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21 Healthy Muffins That Taste as Good as Cupcakes

Because no one should ever have to give up breakfast pastries.

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healthy muffins - plum and quinoa muffins
Danielle Occhiogrosso Daly

Fancy a freshly-baked muffin that won't derail your diet? It can be hard to start the morning off right with a good-for-you baked good. But these healthy muffins aren’t loaded with sugar, making any of them the perfect way to enjoy breakfast without eating all of your calories so early on or spiking your sugars.

If you’re on the hunt for healthy muffins kids will love, we'd recommend muffins with pumpkin, or the banana-chocolate muffins on our list. Many of these recipes pack on the fiber and whole grains (some even add a little protein with the addition of oats!), and help you stay on the path toward a filling and healthy lunch, and a light dinner, too.

Top tip:
Make a big batch of your favorite flavor (we might even make two varieties) over the weekend and put them in the freezer. Then, when you’re ready for breakfast, you can reheat a muffin or two in your toaster oven, and you’re ready to eat.

1

Spinach and Prosciutto Frittata Muffins

healthy muffins - spinach and egg muffins
Danielle Occhiogrosso Daly

These tasty bake-and-take egg cups are packed with protein. Make them on a Sunday, then heat and eat all week.

Get the recipe for Spinach and Prosciutto Frittata Muffins »

RELATED: 45+ Easy Egg Recipes for Your Best Brunch Ever

2

Spiced Plum and Quinoa Muffins

healthy muffins - Spiced Plum and Quinoa Muffins
Danielle Occhiogrosso Daly

These whole grain-packed baked goods can be topped off with any fruit you have in your fridge: apples, berries, peaches, you name it.

Get the recipe for Spiced Plum and Quinoa Muffins »

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3

Cheddar, Zucchini, and Scallion Muffins

healthy muffins - zucchini muffins
Steve Giralt

Sneak a dose of veggies into breakfast with these tasty bites.

Get the recipe from Woman's Day »

4

Basic Healthy Muffins

healthy muffins - basic healthy muffins
KAT TEUTSCH

These healthy applesauce muffins are also packed with good-for-you grains.

Get the recipe from Woman's Day »

RELATED: 55 Quick and Easy Healthy Breakfasts for Your Busiest Mornings

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5

Very Berry Quinoa Muffins

healthy muffin recipes - quinoa berry muffins
Mike Garten

These light and healthy muffins get an extra hit of tart fruitiness from fresh raspberries.

Get the recipe for Very Berry Quinoa Muffins »

6

Spiced Banana-Chocolate Muffins

spiced banana chocolate muffins on a yellow plate
Con Poulos

Healthy breakfasts can be decadent too. These Supercarb muffins get drizzled with melted chocolate and will actually keep you full until lunch.

Get the recipe for Spiced Banana-Chocolate Muffins »

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7

Healthy Pumpkin Muffins

healthy muffins - healthy pumpkin muffins
PARK FEIERBACH

Pumpkin adds sweetness (and some potassium and magnesium) to these seasonal faves.

Get the recipe from Delish »

8

Peanut Butter Banana Muffins

healthy muffins
Courtesy of Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Forget peanut butter sandwiches (for now, at least) and try these grab-and-go muffins.

Get the recipe from Mel's Kitchen Cafe »

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9

Chocolate Peanut Butter Muffins

healthy muffins
Courtesy of The First Year

No added sugar here — these muffins get their sweetness from bananas, peanut butter, and cacao powder. They're basically a Reese's in muffin form.

Get the recipe from The First Year »

10

Dark Chocolate Blueberry Banana Oat Muffins

healthy muffins
Courtesy of Running with Spoons

No butter, no oil, and so ridiculously fluffy.

Get the recipe from Running with Spoons »

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11

Chocolate-Banana Blender Muffins

healthy muffins
Erin Phraner

This entire batter gets blitzed in the blender then baked, so it's basically the easiest muffin recipe ever.

Get the recipe for Chocolate-Banana Blender Muffins »

12

Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

healthy muffins
Courtesy of Running with Spoons

It's what's on the inside that counts — and gooey, chocolatey muffins are packed with fresh zucchini. Shh, no one will know ...

Get the recipe from Running with Spoons »

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13

Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Muffins

healthy muffins
Courtesy of Texanerin Baking

Who knew a vegan, gluten-free muffin could taste like a pumpkin doughnut hole?

Get the recipe from Texanerin Baking »

14

Healthy Gingerbread Muffins

healthy muffins
Courtesy of Pinch of Yum

There's no reason to choose between muffins and Christmas cookies when these guys have whole grains and no refined sugar.

Get the recipe from Pinch of Yum »

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15

Moist Blueberry Bran Muffins

healthy muffins
Courtesy of Foodess

Let's join together and make bran muffins sexy again, shall we?

Get the recipe from Foodess »

16

Whole Wheat Carrot Muffins

healthy muffins
Courtesy of Simple As That

We strongly believe there's always room for a little cream cheese frosting in a balanced diet.

Get the recipe from Simple As That »

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17

Vegan Double Chocolate Beet Muffins

healthy muffins
Courtesy of Minimalist Baker

Muffins are an excellent vehicle for hiding veggies, and these mini bites are super fudge-y thanks to beets.

Get the recipe from Minimalist Baker »

18

Paleo Apple Cinnamon Upside Down Muffins

healthy muffins
Courtesy of Jay's Baking Me Crazy

Sticky and sweet but without the wheat.

Get the recipe from Jay's Baking Me Crazy »

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19

Lemon Poppyseed Muffins

healthy muffins
Courtesy of Creme de la Crumb

Greek yogurt ups the protein factor and keeps these muffins moist for days.

Get the recipe from Creme de la Crumb »

20

Chai-Spiced Healthy Apple Oatmeal Muffins

healthy muffins
Courtesy of Ambitious Kitchen

Like a delicious, frosted bowl of oatmeal in muffin form.

Get the recipe from Ambitious Kitchen »

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