Spiced Oatmeal Apple Blender Muffins

This recipe for Spiced Oatmeal Apple Blender Muffins is sponsored by Produce for Kids. All opinions are my own.

Seems like I’ve been on a muffin kick lately, right? And you know what? I have! What’s not to love about muffins – they’re pre-portioned, delicious, travel well, and my boys love ’em. We just can’t get enough right now!

As most everyone knows it’s now apple season, but unfortunately here in Arkansas it feels like apple season ON THE SUN. While half the country is out in their flannel and cute boots taking pictures at the apple orchard with they’re smiley kiddos, I’m still slugging through 100-degree days in my workout gear and reminding my boys that it’s not actually summer which is why we no longer have a pool to swim in (BUT SERIOUSLY WHY IS THERE NO POOL?!)

BUT it’s still apple season, and while my state may not be here for it, I sure am! These blender muffins are such an easy way to enjoy some beautiful Sage Fruit® Apples (besides, of course, just eating it raw). And while I’m a big fan of apples cinnamon everything, I really loved the punch that the extra spice from pumpkin pie spice brought to the table. A little ginger and nutmeg never hurt anyone!

The streusel is so simple, and you could honestly make it with a variety of sugars. I had organic raw cane sugar on hand, but it would work fine with coconut sugar, brown sugar, or just plain white table sugar as well.

In my humble opinion these muffins are best served warm, but are still completely delicious at room temperature as well. Just be sure to allow them to cool completely before storing in an airtight container so they don’t get soggy and lose the streusel crunch on top!

I have the pleasure of partnering with Produce for Kids again this year, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. It’s an amazing organization that offers shoppers at my local Harp’s grocery stores healthy meal solutions and registered dietitian-approved recipes and tips while supporting local Feeding America® food banks.With official Produce for Kids signage in Harp’s stores it’s easy to see how buying produce locally will help in giving back to your local community. For a list of the amazing sponsors check out the end of this post – this program wouldn’t be possible without them!

Feeding America® is the nationwide network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States, providing food to more than 46 million people through 60,000 food pantries and meal programs in communities across America. Feeding America® also supports programs that improve food security among the people they serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger.

You can find 300+ registered dietitian-approved and family-tested recipes, meal planning tools, grocery store specific campaign details, and healthy tips from real parents on the amazing Produce for Kids website. Free resources are a great friend, trust me! You can also find Produce for Kids on all things social media for healthy eating tips all year long: on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for more recipe ideas and healthy eating tips all year long (not to mention following the hashtag #produceforkids as a way to win at life too)!

SPICED OATMEAL APPLE BLENDER MUFFINS
Makes 24 muffins
Ingredients:
For the muffins:

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1-1/2 cup unbleached all purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup applesauce
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 1/2 cups plain yogurt
• 2 large eggs
• 1-1/2 cups Sage Fruit® Apples, peeled and cut into small cubes (about 1/4″ in size)

For the streusel topping:

• 3/4 cup flour
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350F.
• Line muffin tin with muffin cups and set aside.
• Stir together ingredients for the streusel topping, and set aside.
• For the muffins, combine all ingredients except chopped apples and 1/2 cup of flour in a high-speed blender.
• Blend on medium-high until combined.
• Toss together the apples and remaining flour.
• Fold gently into the batter.
• Scoop into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about 3/4 of the way full.
• Top with about 1 tablespoon of the streusel topping.
• Bake at 350 for 25-28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
• Enjoy warm or at room temperature.