Sometimes, you see the word "healthy" attached to a muffin recipe but soon realize you may as well just have a cupcake instead. This isn't one of those recipes. All fresh ingredients and no sugar or wheat flour make this muffin recipe a treat you can feel really good about! These are so sweet & delicious, you would never know there isn't any sugar or sweetener added. My family absolutely loves them and I hope you do too.

They are the perfect quick breakfast or snack and taste great straight from the fridge. I have been making them almost weekly lately. I have also been playing around, using more or less of the different ingredients, but I am completely satisfied and wouldn't change a thing at this point. I considered taking the cranberries from "optional"  to just part of the main recipe, but knowing there may be some folks out there that aren't as big of fan of them, I chose to leave them as an optional choice. I would have hated anyone to miss out on the tasty little morsels this recipe makes. That said, they are a delicious part of the recipe but could easily be substituted with other fruit(s) of choice. So far I haven't given anything else a chance. I have lots of cranberries so maybe when they are gone.  In fact, I like them so well, I may have gone a little overboard a couple of times on the amount! No one complained though lol! I think 3/4 to 1 cup is more than enough but if you add extra, I wont tell. 

I'll be excited to hear what you think and hope you give it a try. They have become a fixture in our house. 

What makes this recipe so good?

The ground oats give this recipe an entirely different texture, unique from the typical oatmeal muffin. It keeps the muffin soft and moist. 

The adorable cherry wood drawer-able cutting board by Square Tree Lane

The avocado oil also adds to the moist texture while offering a neutral flavor.

The apples and banana are the perfect amount of sweetness.

Round walnut cutting block

Walnut paddle charcuterie board

Although optional, I prefer the added texture of the dried cranberries. You could also use raisins or shredded carrots to compliment the flavor of this recipe.  

Cinnamon works beautifully in this recipe to seal the sweetness deal without a drop of sugar. 

Although it's only one teaspoon, it makes sense that a punch of apple cider vinegar would take this recipe to the next level.  

Let's make some muffins! See recipe below.

Organically shaped charcuterie board

Apple, Banana, Oat Muffins 

Yield 12 standard size muffins

Serving size 1 muffin 

2 cups rolled oats

1/2  teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 cup mashed banana

3 medium eggs

4 tablespoons of avocado oil

1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

2 medium sized apples-cored and chopped or grated

OPTIONAL ADDITION (see Helpful Hints below)

3/4 cups dried cranberries (or other dried fruit of similar choice)

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees & line muffin tin if using a regular muffin tin. I have starting using a silicone muffin pan and love it. No papers required. 

Step 2

In a blender or food processor, blend oats into a flour like consistency. It normally takes about 15 or 20 seconds in my food processor. Stir in salt, baking soda and cinnamon and set aside.

Step 3

In a large bowl combine mashed bananas, eggs, oil, vanilla, & vinegar. Blend well with a hand or stand mixer until smooth. 

Step 4

Add dry ingredients from food processor and stir in until smooth. Add chopped apples and cranberries and stir until all ingredients have blended evenly. 

Step 5 

Transfer to muffin pan. They don't rise a ton so they can be filled pretty full. 

Step 6

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Tops will be somewhat springy when thoroughly cooked. 

Allow to cool a bit before removing from pan to keep muffins in tact. They aren't really prone to crumbling but if they are fresh out of the oven, they might.

These muffins are so good, they really don't require additional condiments such as butter or honey but who am I to tell you how to eat your muffin? lol! Some people have to add butter. I'm married to one of those people but, I don't think they need anything extra. 

Also, My 17 month old granddaughter loves these. 

Helpful hints

Don't be tempted to add sugar or other sweetener. You will be absolutely amazed at the deliciously sweet flavor just the way they are. They are almost dessert worthy but even having them when you have a craving for something sweet is a great way to avoid something worse. 

The cranberries are technically optional so you could leave them out. I think they add a really great texture to the recipes. I haven't tried raisins yet, but I am certain it would be a great addition. I still want to try a few other things like shredded carrots or another dried fruit. 

Fill it to the brim. These muffins don't rise much at all so you can pack the cup to the top. 

To avoid another dirty dish: After I blend the wet mixture and then add the dry mixture,  I usually just leave it and go chop apples in the food processor. Then I come back to the mixing bowl and blend the wet and dry ingredients together as well as add the apples and cranberries. One less dish to wash is always a good thing.

The timing seems to vary. I find my silicone pan bakes rather quickly. You may need to add another 5 minutes if using metal and papers. 

Nana's Kitchen charcuterie board