Healthy Muffin Recipe:
Banana Bran Muffins
Photo: Emily Carlin
Bran is a superb healthy muffin recipe ingredient, as it does so much for the body. Bran is the outer layer of grains such as wheat, oats and rice that has been removed in the milling process to make flour white and smooth. It was only relatively recently that its health benefits were realized. It is high in dietary fiber, minerals and iron, and aids in digestion and weight loss by helping you feel fuller and promoting bowel regularity.
Baking with buttermilk adds a pleasing tang to any healthy muffin recipe, makes them softer, gives them more body and is low in fat. It aids in the rising of breads and cakes and helps baked goods to brown more evenly. If you can't find buttermilk easily, you can make it yourself by adding a tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to one cup of milk and letting it sit for five minutes.
Banana Bran Muffins
| Yield | 12 |
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| Prep Time | 30 minutes |
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| Cook Time | 30 minutes |
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Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup unprocessed wheat bran
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole-wheat flour
- 3/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
- 1/4 cup organic coconut oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Use non-stick cooking spray to coat 12 muffin cups.
- In a medium bowl, whisk eggs and brown sugar until smooth. Add bananas, wheat bran, bananas, vanila and oil and whisk.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, all purpose flour, baking powder and baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- Create a well in the flour mixture and add the wet ingredients and stir. Do not overmix. Add chocolate chips if desired.
- Place batter by spoonfuls into the muffin cups until full, and sprinkle with walnuts if desired.
- Bake until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
