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Cinnamon Sugar Oat Flour Muffins

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We’re about to embark on the marathon of holiday festivities that span of weeks from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, which is, for most of us, the busiest time of the year.

I love Thanksgiving.

When I was a kid, I always thought Christmas was where it was at. (Because PRESENTS!!!) But as an adult, I’ve come to appreciate the simplicity of Thanksgiving.

Oat flour in a mixing bowl with baking powder and measuring spoons nearby

The focus on a good meal, family and good friends, good conversation, and gratitude without the pressures of gift-giving and decorating and all of the foofaraw that comes with December 25th each year.

I know I should be writing about pie or stuffing or giving you tips on how to make your turkey the best one ever, but there are lots of other places you can look for those things (if you’re still looking for a stuffing recipe, this kale one from Suzanne Goin is amazing).

(And I have a whole collection of Thanksgiving recipes if you’re interested.)

Wet ingredients added to dry ingredients for muffin batter in a glass mixing bowl

I’ve come to believe that Thanksgiving isn’t about creative cooking. It’s about simple, solid traditional fare.

The kind of foods that don’t challenge you, the kinds of smells and tastes that are imbued with nostalgia.

My cousins and my siblings and I roast single kernels of corn on our forks over candles every year we get manage to get together, not because it tastes good, but because we’ve been doing it since we sat at the kids table in our grandparents’ den when the act was a tiny piece of rebellion, a way we could have stupid silly fun when the adults weren’t looking.

Muffin batter in a muffin tin

And now, it’s a way we remain on nodding terms with our former selves.

These cinnamon sugar oat muffins are in that mold of nostalgic comfort food.

And if you have visitors in need of breakfast over the long weekend or you simply want to do the important work of treating yourself, they are just the thing.

A simple batter with oat flour and yogurt and a generous splash of vanilla extract and a little grating of nutmeg gets baked in muffin tins, and then, when the muffins are cool enough to handle, they get brushed with melted butter and rolled in a mix of cinnamon and sugar.

Muffins on a cooling rack with a cinnamon sugar mixture in a blue dish

They remind me a little bit of cake doughnuts without the hassle of deep-frying.

And while they’re a treat, they aren’t overly sweet and the whole grain oat flour and tang of yogurt satisfy my basic breakfast requirements.

Cinnamon Sugar Oat Muffins on a cooling rack

The cinnamon-sugar coating gives these homey, craggy topped muffins a bit of holiday sparkle.

I just love them.

Cinnamon Sugar Oat Muffins on a white cake stand
Yield: 12 muffins

Cinnamon Sugar Oat Muffins

Cinnamon Sugar Oat Muffins on a white cake stand

I love making muffins with alternative flours, which offer such a wealth of flavor options. Oat flour is one of the easiest to come by–you can make it by zizzing rolled oats in a food processor until they’re finely ground. If you are making these for someone with gluten sensitivity, be sure to look for oat flour or rolled oats that are certified gluten free (oats are often processed on equipment that also handles wheat). I like to make these with a pourable French-style yogurt, but they also work with Greek yogurt or kefir–I like them best with full fat, but low fat options also work. The muffins are a little fragile while they’re warm, so be gentle while rolling them in the cinnamon and sugar. You could make these with all-purpose flour if you prefer (just substitute the flour one for one and omit the xanthan gum).

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (220 grams) oat flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup neutral oil, such as safflower or canola
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup (150 grams) sugar, divided into 1/2 cup (100 grams) and 1/4 cup (50 grams)
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375ºF. Spray a muffin tin with nonstick spray.
  2. Whisk together the oat flour, xanthan gum, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg in a large mixing bowl.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil, eggs, yogurt, vanilla, and 1/2 cup of sugar until well mixed.
  4. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and stir until thoroughly combined.
  5. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cavities. Bake until the muffins are just beginning to brown around the edges and a toothpick inserted in the center of one of the muffins comes out clean, about 15-20 minutes.
  6. Tip the muffins out onto a cooling rack and let cool for about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, mix the remaining sugar together with the cinnamon and place in a shallow dish.
  7. When the muffins are cool enough to handle but still warm, use a pastry brush to brush the tops with melted butter and gently roll the muffins in cinnamon sugar. Serve.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 220Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 221mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 1gSugar: 6gProtein: 5g

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Terese

Wednesday 14th of October 2020

Oh this sounded so good until I got to the recipe and I don’t have xanthan gum ( I don’t even know what that is!) Total bummer!!

Mary Kasprzak

Thursday 15th of October 2020

Xanthan gum helps to bind and stabilize baked goods that don't have gluten in them. It's available in the baking section in most grocery stores (or you can buy it online), it keeps pretty much forever, and it's as easy to use as baking powder. There's no reason to be intimidated!

Alternatively, you can use all-purpose flour in place of the oat flour and leave out the xanthan gum.

Vicky @ Avocdo Pesto

Wednesday 25th of November 2015

Yes totally with you on Thanksgiving being about simple meals to be shared with family and friends. Love these fall themed muffins !

Mary

Friday 27th of November 2015

Thanks. Hope you had a great holiday!

Celebrating Sweets

Tuesday 24th of November 2015

What a beautiful post, so well written. The muffins sound fabulous by the way. :)

Mary

Friday 27th of November 2015

Thanks so much.

FrugalMomOf8

Tuesday 24th of November 2015

These sound wonderful!

Mary

Tuesday 24th of November 2015

Thank you! I hope you give them a try.

Victoria

Tuesday 24th of November 2015

YUM!! These look so good. And I love that blue-ish background you are shooting on!

Mary

Tuesday 24th of November 2015

Thanks, Victoria. I love it too!

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