Spiced Apple Hazelnut Muffins (Gluten-Free & Vegan)
Indulge in the delightful flavors of Spiced Apple Hazelnut Muffins, crafted to satisfy those with dietary restrictions while still being a treat for all! These muffins showcase a harmonious blend of warm spices, naturally sweet apples, and rich, nutty hazelnuts in every bite. Perfect for breakfast, a snack, or a dessert, they are not only free from gluten, dairy, and eggs but are also packed with wholesome ingredients that deliver both flavor and nutrition. Enjoy them fresh out of the oven or at room temperature, and pair them with your favorite plant-based milk for a deliciously satisfying experience.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
21
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground flax seeds
2 tablespoons (ground)
hot water
1/4 cup (n/a)
millet flour
1/4 cup (n/a)
sorghum flour
1/4 cup (n/a)
rice flour
1/2 cup (n/a)
potato starch
1/4 cup (not potato flour)
cornstarch
1/4 cup (n/a)
baking powder
1 tablespoon (n/a)
baking soda
1/2 teaspoon (n/a)
guar gum
1 teaspoon (n/a)
sea salt
1/2 teaspoon (n/a)
cinnamon
1/2 tablespoon (ground)
nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
ginger
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
dark brown sugar
3/4 cup (packed)
canola oil
1/3 cup (n/a)
pure vanilla extract (GF)
1 teaspoon (n/a)
rice vinegar
1 teaspoon (n/a)
soymilk
1/4 cup (unsweetened)
apple
1 (coarsely grated with peel on)
hazelnuts
3/4 cup (toasted and chopped finely (not ground))
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line 12 muffin cups with paper liners or lightly grease them to prevent sticking.
2
In a small mixing bowl, combine the ground flax seeds with hot water and let the mixture rest for 10 minutes, allowing it to thicken and form a gel-like consistency.
3
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the millet flour, sorghum flour, rice flour, potato starch, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, guar gum, sea salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger until evenly mixed.
4
In a large mixing bowl, use a whisk or an electric mixer to beat together the dark brown sugar, canola oil, pure vanilla extract, and rice vinegar until the mixture is creamy and well combined.
5
Add the prepared flaxseed mixture to the wet ingredients and mix thoroughly until smooth.
6
Gradually fold in the dry ingredient mixture with a spatula or wooden spoon, being careful not to overmix. Once incorporated, pour in the soymilk and stir gently just until combined.
7
Gently fold in the grated apple and finely chopped hazelnuts, ensuring an even distribution throughout the batter.
8
Spoon the muffin batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full to allow for rising.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the tops are golden brown.
10
Remove the muffins from the pans immediately and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these Spiced Apple Hazelnut Muffins gluten-free?
Yes, these muffins are completely gluten-free, using a blend of millet, sorghum, and rice flours along with potato starch and cornstarch.
Is this recipe suitable for vegans?
Yes, this recipe is 100% vegan as it contains no eggs, dairy, or animal-derived ingredients.
How many muffins does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to make 12 muffins.
What is used as an egg substitute in this recipe?
A 'flax egg' is used, made by combining 2 tablespoons of ground flax seeds with 1/4 cup of hot water and letting it thicken for 10 minutes.
What temperature should I set my oven to?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before baking.
Can I use potato flour instead of potato starch?
No, the recipe specifically states to use potato starch and notes it should not be substituted with potato flour.
What types of gluten-free flour are required?
You will need millet flour, sorghum flour, and rice flour for the base of the muffin batter.
Should I peel the apple before grating it?
No, the instructions recommend coarsely grating the apple with the peel left on.
How should the hazelnuts be prepared?
The hazelnuts should be toasted and finely chopped, but not ground into a meal or flour.
What spices are used in these muffins?
The recipe uses a blend of ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground ginger.
What kind of oil is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for canola oil, which provides a neutral flavor and moist texture.
How long do the muffins need to bake?
Bake the muffins for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
What is the purpose of the rice vinegar?
Rice vinegar acts as an acid to react with the baking soda, helping the gluten-free muffins rise and become fluffy.
Can I use a different type of milk?
The recipe specifies unsweetened soymilk, but you can likely substitute it with another plant-based milk like almond or oat milk.
How do I prevent the muffins from sticking to the pan?
You should line the muffin cups with paper liners or lightly grease them before adding the batter.
Should I let the muffins cool in the pan?
No, the instructions state to remove the muffins from the pans immediately and transfer them to a wire rack to cool.
Why is guar gum included in the recipe?
Guar gum acts as a binder and stabilizer, which is essential for providing structure in gluten-free baking.
How much should I fill each muffin cup?
Fill each muffin cup about 3/4 full to allow enough room for the muffins to rise while baking.
What type of sugar is used for sweetness?
The recipe uses 3/4 cup of packed dark brown sugar for a rich, molasses-like sweetness.
Can I use an electric mixer for the batter?
You can use an electric mixer to beat the wet ingredients together, but it is recommended to fold in the dry ingredients and fruit by hand to avoid overmixing.
Are these muffins considered healthy?
Yes, they are packed with wholesome ingredients like flax seeds, hazelnuts, and fresh apples, providing both nutrition and flavor.
Is the vanilla extract used in this recipe gluten-free?
The recipe specifically recommends using pure vanilla extract that is labeled GF (gluten-free).
Can these muffins be eaten at room temperature?
Yes, they can be enjoyed fresh out of the oven or once they have cooled to room temperature.
What is the best way to serve these muffins?
They are delicious on their own or paired with your favorite plant-based milk for a satisfying snack or breakfast.
What does 'coarsely grated' mean for the apple?
It means using the larger holes on a box grater to create thicker strands of apple rather than a fine mush.
Is it okay to use ground hazelnuts instead of chopped?
The recipe specifies chopped hazelnuts rather than ground to ensure the muffins have a nutty texture rather than a denser crumb.
Can I substitute cornstarch with something else?
While not specified, arrowroot powder is a common substitute for cornstarch in gluten-free baking.
How long should the flaxseed mixture rest?
It should rest for 10 minutes to reach the necessary gel-like consistency.
What makes these muffins 'spiced'?
The combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger provides a warm, aromatic spiced flavor profile.
Do these muffins contain dairy?
No, these muffins are completely dairy-free, utilizing soymilk and canola oil.