There has been an awful lot of bad press about sugar recently, and now according to the government guidelines, adults should not consume more than 7 tsp of sugar a day. That really is not a lot across one day, because so many foods and drinks contain hidden sugars. By giving our children a well balanced diet, hopefully we can cut down on some of the hidden sugars, by making meals by scratch and watching their intake of obvious sugary foods and drinks, like sweets, fruit juice and junk food. My Sugar Free Oaty Apple Breakfast Muffins are a step towards reducing sugar in my children’s diet while allowing them to still eat cake.
Too much sugar can cause a lot of health problems including diabetes, obesity and tooth decay. You can find out more about by visiting the making sense of sugar website. Having watched Jamie Oliver’s Sugar Rush TV show last week, I am even more shocked by the level of hidden sugars in our food and drink, and while I know I am one for baking cakes and hence adding sugar filled delights to my family’s diet, I do make a lot of food from scratch which I know helps keep hidden sugar at bay. But it is very hard when our society is filled with images of sugar treats in advertising and is everywhere in shops, at cinemas and even at leisure centres!
With this in mind, I am trying hard to make some sugar free snacks for my boys, to stop me from reaching into the biscuit tin to give them a treat after school, or after swimming on Saturdays. I am starting with some homemade sugar free oaty apple muffins.
I know how important it is for my boys to have a good breakfast, because it is the most important meal of the day. Burton favours a marmite sandwich with grapes and cheese or Cheerios, and Jenson likes Weetabix or Cheerios, or brioche with fruit and a yogurt or at weekends pancakes. I would love them both to tuck into a bowl of porridge, especially during the winter months, because oats are so good for children (and adults too!). The fiber-rich, slow-burn carbohydrates in whole-grain oats provide a steady stream of energy that your children’s bodies and brains can use all morning long. Starting the day with high-quality carbs, like oats, helps children remain focused during their morning classes and activities at school.
Another good thing about oats is that the are sugar free so great for helping in the fight against us having too much sugar in our diets.
With all this in mind, I decided to get some oats into my boys in a different way – in the form of some oaty breakfast muffins. To make these muffins even better for the boys, I didn’t use any conventional sugar, instead using some organic agave syrup which has naturally low GI.
I also added some grated apple,to add more natural sweetness, moistness and fibre as I did not peel them first.
These muffins are quick and easy to make and bake, and here is how to make them
- 150g agave syrup
- 200g self raising flour
- 1 heaped tsp cinnamon
- 2 eggs
- 150g butter spread (or butter or even vegetable based spread or a dairy free one)
- 200g peeled and grated apple
- 65g porridge oats - I used a sachet of Mom
- Pre-heat your oven to 180oC / 160oC fan
- Beat the butter spread and agave syrup for a few minutes
- Add the eggs, the cinnamon and a tbsp of the flour and beat again
- Add the grated apple, oats and remaining flour
- Mix again
- Divide batter between 12 cake cases and place into the oven and cook for 22-25 minutes until cooked all the way through
These muffins were loved by the boys and I did actually allow them to have them for breakfast, because I figured that a homemade sugar free apple muffin packed with oats, served alongside a fromage frais and some super strawberries and banana slices, was possibly better than a bowl full of some chocolate flavoured or filled breakfast cereal! (I could be wrong of course!). The boys could not believe their eyes to see a ‘cake’ for breakfast!
I also gave Burton one for his lunchbox, because I do think *if* you have time a homemade cake or muffin is a nice thing to give your children. Again, I do not do this everytime he has a packed lunch, but if i have had the time I will make the effort.
Next time I will be sharing a recipe for my Cheese, Carrot and Marmite Oaty Bread, another lovely thing to serve in lunchbox or for breakfast, lunch or tea.
I was sent some Moma porridge oats and some Clarks Agave Syrup for the purpose of a review.
Oats into muffins? Love the idea! Pinned, thank you 🙂
These sound delicious Jenny, packed full of goodness. It’s really quite scary just how much sugar is in foods these days – even unsuspecting ones. I shop for one of our elderly neighbours who has diabetes and bought him some frozen red cabbage with apple thinking the flavours were his sort of thing. But unbeknown to me there was sugar added to it! It’s everywhere – tinned beans, soups not just the obvious stuff. Oops, sorry I’m on my soap box now! I’ll get off…
Angela x
I love this idea – definitely one to try!
Would it be okay to substitute honey for the agave? Trying to get my girls out of the biscuit tin a well.
Yes for sure x
Cheese, Carrot & Marmite Oaty Bread - Mummy Mishaps
[…] on from my recipe for Sugar Free Oaty Apple Breakfast Muffins the other week, I am still on my quest to make some not only new, not only tasty but healthier […]
Your recipe doesn’t include the instruction to add the remaining self raising flour (after the first tbsp!). I’ve just followed instructions and made these, taken them out of oven (30 mins before leaving for the event) and they’re basically bubbling bircher-puddings. So disappointed and have just seen the flour isn’t included in the muffins… and no time to re-make 🙁 Please update your recipe to save others making the same mistake!
Sarah I am so sorry for my error in forgetting to add the remaining flour in the method instructions. I apologise that you made these and it all went so wrong because of my error. if you ever make them again, I hope they turn out much better for you x
Hi Jenny. Many thanks, I’ll try them again and am sure they will be delicious! Sarah x