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Healthy Cranberry Orange Muffins

5 from 5 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Yield 12 standard muffins
Category Breakfast
Cuisine American
Author Lauren Grant

Description

Tender and moist, these whole-wheat Cranberry Orange Muffins are bursting with fresh orange and cranberry flavor. Featuring warm spices and even a sweet and zesty crunchy top, these muffins are a delicious, healthy treat! 

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (200g) fresh cranberries
  • 2 cups (226g) white whole-wheat flour or regular whole-wheat flour
  • 2 tablespoons (14g) cornstarch or arrowroot starch
  • 1 teaspoon (4g) baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon (3g) baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon (2.5g) kosher salt
  • teaspoon cloves, optional
  • 1 cup (227g) plain whole-milk Greek yogurt*
  • cup (67g) extra-virgin olive oil, or melted coconut oil
  • ½ cup (156g) pure maple syrup
  • 2 large eggs (100g)
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh orange zest, divided
  • 2 teaspoons (9g) pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar

Instructions

  • Heat oven to 425°F (218°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners then coat liners with nonstick spray. 
  • In a food processor, process cranberries until chopped, about 10 pulses; set aside.
  • Whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, and cloves in a large bowl, set aside.
  • Whisk together yogurt, oil, maple syrup, eggs, 2 teaspoons orange zest, and vanilla until smooth.
  • Add yogurt mixture to flour mixture and mix until mostly incorporated but some pockets of flour remain.
  • Gently fold chopped cranberries into batter just until combined.
  • Divide batter (it will be thick) between prepared muffin cups, about a heaping ¼ cup per muffin cup. Combine turbinado sugar with remaining teaspoon orange zest and sprinkle evenly over cups of batter.
  • Bake muffins 5 minutes at 425°F (218°C) then, keeping muffins in oven, reduce oven temperature to 350°F (177°C) and bake until a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean, 16–18 minutes more. Total bake time is about 21–23 minutes.
  • (For mini muffins, bake 11–14 minutes at 350°F (177°C).
  • Transfer muffin tin to a wire rack and cool 5 minutes, then transfer muffins from pan to wire rack to cool completely.
  • Store cooled muffins at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. 

Notes

*Greek yogurt: I recommend whole-milk Greek yogurt, but you can use any fat content you prefer, just be sure to use Greek yogurt. Sour cream can also be substituted. 
Make these Egg Free: Substitute flax eggs for regular eggs. To make a flax egg, combine 1 tablespoon ground flax (flax meal) with 3 tablespoons water. Let mixture soak for 10 minutes before using.
Make these Vegan: Replace eggs with flax eggs (see note above). Replace Greek yogurt with 1 cup thick vegan yogurt, or replace with 2/3 cup vegan buttermilk (⅔ cup non-dairy milk + 2 teaspoons white vinegar). Let buttermilk rest 5 minutes before using.
Make these Gluten-Free: Swap the whole-wheat flour for a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, such as Bob’s Red Mill.

Nutrition

Serving: 1muffinCalories: 178kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 5gFat: 7.5gSaturated Fat: 1.5gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 114mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4.5g
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