Cranberry Almond Baked Oatmeal Muffins

By Ann Fulton

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Those who follow my blog have probably observed my love of baked oatmeal.  I have created a dozen or more seasonal versions of this hearty, make-ahead breakfast.  (You can scroll through the Breakfast Foods category to see all the options.)  The following portion-controlled muffin recipe is a super-quick version that my kids love as a speedy breakfast or a healthy snack.  I make it at least once a week.

The batter mixes up in minutes and is perfect when you have an overripe banana on hand.   For a special treat, I occasionally substitute chocolate chips for the dried cranberries.  Raisins work, too.  Though peanut butter may be used in place of the almond butter, my kids actually prefer the almond butter in this recipe for its more neutral taste.  If you use peanut butter, I recommend the natural variety.

EASY. PORTION-CONTROLLED. DELICIOUS. These muffins may be baked in advance and are a welcome quick breakfast or healthy snack. They are also ideal for those needing a vegan, eggless, gluten-free, or dairy-free option.

This is why some of my family’s favorite recipes take a while to get posted. They get eaten before I take the pictures!

Lots of easy ways to customize these healthy, delicious BAKED OATMEAL MUFFINS, which happen to be vegan, eggless, gluten- and dairy-free!
Cranberry Almond Baked Oatmeal Muffins
These muffins may be baked in advance and are a welcome quick breakfast or healthy snack. They are also ideal for those needing a vegan, eggless, gluten-free, or dairy-free option. I love the combination of banana and pumpkin but have also made these with all banana. The important part is using one cup total, even if you use more of one fruit than the other.

Yields 6 muffins.
Ingredients
  • 2 cups old-fashioned oats (the kind that cook in 5 minutes; certified gluten-free if necessary)
  • 1/2 cup mashed, ripe banana (about one large)
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree (canned is fine; not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 1/3 cup almond butter
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries (see notes)
  • 2 tablespoons milk of choice
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease or line six muffin tins.
  2. Mash the banana, the pumpkin, and the almond butter together in a large mixing bowl. Add the dried cranberries, milk, maple syrup, and salt. Stir to thoroughly combine. Stir in the oats and mix to incorporate.
  3. Distribute the mixture among the prepared muffin tins. (I like to use a large ice cream scoop for an even and mess-free transfer.)
  4. Bake for 20 minutes or until the muffins are firm on the top and just cooked through the center.
  5. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes and then remove. Enjoy right away or allow to cool completely. Cover and store any leftovers muffins in the refrigerator.
Notes
  • The above recipe is my super-quick recipe and the one I usually make. If you would like to tweak the flavors a bit, you may add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice, a teaspoon of vanilla extract, or use chocolate chips instead of the dried cranberries.
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Comments

  1. Alicelynne Watson

    These sound really great! I love grabbing a healthy muffin on my way out the door in the morning. Cant wait to try these!

    Reply
  2. Meghan Post author

    I spent some time digging into your recipe archives recently and am so glad I did! I’ve been making these for my family for the past two weeks and everyone loves them and stays full until lunchtime. Next up is chicken tortilla soup!

    Reply
    1. Ann Post author

      Great news, Meghan! I’m thrilled these have been a hit with your family and hope everyone enjoys the soup as well!

      Reply
  3. Ron

    Ann, any estimate of calories per muffin? My two college boys eat healthy. I will make this regardless because it is so healthy.

    Also could you double the bananas and leave out the pumpkin puree? I hate saying this because a recipe is a recipe but I personally just can’t stand anything pumpkin. My apologies upfront

    Thank you,

    Ron Svetgoff
    Dallas, TX

    Reply
    1. Ann Post author

      Hi Ron, I haven’t calculated the calories for these muffins, but if you like, you can use this nutritional calculator and easily adjust for any substitutions: https://www.caloriecount.com/cc/recipe_analysis.php. It’s the best that I’ve found and very user friendly. As for swapping out the pumpkin with additional banana, I think that will work quite well. And just in case you’re a sweet potato fan, you could use sweet potato puree–or even apple butter–as well. Hope this helps!

      Reply
    1. Ann

      Hi Elaine,
      I have not used instant or quick oats with this particular recipe. The texture would likely be a bit mushy, so I do recommend the type that cook in five minutes. If you do happen to try with instant oats, please report back…and perhaps add some nuts for a little extra texture.

      Reply
  4. Deb

    I made these yummy muffins with the chocolate chips while I was waiting for your new granola bar recipe after seeing it on Facebook. Fantastic recipe!

    Reply
  5. Rila Hackett

    Hi Ann! After weeks of the newspaper version of this recipe sitting on my kitchen table, I finally made these and our family extends to you a unanimous BRAVO! These muffins hit the trinity of criteria: healthy, delicious, and easy. Thank you! And what a great photo of Christian…. but tell me — why do the best eyelashes end up on boys?

    Reply
  6. Pingback: eight more. » whatever

    1. Ann

      Hi Sue,
      I have not calculated calorie values but many people have reported liking online apps such as caloriecount.about.com and myfitnesspal.com. I hope that helps!

      Reply
  7. Robyn @ simply fresh dinners

    Hi Ann,

    So glad to have found your blog. I’m visiting from Create It Thursday and when I saw that link I just had to come see more! These muffins look fantastic. I’m not a baker but I’ll definitely give these a try. Love the combination of flavours!

    Reply
  8. Jill

    Hi there! These sound delish, but I have an allergy to bananas…darn! Got any ideas for an equally satisfying substitution? Thanks in advance for your expertise! 🙂

    Reply
    1. Ann

      Too funny…I just typed a reply to the previous commenter who dislikes bananas. You can read that comment above, but I would recommend all pumpkin and, secondarily, a mix of pumpkin and applesauce. I haven’t tried it this way–of course, I have made them with all banana!–but am pretty sure you will be happy. I’d love to hear how you make out!

      Reply
    1. Ann

      I haven’t tried this with applesauce, Mary. My first inclination would be to use all pumpkin, but applesauce may work quite well. If you try, I’d love to know what you think. (As a mention, my one son does not like bananas at all, and he love these. In combination with the pumpkin and the almond butter, the flavor is somehow masked.)

      Reply
  9. Sara

    Hello I would love to make these muffins tomorrow but do not have almond butter, if I use butter would that change the recipe?

    Reply
    1. Ann

      Great question, Sara. If you make a substitution, use peanut butter. Different than regular butter, almond butter is to almonds what peanut butter is to peanuts. Regular butter would not work in this recipe. Coincidently, I just made a batch using peanut butter today!

      Reply