Wholesome Banana Bran Muffins are Refined Sugar Free
These wholesome banana bran muffins are sweetened with molasses and mashed banana. They’re moist, beautifully textured and filled with healthy ingredients.
This is one of those recipes that can be a good stand-in for breakfast if you’re on the go. The muffins are filled with healthy ingredients and contain lots of fiber so help you feel full longer.
Don’t flinch at the raisins. In this recipe, half of the raisins are blended into the batter to help to sweeten the muffins and provide extra moisture. We use Thompson raisins and soften them slightly with water (see method) to help with the texture.
We like to garnish our muffins with thin slices of banana. I just lay the slice on top of each muffin before they go in the oven. It makes the muffins look nice but is only a good option if the muffins are to be consumed within a day.
This recipe is adapted from the always excellent recipe blog, The Cafe Sucre Farine.
PrintRefined Sugar Free Banana Bran Muffins
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 16 muffins 1x
- Category: Muffins & Quick Breads
Ingredients
- 1 cup raisins (Thompson)
- 2 tsp. water
- 1 ½ cups wheat bran (natural bran)
- ½ cup old fashioned rolled oats (not instant)
- ¾ cup flour, spooned in
- ¾ cup whole wheat flour, spooned in
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- ½ tsp. baking soda
- ½ tsp. salt
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 1 ½ bananas)
- ½ cup Crosby’s Fancy Molasses
- ½ cup Greek yogurt (plain)
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup oil (grape seed, canola or olive)
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400˚F. Line muffin cups with papers or grease them well.
- In a medium pot combine the raisins with 2 tsp. of water. Cook over medium heat until warmed. Remove from heat. (Raisins can also we warmed in a microwave.)
- In a large bowl combine the wheat bran, oatmeal, flours, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add ½ cup of the raisins and stir until well combined.
- In a blender or food processor combine the remaining ½ cup of raisins, banana, molasses, yogurt, milk, oil and eggs. Whir for about 30 seconds.
- Pour in the wet ingredients into the dry and stir just until combined.
- Spoon batter into prepared pan.
- Bake for 10 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350˚F and bake for another 10 minutes or until muffins are set.
- Allow to cool in pan for 10 minutes then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
Lisa K
These muffins were the very best I have ever made. I subbed in flax seed (in with the dry ingredients, 1:1 substitution) for the oil. Also I doubled the recipe .
Lisa K
These muffins were the very best I have ever made. I subbed in flax seed (in with the dry ingredients, 1:1 substitution) for the oil. Also I doubled the recipe .
Could not have turned out better.
Ju
What can I sub for wheat Bran?
Maureen
This IS the one! I made a double batch, used (up) those over-ripe bananas from the stash in the freezer, used (up) buttermilk in place of yogurt, used (up) a whole, pitted date into each muffin in case they needed more sweetness (to MY taste). Just ate one, still warm, and this IS the recipe I’ve needed for a loooong time. Delicious and didn’t need the date to sweeten it at all. However, spreading that warm date across the warm muffin totally enhanced my wonderful experience. Many thanks for this one.
Elaine
Muffins are delicious…and lots of health benefits as well. :)
Rose Swigart
This looks delicious, can’t wait to try. Have a suggestion for the raisins. Instead of the microwave with 2 tsp water. Mix the raisins with the molasses and the oil on the stove. I let them cook 5-10 minutes process 1/2 mixture. Have another recipe (hermit cookies) that I do this with.
Crosby Molasses
Nice idea! I’m sure it would make them extra moist. Thanks.
Mary Blacker p
I’ve been looking for a great bran muffin for a very long time. This recipe is fantastic! I made a batch yesterday loved them! so today I’m baking a batch for my sister to take to her tomorrow. So tender so flavourful. Thank you!
Gail
Great recipe, we are enjoying the muffins
Theresa
These muffins look absolutely delicious, and healthy…. I can eat without guilt.. 8) Thank you… can’t wait to try them!!
Jan Wooden
Thank you for sharing your wonderful recipes with me. My husband loves them too.
This recipe feels like a really great one , I can just tell. ?
Crosby Molasses
Thanks Jan!