Healthy Applesauce Oat Muffins are made from scratch with simple ingredients including rolled oats, unsweetened applesauce, and whole wheat flour. They make the perfect healthy snack and they’re freezer-friendly, too!
Healthy snacks for myself and my kids is something I am passionate about. I keep my freezer stocked with healthy snacks including; Oatmeal Peanut Butter Energy Bites, Banana Bran Muffins, and Easy Homemade Fruit Pops.
As I’ve mentioned in the past, I’m always on the look-out for healthy snack ideas for my kids. Here’s a roundup of some of my favorite healthy snack ideas. My kids particularly love muffins, and I like to make big batches and freeze them. They’re also great for adding to their lunches.
Some of my favorite healthy muffins include:
- Banana Bran Muffins
- Greek Yogurt Double Chocolate Muffins
- Healthy Banana Oat Muffins
- Skinny Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
The original recipe for these came from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe several years ago. I’ve probably made them a hundred times over the years– it’s such a fantastic recipe! The only tweaking I’ve done it to make more batter. I’ve found her original recipe only makes about 10 large muffins, so I’ve adjusted the ingredients to make a full dozen!
Holy cow are these Applesauce Oat muffins delicious, and the fact that they’re healthy makes me completely obsessed with them. And most importantly, my kids love them. Like LOOOVVEEE them. They make a great snack for the entire family.
How to Make Healthy Applesauce Muffins:
- Stir together oats, applesauce, milk, egg, vanilla, butter and sugar.
- In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and cranberries or raisins.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients, stir just until combined.
- Spoon the batter evenly into the muffin cups.
- Bake at 375 degrees F for 15-20 minutes.
Are Muffins Healthy?
Muffins are not usually considered to be healthy, but they can be healthy. It totally depends on the ingredients. As a general rule, homemade muffin are healthier than their store bought counterpart because they don’t contain the added ingredients and preservatives that are found in store bought muffins.
What makes these muffins healthy is that they’re nutrient dense. They are made with applesauce in place of oil or an extra egg, whole wheat flour in place of white flour, and whole grain rolled oats that contribute added fiber and protein.
Storing and Freezing Muffins:
Store muffins at room temperature, in an airtight container, for up to 5 days.
To freeze muffins, first allow them to cool completely. Then place them in a freezer safe resealable bag and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw, remove them from the freezer and allow them to come to room temperature. You can also microwave one frozen muffin for about 20 seconds.
Check out these healthy snack ideas:
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Applesauce Oat Muffins
Video
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 1/4 cups unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 Tablespoons butter , melted (or coconut oil)
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup raisins , or craisins, or chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners or grease with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the oats, applesauce, milk, egg, vanilla, butter and sugar.
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and cranberries or raisins.
- Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the applesauce mixture. Stir just until combined (don't overmix!)
- Spoon the batter evenly into the muffin cups. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Don't over-bake or the muffins will be dry. Remove them to a cooling rack. Cool completely before freezing in a ziplock freezer bag.
Notes
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe?!
RATE and COMMENT below! I would love to hear your experience.
I originally shared this recipe December 2015. Updated July 2019.
Sue says
I don’t know where all these great reviews come from but these muffins are mediocre at best. I’m a terrific baker of over fifty years and make muffins all the time and this recipe is not great—muffins are rubbery and stick to muffin cups, wasting good food.
They are actually quite horrible. They bake up pale and look unappetizing to begin with and are rubbery from the oatmeal. I’m going to have toss the whole batch and I made double. Shameful waste.
Jodi says
These came out great and to be honest, I can’t even remember if I added the milk. Will definitely make again. Thank you!!
Diane Albertson says
Moist and good texture but incredibly bland. You gotta add something more than the cranberries I used.
Suzanne Bradley says
This recipe is so very bland. Very little taste.
SusanS says
I added a large diced apple- made a world of difference to the taste and sweetness
Lorin says
Just made these and they came out great
Gail says
They’re were moist and delicious. Not too sweet just right. I did add blueberries
Sarah says
Has anyone made this with 1 minute quick oats? Its all I have at home right now!
Lauren Allen says
They should work just fine!
Kelly says
Just took them out of the oven! Made with organic quick oats, and olive oil instead of melted butter. Topped with a sprinkle of oats & turbinado sugar for a bit of crunch. Super moist @ 18 mins baking time. Subtle flavour.
Robert Pagnani says
I made these yesterday and they came out splendidly. I did add a Tbs or two of chopped walnuts and replaced the sugar with about a 1/4 cup of honey and maple. I used freshly ground wholewheat soft wheat berries. They took 18 min. in my 375 degree preheated oven. An hour or so later my wife and I enjoyed a fresh muffin with our tea. The remaining ten muffins were placed in a tin and will be gone within a week. Delicious and reasonably nutritious, I will certainly be making them again soon.
Barbara says
Can you use regular white flour?
Lauren Allen says
Yes, no problem!
Amber says
This recipe calls for way too much butter/coconut oil. The flavor overall is fine but the grease was seeping through the liners.