Good Morning Power Muffins {Full of Whole Grains and Superfoods!}
These good morning power muffins are packed with whole grains and superfoods! They are simple, healthy, and bound to become a favorite!
Would you believe me if I told you these muffins are exceptionally good for you and taste amazing too?
I know that you know that I know that this is not always the case with “healthy” baked goods.
But these delicious little muffins break the mold on that one for sure which should come as no surprise since my Aunt Marilyn gave me the recipe and I know that you know that I know that her recipes are always pretty killer.
Packed with superfood after superfood, they have no added sugar beyond the thick, syrupy molasses and are bursting with quinoa, whole wheat, carrots, chia seeds, and lots of cinnamon.
They may not win any awards for looks but since they aren’t going to clog your arteries, either, I’d say we can look over that little hangup.
I tend to keep my freezer stocked with a few of our favorite muffins-fit-for-breakfast-and-snacking, including these Refrigerator Bran Muffins, Healthy Applesauce Oat Muffins, and Banana Blueberry Muffins (among others, depending on my mood).
When asked to grab a bag full of muffins out of the freezer in the morning lately, the kids have been going straight for these. Who am I to argue?
We like them with a little dab of butter (ignore the “won’t clog your arteries” comment above, thankyouverymuch) and a teensy drizzle of honey, but they are exceptionally tasty without any adornment, too.
Aside from breakfast, I’ve taken to throwing a few of them in my bag when we are out on long walks (you know, for when that uphill stretch is looming before me and the loaded-with-toddlers stroller and a power muffin break is needed stat).
They’ll also be a perfect addition to our school lunch routine since my kids don’t mind a muffiny type lunch now and then.
Keep in mind, these are definitely and very certainly a muffin. As my Aunt put it when sending me the recipe: “Don’t expect a cupcake and you won’t be disappointed.” Truer words hath never been spoken. A muffin it is! And a healthy, delicious one at that!
One Year Ago: Ebelskivers: Puffy Danish Pancakes
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Good Morning Power Muffins
Ingredients
- ½ cup extra-virgin or refined coconut oil, melted (not hot, just slightly warm)
- ½ cup (113 g) no-sugar added applesauce
- 1 cup molasses
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups (284 g) whole wheat flour, fluff the flour before measuring with a light hand
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 ½ cups cooked and cooled quinoa
- 1 ½ cups shredded carrots
- 3 tablespoons chia seeds, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease two 12-cup muffin tins and set aside (or you can line them with paper cups).
- In a large bowl, whisk together the coconut oil, applesauce, molasses, eggs, and vanilla.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix lightly with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula; there should still be a few dry streaks.
- Fold in the quinoa, carrots and chia seeds until just combined (don’t overmix).
- Fill the muffin cups about 3/4 full and bake for 18-22 minutes until the tops spring back lightly to the touch (or a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean).
- Let the muffins cool for 2-3 minutes in the tin before gently sliding out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
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Recipe Source: adapted slightly from my Aunt Marilyn (used coconut oil instead of butter)
I think these are great! Still working on convincing my kids Used equivalent amount of maple syrup for the molasses and it worked great.
Hmm, I’m confused! The recipe says:
Yield: 36 muffins (makes 24-36)
And then says to prepare 2 (12-cup) muffin tins
How many muffins does this recipe really make (24? 36?) and what yield is the nutritional information based on? Thanks!
Hi Pat, I indicate to prepare two muffin tins since I figure most home cooks don’t have more than two muffin tins (so if you make the muffins on the smaller end, it’s likely you’ll need to use one of the pans twice after the first batch comes out of the oven). The nutritional facts are based on 24 muffins.
Thanks, Mel! That clears things up!
That texture is off the charts! New family favorite. ❤️. My only mistake was splitting the batter for 24, but next time.
Hi Mel! I don’t have any Chia seeds and I’m trying not to go to the store! Could I sub Flax seed?
I think so!
calories?
OMG, I’m sixty-three-years old and have never had a muffin that tasted so delicious and yet nutritious. I had some homemade crab apple sauce and garden carrots and wanted a recipe where I could combine the two. I only added half the honey and 1/8 cup of black sesame seeds for crunch. So much for supper – my husband and I each devoured three as soon as they were cool enough to eat :-).
WOW, expresses my feelings right now! I made 30 DELICIOUS muffins tonight, already ate two. I’ve wanted to bake brain muffins for so long that I grew tired of hearing myself say it. Yesterday I ran across this recipe and OMG, before they could cool my mother was ranting about how good they taste-so glad I tried it
Is there any way to sub a gf flour in these? Anyone tried it?
I haven’t tried that – sorry!
You must try these!! I admit I was skeptical even as I was scooping them into the muffin cups. I even halved the recipe because I didn’t want to waste twice as many if I didn’t like them. But they are delicious!!! Made them precisely as the recipe instructs and wouldn’t change a thing!!! Making the other half batch as we speak!! Thanks for a terrific recipe!!
My FIL makes a muffin that is very similar to this except he slathers the tops in cream ,cheese frosting. It takes the healthy edge off, but they are tasty and super filling!
Absolutely delicious! I added chocolate chips to mine, and they were to die for! Healthy, yummy and filling. My family ate them up!
Love these sturdy muffins. Not too sweet. Perfect for the first thing in the morning.
This recipe is perfect for me! It turned out sooo nice and delicious. No, it doesn’t taste like your typical sweet muffin, but I don’t want it too! I want a moderately sweet tasting, satisfying, healthier, easy to grab snack to avoid skipping breakfast.
I love whole grains but don’t care for quinoa…..I know…..crazy!! So what other grain could be used in this??
Hi Janet, you could try adding soaked chia seeds or extra flour (or maybe even oats). I’ve never subbed out the quinoa, so you’ll have to experiment a little.
I used couscous instead and it worked great
Just pulled these out of the oven! They definitely taste “healthy” and not at all like regular carrot cake – not that that’s a bad thing! I think if I make them again I’ll add more cinnamon, as well as some ginger and nutmeg and maybe a pinch more salt. I can see these being lovely with a cup of coffee in the morning. 🙂