Morning Glory Muffins. They are super easy to make and are perfectly tender and moist. Loaded with shredded carrots, apple, walnuts, whole wheat flour and coconut oil. Perfect for a healthy breakfast or as a snack! I’ve also included lots of substitutions and variations to make these muffins your own!
Looking to make these gluten free? Try my Flourless Morning Glory Muffins!
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Morning Glory Muffin Recipe
These are the BEST Morning glory muffins. They are soft and moist with the perfect amount of spice. They are hearty and satisfying and make an easy healthy breakfast on the go! These muffins come out soft and tender on the inside with the crispy golden brown muffin top and edges on the outside. These healthy morning glory muffins remind me of my Healthy Carrot Cake Muffins. They are the perfect combination of carrot cake and apple spice cake!
This recipe is also super versatile. I have included substitutions / variations for all of the ingredients so you can use what you have on hand to make these muffins!
I lightened these healthy morning glory muffins up by replacing the vegetable oil with coconut oil and apple sauce. The amount of sugar added is reduced and honey is used in place of the granulated sugar. You would never know these muffins are healthy!
If you are looking for gluten free muffins give my Flourless Morning Glory Muffins a try!
Ingredients
- Flour: I used all purpose flour in this recipe however white whole wheat flour or gluten free flour can be used to make gluten free morning glory muffins! I have also done half whole wheat and half all purpose flour and that works really well.
- Honey or maple syrup: Are used to sweeten the muffin in place of granulated or light brown sugar. Coconut sugar can also be substituted.
- Coconut oil: Is used in place of oil or butter. Just make sure to melt the coconut oil before adding it with the rest of the ingredients. If you are not a fan of coconut try using canola oil or light olive oil instead!
- Unsweetened applesauce: Adds so much moisture to these muffins. Make sure to use unsweetened applesauce.
- Shredded apples: Add a nice sweetness and moisture to the muffins. Feel free to substitute with zucchini or extra carrot if you don’t have any apples on hand. Drained crushed pineapple can also be used in place of the apples.
- Shredded carrots: The shredded carrots keep the muffins moist and tender without having to add extra oil or butter! Just like the apples feel free to replace the carrots with apples or zucchini.
- Walnuts: Give these muffins a nice crunch. Feel free to substitute whatever nuts you have on hand.
- Shredded Coconut: I love the hint of coconut in the muffins. It’s not too strong or overpowering. Just a subtle hint of coconut flavor.
How to Make Morning Glory Muffins
- Combine dry ingredients: Start by combining flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl combine honey or maple syrup, coconut oil, applesauce, eggs and vanilla until well blended. Fold in apples and carrots.
- Mix batter: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients making sure not to over mix. Fold in walnuts and shredded coconut.
- Bake: Divide batter among muffin tins filling each almost to the top. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
- Cool: Allow muffins to cool in the pan for a couple minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve: These muffins are best served warm with a bit of butter!
- Store: Muffins in an airtight container for up to 1 week in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer.
Tips for making these muffins
- Save time and shred in the food processor: Just like my carrot cake recipe I suggest shredding up the carrots and apples in a food processor versus a grater. It saves a lot of time and is less of a mess. You can also skip peeling the carrots and apples. I like to leave the skin on for added fiber!
- Add what you have: Raisins, flax seed or wheat germ would also be great additions to these muffins! Orange zest would also be great for a hint of orange flavor!
- Make sure not to over mix: The muffin batter. This will lead to a denser tougher muffin. I only mix the dry ingredients just until combined.
Can I freeze morning glory muffins
Yes these muffins freeze and reheat really well! To store place cooled muffins in an airtight container or ziplock bag. These muffins can be stored for up to 3 months in the fridge. To reheat I recommend microwaving them for 30 seconds.
Looking for more healthy grab and go breakfasts or snacks? Then give my Energy Balls a try!
Here are more Easy Muffin recipes to try!
- Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Muffins
- Flourless Peanut Butter Banana Muffins
- Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Best Blueberry Muffins
- Easy Double Chocolate Chip Muffins
Morning Glory Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cup all purpose flour or white whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 3/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cup apple, shredded
- 1 1/4 cup carrot, peeled and shredded
- 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray two muffin tins with cooking spray. (This recipe makes about 16 muffins)
- In a medium bowl combine flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.
- In a large bowl combine honey or maple syrup, coconut oil, applesauce, eggs and vanilla until well blended. Fold in apples and carrots.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients making sure not to over mix. Fold in walnuts and shredded coconut.
- Divide batter among muffin tins filling each almost to the top. Bake in for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
- Let cool in pan for a few minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Did you make this?
I'd love to hear your feedback! Leave a review and make sure to share your pictures on social media! Don't forget to follow @thechefsavvy.
Nanc
Hi! What ratio should I replace the flour for oat or other gf? Thanks!
Kelley Simmons
Hi!
I have not made these muffins with oat flour however gluten free flour should work at a 1:1 ratio.
Thanks & Enjoy!
Kelley
Suzanne
This looks delicious, thank you for sharing!
Kelley Simmons
Thank you so much Suzanne!
Lisa
My son is allergic to eggs. Is there an egg substitute? These look so good! He’s a picky eater and might like these. Thanks.
Kelley Simmons
Hi Lisa,
You can use a flax or chia egg!
Thanks & Enjoy!
Kelley
Shandelle Pottie
The only thing I don’t have is the applesauce.. can I substitute it with something else?
Kelley Simmons
Hi Shandelle!
Yes you can use a mashed up banana instead! You can also use 1/2 cup of sour cream or yogurt.
Thanks & Enjoy!
Kelley
Susan
How can 50 percent trans fat be healthy muffins?
Hannah
I love this recipe! Sadly I need to cut regular flour out of my diet. Any tips for using almond or coconut flour as a substitute in these? Thanks for this great recipe!!!!
Kelley Simmons
Hi Hannah!
So glad you enjoy these muffins. You could try using gluten free flour if your diet will allow. If not almond flour can be used 1:1 but I think extra liquid or an egg may need to be added. As far as coconut flour I found this article which has some ideas for suggestions for substituting it in baked goods if you scroll down a bit. https://nourishedkitchen.com/baking-with-coconut-flour/.
You could also use gluten free oats and substitute oats for up to one-third the amount of flour called for in the recipe using either Quick or Old Fashioned Oats.
I hope this helps and is not too confusing!
Thanks!
Kelley
Alina
I used sprouted whole wheat and spelt flour instead of white and added 1/4 tsp ginger, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, and the zest of one orange. Delicious and moist!!
Kelley Simmons
So glad you enjoyed these muffins Alina! Thanks so much for sharing!
Joanna R
Hi, regarding the nutrition label, is that the number of nutrients for 1 muffin or 2? Also, these look so good, they’re in my oven right now! Thanks!
Kelley Simmons
Hi Joanna,
The calorie count is for 1 muffin. Hope you enjoy them!
Thanks!
Kelley
Taylor
Hi! I am wondering if/ how I could make this in a loaf pan instead of as muffins… thoughts??
Kelley Simmons
Hi Taylor!
This should definitely be enough batter to fill up a loaf pan. 18 muffins should be about 9 cups of batter. A 9 x 5 loaf pan holds about 8 cups so it should be close to perfect!
I would bake it in a loaf pan at 350 degrees for about 50 minutes or so.
Let me know how you make out!
Kelley
Beverly Frazier
These muffins are so delicious and guilt-free!