What is a Morning Glory Muffin? A Wholesome Breakfast Tradition

At its heart, a Morning Glory Muffin is a delightful and nutrient-packed treat, often considered a celebration of all things wholesome and good for you. Originating in the 1970s, these muffins gained popularity for their generous inclusion of healthful ingredients. Typically, they are filled with a vibrant mix of shredded carrots, apples, and a variety of nuts and seeds, all brought together with warm, inviting spices. Our unique recipe elevates this classic by also incorporating canned pumpkin, adding an extra layer of moisture, flavor, and nutritional goodness.

These nourishing treats are designed to be the perfect companion for any morning. Whether you’re rushing out the door and need a quick, energizing bite or you’re taking a quiet moment to savor your coffee, these muffins are ready to brighten your day. Each delicious bite offers a harmonious blend of textures and tastes, making them a truly satisfying and wholesome start.

Essential Ingredients for Your Vegan Pumpkin Morning Glory Muffins

Crafting these delectable no-egg pumpkin muffins is simpler than you might think, requiring a clever combination of pantry staples and an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to gather to create these moist and flavorful treats:

• All-purpose flour: This foundational ingredient provides the primary structure for our muffins. For those seeking gluten-free options, a reliable gluten-free all-purpose flour mix (ensure it contains xanthan gum for best results) will work beautifully. We’ll include specific GF instructions below. If you’re nostalgic for a denser texture, you can also opt for whole wheat flour, though it will result in a slightly heartier muffin.
• Oat flour: Adding oat flour introduces a wonderful tenderness and a subtle, wholesome flavor to the muffins, while also boosting their fiber content. No oat flour on hand? No problem! Simply blend old-fashioned rolled oats in a high-speed blender or food processor until a fine flour consistency is achieved. Alternatively, you can substitute with an equal amount of additional all-purpose flour.
• Fine salt: Salt plays a crucial role in balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the other flavors. We recommend fine sea salt for its superior taste, but kosher salt is also a good alternative. Iodized salt is generally best avoided in baking as it can sometimes leave a slight bitter aftertaste. If you’re making a substitution, remember to consult a salt conversion chart to ensure accurate measurements.
• Baking soda & baking powder: To achieve that perfect tender crumb and beautiful rise, both leavening agents are essential. Baking soda reacts with acidic ingredients (like pumpkin) to create lift, while baking powder provides an additional boost. If your baking ingredients have been sitting in the pantry for a while, give them a quick freshness test using vinegar for baking soda and hot water for baking powder.
• Pumpkin pie spice: This aromatic blend is the heart of our muffin’s warm, cozy flavor profile. If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, you can easily create your own by combining 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon ground clove.
• Unsweetened shredded coconut: Coconut adds a lovely texture and a touch of natural sweetness, complementing the other flavors without overwhelming them. While sweetened shredded coconut could be used, we find these muffins are perfectly sweet on their own, making unsweetened the preferred choice to avoid excess sugar.
• Apples: Shredded apples contribute natural sweetness and crucial moisture, ensuring a delightfully soft muffin. Any apple variety you enjoy eating raw will work here. Interestingly, this is also an excellent opportunity to use up any apples that might be a bit mealy for fresh eating – not-so-perfect eating apples often make fantastic baking apples, especially when shredded!
• Carrots: Freshly shredded carrots add a beautiful color, a touch of sweetness, and additional moisture. Feel free to use orange, yellow, or even purple carrots for a unique visual appeal. For a slight variation in flavor and texture, parsnips can also be a wonderful substitute.
• Pecans: These provide a delightful crunch and rich, buttery flavor. For optimal distribution and texture within the muffins, it’s best to use chopped pecans rather than whole halves. Save those fancy pecan halves for garnishing desserts like our gluten-free German Chocolate Cake!
• Ground flaxseed + water: This humble duo is our secret to creating a perfect vegan egg substitute. When mixed together and allowed to sit for 5-10 minutes, the flaxseed absorbs the water and forms a gelatinous, egg-like binder that helps hold our muffins together and adds healthy omega-3s.
• Light brown sugar: Brown sugar not only provides sweetness but also contributes to the muffins’ moistness and depth of flavor with its subtle molasses notes. Dark brown sugar can be used for a more pronounced molasses taste. For those looking for less-refined options, muscovado sugar or grated jaggery can also be excellent swaps.
• Canned pumpkin: This star ingredient is key to both the flavor and incredibly moist texture of these muffins. Pumpkin acts as an excellent binder, replacing eggs and adding a wonderful earthy sweetness. It’s also a fantastic way to utilize any leftover pumpkin puree you might have from making our gluten-free pumpkin bread or pumpkin spice blondies, making these muffins a perfect year-round treat.
• Oil: Any neutral-flavored oil, such as avocado oil, works well to keep the muffins tender and moist without imparting unwanted flavors. For an intriguing layer of complexity, you could even experiment with a fruity Spanish olive oil.
• Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract is essential for enhancing all the other flavors and adding a hint of warmth and sweetness. You can confidently use an equal amount of vanilla paste or vanilla powder for a similar effect.

How To Bake These Healthy Morning Glory Muffins: A Simple Guide

Making these homemade morning glory muffins is a straightforward and enjoyable process that comes together in just a few simple steps. You’ll love how easily these vibrant and flavorful treats transform from individual ingredients into perfectly baked muffins.

Step 1: Prep Your Baking Station. Begin by preheating your oven to 356°F (180°C). This ensures your oven is at the ideal temperature when the muffins are ready to bake, leading to an even rise and perfectly cooked interior. Next, line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. This simple step makes for easy removal and cleanup, allowing you to enjoy your delicious muffins without any fuss.

Step 2: Create Your Flax Eggs. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground flaxseed and water. Give it a good stir and then set it aside. This mixture will gradually thicken into a gel-like consistency, typically within about 10 minutes. This “flax egg” is a fantastic plant-based binder, perfectly replicating the function of a traditional egg in vegan baking.

Step 5: Gently Combine Wet and Dry. Now, carefully add the flour mixture (from Step 3) to the pumpkin and flaxseed mixture (from Step 4). Using your spatula, stir until the ingredients are just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough muffins, so stop as soon as you see no dry streaks of flour. Finally, fold in the chopped pecans. This step adds a delightful crunch and nutty flavor throughout the muffins.

***NOTE: Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Pumpkin Muffins Tip: If you are making these into gluten-free dairy-free pumpkin muffins, it’s crucial to let the batter rest for 30 minutes after this step. This resting period allows the gluten-free flours to properly hydrate, resulting in a better texture and less crumbly muffin.

Step 6: Fill and Bake. With your batter ready, evenly dish it out among the 12 wells of your prepared muffin pan. Aim for consistent amounts in each cup to ensure even baking. Bake in your preheated oven for approximately 25 minutes. The muffins should be golden brown and spring back when lightly touched. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.

Step 7: Cool Properly. Once baked, resist the urge to immediately remove them! Let the muffins cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. This allows them to set properly and prevents them from sticking or breaking apart. After 5 minutes, transfer them onto a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling on a wire rack ensures air circulation, preventing soggy bottoms and maintaining their perfect texture.

Delightful Ways to Enjoy Your Healthy Morning Glory Muffins

These versatile vegan pumpkin muffins are perfect for a variety of occasions. Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy them:

• The Ultimate Breakfast on the Go: For those busy mornings when you barely have time to think, these healthy vegan pumpkin muffins are your ultimate solution. Prepare a batch on a relaxing Sunday, and you’ll have wholesome, delicious grab-and-go breakfasts sorted for the entire week. They’re a fantastic way to ensure you start your day with nourishing fuel, even when time is tight.
• Perfect for Packed Lunches: Whether you’re heading to the office or packing lunches for your little ones at school or camp, these moist and flavorful muffins make a wonderful addition to any lunchbox. They offer a touch of homemade goodness that’s both satisfying and nutritious, making lunch a little more exciting.
• Be the “Cool Snack Mom” (or Dad!): When it’s your turn to bring snacks to the next sporting event or school function, ditch the mundane carrot sticks! These pumpkin-laced vegan morning glory muffins are sweet enough to earn a definitive kid stamp of approval, while secretly delivering a generous boost of nutrients. Get ready to collect those “cool mom/dad” points!
• Elevate Your Breakfast Buffet: Hosting a brunch or breakfast gathering? Pair these delightful muffins with other healthy, self-serve options to create an inviting spread. Think creamy coconut yogurt, crunchy homemade gluten-free granola, and a colorful array of fresh-cut seasonal fruits. And, of course, don’t forget the essential beverages: steaming coffee, a selection of teas, and refreshing juices.

Pro Tips for Perfect Morning Glory Muffins Every Time

Achieving bakery-quality vegan pumpkin morning glory muffins at home is easier than you think with these expert tips:

• Embrace the Power of a Food Processor: For quick and effortless vegetable preparation, a food processor fitted with the large shredding blade is an absolute game-changer. It will make short work of shredding your carrots and apples, saving you precious time. However, if you don’t have one, a good old-fashioned box grater works perfectly well – consider it a bonus arm workout!
• Prevent Over-Filling Your Muffin Liners: To ensure all your muffins bake evenly and achieve a consistent size and shape, it’s crucial not to overfill the liners. We find that using an ice cream scoop (a standard 3-tablespoon size works perfectly) is incredibly helpful for portioning out the batter. This method ensures each of the 12 wells in your muffin tin receives an equal amount, leading to uniformly beautiful muffins.
• Add a Professional Bakery Touch: Want your homemade muffins to look as good as they taste? Reserve a small handful of chopped pecans to sprinkle over the tops of the muffins just before baking. This simple garnish adds visual appeal and a lovely extra crunch. For an even more professional look, you can also sprinkle a little granulated sugar, turbinado sugar, or coarse sanding sugar for a glistening finish.
• Master the Art of Cooling for Optimal Texture: Patience is key when it comes to cooling your muffins! Always allow your homemade morning glory muffins to cool completely to room temperature before storing them in an airtight container. If you pack them away while they are still warm, condensation will accumulate inside the container, causing moisture to rain down on the muffins. This inevitably leads to a soggy, sticky texture that detracts from their deliciousness. A wire rack ensures proper air circulation for a perfect cool-down.

Frequently Asked Questions About Morning Glory Muffins

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