Healthy Apple Walnut Muffins
Indulge in these moist and delightful Healthy Apple Walnut Muffins—an ideal breakfast or snack option that won't compromise your dietary goals. Utilizing apple butter to cut down on fat and Splenda granular to eliminate refined sugar, this recipe boasts all the deliciousness you expect from muffins without the guilt. Packed with wholesome ingredients like rolled oats, whole wheat pasta, and fresh apples, these muffins are both satisfying and nourishing. Enjoy the added crunch from walnuts and a hint of cinnamon that brings warmth to every bite. Perfect for sharing or enjoying solo, these muffins are a fantastic addition to your healthy lifestyle.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (sifted)
whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup (sifted)
baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons
baking soda
1/2 teaspoon
salt
1/2 teaspoon
cinnamon
1 teaspoon
rolled oats
3/4 cup (not quick cooking)
Splenda granular
1/3 cup
walnuts
3 tablespoons (chopped)
egg
1 (beaten)
low-fat buttermilk
1 cup
apple butter
2 tablespoons (see recipe link)
light olive oil
2 tablespoons
cooking apple
1 cup (grated, unpeeled (suggestions: Rome, Jonagold, Granny Smith))
brown sugar
1 tablespoon
walnuts
1 tablespoon (chopped, for topping)
rolled oats
1 tablespoon (for topping)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line with muffin liners to prevent sticking.
2
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat pastry flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, rolled oats, Splenda, and chopped walnuts until well combined.
3
In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, low-fat buttermilk, apple butter, light olive oil, and grated cooking apple until smooth.
4
Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry mixture, stirring just enough to combine. Don’t worry about a few lumps; overmixing can make the muffins tough.
5
Spoon the muffin batter evenly into the prepared muffin cups, filling them about 3/4 full.
6
In a small bowl, mix together the topping ingredients: brown sugar, walnuts, and rolled oats. Sprinkle this mixture generously over each muffin top.
7
Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remember, these muffins won’t rise much, which is perfectly normal.
8
Once baked, remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. If desired, use a 'muffin tipper' technique to help release them from the tin before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Healthy Apple Walnut Muffins?
They are moist and delightful muffins made with wholesome ingredients like rolled oats and fresh apples, designed as a healthy breakfast or snack option.
How is the fat content reduced in this recipe?
This recipe utilizes apple butter to cut down on fat without compromising moisture or flavor.
Is there refined sugar in the muffin batter?
No, Splenda granular is used in the batter to eliminate refined sugar and keep the muffins low in sugar.
What type of flour is recommended for these muffins?
The recipe calls for a combination of sifted all-purpose flour and sifted whole wheat pastry flour.
Can I use quick-cooking oats for this recipe?
The recipe specifically recommends using 3/4 cup of rolled oats that are not quick-cooking.
At what temperature should the oven be set?
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) before baking the muffins.
How long do the muffins need to bake?
Bake the muffins for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Do I need to peel the apples?
No, the recipe suggests using one cup of grated, unpeeled cooking apples.
Which apple varieties work best for this recipe?
Suggested varieties include Rome, Jonagold, or Granny Smith apples.
How should the muffin tin be prepared?
Grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line it with muffin liners to prevent the batter from sticking.
Why is it important not to overmix the batter?
Overmixing can make the muffins tough; you should stir just enough to combine the wet and dry ingredients.
How full should I fill the muffin cups?
Spoon the muffin batter evenly into the prepared cups, filling them about 3/4 full.
What ingredients are used for the topping?
The topping is a mixture of brown sugar, chopped walnuts, and rolled oats.
Should I expect these muffins to rise significantly?
No, these muffins won't rise much during baking, which is perfectly normal for this specific recipe.
How long should the muffins cool in the pan?
Once removed from the oven, let the muffins cool in the pan for approximately 10 minutes.
What is the 'muffin tipper' technique?
It is a technique used to help release the muffins from the tin before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
What liquid is used to provide moisture?
The recipe uses one cup of low-fat buttermilk and two tablespoons of light olive oil.
Is there cinnamon in the recipe?
Yes, one teaspoon of cinnamon is included to provide warmth to every bite.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 17 total ingredients used for both the muffin batter and the topping.
What provides the crunch in these muffins?
The crunch comes from chopped walnuts which are added to both the batter and the topping.
Are these muffins suitable for a low-sugar diet?
Yes, they are tagged as low sugar because they use Splenda granular in the batter instead of refined sugar.
Are these muffins suitable for a low-fat diet?
Yes, the recipe is designed to be low fat by using apple butter and low-fat buttermilk.
What leavening agents are used?
The recipe uses both 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda.
How should the egg be prepared?
One egg should be beaten before being whisked with the other wet ingredients.
What is the source of the apple flavor?
The flavor comes from a combination of apple butter and grated fresh cooking apples.
Are these muffins considered a quick bread?
Yes, they are categorized under the quick bread tag.
Is salt included in the recipe?
Yes, 1/2 teaspoon of salt is whisked into the dry ingredients.
Can these muffins be eaten as a snack?
Absolutely, they are described as an ideal snack option that won't compromise dietary goals.
Is the apple butter used to replace sugar or fat?
In this recipe, apple butter is specifically mentioned as a way to cut down on fat.
What is the preparation for the walnuts in the batter?
Three tablespoons of walnuts should be chopped and mixed into the dry ingredients.