Blueberry, Fruit, Nut, (or Anything You Want) Whole Wheat Muffins ⋆ 100 Days of Real Food

Oh muffins, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways… First, you can serve these blueberry (or anything you want) whole wheat muffins as part of breakfast, lunch, or just by themselves as a snack.

Second, they really are easy to make, and with so many possibilities of what you can add to the muffin batter I am certain that you will find a combination that you (and your kids) will love.

Third, my kids scarf down their beloved customized versions, and I feel good about what they are eating. And last but not least, they freeze beautifully!!

The inspiration for these blueberry, fruit, nut, or anything you want whole wheat muffins

I definitely have to give credit to my 5-year-old daughter for inspiring me to make these whole-wheat muffins. She got very excited one morning when I asked her what she wanted for breakfast and responded with “blueberry muffins!” We had not made muffins in years and I think she likes the idea of them because, well, the shape is strikingly similar to a cupcake!

Once we got started my creative juices started flowing … these don’t just have to be blueberry muffins! I put strawberries in some and some leftover pear that I had on hand in others … and why not raisins? My 3-year-old loves raisins.

So anyway, you get the idea how you can take the plain batter and add whatever flavors your heart desires. Make one big batch that’s all the same or make each one different…and most importantly, have fun with it!

Are whole wheat blueberry, fruit, nut, etc. muffins healthy?

The whole wheat muffin batter that I used in this recipe is made from real food ingredients. That means no processed flour or refined sugar! And the overall amount of sweetener used is reduced compared to store-bought muffins. When you add healthy ingredients like fruit, veggies, and nuts, whole wheat muffins end up being a pretty balanced breakfast or snack.

If you’re new to doing real food swaps in your house, this is a great replacement for busy families to skip processed cereal in the mornings. Plus you can sneak an extra serving of fruit or veggies in for picky eaters!

Tips before you get started making these blueberry (or anything you want them to be) whole wheat muffins:

Why does this recipe use juice?

I’ve used both apple and orange juice to make this muffin recipe, it just depends on what I have on hand. The juice adds liquid/moisture to the recipe, which is needed for these whole wheat muffins to bake properly. It also doubles as a substitute for refined sugar.

Some people may find orange juice too bitter, so in that case I’d recommend just using apple juice (we prefer unfiltered organic juice not from concentrate). You could also substitute another juice variety of your choice such as pear. Just make sure it’s 100% juice!

Finally, you can also substitute the juice with milk if you prefer. The muffins will still turn out moist, but you may find them less sweet. If you opt for milk, I suggest using sweeter mix ins or adding a bit of additional honey, depending on your preference.

Can you use frozen blueberries or raspberries in whole wheat muffins?

Frozen blueberries and raspberries should bake the same as fresh berries in this recipe. Just make sure your berries don’t melt while you’re mixing them in! If the frozen berries start to melt, they’ll start to release juice into the batter and may not hold their shape as well.

What foods make good fillings for muffins?

I call these “whatever you want them to be” muffins because you can add pretty much anything to the batter, and they still turn out. You can also combine more than one filling for unique flavors!

Fruit (fresh, frozen, or dried, for sweet muffins)

• Blueberries
• Raspberries
• Diced strawberries
• Chopped and peeled apple or pear
• Applesauce
• Mashed banana
• Raisins
• Dates
• Dried cranberries
• Lemon or orange zest

Vegetables (for savory muffins)

• Grated carrots
• Zucchini
• Pumpkin
• Corn
• Sweet potato
• Bell pepper
• Garlic
• Onion

Nuts (chopped)

• Pecans
• Almonds
• Walnuts
• Pistachio

Dairy & Meat

• Grated cheddar cheese
• Cream cheese
• Sour cream
• Cubed pieces of cooked meat (great for a breakfast muffin!)

If your whole wheat muffins with dried fruit, nuts, or other mix-ins come out dry

Sometimes homemade muffins can come out dry. This usually happens when you scoop the flour on the heavier side or slightly under measure the liquid in the recipe. It can also happen if you’re using dried fruit or nuts that absorb the liquid (vs fresh or frozen ingredients that have a lot of internal moisture).

Depending on how dry they are, you can add ¼ to ½ cup of applesauce, Greek yogurt, mashed banana, or grated zucchini.  

How to keep muffins from sticking to the pan

I always bake my muffins inside muffin liners to make it easier to remove them. If you’re using paper liners, look for the parchment variety. Another idea is to use foil cupcake liners and lightly spritz them with an oil of your choice.

If you don’t want to use liners, you’ll need to properly grease the muffin pan. Use your favorite method, or try spreading butter inside the muffin tray’s cups, then dusting with whole wheat flour. Shake off the excess.

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