You might be wondering why I'm featuring a recipe for apple bran muffins in February... Typically we think of October as the height of apple season, so I was surprised to learn that some apple varieties aren't available until much later.
For example, Pinata apples are harvested in mid-October. But because their flavor intensifies in cold storage, they're not actually packed and shipped to stores until late January.
After sampling Pinata apples for myself, I can say that they're most definitely worth the wait. Sweet, crisp, and juicy — so juicy that I literally had apple juice running down my chin — these apples are a real treat!
Pinata apples adapt well to cooking temperatures, so I decided to incorporate them into an apple bran muffin recipe...
Packed with hearty grains, golden raisins, and diced Pinata apple chunks, then topped with a crunchy pecan streusel mixture, you almost won't believe that bran muffins can taste so good!
I've made two batches in the last week because my kids keep gobbling them all up. In fact, my nine-year-old told me that I need to sell the recipe to Tim Hortons so they can put my apple muffins on their menu (sweet boy!), but instead I'll share it with you all for free.
I firmly believe that the real "wow factor" comes from the light sprinkling of streusel topping. Made from brown sugar, ground flaxseed, chopped pecans, and butter, it adds just enough crunch and sweetness without a ton of additional calories.
You could always skip this step and still have a moist and flavorful apple oat bran muffin. But I'd encourage you to try it at least once!
If you don't regularly use coconut oil, you could swap it with canola oil or even additional applesauce instead. However, coconut oil adds some additional flavor — I'd highly recommend giving it a try.
Apple Bran Muffins With Pecan Streusel Topping
Ingredients
For the muffins:
- 2 cups white whole wheat flour
- 1 ¾ cups oat bran
- ¾ cup light brown sugar packed
- ¼ cup ground flaxseed
- 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 Pinata apples peeled and diced (or your favorite variety)
- 1 cup golden raisins
- 1 cup milk
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 egg whites
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
For the streusel topping (optional):
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
- 4 tablespoons chopped pecans
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Make the streusel topping first by mixing together the brown sugar, ground flaxseed and chopped pecans.Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Combine flour, oat bran, brown sugar, ground flaxseed, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt well with a whisk. Stir in diced apples and golden raisins.
- In another bowl whisk together milk, applesauce, vanilla extract, egg whites and coconut oil.
- Add the milk mixture to the flour mixture and stir together until combined.
- Spoon three tablespoons of batter into lined or cooking spray coated muffin cups. Sprinkle streusel topping over the batter if desired. Tip: try these parchment paper muffin liners!
- Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 18 minutes.
Did you make this recipe?
I'd love to see how your apple muffins turns out... Tag me @Unsophisticook on Instagram or use the hashtag #Unsophisticook so I can check it out. Enjoy!
Linda Henderson says
One thing I'd like with recipes is their nutritional values.
Brittni says
Do you think you could sub the oat bran for regular oats or quick oats???
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Hi Brittni! I don't think I'd recommend using quick oats, but you might give regular oats a try. I'd probably pulse them in a food processor and measure out an amount equal to the oat bran to start.
Becca says
How many calories are these muffins, they look amazing
Sally @ sally's baking addiction says
i just stumbled upon your blog. these muffins look amazing. i've been searching for a muffin recipe that only uses a little oil. they are hard to find! these will be my next muffin recipe to make!
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Glad you stopped by, Sally! I've made them with just applesauce and they're still good, but I definitely prefer them with the coconut oil. Hope your family enjoys them as much as mine does!
Aggie says
These look amazing! I love that topping. I'm craving apple muffins now!
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Thanks, Aggie — the topping really does make the difference, with just a little extra fat and calories!