Apple Cranberry Oatmeal Muffins (Sugar-Free)

Ingredients (for approx. 4 cups)

• 1 cup (100g) oatmeal (rolled oats)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• ½ cup (50g) dried cranberries
• ½ cup (50g) raisins, rinsed in hot water
• 1 egg
• ⅓ cup (80ml) Greek yogurt
• 3 tbsp (45ml) vegetable oil
• 2 apples, peeled and diced
• ½ cup (100g) sugar-free chocolate chips

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven

• Set your oven to 360°F (180°C) and allow it to preheat while you prepare the muffin batter. Grease or line 4 oven-safe cups or ramekins with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

2. Prepare the Dry Ingredients

• In a medium mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of oatmeal, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Stir these dry ingredients together until well combined.

3. Prepare the Wet Ingredients

• In another bowl, whisk together 1 egg, ⅓ cup of Greek yogurt, and 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Whisk until smooth, ensuring the ingredients are fully incorporated to create a creamy mixture.

4. Combine the Mixtures

• Add the wet ingredients to the bowl with the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to dense muffins.
• Gently fold in the ½ cup of dried cranberries, ½ cup of rinsed raisins, 2 diced apples, and ½ cup of sugar-free chocolate chips. Stir until the fruits and chocolate chips are evenly distributed throughout the batter.

5. Divide the Batter

• Evenly divide the batter among the prepared cups or ramekins, filling each one about three-quarters full. This will allow the muffins to rise properly while baking.

6. Bake the Muffins

• Place the cups in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The muffins should have a slightly crisp top and a soft, moist center.

7. Cool and Serve

• Once baked, remove the muffins from the oven and allow them to cool slightly in the cups or ramekins for a few minutes. Serve warm for a comforting treat, or let them cool completely to enjoy later.

Nutritional Information (Per Muffin)

• Servings: 4 muffins
• Calories: 290 kcal
• Total Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugars: 14g (from fruit)
• Protein: 7g

Tips for the Best Muffins:

• Rinse the Raisins: Soaking the raisins briefly in hot water softens them, making them plump and juicy when baked.
• Customizable: Feel free to swap out cranberries and raisins for other dried fruits like apricots or dates, or use nuts like walnuts or almonds for a crunchy addition.
• Sugar-Free Chocolate Chips: For a sweeter taste without added sugar, use sugar-free or dark chocolate chips.