Let’s Make Low FODMAP Apple Muffins
Apples? Yes, apples! The August 2018 Monash University Low FODMAP Diet Smartphone App update has told us that we can enjoy Granny Smith apples and Pink Lady apples in amounts of 20 grams.
Check out our article Are Apples Low FODMAP to see what this amount looks like, which will be very helpful for you as you integrate apples into your diet.
Low FODMAP Apple Muffins for Everyone
When we discovered that we could have small amounts of apples, the first recipe we thought of was low FODMAP apple muffins – for so many reasons!
- They are easy to make
- We like them for breakfast and/or snacks
- Muffins are portable
- They freeze well
- They are sweet – but not too sweet
- And they are a great way to showcase a small amount of apples, keeping the serving size low FODMAP and appropriate for even the Elimination phase.
Pink Lady & Granny Smith – Peeled or Unpeeled
As of now, the two apples that Monash University has tested are Pink Lady and Granny Smith.They have tested as low FODMAP in 20 grams amounts, both peeled and unpeeled.
You can use either for this recipe, but I am partial to the Pink Lady.
The recipe is easy to make. It is simply a matter of whisking together a dry mixture and then a wet mixture separately, and then combining them.
To Top or Not to Top
There is an optional sugary, crumbly streusel topping. I have shown you both muffins in the images. It’s great to have choices while following the diet!
Keep it Even
My favorite trick for making bakery-worthy muffins is to use a food-disher, which you might know as an ice c ream scoop.
Using a ¼ cup (60 ml) size scoop will help you divide the batter very equally, ensuring that all the muffins come out the same size.
Not only will they look more professional, but they will also bake more evenly and the yield will be consistent.
This recipe was inspired by a whole-wheat version by Pinch of Yum.
For more muffin lusciousness check out our Glorious Morning Muffins, Low FODMAP Corn Bread Muffins, Apple Gouda Muffins and our Everybody’s Favorite Muffin, which are Certified Low FODMAP by Monash University for starters.
FODMAP IT!™ Low FODMAP Apple Muffins
These Low FODMAP Apple Muffins are super simple to make and feature a low FODMAP amount of apples, per Monash University's research. Try to eat just one!
Low FODMAP Serving Size Info: Makes 12 muffins; serving size 1 muffin
Ingredients:
Topping - Optional:
- 3 tablespoons firmly packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons low FODMAP gluten-free all-purpose flour, such as Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten Free Baking Flour
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Muffins:
- 1 cup (240 ml) lactose-free whole milk
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/3 cup (75 ml) neutral flavored vegetable oil, such as rice bran or canola
- 1/2 cup (107 g) firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups (326 g) low FODMAP gluten-free all-purpose flour, such as Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten Free Baking Flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder; use gluten-free if following a gluten-free diet
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 Pink Lady or Granny Smith apple cored and diced
Preparation:
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Position rack in middle of oven. Preheat oven to 350°F/180°C. Coat the insides and to of 12 muffin wells with nonstick spray; set aside.
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For the Topping: If making, simply stir together all of the Topping ingredients in a small bowl until well combined; set aside. It will look like a dark, cinnamony paste.
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For the Muffins: Combine the milk and lemon juice in a medium bowl and allow to sit and thicken for 5 minutes (you are making a soured milk, like buttermilk). Whisk in the oil, brown sugar, egg and vanilla until smooth and well mixed.
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In a separate medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder and soda, salt and spices until aerated and combined. Make a well in the center and pour in the wet mixture and stir until a few floury streaks remain, then fold in chopped apple.
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Divide mixture into prepared pan(s). Scatter topping on top of muffins, if using. Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick shows a few crumbs clinging (but just a few). Cool on rack for at least 5 minutes, then unmold directly onto rack. Muffins can be served warm or at room temp. Store in airtight container for up to 3 days. After cooling they may also be placed in heavy zip-top bags and frozen for up to a month. They defrost very quickly.
Notes:
If You Can Tolerate
- Fructans: If you have passed the fructan wheat challenge, you can use regular all-purpose wheat flour. Use weight amounts for best results with this substitution.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more. For a more detailed explanation, please read our article Understanding The Nutrition Panel Within Our Recipes.
I have been trying to incorporate some higher fodmap foods in smaller amounts. These muffins were outstanding. The streusel topping takes like Drakes Coffee Cake. Delicious and will do them again in the fall when they are more seasonal.
Sounds like you are in the same season-zone as us! Note that these apple muffins, in the serving size suggested, are safe and appropriate for Elimination, yet not appropriate for Challenges. We are glad you loved them!
I love these muffins but how can I keep them from falling apart when I cut them in two?
Hi Ila, as you can see in our images we have not had this issue. Here are the things I would think about: Are you using the exact ingredients called for, like the flour? Are you measuring correctly? Is your leavener fresh? Is your oven calibrated? What kind of muffin tins are you suing? Are you using paper liners?
I was using the regular metal muffin tins with paper liners. Loved the recipe and will try it next time with no liners I guess.
Liners are often fine, but they can retard the baking a tad and therefore depending on oven heat, rack placement and conductivity of your pan, baking times can vary.
I absolutely LOVE these. Best muffin I’ve ever made, gluten free or otherwise.
OH! Thank you for writing – we love hearing this. Folks, try these muffins!
I made these muffins and they stuck to the tins and we’re very crumbly, and didn’t rise, I used oat milk as well. Could this be the reason?
Sticking to the pan is most likely either a case of not prepping the pans well enough and or the materials of the pans. There are many different qualities of pans out there and if you have thin flimsy pans they tend to not work as well. As far as crumbly, yes, the oat milk absolutely could do that. Our recipes are developed to work as tested and presented and whenever you make a change like that, which believe it or not is a fairly dramatic change, not only can the taste and texture change and usually suffer, but you also have to re-calculate FODMAP load
I used oat milk in the recipe, not oatmeal. Muffins did not rise and were crumbly.
It was meant to say oat milk. YES that can make a difference absolutely. I will edit my mistake from before. I can tell you that after developing and testing recipes for over 30 years, 99.9% of the issues stem from making substitutions – to ingredients, technique or equipment.
These are delicious. Just made for the third time and wanted to say thanks! Also, I top them with cinnamon sugar before baking instead of the streusel and that is a yummy, tummy safe alternative.
Thank you for taking the time to write – you have inspired me to make them again. It has been too long! Easy and everyone loves them.