These are not your typical healthy Bran Muffins. Thanks to the recipe’s use of natural bran and dates, these bran muffins are moist, and naturally sweet making them a tasty start to your day! As a bonus, they are a good source of fiber. You’ll wonder how anything so healthy tastes so good!
Today, I would like to share with you this quick and easy bran muffin recipe.
Without a doubt, my favorite meal of the day is breakfast, so I’m sure you can just imagine how many recipes for healthy breakfast muffins I’ve accumulated over the years!
Wait!!! I know I said the “B” word, but don’t click away just yet.
Bran muffins can be so much more than you think!!
What exactly is bran?
Bran is the outermost hard layer of whole grains (like oats, wheat or rice) that is removed as part of the milling process. Bran has a reputation for being a healthy food that tastes less-than-awesome, but these date bran muffins will help you change that preconceived notion!
Why is bran good for you?
- It can help lower the risk associated with heart disease and diabetes;
- It can help in maintaining your weight;
- It is a great source of fiber.
And since we’re on the topic of fiber, I’m sure you’ve heard of another benefit of including bran in your diet… you know… regularity.
Do you know of an easy way to increase your fiber intake?
It can be tough! But here is some good news: dates are a good source of fiber as well as bran. So, yeah, you guessed it! These healthy muffins can help you get that daily intake of fiber up! Plus, as I’ve said, they taste amazing too!
Let me now finally prove it to you and show you how easily they come together.
Instructions
Before we can add the dates to the bran part of the muffin, the dates need to be simmered for about 10 minutes in water and lemon juice, until they become thickened and paste-like. We also need to add a few tablespoons of brown sugar and lemon zest to the pot. When the time is up, there should be no water “seeping” out of the thickened date mixture.
While waiting for the date mixture to cool down, we can prepare the rest of the ingredients.
In a large bowl, whisk all of the dry ingredients together -natural bran, flour, baking soda, salt, and brown sugar.
In another bowl, combine the wet ingredients -one egg, one tablespoon of canola oil and buttermilk.
By now, the date mixture should have had enough time to cool down. We are now ready to put this healthy bran muffin recipe together.
Simply add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture and stir together until just moistened; then add the cooled down date mixture.
Remember, when making muffins, there is no need to over stir! There is also no need for your stand mixture. A couple of bowls and a wooden spoon are all you need.
Once the mixture is combined, portion into the muffin pan and top with a slivered slice of date. Bake for about 20 – 25 minutes or until the top bounces back when lightly pressed.
Your bran and date muffins are now ready to be enjoyed!
Healthy muffins we love
- Raspberry Muffins
- Zucchini Muffins
- Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins with Oatmeal
- Pumpkin Muffins
- Greek Yogurt Muffins
Recipe origins
Well, you probably know by now how much I love my Robin Hood collection of recipes. I’ve already shared this recipe for blueberry oat muffins and this recipe for banana muffins. Robin Hood is where this date bran muffin recipe comes from as well. I have been making it for years, and they’ve always been a great breakfast on the go, or a sweet little healthy “dessert” for my kids when they were growing up.
As far as modifications are concerned, I’ve decreased the amount of sugar from the original bran muffin recipe. I assure you it’s barely noticeable as dates are naturally sweet.
By the way, I love dates and I love date muffins, so of course, I have more than one recipe for date muffins in my collection. 🙂 If you’re interested, you must try this whole-grain orange date muffin recipe!
These date bran muffins are surprisingly moist and tender -no “sawdust” texture – only great tasting and good for you bran muffins!
Do you have a favorite bran muffin recipe?
I’d love to hear about it!
THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.
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Ciao for now,
Maria
★★★★★ If you have made this Date Bran Muffins recipe, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!
Recipe
Surprisingly Amazing Date Bran Muffins
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Ingredients
Date Mixture:
- 1 cup chopped dates approx 8 dates
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup brown sugar lightly packed
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
Bran Mixture:
- 1 ½ cup natural wheat bran
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup brown sugar lightly packed
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk or sour milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375℉ (190C). Position rack to middle.
- Paper line 12 muffin cups.
- Combine the dates, water, brown sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan.
- Simmer for approximately 10 minutes or until thickened. Stir occasionally.
- Set date mixture aside to cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine bran, flour, baking soda,salt and brown sugar. Whisk together. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together beaten egg, oil and buttermilk.
- Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients. Stir with wooden spoon until just moistened.
- Gently fold in the date mixture.
- Fill muffin liners ¾ full.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until top bounces back when lightly touched.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published on March 14, 2015 and republished on February 10, 2018 with updated content and photos.
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Joanne Wirtz
What bran cereal are you using?
Maria
Thanks for your interest Joanne. The natural wheat bran I am using is from Rogers. you can see it here. I find it in the cereal aisle of my grocery store. Enjoy.
Patricia
These muffins are wonderful. My variations were – added one tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1-2 tsp vanilla. I had the Sunsweet pitted dates. It took 16 to make one cup. No lemon zest, I didn’t see where to add it. My family really enjoyed them.
Maria
Thanks so much for sharing your variation Patricia!
April Pulak
Healthy and flavorful. Simple non branded ingredients. This one is a keeper.
Maria
Thanks so much for sharing April!
Donjamin
I made this recipe for the first time but didn’t have any lemons or lemon juice so I substituted an orange. I used the juice from an orange and orange peel. I like the taste, texture and look of the finished muffin. My only change (why I am giving it 4 stars) is that I found the muffins too salty with 1 tsp of salt called for in the recipe. Next time I make these I’m going to try 1/2 tsp of salt. I also like the idea of adding molasses to the recipe.