Food & Nutrition The Best Muffin Recipes for a Quick, Healthy Breakfast By Jessica Cording, MS, RD, CDN Jessica Cording, MS, RD, CDN Jessica Cording is a dietitian, health coach, podcaster, and author of The Little Book of Game Changers: 50 Healthy Habits for Managing Stress & Anxiety and The Farewell Tour: A Caregiver’s Guide to Stress Management, Sane Nutrition, and Better Sleep. Shape's editorial guidelines Published on July 11, 2019 Trending Videos Close this video player Muffins usually loaded with sugar and calories, but these homemade recipes are the delicious exceptions you've been waiting for. 01 of 30 Healthy Muffin Recipes for Weight Loss *Do* Exist PhotoAlto/Sigrid Olsson/Getty Images A whole-grain blueberry muffin from your local coffee shop or bakery might sound like a relatively smart to-go breakfast choice, but that unassuming pastry has a surprising number of calories—not to mention way more sugar than you want to know about. (Yes, even that gluten-free organic flax whatever-the-heck muffin made with farm-fresh eggs and unicorn dust.) In many cases, you may as well have a piece of cake or a cupcake for breakfast. Instead, try these homemade healthy muffin recipes for weight loss. They're all created by registered dietitians and healthy eating experts who know how to keep the taste but leave out all that other stuff that's not-so-good (and not-so-good for your results on the scale). Here's Exactly How to Cut Calories to Lose Weight 02 of 30 Whole-Grain Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins Nutrition by Nazima Zucchini keeps baked goods from drying out and is a great way to sneak extra veggies into your breakfast or smart snack. Plus, these chocolate chip muffins are packed with filling protein and fiber. (Here's why fiber might just be the most important component in your diet.) Get the recipe: Whole-Grain Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins 03 of 30 Banana Pumpkin Muffins One Hungry Bunny Looking for an alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners? This healthy muffin recipe for weight loss uses naturally sweet dates, which pair perfectly with warm pumpkin and banana flavors to keep the batter moist. (Dates also make a great binding ingredient for energy balls. Check out some of our favorite recipes for the bite-size snacks.) Get the recipe: Banana Pumpkin Muffins 04 of 30 Raspberry Muffins Healthy Ideas Place These muffins are bright and bursting with raspberry flavor, plus a little hint of lemon. The berries will add a pop of tartness when you bite into them, plus they add more fiber and antioxidants to your morning meal. Get the recipe: Raspberry Muffins 05 of 30 Coconut Oil Banana Muffins The Lean Green Bean Coconut oil is a great plant-based substitute for butter because it provides a rich texture and flavor. Whether you're lactose-intolerant or are just looking for something new, you'll love this tasty dairy-free healthy muffin recipe for weight loss. Get the recipe: Coconut Oil Banana Muffins 06 of 30 Banana Quinoa Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins Nutrition to Fit Ancient grain quinoa lends a satisfying texture and extra fiber to these mini muffins. Grab a few for a healthy snack or crumble into plain yogurt for a DIY parfait. (Next up, try these mini blueberry muffins with a Greek yogurt and oatmeal crumble.) Get the recipe: Banana Quinoa Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins 07 of 30 Double Chocolate Beet Muffins Dishing Out Health Want that red velvet color without any artificial dyes? Beets are a natural way to give baked goods that bright hue and a rich texture. They're also packed with fiber and antioxidants—talk about a power breakfast. This double chocolate healthy muffin recipe for weight loss hits all the right notes. Get the recipe: Double Chocolate Beet Muffins 08 of 30 Chocolate Cherry Muffins KISS in the Kitchen Chocolate and cherries are a match made in flavor heaven. This gluten-free healthy muffin recipe for weight loss is a satisfying way to start your day, and they taste like you're treating yourself to dessert for breakfast. (This apple pie smoothie bowl will make you feel the same way!) Get the recipe: Chocolate Cherry Muffins 09 of 30 Oatmeal Molasses Muffins How To Eat If you like oatmeal cookies, you'll love this whole-wheat muffin version with molasses swirled right into the batter. They're also spiked with cinnamon, which just so happens to be a superfood...or should we say "superspice"? Get the recipe: Oatmeal Molasses Muffins 10 of 30 Pistachio Muffins with Cardamom and Rose Jam Food, Pleasure & Health Nuts, spices, and exotic spreads elevate even the simplest foods to yummy treat status. This healthy muffin recipe for weight loss dresses up a simple whole-grain batter with pistachios, cardamom, and rose jam. Get the recipe: Pistachio Muffins with Cardamom and Rose Jam 11 of 30 Cranberry Banana Whole-Grain Muffins Nutrition Starring YOU This sweet-and-tart healthy muffin recipe for weight loss is made with white whole-wheat flour, which provides the nutrients found in a whole-grain flour but without that "whole-grain" taste that turns some people off. The treats are also packed with both sweet and tart flavor thanks to the banana and cranberries. Get the recipe: Cranberry Banana Whole-Grain Muffins 12 of 30 Vegan One-Minute Chocolate Muffin 360 Family Nutrition For those times when you want something sweet ASAP and don't want to turn on the oven, this whole-grain, microwave version is a healthier alternative to hitting the nearest bakery. Get the recipe: Vegan One-Minute Chocolate Muffin 13 of 30 Coffee Banana Muffins Homemade Nutrition Have your cup of coffee and a healthy muffin recipe for weight loss in one bold bite. Great for breakfast, a snack, or dessert, these easy java and fruit muffins are a great way to use up overripe bananas. (Another genius caffeine combo? Coffee smoothies!) Get the recipe: Coffee Banana Muffins 14 of 30 Blueberry Oat Bran Muffins 80 Twenty Nutrition Most store-bought blueberry muffins are basically glorified birthday cake, but this delicious no-flour, low-carb, vegan, gluten-free version will nourish the body and satisfy those taste buds. Sounds like a win-win. Get the recipe: Blueberry Oat Bran Muffins 15 of 30 Vegan Banana Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins Whole Living Lauren Made without butter or eggs, these just-sweet-enough muffins are the perfect healthy snack for plant-based eaters and omnivores alike. Get the recipe: Vegan Banana Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins 16 of 30 Coconut Flour Coffee Cake Muffins Avocado A Day Nutrition Coconut flour is a rockstar in many gluten-free baked goods, thanks to its rich texture. It soaks up a lot of liquid, so it's ideal for moist recipes that call for egg, coconut oil, applesauce, and liquid sweeteners like honey or maple syrup. This grain-free take on coffee cake muffins also features chocolate chips. Get the recipe: Coconut Flour Coffee Cake Muffins with Chocolate Chips 17 of 30 Muffin Tin Cheddar Biscuits with Hidden Egg Inside Perspective Portions When your savory side needs some attention, try one of these healthy biscuits with an egg cooked inside. This protein-rich healthy muffin recipe for weight loss will satisfy your growling belly. Get the recipe: Muffin Tin Cheddar Biscuits with Hidden Egg Inside 18 of 30 Gluten-Free Oatmeal Muffins Abbey's Kitchen Looking for a gluten-free muffin recipe that doesn't taste like it's "free" of anything? This healthy muffin recipe for weight loss, which also happens to be dairy-free, makes the perfect base for any flavor variations you decide to try. Get the recipe: Ultimate Gluten-Free Oatmeal Muffins 19 of 30 20-Minute Chocolate Peanut Butter Muffins Back to the Book Nutrition If you haven't tried blender muffins before, you're in for a treat. No time to slave over mixing bowls? These chocolate peanut butter muffins, which are easy to adapt for grain-free and dairy-free eaters, are ready in just 20 minutes. Kitchen cleanup doesn't get any easier. Get the recipe: 20-Minute Chocolate Peanut Butter Muffins 20 of 30 Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal Cups The Nutritionist Reviews Craving carrot cake? You could blend up a pretty carrot cake smoothie bowl, or make these oatmeal cup muffins—either way, you'll get in some veggies and whole grains without skimping on taste. The cream cheese frosting swaps in some Greek yogurt for a extra protein boost and a lower fat and calorie count. Get the recipe: Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal Cups 21 of 30 Whole-Wheat Apple Pumpkin Muffins Your Choice Nutrition Pumpkin is a no-brainer for muffins, thanks to its smooth texture, which makes even low-fat concoctions taste rich and moist. It also packs a powerful nutrition punch, thanks to vitamins A and C, fiber, and potassium. Sold. Get the recipe: Whole-Wheat Pumpkin Apple Muffins 22 of 30 Pear Cardamom Pecan Muffins Lively Table This healthy muffin recipe for weight loss is studded with pears and pecans and features a pecan crumble top. The result of this tasty team? A hearty muffin that you'll come back to again and again. Try freezing a batch for easy access to a fiber-filled breakfast any time. (BTW, you've need to try these 11 freezer meal prep hacks.) Get the recipe: Pear Cardamom Pecan Muffins 23 of 30 Healthy Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Muffins Marissa Moore Nutrition The juicy apple pieces and warm cinnamon in these healthy muffins will make your kitchen smell heavenly. Try these muffins for a healthy comfort-food breakfast for those on-the-go mornings. (This apple pie smoothie bowl is another genius and healthy way to trick your taste buds into thinking you're eating apple pie.) Get the recipe: Healthy Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Muffins 24 of 30 Whole-Grain Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffins Juggling with Julia The classic sandwich gets a healthy muffin makeover in this recipe. Feel free to use any kind of jam you want, and then keep the ingredients out to make these fancy PB&J sandwiches that are all grown up. Get the recipe: Whole-Grain Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffins 25 of 30 Grain-Free Vegan Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Muffin C It Nutritionally Do you ever feel like all the good grain-free recipes out there call for nuts? That's major buzzkill for foodies with nut allergies! This healthy muffin recipe for weight loss, which also happens to be vegan, features coconut flour, ground flax, mashed banana, and sunflower seed butter, and absolutely zero nuts. Get the recipe: Grain-Free Vegan Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Muffins 26 of 30 Double Chocolate Banana Coconut Muffins Sharon Palmer These vegan, gluten-free muffins are full of delicious coconutty flavor. (LOTS more of that here, BTW.) Did you know that starchy bean water can be used in place of eggs in baking? Aquafaba is its name, and it's pretty incredible. Get the recipe: Double Chocolate Banana Coconut Muffins 27 of 30 Zucchini Muffins with Skyr Culinary Nutrition Cuisine Skyr, a very thick strained yogurt that's traditional in Iceland, makes a delicious, healthy addition to muffins and lets you get away with using less oil and eggs. This recipe, which also features vitamin C-rich zucchini, gets its mild sweetness from maple sugar. Get the recipe: Zucchini Muffins with Skyr 28 of 30 Strawberry Greek Yogurt Balsamic Muffins Olive Tomato In this healthy muffin recipe for weight loss, the surprising addition of balsamic vinegar highlights the natural sweetness of strawberries. Swapping out half the flour for the whole-wheat variety increases fiber content. Get the recipe: Strawberry Greek Yogurt Balsamic Muffins 29 of 30 Southwest Cottage Cheese Egg Muffins Hungry Hobby These high-protein, Southwest-inspired savory muffins will quiet even the loudest hunger belly. Cottage cheese cranks up the protein boost and richens the texture. Get the recipe: Southwest Cottage Cheese Egg Muffins 30 of 30 Matcha Ginger Oat Muffins The Every Kitchen These spicy muffins get their pretty green color from matcha, an antioxidant-rich powder made of green tea leaves. Studded with chopped pieces of candied crystallized ginger, every bite will wake your taste buds right up. Get the recipe: Matcha Ginger Oat Muffins Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit