5 Healthy Muffin Recipes (2024)

Whip up a healthy batch to fight flu, prevent PMS, or beat the blahs

by Allison Young
5 Healthy Muffin Recipes (1)

5 Healthy Muffin Recipes (2)

If the only muffin top you've experienced lately is the one hanging over your jeans, it's time to dig out mom's cupcake pan. We've cooked up five recipes that provide a variety of healthy perks for less than 250 calories each. Most of the recipes use basics you probably have, like baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. As for the agave syrup and whole-wheat flour, trust us, these muffins are so tasty they're worth making a pit stop for.

Just bake a batch over the weekend and throw the extras in the freezer. Then, on weekday mornings, microwave a muffin for 30 seconds for a portable meal that'll make you a hundred times happier than cold cereal would.

Apple-Cinnamon Oat-Bran Muffins

5 Healthy Muffin Recipes (3)

Heart Guards
Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min

These baked beauties are a cardiologist's dream food—the pectin fiber in apples, the oat bran, and the vitamin E-rich canola oil are loved by docs because together they lower both total and LDL cholesterol and keep insulin and blood sugar levels under control.

But protecting yourself against heart disease won't even cross your mind when this dessert-worthy combo of apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg hits your taste buds. Too yummy to be typecast as breakfast muffins, they can be popped anytime for a filling and satisfying bite.

Click here for recipe!

Papaya & Pineapple Muffins

5 Healthy Muffin Recipes (4)

Mood Managers
Prep: 15 min Cook: 22 min

First, guys get the perk of being able to pee standing up, and now this: Men's bodies make serotonin, the chemical that kick-starts those "I'm happier than Mariah with Nick Cannon" feelings, faster than ours. Doesn't seem fair.

But these moist tropical treats will make you feel better—much better. They're stacked with nutrient-dense complex carbs, the best kinds to help your brain ramp up production of the "woo-hoo!" chemical. The omega-3 fatty acids in walnuts and flaxseed may offer additional protection against dark clouds.

"Omega-3's are nature's antidepressants," says New York City nutritionist Esther Blum, R.D. "They combat moodiness and irritability and nourish the whole nervous system."

Click here for recipe!

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Date & Oatmeal Muffins

5 Healthy Muffin Recipes (5)

Engine starters
Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min

You'll feel bouncier than Alicia Sacramone on a trampoline after eating one of these chewy, fruity oatmeal muffins. The natural sugars in the dates, prunes, and agave give you quick energy, but blood-sugar-regulating B vitamins in the oatmeal keep it flowing slow and steady so you don't spike and crash.

And if 11 a.m. typically finds you in the office kitchen scrounging for unclaimed snacks, the impressive four grams of fiber and protein-rich whey powder are your answer, says Mayo Clinic dietitian Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.

Click here for recipe!

Carrot-Ginger Bran Muffins

5 Healthy Muffin Recipes (6)

Flu Fighters
Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min

Protect yourself around with this spicy triple threat. Car­rots are rich in immune-boosting vitamin A, zinc-packed pumpkin seeds ward off infection, and apple juice flows with sniffle-stifling vitamin C. "If your body needs to protect itself or heal, these three vitamins are essential," Zeratsky says.

Another weapon: yogurt. Studies show that its good-for-you bacteria provide another line of defense against microbes.

Click here for recipe!

Banana, Yogurt & Walnut Muffins

5 Healthy Muffin Recipes (7)

PMS Busters
Prep: 10 min Cook: 22 min

If out-of-whack hormones turn you into Ms. Hyde every month, these fluffy treats are your antidote. Bananas provide cramp-busting potassium and vitamin B6, a hormone regulator that may help reduce water retention, depression, and other PMS symptoms. And buy yogurt that delivers calcium and vitamin D: The dynamic duo has been shown to slash PMS symptoms by up to 40 percent. Add magnesium-rich walnuts to the mix, Blum says, and it's like you've taken a giant chill pill--the mineral, which may reduce irritability and stabilize blood sugar, can help you control PMS-fueled "I want to devour everything within a 20-mile radius" urges.

Click here for recipe!

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5 Healthy Muffin Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Which muffin is healthiest? ›

Best: Soozy's Grain-Free Match Green Tea Muffin

They're made with whole-food ingredients, including almond flour, whole eggs, and coconut cream. We love that they're a lower-sugar option and don't contain any artificial sweeteners. Plus, the almond flour keeps these low in carbs and high in fiber.

Are muffins actually healthy? ›

Most store-bought muffins are like glorified cupcakes—they're full of sugar and simple carbs. "They can be packed with added sugar and low in fiber, sending your blood sugar levels on a roller coaster before you even get to work," says Charlotte Martin, MS, RDN, CSOWM, CPT.

Can you eat muffins on a diet? ›

When opting for a healthier choice, make sure you choose English muffins that do not contain any added sugar. Whole wheat English muffins are also great options for weight loss as they contain more fiber, more whole grains, less calories, and less sugar than other varieties.

What is the most popular muffin? ›

Blueberry muffins are probably the single most popular muffin of all time. They are like the Beyonce of muffins. And this recipe is called "To Die For" for a reason. Generously sized with a little bit of crunch in the sugary topping, these are the blueberry ideal.

What makes a muffin healthy or unhealthy? ›

What Makes a Healthy Muffin? Signs of a healthy muffin recipe are whole-food ingredients like fruit, veggies, nuts, seeds, eggs, and low-fat milk and yogurt (or a dairy-free alternative).

Which is healthier muffin or cupcake? ›

Cupcake recipes generally contain much higher levels of sugar and fat. This makes cupcakes sweeter, and juicier with finer crumbs. Muffins usually have fruit, nuts, and other ingredients mixed into the batter to compensate. Because of this, muffins are usually considered healthier than cupcakes.

Can I eat 4 muffins a day? ›

Now muffins aren't all bad. These things are only unhealthy if eaten on a regular basis. If every so often you want a muffin for breakfast or a snack, that's no big deal. When you grab a bakery muffin for breakfast daily, that's when you increase your risk for unwanted weight gain and other health issues.

How unhealthy is a muffin? ›

They are high in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sugar. At the end of the day, the truth is that lots of store-bought muffins aren't healthy. Rather than relying on store-bought muffins for sustenance and nutrition, you're better off making a batch of muffins from scratch at home.

How unhealthy is a blueberry muffin? ›

If you buy a blueberry muffin at a coffee shop, you'll likely be buying a muffin that weighs 5 ounces, contains 450 calories, and is made with refined flour and lots of added sugar (see for yourself).

Can I eat a muffin everyday? ›

Anything can fit into your daily calories, it's when you go over that you start to gain weight. Enjoy your muffins everyday but make sure you're not eating too much altogether! Consuming one chocolate muffin daily can contribute to an increase in calorie intake, potentially hindering weight loss efforts.

Why do bodybuilders eat muffins? ›

Muffins can help you build muscle if they are high in protein and have a good serving of carbohydrates.

What muffins does McDonald's use? ›

He explained, "The English muffin that McDonald's uses is their own recipe. The manufacturers make it specifically for McDonald's because they are so big they can buy as much of that as they want."

What is an Elvis muffin? ›

Moist, tender banana bread muffins flavored with peanut butter and accented with crunchy peanuts.

What are the 2 main types of muffins? ›

There are two types of muffins: bread-like and cake-like. Each type has its own technique for mixing the batter. Less sugar and butter makes a bread-like muffin. A higher sugar and butter content makes a cake-like muffin.

What is a high quality muffin? ›

High-quality muffins have a thin, evenly browned crust. Top is symmetrical, but looks rough. When broken apart, texture is uniform and crumb is tender and light.

Is a blueberry muffin healthier than a donut? ›

It's time for a food face-off. When it comes to calories, carbs, and sugar, there's a clear winner: doughnuts. The fried rings have 155 fewer calories, half the carbs, and 21 fewer grams of sugar than muffins.

Which is healthier toast or English muffin? ›

Is an English muffin better for you than bread? A. English muffins are slightly healthier than bread because they include fewer calories, carbohydrates, fats, and sugar than bread. However, both have a high carbohydrate content, which can offer energy throughout the day, and many nutrients.

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