• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Sugary Logic
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipe Index
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipes
    • About Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Muffins

    Carrot Apple Muffins

    Published: Jan 31, 2023 · Modified: Mar 22, 2023 by Katelyn Theofanis · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · #sponsoredpost · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Carrot apple muffins, aka sunshine muffins, are a delightful, hearty treat. These moist muffins are the perfect breakfast, snack, or healthy dessert — packed with wholesome ingredients like carrots, apples, oats, and pecans.

    Two carrot apple muffins stacked on top of each other.

    Carrot apple muffins are as yummy as they are healthy. They are lightly sweetened, satiating, and oh-so-delicious. This easy recipe uses common, simple ingredients and requires minimal mixing. The superhero muffins come out golden brown, tender, and moist.

    Like carrot cake, this recipe uses freshly grated carrots and apples. The grated vegetables keep these muffins moist, while the flour and rolled oats provide structure to support the heavy ingredients. Make a batch of these carrot apple muffins the next time you have carrots and apples to use up. If you love this recipe, you will also love these carrot protein muffins.

    Jump to:
    • Carrot Apple Muffins Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Suggested Equipment
    • Storage
    • Other Delicious Muffins
    • Expert Tips
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • 📖 Recipe

    Carrot Apple Muffins Recipe

    Like morning glory muffins, this great recipe uses fresh carrots, fruit, and other good-for-you ingredients. This easy muffin recipe is the perfect way to use up fruits and vegetables in the most delicious way possible. Here is why you will love these hearty breakfast muffins:

    • Simple Wholesome Ingredients - Each bite is packed with fruit, vegetable, oats, and pecans. This easy recipe uses pantry and kitchen staples.
    • Healthy Breakfast - These delicious breakfast muffins are a great way to start your day. Thanks to fiber-packed ingredients, one muffin will keep you full and energized.
    • Make-Ahead and Freezer-Friendly - This grab-and-go breakfast is perfect for all ages. Make a batch at the beginning of the week for a whole week’s worth of breakfast. Carrot muffins are freezer-friendly too.
    • Delicious, Healthy Muffins - These muffins may contain vegetables but are perfectly sweet and delicious. Warm cinnamon flavor infuses the batter, while oats and pecans add a nutty flavor.

    Ingredients

    The ingredients you need for this recipe.
    • All-Purpose Flour - This simple recipe uses classic, plain flour as its base.
    • Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats - Rolled oats add structure, heartiness, and additional nutritional value.
    • Light Brown Sugar (packed)
    • Granulated Sugar
    • Ground Cinnamon
    • Baking Soda
    • Salt
    • Pecans (chopped) - Nuts add a desirable crunch and texture. See below for alternative inclusion ideas.
    • Milk (whole, 2%, oat, almond)
    • Large Eggs (room temperature)
    • Avocado Oil - Or use another neutral-flavored oil.
    • Vanilla Extract
    • Granny Smith Apples (peeled and grated)
    • Carrots (peeled and grated)

    See the recipe card for ingredient quantities.

    Instructions

    STEP 1 (PREPARE) - Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 12-cup standard muffin tin with paper muffin cups.

    The dry ingredients in a large bowl with a whisk.
    Mix the dry ingredients.
    The wet ingredients in a bowl with grated carrots and apples stirred in.
    Mix the wet ingredients.

    STEP 2  (DRY INGREDIENTS) - Combine the flour, oats, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.

    STEP 3 (WET INGREDIENTS) - Whisk the oil, milk, eggs, and vanilla in a separate bowl. Stir in the grated carrots and apples. Pour the wet ingredients into the flour mixture, mixing just until combined. Stir in the pecans.

    Carrot apple muffin batter in a large bowl with a rubber spatula.
    Mix everything together.
    Unbaked muffins in a lined muffin pan.
    Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin pan.

    STEP 4 (PORTION) - Evenly divide the muffin batter between the 12 cups of the prepared muffin tin. 

    Pro Tip - I like to use an ice cream scoop to scoop the batter into the paper liners.

    STEP 5 (BAKE) - Bake the muffins in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Allow the muffins to cool completely on a wire rack before storing them.

    Substitutions

    • Light Brown Sugar - Dark Brown Sugar
    • Milk - Greek Yogurt, Sour Cream, Buttermilk 
    • Avocado Oil - Coconut Oil, Vegetable Oil, Canola Oil, Melted Butter
    • Pecans - Walnuts, Almonds, Coconut Flakes, Chocolate Chips, Raisins

    Variations

    • Less Sugar - Swap the sugar with monk fruit sweetener, stevia, or coconut sugar.
    • Citrus - Add ½ to 1 tablespoon fresh lemon or orange zest for a vibrant flavor.
    One muffin cut in half.

    Suggested Equipment

    • Pyrex Prepware 4-Quart Rimmed Mixing Bowl
    • Box Grater
    • USA Pan Bakeware Muffin Pan
    • Muffin Liners

    Storage

    Transfer cooled muffins to an airtight container. Store muffins at room temperature for up to 4 days or in the refrigerator for up to one week. 

    Can you freeze apple carrot muffins?  Transfer cooled muffins to an airtight container or freezer bag. Freeze muffins for up to 3 months — thaw them completely before eating.

    Other Delicious Muffins

    • Banana Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins
    • Mixed Berry Muffins
    • Buttermilk Chocolate Chip Muffins
    • Cinnamon Streusel Muffins
    • Strawberry Cream Cheese Muffins
    Two carrot apple muffins stacked on top of each other.

    Expert Tips

    1. Wait to grate the carrots and apples until you are ready to bake, so they retain all their moisture for the batter.
    2. Line or generously grease the muffin pan to prevent the muffins from sticking. 
    3. Do not over-mix — muffin batter requires minimal mixing.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why did my muffins sink?

    Your muffins needed to be baked longer. Check the muffin's center with a toothpick before removing the pan from the oven. If it comes out wet or covered in batter, your muffins need more time in the oven.

    What is the secret to making moist muffins?

    To achieve moist muffins, follow the recipe instructions carefully and measure accurately. Next, refrain from over-mixing the muffin batter and mix only until a batter forms. Finally, do not over-bake.

    How should I serve carrot apple muffins?

    While delicious on their own, these hearty muffins are equally delicious slathered in softened butter or cream cheese — serve muffins at room temperature or warmed. To warm, place one muffin on a microwave-safe dish and heat for 15 to 30 seconds.

    If you make the recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe, and let me know what you think in the comments below! Take pictures, tag #sugarylogic, and share them with me on Instagram or Facebook. 

    📖 Recipe

    Two carrot apple muffins stacked on top of each other.

    Carrot Apple Muffins

    Katelyn Theofanis
    Carrot apple muffins, aka sunshine muffins, are delightful, hearty muffins. These moist muffins are the perfect breakfast, snack, or healthy dessert — packed with wholesome ingredients like carrots, apples, oats, and pecans.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Course Breakfast, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 muffins
    Calories 225 kcal

    Equipment

    • Mixing Bowls
    • Muffin Pan

    Ingredients
      

    • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
    • ¾ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
    • ⅓ cup light brown sugar packed
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar
    • 2 teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 2 large eggs room temperature
    • ⅓ cup milk
    • ⅓ cup avocado oil
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • 1 cup granny smith apples peeled and grated
    • 1 cup carrots peeled and grated
    • ½ cup pecans chopped

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a 12-cup standard muffin tin with paper cup liners.
    • Combine the flour, oats, sugars, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
    • Whisk the oil, eggs, and vanilla in a separate bowl. Stir in the grated apples and carrots. Pour the liquid mixture into the flour mixture, mixing just until combined. Stir in the pecans.
    • Evenly divide the batter between the 12 cups of the prepared muffin tin.
    • Bake the muffins for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Allow the muffins to cool completely before storing them.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 225kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 4gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.003gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 304mgPotassium: 129mgFiber: 2gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 1847IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Tag your photo #sugarylogic or @sugarylogic ANY QUESTIONS? Please leave a comment below!

    Did you make this? Leave a review below and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!

    More Muffins

    • Half of an unwrapped cream cheese-filled strawberry muffin.
      Strawberry Cream Cheese Muffins
    • Buttermilk chocolate chip muffins on a wire rack.
      Buttermilk Chocolate Chip Muffins
    • An array of mixed berry muffins on a wire rack.
      Mixed Berry Muffins with Buttermilk
    • Cinnamon streusel muffins on a cooling rack.
      Cinnamon Streusel Muffins

    Reader Interactions

    Did you make this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    author

    Hi, welcome to Sugary Logic! I'm Katelyn. I am an experienced chef and home cook publishing simple and easy recipes here on my food blog, Sugary Logic. Sugary Logic's recipes will save you time and allow you to create fast and easy meals as sophisticated as any restaurant meal.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • A plate of Cacio e Pepe pasta.
      Bucatini Cacio e Pepe
    • A few puff pastry chocolate croissants on a plate.
      Puff Pastry Chocolate Croissants
    • A plate of roasted green beans.
      Roasted Frozen Green Beans
    • A slice of triple berry cake with raspberry buttercream.
      Triple Berry Cake with Buttercream Frosting

    Trending Recipes

    • A large bowl of chicken sausage pasta.
      Chicken Sausage Pasta with Broccoli
    • Quinoa salad with chickpeas in a large bowl.
      Quinoa Salad with Chickpeas
    • A bowl of pesto pasta salad with a wooden spoon.
      Summer Pesto Pasta Salad
    • Cinnamon streusel muffins on a cooling rack.
      Cinnamon Streusel Muffins

    The Best Scone Recipes

    • A cherry scone on a wire cooling rack with fresh cherries.
      Almond Cherry Scones
    • A close-up of a bacon cheddar scone.
      Bacon Cheddar Scones
    • Cream cheese frosted cinnamon roll scones on a cooling rack.
      Easy Cinnamon Roll Scones with Cream Cheese Icing
    • The best strawberry buttermilk scones.
      The Best Strawberry Buttermilk Scones

    Gluten-Free Recipes

    • Crispy roasted sweet potatoes on a parchment-lined tray with a wooden server.
      Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes
    • A close-up of lemon blueberry baked oatmeal.
      Lemon Blueberry Baked Oatmeal
    • Easy Italian Ground Turkey Soup
    • Cauliflower Gnocchi Alla Vodka

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Recipes
    • About Me

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Subscribe

    Sugary Logic participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2017 - 2023 Sugary Logic