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    Whole Wheat Banana Bread Muffins with Apples and Pecans

    By Julia | Updated: Aug 18, 2021 | Published: Jan 07, 2014 | 32 Comments

    3.1K shares
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    Low-fat, whole wheat banana bread muffins with apples and pecans - these taste so good!  Perfect for breakfast, afternoon snack, or dessert.  If you want to make light and moist whole wheat muffins that are less dense - this is the recipe for you!

    Whole Wheat Banana Bread Muffins with Apples and Pecans

     

    The Holidays are over, and I am having a little bit of a hard time getting back into my routines. You see, I am a person of habit, and when my daily habits get temporarily broken even by such joyful events as the Holiday,  I can become overly tired and ineffective. In other words, I feel like I am off my rhythm lately. Don't you? I feel like I need a vacation after the Holidays. Which is why good old banana bread (even in the form of banana bread muffins) becomes a really good and familiar friend that I want to cling on to right now:

    Whole Wheat Banana Bread Muffins with Apples and Pecans

    I experimented a bit with my regular banana bread recipe and made these muffins a bit healthier by using whole wheat flour along with ½ cup of Greek yogurt and only 5 tablespoons of butter for a whole tray of muffins! Let me remind you that the whole wheat flour is a very good source of dietary fiber and nutrients. Here is a very interesting article on the benefits of whole wheat flour.

    I personally love the taste of whole wheat, especially in a muffin for breakfast - it tastes very wholesome to me. And, bananas + apples make these muffins almost cake-like, even moister the next day!

    Whole Wheat Banana Bread Muffins with Apples and Pecans

    Because these muffins are "banana bread" muffins (that is, made with 2 very ripe bananas), and because I am stuffing them with a whole bunch of chopped apples - I guarantee you won't feel that "dry" taste of whole wheat flour at all!  It's all covered up and disguised by the moistness and flavor-fulness of bananas and apples.

    How to properly measure whole wheat flour without scales

    Don't forget to measure the whole wheat flour properly, by sifting it or aerating it and fluffing it up instead of just packing it into the measuring cup - otherwise you will pack way too much flour, which could be dangerous for a whole wheat flour recipe as it results in a dense texture!  The proper way to measure flour without scales, using just measuring cups is to aerate it first.

    Here is how you do it:

    • Sift the flour using strainer.  Sifted flour is lighter than unsifted flour.

    or

    • Aerate the flour by fluffing it up and whisking it well.  Then spoon it into the measuring cup and carefully remove any excess flour with a knife. If you just stick that measuring cup in the bag of whole wheat flour and scoop some out, you will get a lot more flour than what the recipe calls for. Do aerate the flour, or you will end up with dense and dry muffin batter!

    Baking notes about whole wheat flour

    As you see, I am using only 1 and ½ cups of whole wheat flour for a recipe that would usually demand 2 full cups of regular all-purpose flour. Because 100% whole wheat flour is so much drier than all-purpose flour, the proportion of flour to liquid ingredients should be significantly decreased when using whole wheat flour.

    When you mix in 1 and ½ cups of whole wheat flour into liquid ingredients in this recipe, you will notice how fast the flour absorbs the liquid.

    If you're still hesitant to use a whole wheat flour, you can use an alternative I provide in a recipe (using half all-purpose flour and half whole wheat flour) for starters and then, after you like that, you can go from there. After all, it's a banana bread muffin - it's supposed to be somewhat dense, but with the moistness coming from bananas and Greek yogurt and apples, you won't even feel the denseness!

    whole wheat banana muffins with apples and pecans
    5 from 2 votes

    Whole wheat banana bread muffins with apples and pecans

    Whole wheat banana bread muffins packed with chopped apples and topped with pecans.  These muffins are moist and not dense at all.  I provide tips for how to make whole wheat muffins with the moist and light texture.  
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep Time 25 minutes mins
    Cook Time 25 minutes mins
    Total Time 50 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 regular size muffins. Use one regular size muffin pan (12 muffins)
    Calories per serving 264 kcal
    Author: Julia

    Ingredients

    Whole Wheat Muffins:

    • 1 cup sugar
    • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter , very soft, room temperature
    • 1 egg
    • 2 bananas , ripe, mashed
    • ½ cup Greek yogurt
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 ½ cups white whole wheat flour , sifted (I am using Prairie Gold: Flour 100% Whole Wheat by Wheat Montana - see my very important note about aerating the flour!)
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 1 ½ cups apples , cored and chopped. Use sweeter and crisper apples, such as Fuji apples
    • ½ cup pecans , lightly toasted, chopped

    Topping (OPTIONAL):

    • ½ cup caramel sauce or dulce de leche
    • ⅓ cup pecans , chopped
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    Instructions 

    How to make whole wheat muffins

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
    • In a mixing bowl, using electric mixer, beat sugar and butter on high speed for 1.5 minutes. The consistency will be somewhat crumbly. Add egg and continue beating for several more minutes until the mixture becomes fluffy and lighter in color.
    • Add mashed bananas, Green yogurt, and vanilla extract and continue beating until all ingredients are well incorporated.
    • In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon.
    • Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not over-mix. Fold in chopped apples.
    • Grease muffin pan. Fill each muffin cup almost to the top (about ¾) - DO NOT FILL MUFFIN CUPS TO THE VERY TOP otherwise they overflow. In fact, with this recipe, I am usually able to fill regular 12 muffin pan plus 2 or 3 separate extra muffin cups. 
    • Bake for about 25 minutes at 350 degrees F in the preheated oven. Watch baking times closely: do not overbake and keep in mind that the "actual" individual oven temperatures might vary. When inserted toothpick comes out clean - the muffins are ready! It could be 20 minutes for your oven, or 30 minutes!

    How to make topping (OPTIONAL)

    • Warm the caramel sauce in a microwave for 5-10 seconds. Using small spoon, drizzle some caramel over the top of each muffin. Sprinkle with chopped and toasted pecans.

    Notes

    Important note about properly measuring whole wheat flour without scales, just using measuring cups:
    The proper way to measure whole wheat flour using measuring cups is to aerate it first. This is done either by sifting flour, or aerating it by fluffing it up and whisking it well, then spooning it into the measuring cup, then carefully removing any excess flour with a knife. If you just stick that measuring cup in the bag of flour and scoop some out, you will get a lot more flour than what the recipe calls for. Do aerate the flour, or you will end up with dry dough!
    If you don't want to use whole wheat flour, here are the substitutions:
    Use 1 cup all-purpose flour and ¾ cup whole wheat flour. Or if you wish to forgo whole wheat flour altogether, just use 2 cups all purpose white flour *(SIFTED! - see my note above!)*

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Information
    Whole wheat banana bread muffins with apples and pecans
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    264
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    10
    g
    15
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    3
    g
    19
    %
    Cholesterol
     
    26
    mg
    9
    %
    Sodium
     
    133
    mg
    6
    %
    Potassium
     
    190
    mg
    5
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    41
    g
    14
    %
    Fiber
     
    3
    g
    13
    %
    Sugar
     
    21
    g
    23
    %
    Protein
     
    4
    g
    8
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    195
    IU
    4
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    2.4
    mg
    3
    %
    Calcium
     
    50
    mg
    5
    %
    Iron
     
    0.7
    mg
    4
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Nutrition Disclaimer:

    The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    Keyword apple whole wheat muffins, whole wheat muffins, whole wheat recipes
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      Recipe Rating




    1. John@Kitchen Riffs

      January 08, 2014 at 3:37 pm

      I really like holidays, but it's so good getting back to one's routine. I'm also surprised, too, how much a creature of habit I am. I should make these great muffins one of my habits! They look excellent. Thanks.

      Reply
    2. ela@GrayApron

      January 08, 2014 at 8:21 am

      Happy looking muffins! I love the pecan touch. Thanks for the remainder about flour measuring. 🙂 ela

      Reply
    3. laurasmess

      January 08, 2014 at 1:22 am

      These are gorgeous Julia! Such beautful glistening caramel glaze, studded with pecans... argh. Heaven in a muffin! Thanks for all of the extra cooking tips too... haha, love your bold sentences for those who tend not to read carefully (aka ME, I am a terrible recipe follower!). I'm going to give these beauties a go very soon. Hope that the rest of January is a beautiful month for you xx

      Reply
    4. Ash-foodfashionparty

      January 07, 2014 at 11:34 pm

      I just love whole wheat muffins, so flavorful and hearty. THEY are beautiful.
      A Very Happy New Year!!

      Reply
    5. Farah @everylittlecrumb

      January 07, 2014 at 11:24 pm

      These look fantastic! I'm doing the whole eating healthy after the new year thing and this looks like a great addition to my healthier dessert roster. Will have to try these! As you've probably figured out by now I can never ever resist a caramel/pecan combination 🙂

      Reply
    6. Matt @ Runner Savvy

      January 07, 2014 at 7:47 pm

      Oh man these look good!

      Reply
    7. Rachel @ Bakerita

      January 07, 2014 at 1:34 pm

      These look amazing - I love banana bread, and it is so much more convenient in muffin form. And that topping, oh how yummy!

      Reply
      • Julia

        January 07, 2014 at 3:11 pm

        Thank you, Rachel, you're very sweet! 🙂

        Reply
    8. Angie@Angie's Recipes

      January 07, 2014 at 1:18 pm

      Caramel topping is definitely a must! These muffins look wholesome, Julia.

      Reply
    9. de

      January 07, 2014 at 10:37 am

      Banana Bread Muffins are so comforting on the cold foggy morning! I might have to forgo the healthy as the homemade dulce de leche is just irresistible!

      Reply
    10. Barbara

      January 07, 2014 at 10:32 am

      I've found that whole wheat pastry flour works better for quick breads like muffins, etc. and desserts such as cookies and cakes. Regular whole wheat flour is better for yeast breads.

      Reply
      • Julia

        January 07, 2014 at 3:15 pm

        Barbara, I am just discovering that there is such flour as whole wheat pastry flour - I've never used it before and have not seen it in stores I go to. But I did see recipes that use it and they say the same thing that it's better for muffins, quick breads, etc. Once I figure out where to buy it, I'd love to use it in this recipe.

        Reply
    11. Consuelo @ Honey & Figs

      January 07, 2014 at 9:14 am

      Oh gosh, these muffins look absolutely wholesome! I love the greek yogurt, banana and apple addition, I bet they make a super moist muffin!
      I'm feeling a bit off lately as well, and I think that these muffins would be perfect to go back on track ; ) x

      Reply
    12. Monique

      January 07, 2014 at 8:56 am

      I just made muffins too:) After Christmas Cookies..muffins seemd to be where to go:)These are beautiful..your clics superb.

      Reply
    13. Denise Browning@From Brazil To You

      January 07, 2014 at 8:46 am

      These look so terrific, Julia! I love the homemade dulce de leche dripping from these healthy muffins. Oh, happy day...

      Reply
    14. Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen

      January 07, 2014 at 6:51 am

      Right there with you, girl! I also feel like I need a post-holiday vacation. You are not alone. Gorgeous muffins...I love all that drippy goodness on top!

      Reply
      • Julia

        January 13, 2014 at 2:47 pm

        Thanks, Stacy! 🙂 Yes, Holidays can be so exhausting! I am feeling better now though, 2 weeks post-holidays. 🙂

        Reply
    15. Ashley

      January 07, 2014 at 6:20 am

      Oh man, I definitely feel like I need a vacation after the holidays! While they were fun, it was exhausting - especially with travel! These muffins look soooo good. And that topping! Amazing!

      Reply
      • Julia

        January 13, 2014 at 2:46 pm

        Yes, Ashley, I need a vacation! Without a vacation after the Holidays :), it's just taking me longer to get back to normal, but I am getting there! 🙂

        Reply
    Newer Comments »

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    Julia is the author of JuliasAlbum.com (a food blog focused on easy dinner recipes, pasta dishes, salads made with seasonal ingredients). In this photo, Julia is pictured wearing a yellow sweater against an Autumn background.

    Hi, I'm Julia!

    I am a full-time food blogger living in beautiful Colorado. I focus primarily on savory recipes (protein-based & fiber-rich main dishes, pasta, salads) using fresh & seasonal ingredients. A food blogger since 2012, I help home cooks create well-balanced and visually appealing dinners (many of which are 30-minute ONE-PAN meals). Find out more about me and my cooking philosophy. 

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