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There’s a reason our parents would say, “Eat your breakfast; it’s the most important meal of the day!” The first meal we consume after waking up would fuel our bodies for the day and kickstart our metabolism, among other fantastic benefits. Also, let’s not forget the smorgasbord of delicious breakfast foods we can eat!
If you’re looking for something quick and nutritious to begin your day, then easy and healthy breakfast muffins are the way to go! We’re not talking about any cafe-bought muffins but freshly-baked ones you can make, even if you’re no expert in the kitchen.
We’ll be sharing 20 muffin recipes that aren’t overloaded with sugar and calories but still satisfy the tummy. The best part? They’ve got a ton of key nutrients like protein and fiber to start your morning on a healthier note. You can pair them with your favorite DIY breakfast smoothie to make a more filling meal.
More delicious and healthy recipe ideas for you:
- 20 Easy and Healthy Weeknight Dinners
- 20 Easy and Healthy Lunch Ideas for Work
- 15 Easy and Healthy Breakfast Ideas For Busy Mornings
1. Blackberry Maple Tahini Muffins
Tahini, a Middle Eastern staple made from ground sesame seeds, is commonly found in salads and savory meals. Yet, it’s also a fantastic choice for baking, enhancing brownies and cookies.
Its nutty and mildly bitter taste pairs unexpectedly well with the tartness of blackberries and the sweetness of maple syrup in blackberry muffins. Despite taking just thirty minutes to make, these muffins appear as though you’ve dedicated hours to baking them!
2. Easy Egg Muffins
Many of us associate muffins with sweet food, but let’s start with something savory! If you love your meals more savory than sweet, then you’ve got to try this for your next meal.
These are breakfast egg muffins loaded with protein and vegetables like spinach and tomatoes. It also contains savory ham and cheese, giving these muffins a good amount of protein to keep you filled until lunch!
3. Skinny Raspberry Chocolate Quinoa Muffins
Very berry indeed, as this recipe uses raspberries, giving the muffins their rich color and sweet, tart flavor. Raspberries are also a great source of antioxidants and vitamins without packing on the calories. Plus, the recipe amps up the health kick with the presence of quinoa, which is rich in fiber and protein.
This is considered an easy and nutritious muffin, but surprisingly, they don’t taste like it, especially with that sweet chocolate!
4. Chocolate Chip Banana Oatmeal Muffins
You’ll go bananas over this recipe! It’s an energy-boosting muffin that can have you up and running for a full day of work. It’s got oats, bananas, and bittersweet chocolate, so you’ve got healthy carbs gearing you up for what’s to come.
These muffins only take less than an hour to prep and bake, so if you’re crunched for time, try this recipe.
5. Healthy Pumpkin Muffins
It’s like a pumpkin spice latte in a muffin! Who knew something that tasted like dessert can have health benefits for our body?
One muffin only contains 182 calories with almost 4 grams of protein, 25.7 grams of carbohydrates, and 7 grams of fat. Grab two for a quick meal, and you’ll feel that extra energy and complete fall season experience.
6. Gingerbread Muffins
Ho, ho, ho! Oh wait, it isn’t Christmas yet! If you can’t wait for the holidays to arrive so you can indulge in Christmas desserts, then these gingerbread muffins will do the trick.
No worries about packing on the pounds with this recipe because it uses minimal sugar. You can also make them high-protein muffins by substituting the light sour cream with yogurt. Pair these muffins with a cup of coffee (or glass of milk for the kids), and you’ve got a sweet breakfast to fuel your day.
7. Peanut Butter Banana Muffins
If you’ve never had peanut butter and banana together before, then it’s time you try it now! The nutty and creamy peanut butter goes amazingly with sweet bananas like a match made in heaven.
When you put it in muffin form, you’ve got a soft, tender, and oh-so-filling meal to get you up and at it for a full day of work! Or, you can have more as a snack or dessert!
8. Lemon Poppyseed Muffins
Lemons in muffins? Heck yes, it works amazingly! If you’re a huge fan of lemon cake, then these lemon poppyseed muffins will do just the trick.
You’ll feel like you’re having dessert for breakfast, but don’t be fooled! This recipe has protein from Greek yogurt and omega-6 fatty acids from poppy seed oil. It also contains other nutrients like fiber, calcium, iron, and magnesium. If you want to lessen the sugar, you can omit the icing.
9. Chocolate Peanut Butter Muffins
For those obsessed with Reese’s peanut butter cups (we know a few of you are here, like us), then this recipe is made for you. Satisfy your Reese’s cravings without much of the sugar rush, because all you need is honey, peanut butter, bananas, and Greek yogurt to sweeten it up.
Containing less than 200 calories per muffin, it’s an ideal first meal of the day.
10. Whole Wheat Carrot Muffins
Kickstart the morning with the classic carrot cake with a cup of piping hot coffee, but make it more nutritious and guilt-free in muffin form. These whole wheat carrot cake muffins keep things on the healthier side by using less sugar, more Greek yogurt, and flavorful spices to keep your taste buds on their toes.
The result? A moist and protein-filled muffin you can have any time of the day.
11. Paleo Apple Cinnamon Muffins
Who said you couldn’t have apple pie the moment you wake up? While it’s not exactly apple pie, these apple cinnamon upside-down muffins come close to it. Enjoy this special fall treat any season of the year and you can now boast to everyone that having dessert for breakfast IS possible.
Do you know what makes it better? These muffins are gluten and dairy-free, and they are paleo-friendly!
12. Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
One problem many parents have is figuring out ways to incorporate vegetables into their children’s meals. If they love muffins, then this recipe is perfect for you! No one will have to know there are greens in their muffins because all you can taste is the ooey, gooey chocolate without oil or butter.
Thanks to the presence of applesauce, yogurt, and zucchini, these are soft and moist muffins that won’t spike those sugar levels!
13. Vegan Double Chocolate Muffins
You read that recipe name right, folks! Chocolate muffins can be healthy AND vegan. No need to sacrifice chocolates in the name of health when you can make your vegan muffins tasty and nutritious with this recipe.
This recipe has a very nutritious and secret ingredient you wouldn’t even guess was in the muffin – beets! That’s one of the secrets to making naturally-sweetened whole grain muffins without any butter, sugar, or milk.
14. Apple Oatmeal Breakfast Muffins
You’ve probably had apple-flavored oatmeal as a quick morning meal, but why not make that into a muffin style? Break the fast by trying something new and convert the typical go-to staple to a freshly-baked and filling muffin.
You can taste sweet and tart apple flavors with added texture from oatmeal, then finish it off with a light vanilla bean glaze and chai spices for added flavor. Don’t worry; you’ll use low-fat cream cheese to avoid excess calories!
15. Rosemary Maple Corn Muffins
Elevated corn muffins? Sign us up! These cornbread muffins aren’t just a perfect addition to Thanksgiving dinner but any meal.
What makes this recipe better is that they are secretly vegan and without much sugar content. With the presence of rosemary, maple syrup, and just a hint of apple cider vinegar, your usual cornbread can complement a big bowl of soup or chili any day. Wake up to savory flavors and scents with these muffins!
16. Cranberry Orange Muffins
Fresh cranberries and orange zest make up the tart yet sweet flavors of these healthy muffins! Bring in the holiday season a little earlier with these moist and delicious muffins, which also have unsweetened applesauce, almond milk, coconut sugar, and wheat flour.
One muffin contains about 150 calories, so you can enjoy it at the start of your day, as a snack, or even for dessert!
17. Cheddar Zucchini and Scallion Muffins
These look as fancy and delicious as they sound! This is a protein-packed muffin filled with a ton of flavor but without the calorie-laden ingredients.
It’s got spinach, zucchini, and scallions so you can get your greens in for the day making your meatless Mondays a breeze. The sharpness of the cheddar and feta cheese and creaminess from the oil and buttermilk work so well together, too!
18. Dark Chocolate Blueberry Banana Muffins
We can’t make a list of muffin recipes without adding the classic blueberry muffin on here. These dark chocolate blueberry banana oat muffins are ridiculously soft and moist but surprisingly have no oil or butter. Bonus points for being naturally sweetened and packed with blueberry and chocolate flavors in every bite.
One muffin can satisfy any sweet tooth without guilty pleasure because it doesn’t contain as many calories as you’d think. It’s a must-bake for anyone on a health kick craving for blueberry muffins.
19. Cheddar Apple Sausage Muffins
These are savory muffins that pack on the protein, made of wholesome ingredients without added sugars. Two muffins contain 11 grams of protein and only 126 calories!
We also love the simplicity of this recipe, because all you need is a pack of gluten-free cornbread mix ready to bake and apple sausages. You can get some fruit and veg into your diet by tweaking the recipe to add spinach, onion, and tart green apples, among other ingredients you prefer!
The slightly sweet and tart flavors from the apple flavor complement meaty sausages. It’s definitely a nice, balanced meal to begin the day with.
20. Strawberry Yogurt Muffins
Greek yogurt is an amazing addition to many baked goods, and these strawberry yogurt muffins are no exception. Greek yogurt cuts down the fat content and adds more calcium and protein. Plus, it will give muffins a moist and light crumbly texture you desire.
Add fresh strawberries for that refreshingly summery flavor and oatmeal for more texture. You can even add more chopped fruits like blueberries and raspberries. These fruits have antioxidants, fiber, and other essential nutrients!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a muffin a healthy breakfast?
Yes and no. Muffins can be a nutritious way to start the day if they contain whole grains, fiber, and protein. But some muffins, particularly store-bought, are higher in fat, sugar, and calories, all of which can derail any diet!
That’s why we recommend making your own muffins or checking nutrition labels to know what you’re eating.
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