Simply Applesauce Muffins

Ingredients

• Recipe is quick & easy
• Muffins are satisfying, soft, & moist
• No mixer required
• Use convenient, ordinary ingredients
• Healthful & wholesome just like these healthy apple muffins
• No refined sugar
• Dairy free if using a dairy free milk
• Optional add-ins for texture and flavor (raisins, nuts, chopped apples)

Description

Key Ingredients in These Whole Wheat Applesauce Muffins

1. Applesauce: Use unsweetened applesauce. If all you have is sweetened, that’s completely fine, just be sure to slightly reduce the maple syrup in the recipe. See recipe note below.
2. Melted Coconut Oil: Without some fat, these muffins taste dry and rubbery. I love using melted coconut oil like we do in these healthier chocolate banana muffins, but vegetable oil or melted butter works too.
3. Maple Syrup: The applesauce muffins aren’t overly sweet because using too much sugar takes away from the applesauce flavor. Maple syrup replaces refined sugar and pairs wonderfully with the applesauce.
4. Whole Wheat Flour: These are 100% whole wheat muffins made with all whole wheat flour. If needed, you can switch out with all-purpose or white whole wheat flour. Or, use a mix of whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour like I do for peanut butter banana muffins. I have not tested this recipe with any gluten free flour alternatives. If you have leftover whole wheat flour from making English muffins, this is the perfect place to use it!
5. Oats: Use whole oats or quick oats in this recipe and there’s no need to soak them prior to using in the batter like we do with blueberry oatmeal muffins.
6. Add-Ins: Like zucchini muffins, today’s thick muffin batter welcomes add-ins such as raisins, chocolate chips, dried cranberries, or chopped nuts. Based on sweetness of the add-in, it’s best to use either 3/4 or 1 cup as detailed in the notes below. You could also use 1 and 1/2 cups of chopped apples (about 2 medium). We love them with raisins because they remind us of bran raisin muffins which are made with wheat bran—an ingredient I don’t usually have on hand.