Best bran muffin recipe; and I really mean the best! Made with bran cereal, melted butter, Greek yogurt, and wheat germ. So good, yet so healthy!
It's time for another round of me gushing about how much I love someone on the internet. Aren't you glad we do this?
If you haven't heard of Heidi Swanson from 101 Cookbooks, I am here to tell you everything. Her food is so very important to me. I discovered her recipes when I moved to California, and have been cooking weekly from her books ever since.
Heidi taught me what refined, simple, local cooking really is. In fact, I hold Heidi on the same level as Alice Waters--without her, the food scene in our country wouldn't be the same. Heidi is a sort of idol to me. And not just because of this best bran muffin recipe.
Her food is 100% vegetarian; you should know this. The thing about most vegetarian recipes is that something is noticeably missing on the plate. But, not with Heidi's recipes; the meat is never missed. A vegetable or whole grain is the star of the dish, no apologies needed.
While her website is a gem, her books are old standbys in my kitchen. We cook out of them weekly. Her Otsu recipe from her book Super Natural Cooking is almost a weekly occurrence in our house. Her whole grain pancakes from Super Natural Everyday are always tripled and stacked in the freezer for quick weekday breakfasts. The Saag Paneer recipe in Near and Far was the first thing I made from the book, and have been making it ever since. She makes good-for-you food taste incredible.
Onto the best bran muffin recipe:
Today, I want to talk about her best bran muffin recipe. Her bran muffins have found a home in my Mom's Southern kitchen, which says a lot. Bran muffins can be boring, dense and dry. Heidi's are not; they have incredible soft texture and an addicting taste.
If you try them, I know they will find a permanent place in your recipe folder, and Heidi will soon become your go-to girl for healthy, inspiring recipes. In fact, when people ask me how I stay thin while baking and eating desserts all the time, I think the answer is that I cook Heidi's recipes. She is the yin to my yang; the coconut-kale salad to my mini chocolate eclair; the satisfying vegetarian grain salad to my mini chocolate cake for dessert. She's kinda my everything. Love that chick!
Heidi’s Bran Muffins
The best small batch of bran muffins that don't taste healthy at all!
Ingredients
- ½ cup bran flake cereal (aim for a low-sugar variety)
- 1 small container (5.3 ounces) plain Greek yogurt
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup whole wheat flour
- ¼ cup wheat germ
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons natural cane sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400, and line 6 cups of a muffin pan with paper liners.
- In a small bowl, combine the cereal, yogurt and melted butter. Stir together very well, and let the cereal soak while you prepare the muffins.
- Next, whisk together the flours, wheat germ, baking soda, baking powder, salt and sugar.
- To the cereal mixture, stir in the egg and honey. Finally, stir in the dry ingredients.
- Divide the batter between the muffin cups and bake for 18-22 minutes. Let the muffins cool in the pan for 1 minute, then move them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 216Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 53mgSodium: 304mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 2gSugar: 12gProtein: 7g
Diane says
Instead of using processed Bran Flake Cereal, why not just buy raw bran from your local health food store. It has to be healthier than anything processed!
Kelli D says
Love the idea of a small batch recipe for bran muffins? Have you ever posted a recipe for "morning glory" muffins? Thanks!
Tom @ Raise Your Garden says
Interesting. My wife makes morning glory oatmeal which is probably quite similar? Wife and I love 101cookbooks too, and find nothing missing for her awesome recipes.
Sara says
These look amazing! Bran muffins are one of my favorites. I'm going to have to check out Heidi's books too! Thank you for sharing about her!
Jolanda says
Hello,
I just have a question about the germ, uuuhhh what is it?
I'm in the UK
My daughter is a vegetarian and i want to try to give her good replacement for the missing meat. Also we like to skip meat for 2 days a week. so thank you for the "Heidi"tip
Christina Lane says
Oh, I'm so sorry, I don't know if they have it in the UK! Do you have any health food stores near you? Go in and ask for 'wheat germ.' I'm thinking a good substitution might be rolled oats that you grind in a food processor? I hope you can find it! Best of luck :)
Wendy (BlueSchmoo_NM)) says
Amazon UK sells it, if you can't find it locally
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2/279-4709699-5986824?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Wheat+germ
Feestzaal says
Looks so perfect and crunchy muffins !! It is so easily prepared, without consuming much time. Thanks Christina for sharing such delicious recipe :)
cookbook queen says
WOULD YOU BELIEVE THAT I'VE NEVER TRIED A BRAN MUFFIN?? REMEDYING THAT ASAP!!
Bethany via athletic avocado says
I've always been obsessed with bran muffins! These ones look like they belong in a bake shop!
Christine @ WRY TOAST says
I love Heidi!!!! her recipes are bomb, and the way you conveyed the "nothing's missing" aspect of her vegetarian cooking was perfect x
Trips says
What would be a replacement for butter in this recipe?
Christina Lane says
Grapeseed oil :)
Renee says
Hi Christina,
Thank you for sharing this.
We love Heidi. Her recipes are not restrictive, yet never boring. What I like is her 'wildcard' ingredient that gives her recipes a distinctive flavor.
Cheers!
Renee