Apple Cinnamon Protein Muffins (15g Protein & They Don’t Style Like Health club Socks)Keep in mind if you thought being wholesome meant choking down protein bars that style like chocolate-flavored remorse? Yeah, we’re not doing that anymore.
These apple cinnamon protein muffins are what occurs when fall consolation meals meets your protein objectives they usually really turn out to be pals as an alternative of awkward acquaintances who keep away from eye contact. Every muffin packs 15 grams of protein, tastes like apple pie’s accountable cousin, and gained’t have you ever questioning your life decisions at 3 PM if you’re nonetheless hungry.
One of the best half? Your kitchen is about to odor like a Yankee Candle retailer in October, besides you may really eat what’s making it odor so good.
A Fast Story About Why These Exist
Three weeks into my “new 12 months, new me” section final January (all of us have one, don’t lie), I used to be standing in my kitchen at 6 AM, observing one more protein shake, questioning if this was actually dwelling.
My child walked in, took one have a look at my unhappy breakfast scenario, and requested if adults simply stopped consuming actual meals in some unspecified time in the future.
Ouch.
That hit completely different.
So I did what any cheap individual would do: spent the following two months perfecting a muffin recipe that might let me eat an precise baked good for breakfast whereas nonetheless hitting my protein objectives. As a result of life’s too brief for unhappy meals, and January’s too lengthy to outlive on chalky shakes.
What We’re Making Right here
Let me paint you an image:
Fluffy muffins studded with chunks of actual apple. The type the place you chew into an precise piece of fruit and really feel fancy about it. They odor like cinnamon rolls and apple pie had a child at a farmers market. They’re candy sufficient to really feel like a deal with however wholesome sufficient which you can eat one at 7 AM with out judgment.
And in contrast to these protein bars hiding in your desk drawer (all of us have them), these really fill you up.
The Solid of Characters (Your Ingredient Checklist)
The Dry Workforce:
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats – We’re grinding these into flour as a result of we’re DIY like that. You’ll find oats at any grocery retailer, however I take advantage of Bob’s Pink Mill as a result of I’m explicit about my oats.
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder – The key weapon for muffins that really hold you full. I swear by Orgain Natural Vanilla from Amazon.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder – For elevate
- 1 teaspoon baking soda – For additional fluffiness
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon – As a result of it’s fall and we’re not delicate about it
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg – The subtle spice that makes folks ask “what’s in these?”
- 1/4 teaspoon salt – Don’t skip this. Salt makes candy issues sweeter. It’s science.
The Moist Squad:
- 2 giant eggs – Construction and extra protein
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce – Moisture with out the oil
- 1/2 cup almond milk – Or no matter milk lives in your fridge
- 1/4 cup maple syrup – Actual maple syrup, not the faux pancake stuff
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – Makes all the things style dearer
The Star:
- 1 medium apple – Peeled and diced small. Honeycrisp if you happen to’re bougie, no matter’s on sale if you happen to’re regular.
Let’s Make Some Muffins
- The Setup (2 minutes): Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line your muffin tin with papers or spray it rather well. This isn’t the time to check in case your pan is actually non-stick. It’s not. (Should you want a superb muffin pan, this Wilton one is what I take advantage of, and these liners from Amazon by no means stick.)
- The Oat Flour Scenario (1 minute): Dump these oats in your blender. Mix till they appear like flour. Congratulations, you simply saved $4 on oat flour and acquired to make use of your blender for one thing apart from smoothies. (In case your blender struggles with this, this Ninja blender handles it like a champ.)
- The Combine (5 minutes): In a giant bowl, whisk collectively your newly made oat flour, protein powder, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. In one other bowl (I do know, dishes, however belief the method), whisk your eggs, applesauce, milk, maple syrup, and vanilla till they’re finest pals.
- The Magic Second: Pour the moist into the dry. Combine till simply mixed – we’re making muffins, not creating gluten for bread. Fold in these apple chunks gently, such as you’re tucking them into mattress.
- The Dividing (2 minutes): Distribute the batter evenly amongst 12 muffin cups. An ice cream scoop works completely for this if you wish to really feel skilled. A spoon works too if you happen to’re a standard individual.
- The Baking (18-22 minutes): Into the oven they go. Your home begins smelling wonderful round minute 10. They’re executed when a toothpick inserted within the middle comes out clear or with only a few moist crumbs. Not moist batter. There’s a distinction.
- The Persistence Take a look at (5 minutes): Allow them to cool within the pan for five minutes earlier than eradicating. I do know it’s arduous. The odor is asking you. However affected person muffin-makers get intact muffins.
Troubleshooting Nook (As a result of Stuff Occurs)
“My muffins are flat” – Your baking powder is perhaps lifeless. It expires. Who knew? Purchase new stuff.
“They’re dry” – You overbaked them. Subsequent time, examine at 18 minutes. Additionally, ensure you’re measuring your oat flour after mixing, not earlier than.
“They caught to the pan” – For this reason we use papers or actually good spray. Study from this ache.
“They’re not candy sufficient” – Add a tablespoon of brown sugar to the batter subsequent time. Or drizzle with honey when heat. No disgrace within the sweetness recreation.
“My apples sank” – Lower them smaller subsequent time and toss them in a little bit of the dry combination earlier than folding in. It helps them droop within the batter like little apple angels.
The Storage Technique
Counter Life: 3 days in an hermetic container. They get softer by day 2, which some folks (me) really desire.
Fridge Mode: As much as per week, wrapped nicely. Microwave for 15 seconds to deliver again that fresh-baked vibe.
Freezer Gold: As much as 2 months. Wrap individually in plastic wrap, then throw all of them in a freezer bag. Future you’ll be so grateful when you may seize one on the way in which out the door.
The Defrost Dance:
- In a single day within the fridge (deliberate folks)
- 30 seconds within the microwave (regular folks)
- In your automotive on the way in which to work with the defroster blasting (chaotic folks, however we see you)
Let’s Speak Numbers
Per muffin:
- 190 energy – Lower than a Starbucks muffin by about 200 energy
- 15g protein – Greater than 2 eggs
- 28g carbs – The great type with fiber
- 4g fats – Simply sufficient to maintain you happy
- 4g fiber – Your intestine well being thanks you
Your Questions, Answered
Can I take advantage of common flour as an alternative of oat flour?
You may, however you’ll lose some protein and fiber. Additionally, why make issues more durable when oats mix into flour in 30 seconds?
What about chocolate chips?
Add them. Life’s brief. 1/4 cup of mini chips provides pleasure with out destroying the vitamin.
Can I make these vegan?
Substitute eggs with flax eggs (2 tbsp floor flax + 5 tbsp water). They’ll be barely denser however nonetheless good.
Which apples work finest?
Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji maintain up nicely. Keep away from Pink Scrumptious until you take pleasure in disappointment.
Can I double the batch?
Completely. They freeze fantastically. Make 24 and really feel like a meal prep champion.
Need Extra Excessive-Protein Breakfast Wins?
Should you’re loving this complete “breakfast that tastes good AND has protein” factor, you could try these fall favorites:
Excessive-Protein Pumpkin Pie In a single day Oats – 25g of protein and 0 cooking required. For these mornings when even muffins really feel like an excessive amount of effort.
Finest Excessive-Protein Pumpkin Pancake Recipe – 22g of protein in fluffy pancake kind. As a result of typically you want a sizzling breakfast that doesn’t style like disappointment.
The Ultimate Phrase
Look, I get it. The web is filled with “wholesome” muffin recipes that style like cardboard dressed up for Halloween. These aren’t these.
These are the muffins that make your coworkers ask for the recipe. Those your children will really eat with out bribes. Those that make you are feeling such as you’ve discovered this complete grownup breakfast factor.
Are they going to vary your life? Most likely not.
However are they going to make your mornings considerably higher whereas serving to you hit your protein objectives? Completely.
And typically that’s sufficient.
Typically that’s all the things.
Now go make some muffins. Your future hungry self will thanks.
P.S. – Should you make these and add one thing bizarre like raisins or protein powder that tastes like birthday cake, you’re by yourself. I can’t make it easier to there.
