Healthy Orange Muffins (made in blender!)

I'm obsessed with these muffins because you throw two oranges into a blender, add 8 more simple whole-food ingredients, and bake them into healthy orange muffins that are sweetened with honey (no sugar needed)!

This is one of the first healthy recipes I majorly altered and fully developed to become my own, it was when I was in high school. Among other changes, I replaced the white sugar with honey, similar to these banana muffins that are sweetened with maple syrup.

I cannot tell you now where the original recipe came from that inspired my bright orange muffin recipe, but I am thankful I came across it 15+ years ago. Making these years ago started my love for creating healthy muffin recipes that are delicious and good for you!

Ingredients with nutrition insight and swaps

I did a two-year nutrition program that gave me so much insight into how food interacts with our bodies. I like to share some of this knowledge in my recipe posts as I'm passionate about giving my family food that makes them thrive, and I bet you do too.

Included below are ingredient alternatives you can use if you run out of something (because if you hate one-ingredient store runs like me, I want you to still be able to make these healthy orange muffins!).

• Oranges are high in calcium, supporting bone and teeth health. They are also high in vitamin C, folate, fiber, potassium, and many other key nutrients. Also, since the zest is used for this recipe - organic oranges are best as you want to use fruit that hasn't been dyed, waxed, or sprayed with fungicide. If you don't have access to organic oranges and don't feel comfortable using the zest, it can be omitted from the recipe.
• Honey is used to sweeten these muffins; no sugar is needed. I like to use honey as it is a common ingredient we have in our homes that has more nutritional value (it contains some minerals and vitamins) than white sugar. Alternatively, you could use maple syrup; I found that a liquid sweetener is needed for this recipe so the batter doesn't come out too thick!
• Eggs help these muffins rise and stay together well. Having eggs in these muffins increases the protein, too.
• The coconut oil will have to be melted for these muffins. Oil makes these muffins light and fluffy. Alternatively, you can use olive oil, grapeseed oil, or melted butter.
• I like to use whole-wheat flour in these muffins as it is less processed than white flour and contains more nutrients like fiber, protein, B and E vitamins, iron, folate, and more.
• Both Baking soda and baking powder are needed for this recipe.
• I use sea salt in this recipe (and many other recipes) as it contains more minerals that benefit the body than ordinary table salt. The two salt brands I buy and use regularly are Redmond and Celtic Sea Salt. Tip: Check your table salt - does it contain sugar? Or other additives that you didn't realize?
• Raisins or craisins (dried cranberries) are an optional addition! I especially like adding craisins for the flavor combination with the orange, and it's a pretty burst of color too!

My step-by-step photos

These photos are from my kitchen and are intended to give a visual of how to make orange muffins in a blender. The detailed instructions and measurements are shared below in the recipe card.

Watch how to make these quick orange muffins:

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A post shared by danika vanderpyl // healthy snack recipes (@besidethemountain)

More healthy muffins

If you love citrus flavor like me, I recommend these date muffins that taste like healthy sticky toffee pudding, and high-protein orange muffins with hemp hearts (one of my favourite ingredients to use when making recipes for my family!)