These mini bran muffins are a great healthy option for breakfast or a snack. At only 45 calories each, you can indulge without guilt! Packed with wheat bran, applesauce, and brown sugar, these muffins are moist and healthy. With only 10 ingredients, these muffins will come together in a flash. All the more reason to make two batches and freeze one for later!
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It's time to breathe a big sigh of relief because we all made it through the holiday season and are well into the New Year! That means we battled out holiday parties and family meals that were no doubt filled with our favorite treats. For me, this included sweet potato cheesecake, mashed potatoes, macaroni, and cheese… the list could go on. I don't know about you, but my body is ready for a break from these sugar and butter-laden treats.
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Why this recipe works
That's why I'm turning to a lighter recipe this week. Enter these delicious miniature bran muffins. At 45 calories apiece, these muffins are the perfect thing to give you a little morning boost without wasting the typical 400-500 calories that can be found in most muffins. I like to make a big batch and then freeze them individually in plastic wrap. That way all you need to do is pop a few in the microwave for 20 seconds and voila, a no-fuss snack ready in seconds!
Key ingredients and why we use them
- Wheat Bran: Great source for fiber! This replaces some of the flour in this recipe.
- Nonfat Milk: Adds moisture to your baked goods. Skim milk cuts down on the calories in this particular recipe.
- Applesauce: Great replacement for fat in a healthy recipe!
- Egg: Make sure eggs are at room temperature. I always purchase large eggs for baking to ensure consistency in the quantity.
- Brown Sugar: Dark brown sugar adds a bolder flavor to this recipe.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances flavor adding to flavor profile.
- Flour: Basic building block for recipe that gives structure. Use your basic all-purpose flour in this recipe. Either bleached or unbleached will be fine.
- Baking Soda: Leavening agent (base) that reacts with the applesauce (acid).
- Baking Powder: Leavening agent that is activated when you combine with wet ingredients AND when it's heated. Most baking powder is double acting.
- Salt: Enhances the flavor!
Frequently asked questions
Truvia Baking Blend is a low-calorie alternative to using sugar in your baking recipes. It's a mixture of Truvia and regular sugar made specifically for baking. It's not for everyone, some people think it has a strange aftertaste, and others are opposed to artificial sweeteners. One-half cup of Truvia baking blend can be replaced with one cup of regular sugar. You can easily substitute 3 tablespoons of Truvia Baking Blend in this recipe!
YES, people over-mix muffin batter all the time! Don't let that person be you. My tip is to stir only until combined. This means your batter might still be a little lumpy and you might have a few patches of flour. That's okay!
Step-by-step instructions
Start out by pouring your milk into a small bowl with your wheat bran.
Mix the two together and allow to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
In a large bowl, mix together your wet ingredients (applesauce, egg, brown sugar, and vanilla). Make sure everything is well incorporated.
Next, add the bran mixture into the large bowl. Stir to combine again. Finally, mix all the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.
Take care not to over-mix your batter. See how I still have a few pockets of flour showing in the picture below? This is what you want!
Scoop batter into miniature muffin cups. Bake in preheated oven for 6-10 minutes, or until tops spring back when lightly tapped.
Cool completely in muffin tin on wire rack. Remove from the tin once cooled. Enjoy!
Heather's helpful hint
To ensure that each mini bran muffin is the same size, simply use an ice cream scoop to measure your batter for each muffin. I keep a couple of different sizes on hand and use those to spoon out the batter. It's a game-changer, trust me!
Related muffin recipes
Did you make this recipe? First, let me say THANK YOU for giving it a try! Please leave us a rating above and leave any feedback in the comments section at the bottom of this post. I always love to hear your thoughts and ideas on what went well - and what didn't - with a recipe! Be sure to check out some of our other recipes linked below!
Recipe
Miniature Bran Muffins
Equipment
- 24 cup miniature muffin tin
Ingredients
- 1½ cups wheat bran
- 1 cup skim milk
- ½ cup applesauce unsweetened
- 1 each egg
- ⅓ cup dark brown sugar packed
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit 20 minutes before baking your muffins. Grease miniature muffin cups.
- Mix together wheat bran and skim milk, and let stand for 10 minutes.
- In a large bowl, mix together applesauce, egg, brown sugar, and vanilla. Add bran mixture to the bowl.
- Sift together all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Stir into bran mixture until just blended.
- Scoop batter into miniature muffin cups. Bake in preheated oven for 6-10 minutes, or until tops spring back when lightly tapped.
- Cool completely in muffin tin on wire rack. Remove from tin once cooled.
Notes and Tips
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted in January 2016. It was updated in March 2020 with new pictures and a few updates to the recipe.
Heather @ My Sweet Precision says
Wonderful, I am so glad that you enjoyed the recipe! Happy Baking, Sheryl :)
Sheryl says
I made the mini muffins they were excellent .I will use again
Sydney says
Hello! Would I be able to substitute the brown sugar with maple syrup or honey?
Heather says
Hi Sydney, I haven't tested this recipe with a maple syrup or honey swap. My main worry would be that it would change the consistency of the batter. Since it's only a 1/3 a cup, you might be able to get away with it, but I can't say with 100% certainty. There's nothing worse than a recipe that doesn't work out, but I definitely feel like you could give it a try. And if you do, let me know and I'll make a note in my post above!
laurasmess says
More yummy miniatures! I love bran, I always have (I've never had that 'too healthy' association with it like my husband has!) and it's an added plus that it's good for you! I can imagine eating a couple of these with butter and a hot cup of tea! x
Heather @ Sweet Precision says
I think I'm on a miniature kick for the New Year! I'm totally on board with the butter and tea, sounds delicious about right now :)
mom says
I love the blue background in these pictures AND I also like the sound of these muffins. I, too, like to individually freeze muffins and other tasty treats in plastic wrap so that I have to think about defrosting before I begin to mindlessly munching! I will definitely be giving these a try.
Heather @ Sweet Precision says
The blue background is one of the washcloths that you got me for Christmas! We have about 15 of them frozen now and I look forward to using them as a breakfast treat on the weekends.
mom says
The towels are a visual pleasure to look at as you use them to set off your tasty treats that you send our way. Thank you for your visual and tasteful gifts.
lazymomcooking says
Sounds delicious! I want to try this recipe!
Please visit and follow my blog (www.lazymomcooking.wordpress.com) or my Instagram (lazymom_cooking) for some recipe ideas
Heather @ Sweet Precision says
Thanks! :)
Antonia says
These little bran muffins look delicious Heather! I am totally with you...a much needed break from sugary treats. Your muffins are just perfect for a little sweet with a cup of coffee. Great recipe :-)
Heather @ Sweet Precision says
Thank you Antonia! We must be on the same wavelength because I've been bringing a couple muffins to work with me each day to munch on with my tea in the morning ;)
Antonia says
I think so :) I can't wait to try these!
Sherri says
As always delicious sounding and looking Heather, but I am one of those who finds Truvia has that bitter aftertaste. But I don't think I've heard of its baking blend, so maybe that would be better. I would need to look out for it and try it, as I do like sugar...a little bit too much! When I do, I'll let you know! I hope you're having a good week my friend, and not too many problems wtih all that snow xo
Heather @ Sweet Precision says
Oh Sherri, I have the biggest sweet tooth ever! I know exactly what you're talking about when it comes to artificial sweeteners. In some things like yogurt, I can't stand the terrible aftertaste that they leave. The baking blend is a little more subtle but you can still tell it's not real sugar. If only real sugar could be calorie free, right?! Happy Tuesday to you too my friend. Sending you positive writing vibes as you continue to work on your memoir :)
Sherri says
Thanks so much Heather! I sort of disappeared last week, so apologies for my late reply to yours! Yes...I agree...if only for sugar :-) Loving your positive vibes...I'm getting there, and hope to get a post up later too. Phew, I've been in a blogging black hole it feels like, but crawling out I hope! Have a great week my friend, and happy baking! :-) xo
Heather @ Sweet Precision says
It often feels as though the task of blogging ebbs and flows over time. And I definitely think that's okay Sherri! I was looking back over the last year and I had a couple months where I didn't post anything. The blogospere is always here even when we step into a black hole for a little while ;-)
Sherri says
Very true...thanks for this timely reminder Heather, it helps a lot! Have a great week my friend! ;-) xoxo
Just Add Attitude says
These mini-muffins seem like the perfect antidote to holiday over eating. Every year I vow I will eat sane amounts over Christmas but always end up over indulging. I hope the weather is not too inclement in your part of the world. ;)
Heather @ Sweet Precision says
I know exactly what you mean B! I make the exact same holiday vow and somehow it always lasts for a little while before everything falls apart and I'm devouring massive amounts of cookies and treats ;)
Francesca says
I hear you, Heather! Definitely time to listen to our scale and cut some calories!
These mini beauties look delightful! I would love to gobble one right now! ????
Heather @ Sweet Precision says
Thank you Francesca! Yes, it's definitely been a challenge to cut back after the holidays. I think my stomach grows every December and I have to slowly shrink it back down to normal size ;) Hope all is well with you, Stefano, and Her Majesty!