About a month and a half back I had borrowed the book Canada's 150 Best Diabetes Desserts from the library. At that time I was contemplating going on a sugar free diet, so this book really intrigued me. The reason I chose to borrow this book was that artificial sweeteners were not used in the recipes. I already had cut way back on baking and it was just once or twice a month. So I thought it would be a good idea to cut back on the sugar even during those few occasions.
This oatmeal raisin muffin is the first recipe I tried from that book. The original recipe did have eggs and honey, which I have replaced with vinegar and maple syrup to make it vegan and the muffins came out very tasty. The sweetness was perfect for us. This made me thinking that I should be able to cut back at least 25%-35% of sugar in any recipe for that matter without affecting the taste of the baked goodies. I have bookmarked a couple of other interesting recipes to try from that book. So do take a look at that book when you are at the library the next time.
Recipe
Vegan Oatmeal Raisin Muffins
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 and ½ cups Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
- ½ cup Oats (Quick Cooking)
- ¼ cup Ground Flax seed
- ¼ cup White Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- ½ teaspoon Cinnamon (ground)
- ½ teaspoon Salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 and ¼ cups Almond Milk
- 1 tablespoon Vinegar (I used apple cider vinegar)
- ¼ cup Oil (I used organic, refined melted Coconut Oil)
- ¼ cup Maple Syrup
Optional Ingredients:
- ½ cup Raisins
- ½ cup Walnuts (chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F/180C for 15 minutes. Lightly grease or line a 12 cup muffin tin with paper liners. Mix the almond milk and vinegar together and set aside for 5 minutes, for the mixture to curdle. Mix about a tablespoon of flour with the raisins, so that the raisins will not sink to the bottom of the muffins.
- In a large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the curdled almond milk, maple syrup and coconut oil. Stir into flour mixture until just combined. Fold in the raisins and nuts.
- Fill each muffin cup about ¾ths full. The batter was just enough for 10 muffins and not for 12 muffins mentioned in the original recipe. So I filled the remaining empty 2 muffin cups with some water, to ensure even baking of all the muffins.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Mine were ready in 16 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and cool it on a wire rack for 5-10 minutes. If you use paper liners, remove the muffins out of the pan just after 5 minutes to prevent condensation.
My Notes
- The original recipe had used regular whole wheat flour, egg, vegetable oil, honey and chocolate chips. I have used whole wheat pastry flour, vinegar, coconut oil, maple syrup and raisins instead.
- The muffins were to be baked at 400F/200C for 15-20 minutes as per the original recipe. The smoking point of the organic, expeller pressed, refined coconut oil I was using is 360F, so I chose to bake it at 350F. I was assuming that at such a lower temperature the muffins would take about 22-25 minutes to bake but it was done in 16 minutes itself.
Taste & Texture
- I liked these vegan oatmeal raisin muffins, the very first time I baked it. They were light and not as dense as I had expected and the sweetness was just right. The only minor thing I noticed was the smell of baking powder. Actually none of the other tasters were able to tell it. So when my friend asked me to bake a batch of these muffins for her, I cut back 1 teaspoon of baking powder and the muffins still turned out great. So the recipe here is after the change in the quantity of baking powder. The original recipe had used 2 teaspoons. Also this recipe does not make 12 muffins. For the first batch I got 10 muffins and for the second I was able to manage 11 muffins.
Melissa says
I followed the recipe as written. The muffins were amazing. Hands down the best vegan muffin recipe I've ever come across. So yummy!
Madhuram says
Thanks Melissa.
Faith says
Very good! Easy and delicious! Perfect for a September morning in Mi! 😀 my kids loved them too! Triple win! I of course didn't read how much it makes so we ended up with six "really huge muppins" as my 3 year old said,
Madhuram says
Muppins! That's so cute, Faith. I guess 3 is the best age. My youngest is 3 too and he says the cutest things.
Vesna says
I tried this recipe as something I could make for my Kindergartener to take to school. The batter is absolutely delicious and perfect, moist texture--definitely among the better vegan muffins I've made!
Note: I made 1.5 times the amount (because I read that it doesn't quite fill a dozen), and it was the perfect solution. I was able to fill each muffin liner to just barely overflow, which resulted in a very nice rise in the muffin.
I used carob chips and walnuts (my kid doesn't like raisins in baked goods). Also, I used golden flaxseed because it doesn't give it that speckled appearance (which I don't mind, but kids tend to be suspicious of!).
The recipe's a keeper!
Madhuram says
Thank you very much for the feedback and tips, Vesna.
Teri says
Really good, easy to make and both my children enjoyed them. Made them in a mini muffin pan and baked for 13 minutes.
I can always find great recipes on your website!
Madhuram says
Thanks for the compliment, Teri.
JennyB says
I made these tonight and they are so good! I'm not vegan but I just didn't have eggs in my fridge but was craving a muffin so I searched for "muffin recipes without eggs". I'm glad I found this recipe! I used regular milk instead of almond milk, and then I used Canola oil instead of Coconut oil and it still turned out deeelicious!
Madhuram says
I love it when I hear from people who normally bake with eggs. Thanks Jenny.
Sras says
These are pretty good. They came out a little bit chewy for me but my oven died in the middle so they were slow cooked... I used blueberries instead of raisins as well.
Madhuram says
Thanks Sras.
Jean says
Great recipe! Made them following your recipe with the exception of the flour. I used King Arthur's White Whole Wheat Flour and they came out quite fluffy. I don't know about any of the other comments regarding sweetness.....if anything, I'd cut down on the 'sweet' stuff. My batch made a full 12 muffins but I'm pretty liberal with walmuts and raisins. They took about 25 min at 350 for tooth-pic to come out clean. Look forward to trying more of your recipes.
Madhuram says
Thanks Jean.
Sarah says
I just tried this recipe and it's great! I didn't have any ground flax so I replaced it with some whole chia seeds. I also supplemented the maple syrup for agave syrup which worked just as well. I was looking for a not too sugary breakfast muffin and this recipe hit the nail on the head. The texture is very much like non-vegan muffins which is always a bonus!
Madhuram says
I'm glad you liked it, Sarah. I have been hearing a lot about chia instead of flax seed. Have to try that.
Swatti says
What can we substitute for flax seed?
Please reply soon
Madhuram says
Flaxseed meal is not used as an egg replacer but for health reasons. So you can susbtitute it with any flour you are using or even oats, wheat bran etc.
swatti says
thanks for replying so promptly,your recipes are really good.
Madhuram says
You're welcome Swati.
Olivia says
It's a great recipe indeed. I actually think it tastes better without eggs. It's just so delicious.
O Shu Xian says
Can replace apple cider vinegar with lemon juice?
Madhuram says
Yes, you can.
Sunita says
I loved these, Madhu! These muffins are soft and fluffy, yet so filling 🙂 Made them for my diabetic MIL. Thanks from both of us for another never-fail recipe!
Madhuram says
You're welcome Sunita. I'm very happy that your MIL liked it too.
Prachi says
Hi, I just tried your cupcakes. Thanks for posting this recipe. Cupcakes turned out really well. I did not have maple syrup/honey..so added hersheys chocolate sauce as a substitute. Just wished that it turned out a little more sweeter.
Madhuram says
You're welcome Prachi. These muffins are supposed to be mildly sweet because it's for Diabetic people.
Sandhya says
Madhuram these are really awesome.. I have been thinking to trying it since you posted it & finally I had the chance today.
Let me tell you this is the best TEA TIME snack I can ever think of.. It is WONDERFUL & so very healthy!!
I did some tweeks as :
I used
3/4th cup APF & 3/4th cup WWF
Olive oil instead of CO as I dont have EVCO
I omitted Maple Syrup/Honey & Raisins & instead I added
2 Tablespoons FIG Butter [this is something amazing that I found in Trader Joes.. Its not butter actually a spread but its called butter just 'coz it has more fruit than sugar]
This muffin has the right texture & the sweetness is SPOT ON!!
This is definitely a keeper & next time I am going to try with less APF & more oat flour.. will let you know
Thanks & keep Rocking!
Sandhya
Madhuram says
You're welcome Sandhya. Thanks for the detailed feedback. I have heard about apple butter but not fig butter.
Vani says
Muffins are looking so yummy! Will try this recipe sometime.