There’s just something about a muffin- with it’s delightful add-ins that contrast beautifully with a cake-like texture, muffins have to be one of the most loved foods ever. I mean, you can’t go into a coffee shop without these playful little baked goods tempting you. From the pastry display they beckon you, trying to convince you that they are healthy- “Look at all my big juicy blueberries” one might say, or “There’s bran in my name so that must be good” says another. Other’s don’t even pretend and stand proud as the dessert-for-breakfast pastries they are- “I’m full of chocolate chips and I like it that way!”
I work in a place where I am teased by these delicious parcels of goodness everyday- the smells alone are enough to get me! Which leads me to try and create healthy versions of them at home so I can indulge on my own terms :)
These aren’t muffins, but damn they taste like them. They are packed full of blueberry flavour, accented by cinnamon and vanilla to bring forth memories of muffins fresh from the oven. The taste of these isn’t the only thing pulling for them though- they are loaded with omega-3s from the walnuts and some whole grains from the oats. Just one little bite will help curb your sweet craving AND satiate your hunger, which none of those cake-like beauties can claim, no matter how flirtatiously they wink at you.
My friends, this is the Muffin Version 2.0 :)
Blueberry Muffin Bites (Vegan, Gluten-free*, Sugar-free, Soy-free)
Makes ~14 bites.
These taste just like they’re baked counter parts without all the added sugar and refined flours! They make the perfect snack that can be carried around with you for all those snack emergencies. Plus, they don’t require use of the oven- great for warm weather!
- 1 cup walnut halves
- 1/2 cup rolled oats (*make sure they’re gluten-free certified!)
- 1/2 cup medjool dates
- 1/2 cup dried blueberries
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla
- zest of 1/2 a lemon
Process the all the ingredients except the oats in a food processor until the nuts are in very small pieces and the dates have broken down to form a dough that will stick together. Add in the oats and pulse until small and combined. You could just throw the oats in at the beginning but adding them in later gives the bites a nice texture!
Scoop out the mixture in heaping tablespoons and roll into balls.
Store in the fridge. Can be enjoyed at room temperature or cold.
Hope you all enjoy this recipe :) But if you reeaaaaalllllly want a baked muffin, check out my whole-grain raspberry muffins!
Oh and P.S., I’m 4 for 4 :)
I’m submitting these to Wellness Weekends!
Mmmmm, delish! Who needs a baked muffin with ingredients like these? Yum!
Hehe thanks Heather! And I agree :)
Pingback: healthy vegan friday #18 | the veggie nook
Oh my gosh — those look AMAZING!!!!!! <3 <3 <3
Thanks :)
Pingback: Vegan Breakfast Recipes - Vegan Pancake Recipe The Unintentional Vegan
i love love these cute lil bites. i’ll have to hide these from hubbs when i make them, coz he will finish all up when working on some problem;)
Heheh that’s the problem with bites- you don’t notice how fast you’re eating them!
Pingback: Friday Five | .the rebel grrl kitchen.
How do you keep coming up with these amazing recipes!? I’m so inspired!
I wish I knew….so many recipe ideas floating around in my head- half of them I forget almost as soon as I think them. Luckily a few actually make it out of my head and into my kitchen. So glad you like them :)
I love blueberry muffins, so I’m pretty sure that I’ll love these :)
I really hope you do!
No way! I just bought dried blueberries! Perfect! ;-)
No way! And I just bought dried blueberries! Perfect! ;-)
Woo hoo! Let me know how you like them :)
Oh yes, I’m in! I’ve yet to make a blueberry version of my date-nut treats, which I blame on never yet having seen dried blueberries around these parts. After seeing your recipe, I shall have to up my hunt! :P
Dried blueberries are so good! I’m sure if your scour the health food places, someone will have them! They are addictive though, so careful ;)
Awesome! I just bought dried blueberries at the store thinking I would put them into a trail mix. wrong, unless its a muffin trail mix! ;)
Oh that is such a good idea! I love using baked goods as inspiration for other foods!
yay!
How lovely! I live in blueberry country and pick pails and pails of blueberries every summer. I need to start dehydrating them to make things like this! Unsulfured/sugar free dried blueberries are SO expensive!
they really are- I think I’ll take your idea and start doing that too. All dried fruits in general. Probably so much more economical to make your own, at least if you want them to be healthy dried fruit.
4 days in a row Gabby? I don’t know if I can handle this – and this recipe looks too yum! :)
I know I was super intense there for a minute- but now I’ve missed a day and ended my streak :( Ah well it was good while it lasted!
And thank you :) They are such a lovely snack/breakfast/dessert. I love multi-purpose foods!
Blueberry Muffins are my favorite type of muffin, so I’m sure these are right up my alley. These look so scrumptious, it would be hard to stop at one. They also look like they would be the perfect pre-workout snack (And post-workout snack. And would lovely next to my morning coffee…). Great recipe, Gabby! Love it!
They are good with anything at any time of day! They have been part of my breakfasts, desserts and snacks! Thank you for your kind words, so happy you like the look of it. I’m addicted to berries in general so any type of berry muffin tempts me- luckily these have helped :)
These look so munchable and gorgeous!
Thank you :) It’s hard to eat only one let me tell you…good thing I’m making an effort to be more mindful about eating lol
Looks wonderful! Dried blueberries are so tasty! Thanks for sharing :-)
They sure are :)
Yum! These bites look so delicious! I used to love blueberry muffins but I haven’t had one in so long! Now in addition to my blueberry muffin smoothies I can have a delicious and guilt free blueberry muffin snack! These sound so good and look so pretty! I love dried blueberries too :)
Happy Friday!
I have been meaning to try your blueberry muffin smoothie for ages- ever since I tried to make it that first time and found out too late I had no blueberries. Not a big deal (that’s how my banana muffin smoothie was born!), but I still want to try it so thanks for reminding me :)
Blueberry muffins have the most addictive smell! Ultimate comfort scent right up there with fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. These muffin bites capture that in a healthy little package.
Hope you have a great weekend! Enjoy your day off on Sunday!
Let me know how you like the smoothie when you try it :) The carrot cake one was really good too. Can’t wait to try these bites!
I will for sure! Both are on my list :)
Blueberries sound great in these little bites, I will have to give it a try! Also, congratulations on winning the Gluten-Free Giveaway, woo hoo! :D
1. Thanks! Blueberries are so flavourful :)
2. YESSSSSSS thank you!!
I have leftover dried blueberries from the bites I made earlier this week, so this is good inspiration for a new bite! Your story about how baked items are advertised as “healthy” is so funny, but so true! We have bagels brought into my work all the time and my coworkers like to justify how healthy they are because they have raisins in them or are the everything bagels that have seeds on them…then they slather them in butter or cream cheese! Geez…
Haha so funny and so unfortunate all at the same time. My customers are always asking me what’s “low fat” or ordering “skinny” drinks (loaded with artificial sweeteners) because they are trying to be good aka healthy. It’s not my place to correct them (my boss would be angry I think) but it’s just crazy how reduced fat pastries and splenda are promoted as healthy alternative!
I LOVE Blueberries, these are so much fun! I would be afraid that the whole batch would be devoured in one sitting :)
You are a posting maniac this week!
Haha lucky these are guilt free then ;) I believe food should always be fun, that’s why I love bites and little nibbles!
so true — there’s just something about a muffin that is just good!! those bites look great! perfect to have around on lazy summer days! thanks for sharing!
Exactly- they are summer muffin- no warm appliances required :) glad you liked them!
I have a similar recipe, but I LOVE adding the dried blueberries – what a great idea! Thanks for sharing ;-)
Aww thanks! They give the bite great flavour and texture :)
A healthy muffin bite? A batch of these means a healthy breakfast right? Blueberry muffins are my ultimate weakness :D
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Totally! These are guilt-free muffins :) although in my opinion, we should never feel guilty about treating ourselves!
these looks like a great treat for summer! i’m always looking for healthy snacks to take with me on the run. otherwise i get grouchy ;)
and yes, let’s talk monday more about the book and what we are going to do to get our mindful eating on! so glad you are behind me on this one :)
Totally. I have been trying on my own to be more mindful and I’m not having the best success. So when you mentioned doing it together, it seemed perfect :) talk soon!