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Morning Glory Muffins

These Morning Glory Muffins are a hearty, healthy muffin filled with carrots, apples, coconut, pecans, raisins, and pineapple juice! If you don’t like some of the ingredients, you’ll find that there are plenty of substitutes to keep these muffins a favorite for everyone!

Muffins are one of those foods that are super easy to make, and can make your day so much better! You can grab one to go with your coffee and tea in the morning or take one to combat afternoon hunger.

They are also fun to switch up with all different flavor combinations, like these Morning Glory Muffins!

Unlike some of our other muffin recipes, these are a hearty muffin with lots of add-ins.

Side view of a batch of morning glory muffins on a cooling rack on top of a blue and white towel.

From apples, coconut, pecans, and raisins to pineapple juice and unsweetened applesauce, these muffins are packed with flavor and texture.

If lots of textures isn’t your thing, feel free to leave out the add-ins that don’t work for you!

The main sweeteners come in the form of honey and pineapple juice, but you can use sweetened applesauce or sweetened coconut if you prefer a sweeter muffin.

Whatever add-ins or juices you choose to use, you’ll find that one batch won’t last long!

Up close side view of a morning glory muffin in an aluminum muffin tin.

How to Make Morning Glory Muffins

Don’t let the long list of ingredients scare you away. These muffins are super easy. They are packed with flavor, hence the long list of ingredients.

Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Spray a muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray or line with cupcake liners. Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together white whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and salt until the spices are fully incorporated.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the unsweetened applesauce, melted coconut oil, honey, pineapple juice, vanilla extract, and eggs. 

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, and stir until just combined.

Overhead view of the muffin batter in a large bowl with additional addins in smaller bowls.

Gently fold in grated carrots and grated apple until just incorporated. Stir in the coconut, pecans, and raisins until just combined. 

These muffins are on the heartier side, but stirring as little as possible will still help the texture.

Fill each cup about 3/4 full. (Depending on the size of your muffin cups, you’ll get anywhere from 12-16 muffins.)

Overhead view of a batch of morning glory muffins before baking.

Bake for 5 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Without opening the oven, reduce heat to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake for an additional 12-16 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few crumbs.

Remove the muffin tin to a wire rack, and allow muffins to cool in tin for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy!

Store any leftovers in an airtight container.

Overhead view of a batch of morning glory muffins right out of the oven still in the muffin tin.

Optional substitutions or additions

  • Swap out the pecans for walnuts. Or, if you don’t like nuts, leave them out!
  • Use sweetened shredded coconut for a little sweeter muffin.
  • You can use maple syrup in place of the honey.
  • Can’t find pineapple juice? You can use orange juice, apple juice, or even milk, in its place. 

Overhead view of a morning glory muffin sliced in half on a small white plate with a muffin tin with the remaining muffins in the background.

Love muffins? More easy muffin recipes to try!

Up close side view of a morning glory muffin in an aluminum muffin tin.

Morning Glory Muffins

Yield: 16 muffins
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 Cups white whole wheat flour
  • 1 Cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 Cup brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 Cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/3 Cup melted coconut oil (measured in liquid state), canola oil, or vegetable oil
  • 1/4 Cup honey
  • 1/4 Cup pineapple juice (orange or apple juice work, too)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 Cups freshly grated carrots
  • 1/2 Cup grated apple (such as a Granny Smith or other baking apple)
  • 1/2 Cup unsweetened or sweetened coconut flakes, depending on preference
  • 1/2 Cup chopped pecans
  • 1/2 Cup raisins

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line muffin tin with cupcake liners or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together white whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and nutmeg until the spices are fully incorporated.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the unsweetened applesauce, melted coconut oil, honey, pineapple juice, vanilla extract, and eggs. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, and stir until just combined.
  4. Gently fold in the grated carrots and grated apple until almost combined. Stir in the coconut, pecans, and raisins until just combined.
  5. Fill each muffin cup about 3/4 full. (Depending on the size of your muffin cups, you'll get anywhere from 12-16 muffins.) Bake for 5 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  6. Without opening the oven, reduce heat to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake for an additional 12-16 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few crumbs. Remove tin to a wire rack, and allow muffins to cool in tin for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
  7. Store any leftovers in an airtight container.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 234Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 246mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 3gSugar: 15gProtein: 4g

Nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online calculator and may not always be accurate. Nutrition values can vary greatly based on brand used. It should not be considered a substitute for a medical professional’s advice.

Did you make this recipe?

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Side view of the top of a morning glory muffin in an aluminum muffin tin with more muffins on a wire cooling rack in the background.

Shelley Flynn

Saturday 29th of April 2023

Hi What can I use instead of the unsweetened apple sauce for the morning glory muffins

Jessica@A Kitchen Addiction

Monday 1st of May 2023

You can use sweetened applesauce if it's a matter of not having unsweetened, or you could try using plain yogurt.

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