ABC Muffins (Apple, Banana, Carrot Muffins)

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Hi Bold Bakers!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE: My wholesome ABC Muffins (Apple, Banana, Carrot Muffins) are simply delicious, nutritious, and a sweet and easy baking project for the whole family. Perfect for babies, toddlers, kids, adults—everyone! 

• Naturally sweet: These muffins are purely sweetened by bananas, apples, and carrots.
• Easy and no machine needed: This is a quick and straightforward recipe.
• Packed with nutrients and fiber: You get a healthy serving of fruit and vegetables in each muffin.
• Wonderfully moist: The texture makes them soft and easy for little ones to eat.
• Ready in under an hour! There’s nothing like muffins warm from the oven, and with this recipe, you don’t have to wait long.

As the mum of a 5-year-old, I was thrilled when I discovered ABC Muffins. I love baking with George (and he loves it too!), and this recipe is perfect for getting kids involved. Let them handle the peeling and mashing—these are fun, hands-on tasks little ones love and can take their time with. Another tip: make these as mini muffins for an ideal lunchbox snack. Just remember to reduce the bake time to about 8 to 10 minutes. And if you freeze them, a few seconds in the microwave will soften and refresh them beautifully.

Baking is the perfect all-ages activity—having fun in the kitchen with kids or grandkids brings learning, hands-on experience, and delicious food together into one rewarding activity. And it’s even easier if you start with child-friendly recipes like my Perfect Pancakes, Homemade Ice Cream, 3-Ingredient Banana Oat Cookies, and Easy Pizza Cupcakes.

Table of Contents

• What are ABC Muffins (Apple, Banana, Carrot Muffins)?
• Tools You Need
• Key Ingredients and Substitutes
• How to Make ABC Muffins
• Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips
• Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
• FAQs
• More Muffin Recipes

What are ABC Muffins (Apple, Banana, Carrot Muffins)?

• ABC Muffins (Apple, Banana, Carrot Muffins) are naturally sweetened baked treats:
  • Flavor: Subtly fruity sweet with cinnamon notes
  • Main ingredients:  Whole wheat flour, oats, apple, bananas, carrots
  • Texture: Soft and moist
  • Added benefits: Made without added sugar, fiber-filled, a good source of nutrients, including protein, calcium, iron, potassium, Vitamins A and C
  • Great for: Baby-led weaning, snacks, lunchbox treats, breakfast, and tea time
• Baked goods made with grated or pureed fruit and vegetables have always been around, of course. However, there has been a resurgence in clean, naturally sweetened recipes, such as ABC Muffins, thanks to the popularity of baby-led weaning, which encourages giving babies who are ready for solids pieces of soft, healthy foods instead of spoon-feeding purees.

Tools You Need

• Mixing bowls
• Measuring spoons
• Measuring cups
• Glass measuring jug
• Kitchen scale (optional)
• Wooden spoon
• Box grater (optional)
• 12-cup muffin tin
• Paper muffin liners
• Wire cooling rack

Key Ingredients and Substitutes

Egg

• Egg emulsifies the ingredients to give you a cohesive muffin batter.
• Egg also adds rich flavor and moisture.
• Substitute: Instead of an egg, you can use a flax egg or half a mashed banana.
  • Check out my guide, 12 Best Egg Substitutes for Baking Recipes and How to Use Them, for more suggestions and information.

Banana

• Mashed banana adds sweetness and a fruity, creamy taste. Be sure to use a ripe banana for the best flavour.
• Importantly, mashed bananas give the muffins heft and help bind the ingredients together, giving the muffins structure.
• Additionally, banana adds moisture to the muffins.
• Substitute: Use 1/4 cup (2 oz/60 g) of applesauce or pumpkin puree instead of the banana.

Whole milk

• Whole milk adds moisture and richness.
• Substitute: Instead of whole milk, use an equal amount of unsweetened plant milk, like almond milk or oat milk.

Apple

• Apple gives these muffins a natural, delicate sweetness.
• For the best flavor and texture, I use Granny Smith apples.
• Additionally, the apple makes the muffins perfectly moist and adds texture.
• Substitute: Use unsweetened applesauce and make these applesauce carrot muffins!
  • Since applesauce has more moisture, if you use it, I suggest using slightly less milk. Hold back 2 tablespoons of the milk, and then add it if the batter seems dry.

Carrot

• The shredded carrot gives the abc muffins nutrients and natural sweetness.
• In addition, the carrot adds texture and fiber.
• Substitute: Use shredded zucchini (squeeze out the extra water before using) for all or half of the shredded carrot.

Butter

• Melted butter adds moisture, contributing to a soft crumb.
• Additionally, butter gives the muffins a rich flavor.
• Substitute: Use an equal amount of coconut oil.

Vanilla extract

• Vanilla extract deepens the flavors.
• Substitute: Instead of vanilla extract, use an equal amount of Vanilla Bean Paste.

Whole wheat flour

• Using whole wheat flour gives these fruit and veggie muffins a wonderful heartiness and a slightly nutty flavor.
• Additionally, whole wheat flour adds nutrients and fiber.
• Substitute: You can use an equal amount of all-purpose flour in place of the whole wheat flour.
  • For a gluten-free muffin, replace the whole wheat flour with an equal amount of gluten-free baking mix, like my Easy Almond Flour Baking Mix or another gluten free flour.

Rolled oats

• Using rolled oats in muffin recipes adds texture and a pleasing chewiness to these muffins.
• Use old-fashioned oats here (do not use quick oats or steel-cut oats).

Cinnamon

• Cinnamon adds warm, subtle spiciness.
• Additionally, cinnamon adds a delightful, homey aroma.
• Substitute: You can substitute Mixed Spice, pumpkin spice, or cardamom for the cinnamon.

Baking powder

• Baking powder is a chemical leavener that is double-acting, meaning it creates carbon bubbles when mixed with liquid, and then again when heated in the oven.

Baking soda

• Baking soda gives the muffins additional lightness and lift.
• Learn more about how it works in How to Make Baking Powder and Baking Soda Explained.

Salt

• Salt enhances the flavor of the applesauce carrot muffins and balances out the sweetness.

How to Make ABC Muffins

1. Prepare to bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (180°C) and fill a 12-cup muffin pan with nine paper liners. Set aside.
2. Combine wet ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the egg, bananas, milk, apples, carrots, butter and vanilla extract.

3. Mix dry ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, combine the flour, oats, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

4. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Mix the wet and dry ingredients together until just combined, then divide equally among the prepared muffin cups (they will be filled to the top).

5. Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean.

6. Cool and serve: Let cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool fully.

FULL (PRINTABLE) RECIPE BELOW!

Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips

• Additional sweetness: These muffins don’t have any sweetener. If you would prefer a sweeter muffin, you can add 3 tablespoons of sugar or honey.
• Smaller muffins: These muffins rise nicely out of their papers. If you prefer smaller muffins for smaller appetites, you can divide the batter among 12 muffin cups instead of 9.
• Great grating: Make sure to finely grate the fruit and veg so that, once baked, they blend right in and you won’t have a lumpy texture. For best results, use a box grater.
• Banana know-how: Make sure to use ripe bananas, even overripe ones, like those used for banana bread, because the riper they are, the sweeter they are.
• Ultimate moisture: Making muffins with fruit and veg generally keeps them from being dry. But to keep your muffins as moist as possible, take care not to overmix the batter. Stop when the dry ingredients are just incorporated.
• Apple pick: I like to use Granny Smith apples for their sweet-tart flavor, and they work really well because they almost disappear into the batter.

Make Ahead and Storage Instructions

• Make-ahead tips:
  • The batter should be baked as soon as it’s mixed, but you can make the prep time quicker by measuring and mixing the dry ingredients ahead of time. Store in an airtight container on the counter for up to three days. On baking day, combine with the wet ingredients.
  • You can freeze baked and cooled apple carrot muffins on a tray, and then wrap individually and place in a freezer bag or a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to two months.
  • Defrost the muffins at room temperature or for about 30 seconds in the microwave.
• How to store leftovers:
  • Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to two days.
  • For more extended storage, place in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to two months.

FAQs

Can I make these apple banana muffins gluten-free?

• Yes, you can make these apple banana muffins gluten-free.
• Instead of the whole wheat flour, use an equal amount of gluten-free baking mix. You can use my Easy Almond Flour Baking Mix Recipe, a store-bought measure-for-measure gluten free mix, or another gluten-free flour.
• Verify that your other ingredients are certified gluten-free.

Is it possible to make these fruit muffins without an egg?

• Yes, it’s possible to make these fruit muffins without an egg.
  • Instead of an egg, use 1/4 cup (2 oz/57 g) of yogurt.
  • You can also use 1/4 cup (2 oz/60 g) of applesauce or half of a mashed banana.
  • Another possibility is a flaxseed egg. Mix one tablespoon of ground flaxseed plus three tablespoons of water, and set aside for 5 minutes before adding to the cake batter.
  • Check out my guide, 12 Best Egg Substitutes for Baking Recipes and How to Use Them, for more suggestions and information.

What mix-ins can I add to these muffins?

• Stir in chopped, toasted pecans or walnuts.
• Mix in raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped dates.
• Add sunflower or pumpkin seeds.

What are some good ways to serve ABC Muffins?

• Spread with cream cheese.
• Serve toasted with butter.
• Create a mini muffin sandwich by spreading some apple butter or jam in the center.
• Serve with almond butter or peanut butter.
• Enjoy with regular yogurt or Greek yogurt.

More Muffin Recipes

• Healthy Banana Nut Muffins
• Best Ever Blueberry Muffins
• George’s Healthy Breakfast Muffins
• Almond Flour Muffins with Applesauce
• Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins

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