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Oat Bran Apple Muffins - Cozy, Whole-Grain Breakfast You Can Bake Anytime

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup oat bran (not oatmeal; look for plain oat bran)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (or use half whole-wheat pastry flour)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (plus a pinch of nutmeg if you like)
  • 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed (or coconut sugar)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice, rested 5 minutes)
  • 1/3 cup neutral oil (such as avocado or canola) or melted coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups grated apple (about 2 medium apples; Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith)
  • Optional add-ins: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, 1/3 cup raisins, or 2 tablespoons flaxseed
  • Topping (optional): 2 tablespoons turbinado sugar for a crunchy lid

Method
 

  1. Preheat and prep. Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners or lightly grease the cups.
  2. Mix dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together oat bran, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg (if using), and brown sugar until no lumps of sugar remain.
  3. Combine wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla until smooth.
  4. Grate the apples. Coarsely grate the apples (peel optional). Lightly squeeze by hand to remove just a bit of excess juice, especially if very juicy.
  5. Bring it together. Pour the wet mixture into the dry. Add the grated apples and any add-ins. Stir gently with a spatula until just combined. The batter will be thick; avoid overmixing.
  6. Fill the pan. Divide the batter into the muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full. Sprinkle with turbinado sugar if desired.
  7. Bake. Bake for 16–20 minutes, or until the tops spring back and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
  8. Cool. Let muffins rest in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.