This Morning Glory Muffins is the ultimate wholesome breakfast treat, made from scratch with freshly grated carrots, crisp apples, and toasted nuts. These moist bakery muffins are ready in under an hour and perfect for busy mornings or weekend brunches, offering a nutritious start to any day.

I discovered these muffins years ago during a fall trip through New England, where a small bakery served them warm with spiced tea. The aroma of cinnamon and toasted nuts filled the air, creating an instant comfort food memory I’ve cherished ever since. Now I make them for Sunday brunches alongside my favorite breakfast casserole or as a wholesome alternative to banana bread for afternoon tea.

What Makes These Morning Glory Muffins Special

Made From Scratch Flavor: Fresh grated carrots and apples create unmatched texture and taste.
Wholesome Ingredients: Packed with fruits, vegetables, and nuts for a nutritious start.
Meal Prep Ready: Perfect for making ahead and freezing for busy mornings.
Family Favorite: Sweet enough for kids yet wholesome enough for adults.

What You’ll Need for Perfect Morning Glory Muffins

Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.

All-purpose flour: Provides the perfect structure for these moist bakery muffins.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens naturally without overpowering the fruit flavors.

Baking soda

Ground cinnamon: Adds warm spice notes that complement the carrot and apple.
Eggs at room temperature: Help bind the ingredients and create tender crumb.
Vegetable oil: Keeps these easy carrot muffins incredibly moist and tender.
Vanilla extract: Enhances all the warm spice and fruit flavors.
Finely grated carrots: Use fresh for best texture and natural sweetness.
Finely grated apple: Adds moisture and subtle tartness to balance sweetness.
Shredded unsweetened coconut: Provides tropical notes and chewy texture.
Raisins: Plump, sweet bursts in every bite of these carrot raisin muffins.
Chopped pecans or walnuts: Toasted nuts add crunch and rich flavor.

Morning Glory Muffins

Start your day with our delicious Morning Glory Muffins packed with grated carrots, apples, coconut, and nuts. The perfect wholesome breakfast treat!

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Prep Time 20

Cook Time 25

Total Time 1

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Servings 12 muffins

Calories 280 kcal

Equipment

mixing bowl
whisk
measuring cups
measuring spoons
spatula
oven
muffin pan
grater
knife
cutting board

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp ground cinnamon
0.5 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

2 large eggs at room temperature
0.5 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla extract

Mix-ins

2 cups finely grated carrots from about 2 medium carrots
1 cup peeled and finely grated apple from about 1 medium apple
0.5 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
0.5 cup raisins
0.5 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a standard 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners or lightly grease each cup with cooking spray. Set the prepared pan aside.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt until they are thoroughly combined and no lumps remain. Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients.
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the large eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and evenly incorporated.
Pour the wet ingredients into the well of the dry ingredients. Stir with a large spoon or rubber spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few streaks of flour are acceptable, as overmixing will result in tough muffins.
Divide the batter evenly among the 12 prepared muffin cups, filling each cup approximately two-thirds full.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the muffins are golden brown and a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
Let the muffins cool in the muffin pan for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Keyword breakfast, morning glory, muffins

Creative Morning Glory Muffin Variations

Gluten-Free Version: Substitute the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free blend.
Add More Fruit: Include crushed pineapple for tropical carrot pineapple muffins.
Change the Nuts: Try almonds or macadamia nuts for different flavor profiles.

Pro Tips for Perfect Morning Glory Muffins

Grating Technique: Use the fine side of your grater for carrots and apples to ensure even distribution and optimal moisture.
Batter Consistency: Mix until just combined, as overmixing develops gluten and creates tough muffins.
Oven Temperature: Preheat thoroughly to 375°F for proper rise and golden brown tops.
Doneness Test: Insert a toothpick into the center, it should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter.

Storing Your Homemade Morning Glory Muffins

Store: Keep in airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Freeze: Wrap individually in plastic wrap and freeze in freezer bags for up to 3 months.
Reheat: Warm in 300°F oven for 10 minutes or microwave for 15-20 seconds until heated through.
Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare dry and wet ingredients separately night before, then combine and bake in morning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Morning Glory Muffins without nuts?

Yes, you can easily omit the nuts if you have allergies or prefer nut-free muffins. The muffins will still be delicious with the carrots, apples, coconut, and raisins providing plenty of texture and flavor. You might add sunflower seeds for crunch if desired.

How do I keep Morning Glory Muffins moist?

The combination of oil, grated carrots, and apples naturally keeps these muffins moist. Be careful not to overbake them, and store properly in an airtight container. If they dry out, a quick microwave warm with a pat of butter revives them perfectly.

Can I use whole wheat flour in Morning Glory Muffins?

Absolutely, you can substitute up to half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added nutrition. The texture will be slightly denser but still delicious. I often make them this way for an extra wholesome breakfast option.

Are Morning Glory Muffins healthy?

These muffins are healthier than many bakery options because they contain vegetables, fruit, and nuts. While they do contain sugar, the fiber from carrots and apples helps balance it. For a lighter version, you can reduce the sugar slightly without affecting texture.

More Breakfast Treats to Try Next

Why These Morning Glory Muffins Delight Every Time

With their perfect balance of sweet fruit, warm spices, and wholesome ingredients, these morning glory muffins become an instant family favorite. They’re versatile enough for breakfast on the go or a leisurely weekend brunch, and the make-ahead convenience means wholesome eating is always within reach. I hope they bring as much joy to your kitchen as they have to mine.

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