As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
These delicious date muffins are naturally sweetened with dates, made with high fibre whole wheat flour, and are absolutely perfect for busy mornings! Your little ones will never know they’re healthy and will love enjoying a warm muffin with their scrambled eggs or as a snack or lunchtime treat!
Date muffin recipe – No Sugar added!
These date muffins are one of my favorite go-to recipes! They’re a perfect breakfast item, or you can add them to your kid’s lunch box for a sweet treat made with filling whole grains.
Thanks to the dates and the applesauce, they have a rich, sweet flavor. You won’t even miss the sugar!
These no sugar added muffins are sure to become part of your meal prep routine, so make a double batch and save some for later. It will make your life so much easier!
Mini Date Muffins
Like it? Save this recipe for later!
Why We Love These Date Sweetened Muffins
- Easy: These moist date muffins are so easy to make! You basically blend the wet ingredients in your blender, then mix them into the dry ingredients, fill your muffin cups, and bake. So simple!
- Naturally sweetened: If you’re looking to avoid a bunch of added sugar, these mini muffins will be your new best friend. Dates are pureed right into the muffin batter to add natural sweetness for a nutritious and delicious little treat.
- Make ahead: This date muffins recipe is absolutely perfect for batch cooking! I love to make a double batch, then freeze the extras for later. Your breakfast routine will never be easier!
Ingredient Notes
- Medjool dates: Naturally low on the glycemic index, dates are an ideal sweetener in these healthy date muffins. Be sure to soak them in hot water first to make them tender.
- Milk: Choose your favorite milk, including alternatives like almond milk, to thin out the batter.
- Nut butter: Add a little fat and protein with almond butter or peanut butter in this easy recipe.
- Unsweetened applesauce: Just like ripe bananas, applesauce adds fibre, moisture, and sweetness to this easy muffin recipe.
- Egg: Eggs help bind the muffin batter together and give it a nice, light texture.
- Vanilla extract: A splash of extract adds depth of flavor and a delicious aroma.
- White whole wheat flour: This whole grain flour has additional fibre and nutrients, making this muffin recipe a great way to keep your little one full for a while!
- Baking powder & baking soda: These simple ingredients help these healthy date muffins rise and become light and fluffy.
- Cinnamon: For a little extra flavor, add some cinnamon to the flour mixture.
How to Make Whole Wheat Date Muffins – Step-by-Step
- Soak the dates in the boiling water for at least 5-10 minutes to soften.
- Preheat the oven 350 F. Spray a mini muffin pan with cooking spray.
- Place the soaked dates, milk, nut butter, applesauce, egg, and vanilla into a high power blender. Blend until smooth.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt (if using). Mix until combined.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Evenly distribute muffin mixture among 22 mini muffin cups, filling each until close to the top.
- Bake for 15-17 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow to cool before removing from muffin tin. Run a sharp knife around each muffin to help release the muffins from the pan.
Keep scrolling to the recipe card below for the full printable recipe!
TIPS FOR THE BEST MINI MUFFINS
- Soak the dates in boiling water for at least 5-10 minutes to soften. It will allow them to blend much more smoothly into the muffin mixture!
- If making these mini muffin bites for babies or toddlers, I recommend using whole milk to keep the fat, calories and protein slightly higher to support their growth and development, but for adults and older children, feel free to sub in your preferred milk or milk alternative.
- Use a high power blender to ensure that all of the wet ingredients can be broken down to form a smooth batter.
- These muffins are naturally sweetened with dates and contain no added sugar. They aren’t overly sweet, so if you prefer a sweeter muffin, you may wish to add a bit of desired sweetener such as maple syrup, honey, or coconut sugar.
Recipe FAQs
If you use plant-based milk in this date muffin recipe, they’ll be completely dairy free. They aren’t quite vegan due to the egg, but the rest of the ingredients are completely plant-based.
If you enjoy the sweet caramel flavor of dates, you’ll love trying them with orange or walnut. You can replace the vanilla extract with orange extract too!
Although it’s a bit counter-intuitive, the best way to store leftover date muffins is in an airtight container at room temperature. In the fridge, the muffins will take on a dryer, firmer texture and lose some of their softness. You can also freeze leftover muffins and allow them to thaw in the fridge or at room temperature before eating.
Storage Guidelines
- Store leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for approximately 2-3 days. You can also freeze excess muffins in a freezer-safe bag and store them for 1-3 months.
- Allow them to thaw in the fridge or at room temperature. If you’re adding them to a lunch box, add a frozen muffin directly to the lunch box, and it should be thawed by lunchtime!
Optional Add-Ins
Make these healthy date muffins your own by adding any of the following simple ingredients for extra flavor and texture.
- Finely grated carrot or zucchini
- Mini chocolate chips
- Raisins
- Additional chopped dates
- Finely chopped nuts (i.e. walnuts or pecans)
- Orange zest
Serving Suggestions
These healthy date muffins are a great treat to enjoy with breakfast or packed in your kid’s lunch box. They are a good source of fibre and are naturally low in sugar.
They can also be enjoyed as a snack along with a smoothie (try this Strawberry Banana Smoothie Without Yogurt) or serve them with some protein, like scrambled eggs or an egg casserole, to make a complete meal.
Recipe Variations
- For chocolate date muffins: Add 1/4 cup of mini chocolate chips for a little crunch and sweetness.
- Date nut muffins: Add some finely chopped nuts to the batter or sprinkle some on top of each muffin.
- Orange date muffins: Add the zest of 1-2 oranges in your muffin batter for a citrus twist and replace some of the milk with freshly squeezed orange juice!
More Healthy Snacks
- ABC Muffins
- Mini Chocolate Chip Muffins
- No Sugar Added Banana Bread
- Mini Chocolate Cupcakes
- Mini Cornbread Muffins
- 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls
- How to Make a Smoothie without Yogurt or Banana
Did you make this recipe? Scroll down to leave a star rating and review!
Healthy Date Muffins {No Sugar Added}
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup pitted Medjool dates packed (I used about 10 dates)
- 3/4 cup milk or milk alternative
- 1/4 cup almond butter or peanut butter
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup white whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Soak the dates in the boiling water for at least 5-10 minutes to soften.
- Preheat the oven 350 F. Spray a mini muffin pan the with cooking spray.
- Place the soaked dates, milk, nut butter, applesauce, egg and vanilla into a high power blender. Blend until smooth.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt (if using). Mix until combined.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Evenly distribute muffin mixture among 22 mini muffin cups, filling each until close to the top.
- Bake for 15-17 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool before removing from muffin tin. Run a sharp knife around each muffin to help release the muffins from the pan.
Notes
- Soak the dates in boiling water for at least 5-10 minutes to soften. It will allow them to blend much more smoothly into the muffin mixture!
- If making these mini muffin bites for babies or toddlers, I recommend using whole milk to keep the fat, calories and protein slightly higher to support their growth and development, but for adults and older children, feel free to sub in your preferred milk or milk alternative.
- Use a high power blender to ensure that all of the wet ingredients can be broken down to form a smooth batter.
- These muffins are naturally sweetened with dates and contain no added sugar. They aren’t overly sweet, so if you prefer a sweeter muffin, you may wish to add a bit of desired sweetener such as maple syrup, honey, or coconut sugar.
