Whip up a batch of these healthy whole wheat apple spice muffins for snacks. Stash the leftovers in the freezer for an on-the-go breakfast option. 105 calories and 3 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP
Whole Wheat Apple Spice Muffins Recipe
Apple spice muffins have a special place in my childhood memories. When I was 11 years old, my destiny as a domestic goddess came to a screeching halt.. Every week, my mum drove my friend and me to a fabric arts class at Arts Umbrella, a performing and visual arts school located on Vancouver's Granville Island.
Maybe if we stuck with tie-dying t-shirts I would have been okay. But a few weeks in, I discovered that I could make the knitting yarn tangle just by looking at it. It all went downhill from there.
The redeeming factor for me, besides hanging out with my friend (and a pretty respectable stuffed bunny that I wove on the loom), were our trips to the Granville Island public market after class. If you ever have the opportunity to visit Vancouver, the market is a "must make" stop on your sightseeing agenda. Of course, good food always comes to the rescue!
Our favorites were the fresh Vietnamese spring rolls, filled with plump shrimp, tender rice noodles and lettuce. Coming in a close second were the bran apple muffins. Each one was as big as my hand and topped with a slice of tender, cooked cinnamon-coated apple. They were hearty and a meal unto themselves.
These apple spice muffins are inspired by those muffins of yesteryear, though I dare say that this version is considerably more calorie-wise and lower in fat. Applesauce and Greek yogurt add moisture without adding fat, and the whole wheat pastry flour produces a tender texture while adding fiber.
These are fantastic for an after school snack or as an on-the-go breakfast option, and they freeze very well.
So, knitting and sewing may never be my thing, but I'd like to think that I earn a couple of domestic goddess points for these muffins.
Other healthy muffin recipes:
Blueberry Buckwheat Muffins {Cookin' Canuck}
Peanut Butter & Jelly Muffins (Whole Wheat) {Cookin' Canuck}
Lemon Raspberry Protein Muffins {Joyful Healthy Eats}
Paleo Chocolate Banana Muffins {Texanerin Baking}
If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.
Printable Recipe
Whole Wheat Apple Spice Muffins Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups whole wheat pastry flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ½ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
- â…“ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 Gala apple cored and diced (about ¾ cup)
- 1 tablespoons oats
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly coat the muffin tin with cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
- In a large bowl, combine the applesauce, Greek yogurt, maple syrup and egg. Stir together until the mixture is smooth.
- Stir the dry ingredients into the applesauce mixture until combined. Stir in the apple pieces.
- Spoon the muffin batter into the prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle the oats on top.
- Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of the muffins comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes.
- Remove muffins from the pan and allow to cool. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published on February 19, 2014. Updated on February 13, 2019.
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Peter
Made them this weekend. They were wonderful. Thank you for the post. Pete
Dara
I'm so glad, Pete! Thanks for letting me know.
Rebecca
Love these muffins! Made them over the weekend and they are absolutely fabulous. Do you think this recipe would work well with other fillings (blueberry, lemon poppy seed, etc.)?
Rebecca
Dara
That's great to hear that you enjoyed them! I've used this muffin mix as a base for several other fruits and they always come out well.
Maureen
Dara, I love that your Canadian and love that you write about places I know and grew up with! I grew up on a strawberry and raspberry farm in Langley but we were always going to Vancouver and places then. There wasn’t much in Langley when I was a kid! Lol!!! It’s just so nice to have someone write about the west coast and not somewhere else. I love your healthy versions of favourites and watch for them all the time!
Passade
Looks really tasty and thank you for sharing such delicious recipe.
Nutmeg Nanny
These look incredible, the apple chunks are so tempting 🙂
Lily (A Rhubarb Rhapsody)
They looks so delicious and moist. Apple muffins are just like a healthier version of apple pie, easier to eat on the go too! What's not to love?
Lauren
Healthy and quick breakfast options that my kids would love--perfect! Thanks!!
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living
Love this healthy muffin - perfect for breakfast!
Amanda
This is what I want for breakfast this morning!
maisa leibovitz
Your post brought me back. I used to live in Vancouver, and the Granville market remains one of my favourite places in the world. Beautiful muffins too! 🙂
Happy Valley Chow
Those muffins look awesome! Definitely need to try this with a big cup of coffee 🙂
Happy Blogging!
Tess @ Tips on Life & Love
These look delicious! How long do you recommend freezing them for? I'd hate for them to get bad before I can eat them!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Hi Tess, if you package them properly (I usually double bag in resealable freezer bags, taking care to squeeze out all of the air), the muffins could be frozen for up to 3 months. I hope you enjoy them!
cheri
Hi Dara, great recipe and pics. Thanks for sharing!
Liz
Another nice recipe, Dara. Thank you and have a great day!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel
I'm seriously wishing I had some of these muffins. Apple are my faaaavorite!
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl
My husband and I visited Vancouver many moons ago and I fell in love with Granville Market!!! These muffins are right up my alley!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness
Oh man, I LOVE Granville Island! I totally miss that gem from my hometown!
So much amazing food and things to taste!
These muffins look delish lady. Muffins are the best for healthy on-the-go breakfast or snacks and I am all over the apple spice!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
These looks so healthy! I love it!