Muffins need not only be enjoyed as a treat. Here are five muffin recipes packed with healthy ingredients and each with less than 250 calories per serving.

Oat-bran muffins with Apple and Cinnamon

Mix together a a cup of oat bran, 1 c. of whole wheat flour and c cup of flaxseed, with 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 te teaspoons of baking powder and 1 teaspoon each of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Take another bowl and mix 1 egg and 4 tablespoons of canola or other vegetable oil with 1/3 of a cup of apple sauce (or the baby apple puree).

When smooth, put all of the ingredients into one bowl, stir together and add in of of a cup of pecan nuts.

Bake in muffin trays for 20-25 minutes at 180C / 350F

Mango and Pineapple Muffins

Mix together 1 c c. of whole wheat flour, 1 te teaspoons of baking soda, a a teaspoon of baking powder and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon.

Combine a a cup of drained, crushed pineapple, 1 cup of chopped mango and 1/3 of a cup of yogurt in a blender and whisk until until smooth. Add 1 beaten egg, 2 tablespoons of canola or other vegetable oil, of of a cup of brown sugar and of of a cup of syrup (agave if possible).

Pour the pineapple mixture into the flour mix and add of of a cup of walnuts and a a cup of dried cranberries.

Bake in muffin trays for 20-25 minutes at 190C / 375F

Oatmeal muffins with dates

Soak 1 c cups of oatmeal in 1/3 of a c. of milk.

Mix of of a cup of whole wheat flour, 2 heaped tablespoons of vanilla whey protein powder, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, a a teaspoon of baking soda, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon and c cup of finely chopped dates.

In a separate bowl, mix 1 beaten egg, 4 tablespoons of grapeseed oil, 2 tablespoonfuls of syrup (agave if possible) and a a cup of pureed prunes (or baby prune puree). Combine the two mixtures.

Bake in muffin trays for 18-22 minutes at 205C / 400F

Bran muffins with carrot and ginger

These bran muffins are a delicious twist on an old classic. Boil 90ml / 3 oz of apple juice concentrate until it turns into syrup and then leave to cool.

Mix together a a cup of wheat bran, 1 c cup of whole wheat flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 te teaspoons of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and a a teaspoon of dried ginger.

In another bowl, mix the syrupy juice, 1 beaten egg, 1 cup of natural yogurt, a a cup of chopped carrots, 1 teaspoon of fresh fresh ginger and 3 tablespoons of molasses or treacle.

Put both mixtures together and add of of a cup of pumpkin seeds.

Bake in muffin trays for 18-20 minutes at 190C / 375F

Banana and walnut muffins with yogurt

Mix together 1 c cup of oatmeal, c cup of rice flour and c cup of flaxseed, with 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of baking powder.

In another bowl and mix 2 beat eggs, c cup of plain yogurt, 3 mashed ripe bananas, 1/3 of a cup of grapeseed oil and a a cup of syrup (agave). Add the oatmeal mixture in and of of a cup of walnut pieces.

Bake in muffin trays for 20-25 minutes at 190C / 375F

Source by Cathy J Simmons