Ingredients (yields 12 muffins):
Dry:
1 C all purpose flour
1 ¾ C rolled oats, divided into 1 C ground (or can use oat flour made with oats as the only ingredient) + ½ C whole + additional ¼ C whole, reserved for topping
½ C brown sugar, tightly packed
1 ½ tsp baking powder
2 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
½ tsp kosher salt
2 Tbsp ground flaxseed
1 apple, grated or finely chopped
½ C dried cranberries
Wet:
2 large eggs
½ C avocado oil or canola oil
¼ plain, whole milk Greek yogurt
1/3 C whole milk
½ C applesauce, unsweetened
18 pitted, dried dates soaked in a bowl of water + 3 Tbsp water reserved from the soaked dates (yields ½ C date paste when pureed)
2 tsp vanilla extract
Nonstick cooking spray
Directions:
- Place dates in a medium sized bowl and cover completely with cold water. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Make the oat flour by grinding 1 C rolled oats in a mini food processor until finely ground. Alternatively, you can use oat flour. Transfer oat flour to a small bowl and replace mini food processor to use in the next step.
- Reserve 3 Tbsp of the water from the bowl of soaked dates. Make the date paste by placing the soaked dates in the same mini food processor with the 3 Tbsp of the water from the bowl of soaked dates. Wait to discard water until you make the date paste in case you need to add a drop more to thin out the paste. Grind the dates with the added water until a paste forms. Paste does not need to be perfectly smooth. Set aside.
- Add all purpose flour, 1 C ground rolled oats (or oat flour), baking powder, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, kosher salt and ground flaxseed in a large mixing bowl. Whisk together and set aside.
- Crack eggs in a separate large mixing bowl and whisk together. Add brown sugar and all wet ingredients (avocado oil, Greek yogurt, milk, applesauce, date paste and vanilla extract). Whisk together until well combined.
- Transfer wet ingredients to large bowl with dry ingredients. Mix together with a rubber spatula until ingredients are just combined. Be careful not to over mix – overmixing will result in dense muffins. Add in grated apple and dried cranberries and mix until just combined.
- Line a 12-muffin tin with muffin/cupcake liners and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Use a spoon to completely fill each muffin tin. Make sure to use all of the batter – each muffin tin will be heaping. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ C rolled oats over the muffins.
- Bake in oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Without opening the oven door, lower heat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit after 10 minutes and cook muffins for another 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Oven times may vary. Let cool for at least 10-15 minutes before handling, as muffins will be hot and can fall apart easily when warm. Enjoy!
Note: These Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Bites can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days.
These Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Bites are made with a small amount of added sugar and primarily get their slightly sweet taste from fruit sources like apple, applesauce and dates – which also add gut-healthy and filling fiber! They’re the perfect make-ahead bite for a quick breakfast and they make a great addition to school lunches – plus, they’re nut and peanut free! Your kids (and you!) will love the cakey texture and the warm fall flavors, like apple, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and dried cranberries – and you’ll love that they don’t contain a ton of added sugar. Pair with a large dollop of Greek yogurt, a dash of cinnamon and some fruit for a balanced breakfast or enjoy as a mid-day snack with tea or coffee.
Bio:
Alyssa Lavy, MS, RD, CDN, CPT is a registered dietitian, personal trainer and mom of 2. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from The George Washington University and her Master of Science in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology from Teachers College Columbia University, where she also completed her dietetic internship. She has been an ACSM certified personal trainer for over a decade. Alyssa is the owner of Alyssa Lavy Nutrition & Wellness, a wellness brand offering nutrition communications, program development and consulting services for individuals and corporations.
Website: alyssalavy.com
Instagram: @alyssalavyrd