a splash of the liquid (milk, on this case!), and going forwards and backwards till you run out of each.
Like mixing by hand, this “alternating additions” strategy helps guard in opposition to overmixing. Should you use a mild hand and cease folding as quickly because the substances have simply barely “disappeared” into the batter, you’ll find yourself with completely delicate, moist, and fluffy gingerbread oatmeal muffins!
Put together the muffin pan. One other essential factor to find out about low fats batters? They follow muffin pans and muffin liners like superglue. A liberal coating of cooking spray solves that! Mist your muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray or, should you’d like to make use of liners (like I did for the batch of muffins in these photographs!), nestle these into the muffin cups earlier than generously spraying them. This helps the liners peel away way more simply!
Tip: Should you neglect to coat your liners — or simply don’t fairly spray them sufficient — then pop your muffins into an hermetic container as soon as they’ve cooled and place them within the fridge in a single day. That may loosen the liners a bit extra!
Bake. It’s time! Slide that muffin pan of yours into the oven, set a timer, and wait. How impatiently is as much as you… And so is whether or not you sit cross-legged in entrance of the oven and watch them like an elf. I wager you already know below which class I fall. There’s one thing so irresistible about that cozy spiced aroma escaping from the oven!
Your muffins are performed when the tops really feel agency to the contact and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clear or with some crumbs hooked up. Allow them to cool within the pan for a couple of minutes earlier than turning them out onto a wire rack — or earlier than peeling off the paper and popping one instantly into your mouth!
FAQS ABOUT HEALTHY GINGERBREAD OATMEAL MUFFINS
Are these wholesome gingerbread oatmeal muffins low calorie, low fats, sugar-free, gluten-free, or clear consuming?
Sure — to nearly the whole lot! As written, the recipe for these gingerbread oatmeal muffins is of course low fats, clear consuming, and low calorie (in comparison with many conventional recipes!). I’ve additionally included make them gluten-free within the Notes part of the recipe. Due to the molasses, they’re technically not sugar-free, however these gingerbread oatmeal muffins include no refined sugar, if that’s essential to you!
Can I substitute old school rolled oats?
Sort of! Earlier than utilizing them, blitz your old school rolled oats in a blender or meals processor till they’re about ⅛ to ¼ of their unique measurement. This makes them nearer to the thickness and form of immediate oats, so your muffins may have the same delicate and tender texture.
What a couple of completely different flour?
You wager! Complete wheat pastry flour, common entire wheat flour, and all-purpose flour all work splendidly. (See the “Flour” header within the “Key Substances to Make Wholesome Gingerbread Oatmeal Muffins” part above for more information concerning the choices that I discovered had been one of the best!)
Can I add extra spices?
Completely! You’re positively my form of individual. I really like my gingerbread on the spicy aspect too!
Can I substitute one thing else for the molasses?
If in any respect potential, I extremely advise in opposition to it. Molasses is required to create that iconic and comfy gingerbread taste. Nonetheless… I do know it’s not at all times straightforward to find in shops exterior of the US. If that’s true for the place you reside, then pure maple syrup, honey, and agave will present the identical muffin texture. Simply remember the fact that your batch received’t style like true gingerbread!
What concerning the stevia?
Yup! I do know stevia isn’t one thing that everybody enjoys or can devour, so I’ve offered a number of options within the Notes part of the recipe. Test there for one of the best substitutes!
Can I take advantage of a distinct kind of milk?
Sure once more! Almost any kind will work, so be happy to make use of no matter already sits in your fridge.
My batter was thick like cookie dough, and/or my muffins turned out dry. Why is that?
There are just a few frequent culprits! The primary is incorrectly measuring the substances. Should you add an excessive amount of flour or too many oats — or not sufficient molasses or milk — then that throws off the ratio of moist and dry substances. I’ve coated that in additional element within the “Measure accurately” header within the “Easy methods to Make Wholesome Gingerbread Oatmeal Muffins” part above, so evaluate the reasons there!
The second is swapping in substances that aren’t good substitutes. Oat flour and coconut flour can each dry out the batter, and sugar-free maple syrup may also yield a distinct texture. Keep on with the options included within the Notes part as a substitute!
The third is overbaking your muffins. Take a look at the “Bake” header within the “Easy methods to Make Wholesome Gingerbread Oatmeal Muffins” part above for extra details about inform after they’re performed!
What’s one of the best ways to retailer these wholesome gingerbread oatmeal muffins? And the way lengthy will 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 nearer to per week. I extremely advocate reheating them earlier than having fun with at a later date. It makes their insides flip actually moist and delicate like they’ve been freshly baked yet again! (I pop them within the microwave on 30% energy till warmed during. Yum!)
Can I freeze them?
You certain can! These wholesome gingerbread oatmeal muffins freeze and thaw rather well. Should you baked them in paper or metallic liners, I extremely advocate eradicating these first. It’s noticeably tougher to peel them away after thawing. Identical to with the chilled and refrigerated muffins, I prefer to reheat particular person frozen muffins within the microwave till they’re warmed during. They nearly style freshly baked when thawed like that!
Ahhhh… Can life style any extra festive and comfy?? And whenever you make your individual, keep in mind to snap an image and share it on Instagram utilizing #amyshealthybaking and tagging @amyshealthybaking IN the picture itself! (That ensures I’ll see your image! 🙂 ) I’d like to see your wholesome gingerbread oatmeal muffins!
Wholesome Gingerbread Oatmeal Muffins
These wholesome gingerbread oatmeal muffins style so cozy and festive! They’re actually moist with delicate oats and heat spices filling each chew. This straightforward muffin recipe comes collectively shortly and likewise works fantastically as a make-ahead breakfast choice. It’s particularly excellent for the vacation season — and even Christmas morning! Leftover muffins will hold for at the very least 4 days (if not nearer to per week!) 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 molasses. In a separate bowl, whisk collectively the flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, 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 massive 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 elements.)
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Divide the batter between the ready muffin cups. Bake at 350°F for 24-28 minutes or till the tops really feel agency to the contact and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clear or with just a few dry crumbs hooked up. Cool within the pan for five minutes earlier than transferring to a wire rack to chill utterly.
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 powerful muffins. Use a whisk the place instructed, and use a fork for the whole lot else.
IMPORTANT FLAVOR NOTES – READ BEFORE BEGINNING: I feel these muffins style even higher the day after they’ve been baked! That offers the spices an opportunity to meld and marry, so that they style a bit stronger, richer, and fuller the following day.
For a stronger spice taste, enhance the ginger by wherever from an extra ¼ to 1 ½ teaspoons. I typically use a complete of 4 to 4 ½ teaspoons as a result of I really like my gingerbread on the spicy aspect. (See the “Spices” header within the “Key Substances to Make the Wholesome Gingerbread Oatmeal Muffins” part in my weblog put up above the recipe for extra particulars!)
For sweeter muffins, enhance the liquid stevia by an extra 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 school rolled oats, so that they soften quicker (which supplies these muffins their moist and fluffy texture!). They solely embody one ingredient — oats! — identical to old school rolled oats. You could find immediate oats proper subsequent to the normal old school rolled oats on the grocery retailer. (They’re not those within the small flavored packets of oatmeal!)
In a pinch, to make your individual, add ¾ cup (75g) of old school rolled oats to a blender or meals processor, and pulse till they’re ⅛ to ¼ of their unique measurement.
MOLASSES NOTES + ALTERNATIVES: I don’t advocate substituting something for the molasses, if in any respect potential. It’s required to provide the enduring gingerbread taste. Common unsulphured molasses is finest. Don’t use blackstrap molasses; it’s too bitter.
Nonetheless, I perceive it may be laborious to search out molasses exterior of the US, so in a pinch, you may substitute pure maple syrup, honey, or agave. They’ll produce the identical muffin texture, however consider your muffins may have a noticeably completely different taste.
FLOUR ALTERNATIVES: Common entire wheat flour, entire wheat pastry flour, or all-purpose flour could also be substituted instead of the entire wheat flour. (See the “Flour” header within the “Key Substances to Make the Wholesome Gingerbread Oatmeal Muffins” part above for more information about which flours I like to recommend!)
SPICE NOTES: I favor Saigon cinnamon (I purchase it on-line right here!) as a result of it tastes stronger, richer, and sweeter than common cinnamon. The nutmeg and cloves add richness and a beautiful background heat. (See the “Spices” header within the “Key Substances to Make the Wholesome Gingerbread Oatmeal Muffins” part in my weblog put up 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.
Should you favor to make use of entire eggs, then use 2 massive 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 one of the best outcomes, use the identical liquid stevia that I do. I purchase it on-line right here (← that’s one of the best value 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, should you strongly favor to omit the liquid stevia from the muffins, substitute ½ cup (96g) granulated sugar, brown sugar, or coconut sugar AND cut back the milk to ¾ cup (180mL). You might also substitute ½ cup (120mL) pure maple syrup, honey, or agave AND cut back the milk to ½ cup (120mL) as a substitute. The baking time might range barely with both of these substitutions as effectively.
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 Purple Mill) will work as effectively, if measured like this.
HOW TO STORE: Retailer the totally cooled muffins in an hermetic container within the fridge. They need to hold for at the very least 4 days (if not nearer to per week!). I extremely advocate reheating refrigerated muffins earlier than consuming them. I pop them within the microwave on 30% energy till they’re warmed during. They nearly style freshly baked like that!
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 during. They nearly style freshly baked like that!
{gluten-free, clear consuming, low fats, decrease sugar, nut-free}
View Diet Info + Weight Watchers Factors
You might also like Amy’s different recipes…
♡ Wholesome Gingerbread Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
♡ Wholesome Gingerbread Oatmeal Scones
♡ Wholesome Gingerbread Oatmeal Snack Cake
♡ Wholesome Basic Gingerbread
♡ The Final Wholesome Gingerbread Cookies
♡ Wholesome Carrot Cake Oatmeal Muffins
♡ Wholesome Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal Muffins
♡ …and the remainder of Amy’s wholesome muffin recipes and wholesome vacation recipes!
