These Healthy Morning Glory Muffins are a delightful way to sneak veggies into your morning routine without compromising flavor. Made with whole wheat flour and naturally sweetened with maple syrup or honey, they pack a hearty dose of fiber and nutrients in each bite.
Carrot, apple, and coconut bring moisture, sweetness, and chew, while the warm spices make your kitchen smell like a cozy café. Perfect for meal prep, lunchboxes, or afternoon snacks, these muffins are as versatile as they are delicious. Whether you’re trying to eat healthier or just love a good muffin, these are a must-try.
Full Recipe
Ingredients:
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1 ¾ cups whole wheat flour
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1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
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½ teaspoon ground ginger
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½ teaspoon baking soda
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½ teaspoon salt
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2 eggs
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⅓ cup melted coconut oil (or avocado oil)
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⅓ cup honey or maple syrup
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
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¼ cup milk of choice
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1 ½ cups grated carrot (about 2 medium)
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½ cup grated apple (about 1 medium)
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¼ cup shredded unsweetened coconut
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¼ cup raisins (optional)
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¼ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with liners or grease lightly.
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In a large bowl, whisk together whole wheat flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, and salt.
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In a separate bowl, beat the eggs. Then add oil, honey (or maple syrup), vanilla extract, applesauce, and milk. Whisk until smooth.
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Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
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Fold in grated carrots, apple, coconut, raisins, and walnuts.
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Divide batter evenly into the muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full.
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Bake for 20–22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
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Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 22 minutes | Total Time: 32 minutes
Kcal: 180 kcal | Servings: 12 muffins
The Wholesome Appeal of Morning Glory Muffins
Morning Glory Muffins have stood the test of time as a classic breakfast and snack option for good reason. These moist, flavorful muffins bring together a variety of nutritious ingredients—typically grated carrots, apples, coconut, and whole grains—to create a perfectly balanced bite that’s both satisfying and energizing. Originally created in the 1970s by a chef at the Morning Glory Café on Nantucket Island, the muffins were designed as a healthy, fruit-and-veg-packed treat that fit the era’s health-conscious trends. Today, they remain a staple for those looking to start the day with something both hearty and wholesome.
What makes these muffins truly special is their ability to incorporate a range of flavors and textures, from the crunch of nuts to the chewiness of coconut and raisins, and the sweet moisture from fruits and vegetables. The latest modern versions, like the one featured here, have also embraced the shift toward cleaner, more natural ingredients—cutting out refined sugar and white flour in favor of natural sweeteners and whole grains.
A Nutritional Powerhouse for All Ages
One of the biggest draws of Healthy Morning Glory Muffins is their rich nutritional profile. Unlike typical store-bought muffins that are often loaded with sugar and empty calories, these muffins are designed with nourishment in mind. Whole wheat flour offers fiber and essential nutrients, while the inclusion of grated carrots and apples boosts the vitamin and antioxidant content. These muffins also often feature heart-healthy fats from sources like coconut oil or avocado oil, which are a great alternative to butter or shortening.
The natural sweetness from fruits, applesauce, and a bit of maple syrup or honey ensures a lower glycemic impact, making them a smart choice for maintaining balanced energy levels throughout the day. With the added benefit of being kid-friendly, these muffins can serve as a sneaky and delicious way to get picky eaters to consume more fruits and veggies without a fuss.
Versatile, Customizable, and Meal-Prep Friendly
Morning Glory Muffins are beloved not just for their flavor and health benefits but also for their adaptability. They can easily be tailored to suit various dietary needs and preferences. Looking to make them vegan? Swap out the eggs for flax or chia egg replacements and use a plant-based milk. Want to go gluten-free? Substitute the whole wheat flour with a gluten-free blend. Prefer your muffins nut-free? Simply skip the walnuts or replace them with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin.
The recipe also scales well for batch cooking and meal prep. A dozen muffins can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator or freezer, ready to grab on a busy morning or pack into a school lunchbox. They hold up well at room temperature too, making them a great choice for road trips, hikes, or picnics.
Taste and Texture That Satisfy
Despite their health-forward ingredients, these muffins never sacrifice taste. The warm cinnamon and ginger spices provide comforting depth, while the natural sweetness from fruit delivers a pleasant flavor profile that appeals to both children and adults. Every bite is soft and moist, punctuated by tiny bursts of texture—whether it’s chewy raisins, shredded coconut, or crunchy walnuts.
Unlike overly sweet bakery muffins that can feel more like cupcakes in disguise, Morning Glory Muffins taste balanced and earthy. They’re satisfying without being heavy, leaving you feeling fueled rather than sluggish. This makes them not only a go-to breakfast but also a perfect afternoon pick-me-up or post-workout snack.
The Ideal Muffin for Busy Lifestyles
For many households, mornings are hectic. The appeal of a quick, grab-and-go breakfast is clear. Healthy Morning Glory Muffins check all the boxes: they’re fast, portable, and provide enough nutrition to hold you over until your next meal. Pair them with a piece of fruit or a small cup of yogurt and you’ve got a complete breakfast in seconds.
They also make a great alternative to processed breakfast bars and packaged pastries. While those products often contain artificial additives and preservatives, homemade muffins offer a cleaner label and better peace of mind. And because they store well, making a large batch once a week means less stress and more consistency during your busy routine.
Family-Friendly and Kid-Approved
Kids can be tough critics when it comes to food—especially if vegetables are involved. But somehow, Morning Glory Muffins bridge that gap. The grated carrot and apple melt into the batter, giving the muffins their signature moisture and sweetness, while the spices and texture keep things interesting. They taste indulgent, yet they’re loaded with fiber, vitamins, and whole grains.
You can even make them more fun by baking them in mini muffin tins for smaller hands, or by involving your kids in the baking process. Letting children help measure ingredients or stir the batter can spark interest and make them more likely to try (and love) the final product.
Eco-Friendly and Budget-Conscious Baking
In a world where food waste and rising grocery costs are top of mind, Morning Glory Muffins are a practical solution. They’re a great way to use up aging apples, slightly soft carrots, or leftover nuts and dried fruit that might otherwise be forgotten in the pantry. The base recipe is forgiving, so you can improvise based on what you already have on hand.
Making muffins at home is also more economical than buying pre-packaged snacks or café treats on a daily basis. With a simple list of staple ingredients, you can whip up a dozen healthy, delicious muffins for a fraction of the cost—and without any unwanted additives or preservatives.
A Staple for Every Season
Though the flavors in Morning Glory Muffins are warm and cozy, they’re not just for fall or winter. These muffins are perfect year-round. In summer, pair them with fresh berries and iced coffee for a cool morning start. In colder months, enjoy them warm with tea or cocoa for a comforting breakfast. Because they’re naturally sweet and spiced, they fit easily into a wide variety of seasonal meal plans.
You can also adapt the mix-ins for seasonal flair—think cranberries in winter, zucchini in summer, or even diced pears in the fall. The base batter works well as a foundation for endless experimentation.
Conclusion
Healthy Morning Glory Muffins are more than just a baked good—they’re a lifestyle-friendly, feel-good way to nourish yourself and your loved ones. By combining simple, wholesome ingredients into a flavorful and satisfying muffin, this recipe delivers all the best parts of comfort food with none of the guilt. Their versatility, nutritional value, and make-ahead ease make them a perfect staple for families, health-conscious eaters, and busy professionals alike.
Whether you’re looking to eat more mindfully, save time in the kitchen, or simply find a new favorite muffin, this recipe checks every box. Once you try it, you’ll see why these humble little muffins have become a beloved breakfast tradition in so many households around the world.