With a dose of butternut squash and apple butter, these flourless Butternut Squash Muffins pack a lot of flavor and moisture (and nutrition!) in one easy to eat package. They’re a healthy muffin to serve at any time of the day.
Butternut Squash Muffins
The warm spices of fall pair with butternut squash puree in these easy muffins. They’re just sweet enough to be enticing, but aren’t too sweet that they go into cupcake land. They are made with a base of ground rolled oats for extra fiber and complex carbohydrates, and are sweet without any added sugars. In short, they are really delicious. And it’s so nice that they have both a vegetable and a fruit tucked inside!
Healthy Muffins with Veggies
I love making super healthy muffins that can be breakfast, a snack, or an easy side dish. In fact, muffins are one of the things I make almost every week because I love having them on hand in the fridge—because sometimes mama needs a hand-held meal just as fast as the kids do!
Ingredients in Butternut Squash Muffins
Here’s what you’ll need to make these healthy muffins:
- quick oats (or rolled oats ground briefly in the blender or food processor)
- whole wheat or gluten-free flour blend
- butternut squash puree
- milk (dairy or plain unsweetened nondairy)
- apple butter or applesauce
- butter or canola oil
- eggs
- maple syrup
- vanilla
- baking powder
- cinnamon
Gluten-Free Butternut Squash Muffins
While we don’t have any serious food allergies in our house, I don’t tolerate gluten well, so I’m always looking for gluten-free baked goods that taste really great. We’ve made these muffins three times now and we love the flavor combination of the squash and apple butter—and they’re totally gluten-free. They are also really soft and moist, so they are easy for little ones to move bites around in their mouths.
How to Make Butternut Squash Muffins Step-by-Step
Here’s a look at the easy process involved in making this muffin recipe.
- Preheat the oven and grease 0 cups of a standard muffin tin.
- Stir together all ingredients in a medium bowl.
- Spoon the batter evenly into the muffin cups, filling about 2/3 full.
- Bake until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out cleanly. Let rest in the pan for about 10 minutes, then remove from the pan and let cool on a wire rack.
Healthy Muffins for Kids
They are good on their own, topped with a little cream cheese, or smeared with nut butter. (You’d also be well-served serving them warm topped with a little butter!) And they are a wonderful way to bake up something that tastes special enough for the holiday season but still packs a lot of nutrition.
Can I make this Butternut Squash Muffin recipe ahead of time?
Yes! They store for 3-5 days in the fridge in an airtight container or in the freezer for up to 3 months stored in a zip top bag. Thaw in the fridge or briefly in 15 second increments in the microwave.
I’d love to hear your feedback on this recipe if you try it out in your home, so please comment below!
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You can use canned pumpkin puree instead of butternut squash if you prefer—they work almost identically.
Ingredients
- 1 cup quick oats (or rolled oats ground briefly in the blender or food processor)
- 1 cup whole wheat or gluten-free flour blend
- 3/4 cup butternut squash puree
- 1/3 cup milk (dairy or plain unsweetened nondairy)
- 1/4 cup apple butter or applesauce
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled, or canola oil
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and grease 0 cups of a standard muffin tin.
- Stir together all ingredients in a medium bowl.
- Spoon the batter evenly into the muffin cups, filling about 2/3 full.
- Bake for 24-26 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out cleanly. Let rest in the pan for about 10 minutes, then remove from the pan and let cool on a wire rack.
Notes
Store for up to 5 days in an airtight container in the fridge or in a zip top freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Hi can I use agave nectar instead of maple syrup, or homemade treacle?
Yes, either of those should work okay!
Hi – I want to try this recipe but not sure if I should use the applesauce I have or buy apple butter. I know you said either can be used, but would one change the consistency over the other since apple butter is thicker?
Since it’s a small amount, the using one or the other doesn’t change the consistency in any noticeable way.
I used applesauce (’cause that’s what I had) and my 2 year old loves them!
Hooray! I’m glad to hear that on both accounts.
hi, you mentioned dates as an ingredient in the post but it’s not listed in the recipe…?
Ah, that was from an earlier version—I simplified things and forgot to adjust that sentence. Sorry for any confusion!
I’m so curious about the muffin-pan link…. I’ve never noticed before that cupcake pans and muffin pans are different? I have one (presumable a cupcake pan) that I use for both. What’s the difference??
Thanks!
As far ask I know they are the same–I put the link in there since I often get questions about which one I use. And I use it for both cupcakes and muffins;)
Yum! Could I use applesauce instead of apple butter? Don’t have that on hand. Thanks!
Yes, that should work just fine!