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 an added bonus, they are a good source of fiber. You’ll wonder how anything so healthy tastes so good!
This recipe was originally published on March 14, 2015 and republished on February 10, 2018 with updated content and photos.
Today, I would like to share with you this amazing bran muffin recipe.
Without a doubt, my favorite meal of the day is breakfast, so I’m sure you can just imagine all the different kinds of bran muffin recipes 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 Date Bran 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 these bran muffins come together.
How to make Date Bran Muffins:
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 one 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 dry ingredients 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 really need.
Once the mixture is combined, portion into the muffin tin 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!
Origins of the Recipe For Date Bran Muffins:
Well, you probably know by now how much I love my Robin Hood collection of recipes. I’ve already shared this recipe for Healthy Blueberry Oat Muffins and this recipe for Moist and Easy 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.
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!
Surprisingly Amazing Date Bran Muffins
These are not your typical healthy bran muffins. Thanks to the recipe's use of natural bran and dates, these bran muffins are moist, naturally sweet, and a good source of fiber. Truly a healthy and tasty start to the day!
Ingredients
Date Mixture:
- 1 cup chopped dates approx 8 dates
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup brown sugar lightly packed
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
Bran Mixture:
- 1 1/2 cup natural wheat bran
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 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 3/4 full.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until top bounces back when lightly touched.
Recipe Notes
Medjool dates are used for this recipe.
Whenever making these muffins, I use non-stick spray to coat the insides of the liners.
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is just a rough estimate and variations can occur depending on the specific ingredients used.
*recipe adapted lightly from Robin Hood
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Your Pal Val says
LOVE!
Maria says
Hia Val,
I thought you would! Thanks for the comment. 🙂
Shareba says
I actually really enjoy bran muffins, if they have enough sweetness. I think the dates in this recipe are perfect! Not too sweet, and they add flavour too.
Maria says
Agreed Shareba! Hope you get a chance to try them. Thanks for dropping by 🙂
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices says
The ‘B’ word is my favorite! I just cannot function without a good breakfast, that often includes muffins (since I do not eat savory at breakfast, as 99.9 % of the population in Italy 😉 ). I am loving your date bran muffins and I have almost all the ingredient (just the buttermilk, which I hardly have but I always have plain Greek yogurt and I’ll mix that with 2% milk). Thank you for another great recipe! P.s. I was sooo happy to finally meet you!!
Maria says
Nicoletta, you are going to love this bran muffin! I absolutely agree! It was wonderful to finally meet both of you ♥♥♥
Diane Galambos says
I am just crazy for dates. I have a nice date orange muffin recipe, but date bran – well that just sounds so (ahem) healthy. This would be a nice change for breakfast. Hugs to you!! Diane @kitchenblissca
Maria says
Dates and orange sounds wonderful… but then again, anything with dates is a winner in my books! Thanks for dropping by Diane ♥♥♥
Marisa says
I’m not much of a bran gal but add a few dates and I’m in! Yum!
Maria says
Lol… dates get me too… every. single. time. Thanks for dropping by Marisa ♥
Terri@foodmeanderings says
I hated bran muffins for years until I tried a great one! Now I eat one daily. They are soo good for you.. and I love the idea of dates as well (also so good for you). These look so delicious 🙂 Off to eat my bran muffin…
Maria says
I was the same way… thank goodness our attitude towards food changes otherwise we would be missing out on some pretty awesome stuff. Appreciate your comment Terri, thanks for dropping by 🙂
Pammy says
Can you use oat bran or is it just Wheat Bran. Sounds yummy though.
Maria says
Thanks Pammy, it is one of my favorite bran muffin recipes! You can definitively replace the wheat with oat bran. I included wheat bran in the recipe as the fiber content is a little bit higher. Great question, thanks for asking! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Paula Barbarito Levitt says
Nutty bran and sweet dates, what could be better? Anything with dates has my approval – plain, stuffed, cake, even date syrup. Another wonderful addition to your blog Maria.
Maria says
Thanks Paula! These date bran muffins truly are irresistible!!! Thanks so much for stopping by ♥♥♥
2pots2cook says
Oh dear, Heaven it is ! Thank you so much !
Maria says
My pleasure! These bran muffins are truly delicious… and healthy 🙂 Thanks for stopping by ♥
Alida @My Little Italian Kitchen says
Your muffins look really good and I love the addition of bran.. so good for you. I am a date addict as I eat them almost every day. A good recipe to try.
Maria says
Thanks Alida. I also love dates!!! Always looking for different ways to use them. Today it was in these bran muffins. Thanks so much for stopping by ♥♥♥
Ciao Chow Linda says
I love bran muffins. I used to make the ones that called for a box of raisin bran cereal when my kids were little, but haven’t made them in years. The date addition sounds delicious. I’ll have to try these.
Maria says
lol… I remember that recipe!!! Yes, I will have almost anything if it has dates in it 🙂 Appreciate your comment, thanks so much for stopping by Linda ♥
Myrna says
I have eaten my share of bran muffins over the years, however, none as good as your recipe. I made them in my muffin top pan and was delighted with the results. Bravo!
Maria says
Thanks Myrna 🙂 Happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, appreciate it ♥♥♥
Marcellina says
Yes, me too! I love breakfast! And I love dates. This is definitely my kind of muffin. Looking forward to making them.
Maria says
Marcellina, I am sure you are going to love these bran muffins! Appreciate your comment, thanks so much for stopping by 🙂
Elaine says
Often those old “tried and true” recipes are the best! Love anything with Medjool dates, too!
Maria says
Yes, this classic recipe for these bran muffins is a definite keeper! Appreciate you taking the time to comment, thanks Elaine 🙂
Poppy says
Do you think I could use another type of flour instead of wheat (oat, spelt)? Thanks !
Maria says
Although I have never tried, I think you would get good results. I would replace the flour with spelt. If you do decide to try it, I would love to hear about your results so that I can update the recipe card for our readers. Great question Poppy! Thanks so much for stopping by ♥
Poppy Rose says
Yes!! Used oat flour and they were amazing
Maria says
Fantastic! I am sure a lot of readers will appreciate this comment as much as I do ♥ Thanks so much for sharing, truly appreciate it 🙂
Mabel Pope says
I love using dates in bran muffins as well. Makes them sweet without too much sugar. I also find that when I’m making muffins without too much oil, the use of parchment baking cups eliminates the need to spray them. They work amazingly well.
Maria says
Dates really are a wonderful food! Thanks for sharing your tips with us Mabel ♥ Appreciate your comment. Have a wonderful day 🙂
Maria says
Thanks for the recipe! I’m using these as a source of fiber and to keep me full during fasting for Ramadan (dates are a plenty when it’s utilized by everyone during that month).
I always buy the large tubs but end up with way too many between just me and my husband, and now I know what to do with all the extras! So thank you for this idea!
I made them last week and they were really good! They were just a tad salty. I wonder if it’s because I used all purpose flour instead of whole wheat flour? But, I will be making these again with wheat flour and half the salt.
Best,
Maria
Maria says
So happy to hear you enjoyed these muffins! I also buy the large tubs… my problem is that I can’t stop eating them when I start… lol! Thanks so much for sharing your experience with this recipe, appreciate it ♥
Jacqueline says
I doubled the recipe and added one diced and peeled granny smith at the last stage when adding date mixture. Yum! As I was making these I wasn’t quite confident it was going to turn out, I did really only guess the flour measurements because my cups weren’t clean and dry at the time and I may have had an excessive bran ratio, the mixture was very dry before adding the date mixture and I wasn’t sure if my date mixture was “thick”. I ate one about an hour after baking and it was okay but a large portion stuck to the paper patty making it an all-round unimpressive eat, but when eating it the next morning the flavour and texture had improved substantially and they are certainly a hit with me and my mom. Maybe I was a little to keen to eat them at first haha.
Maria says
I am thrilled to hear that this bran muffin recipe eventually did work out for you. I love the addition of the apple! From the sounds of it, there may have been a little too much bran initially. My guess is that the overnight rest allowed the muffin to become moist. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your experience with this muffin recipe Jacqueline… really appreciate it ♥
Wendy says
I made these muffins yesterday and they were absolutely DELICIOUS!!! I knew they were going to be yummy but they truly were even better than expected –
I doubled the recipe and used larger muffin tins. Baked for 20 minutes and perfection! My husband and I couldn’t resist eating the first hot ones as they came out of the oven (with a bit of Kerry Gold butter melting in it) – oh my goodness!
Thank you for this wonderful recipe! It will become a family classic now.
Maria says
How wonderful Wendy! The texture is just amazing, isn’t it? Thrilled to hear you guys enjoyed these bran muffins 🙂 Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, truly appreciate it ♥