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Healthy Flourless Apple Cinnamon Muffins
Gluten-Free, Refined Sugar-Free
These muffins are a delicious and healthy way to satisfy your sweet tooth. They’re packed with apple and cinnamon flavor, and made without flour, oil, or refined sugar, making them a great option for those following a gluten-free or low-sugar diet.
Why You’ll Love These Muffins:
- Healthy Indulgence: Made with wholesome ingredients and free of flour, oil, and refined sugar, these muffins offer a guilt-free way to enjoy a sweet treat.
- Bursting with Apple Flavor: Diced apples add a delightful sweetness and a satisfying crunch to every bite.
- Warm Cinnamon Spice: Ground cinnamon infuses the muffins with a warm and inviting flavor, reminiscent of classic apple treats.
- Gluten-Free and Refined Sugar-Free: Perfect for those following dietary restrictions.
Building Your Healthy Muffin Magic:
- Oat Base: Rolled oats provide a source of fiber and structure, while also contributing to a satisfyingly chewy texture (use certified gluten-free oats if necessary).
- Almond Flour: This nut flour adds a touch of protein and healthy fats, creating a naturally gluten-free base.
- Warm Spices: Ground cinnamon brings a warm and inviting depth of flavor to the muffins.
- Baking Essentials: Baking soda helps the muffins rise, while salt enhances the overall flavor profile.
- Sweet Apples: Diced apples are the star of the show, providing natural sweetness and a delightful textural contrast.
- Applesauce Moisture: Unsweetened applesauce adds moisture and natural sweetness without refined sugar.
- Maple Syrup (or Honey): A touch of maple syrup or honey adds sweetness, with maple syrup being the vegan option.
Ready to Bake Up Some Healthy Goodness? Here’s a basic outline:
Ingredients (makes about 12 muffins):
- Dry Ingredients:
- 1 cup rolled oats (use certified gluten-free oats if necessary)
- ½ cup almond flour (ground almonds)
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- Wet Ingredients:
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup (or honey)
- 1 medium apple (about 1 ½ cups), diced
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a muffin tin or line it with paper liners.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: rolled oats, almond flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: eggs, applesauce, and maple syrup (or honey).
- Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Gently fold in the diced apple.
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the muffins cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips:
- For extra moisture, add a mashed banana to the batter.
- Experiment with different apple varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for a flavor variation.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated before serving.
Additional Notes:
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free due to the use of almond flour and rolled oats. If you have celiac disease or a severe gluten sensitivity, be sure to use certified gluten-free oats to avoid contamination.
- Maple syrup or honey can be used as a sweetener. Honey is not vegan, so if you are following a vegan diet, stick with maple syrup.
- The amount of baking time may vary slightly depending on the size and shape of your muffin tin.