QUINOA OAT ORANGE MUFFINS

Quinoa Oat Orange Muffins are packed with nutrients and flavor, making them a great breakfast option for those who want to eat well without sacrificing taste. These oatmeal muffins are high in fiber and protein, making them a delicious and healthy way to start your day!

The main ingredients in these healthy oat muffins is quinoa and oats, one is a great source of essential amino acids, and the other provides additional fiber and nutrients. Whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast on the go or a satisfying snack, quinoa muffins are a great choice.

Understanding Quinoa

Quinoa is a seed that is often used as a grain substitute. It is a gluten-free, high-protein food that is rich in essential nutrients. Quinoa originated in South America and was a staple food for the Incas. It has gained popularity in recent years due to its health benefits and versatility in cooking.

One of the unique features of quinoa is that it contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein source. It is also a good source of fiber, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus. Quinoa has a nutty flavor and a slightly crunchy texture when cooked. It can be used in a variety of dishes, such as salads, stir-fries, and even breakfast bowls.

Overall, quinoa is a nutritious and versatile food that can be incorporated into a variety of meals.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Healthy Ingredients: This recipe uses healthy ingredients such as quinoa, oats, and oranges, making it a great way to start your day on a healthy note. Quinoa and oats are both rich in fiber, protein, and other essential nutrients, while oranges are a great source of vitamin C.
• Versatile: These muffins are versatile and can be customized to your liking. You can add different fruits, nuts, or spices to the batter to create your own unique flavor.
• Great for Meal Prep: These muffins are perfect for meal prep and can be stored in the fridge or freezer for later use. You can make a batch on the weekend and enjoy them throughout the week.

Ingredients

Oats: For added texture and fiber use 1 cup of oats in this muffin recipe.

Quinoa: You will need 1 cup of cooked and cooled quinoa. You can use any color of quinoa, whatever you prefer will taste amazing.

Olive oil: Use 1 tablespoon of olive oil for some healthy fats in these muffins.

Flour: For the structural base of this recipe, you need 1 cup of all-purpose flour.

Whole wheat flour: Make these treats a bit more healthy by adding in ½ cup of whole wheat flour.

Sugar: You only need ⅓ cup of granulated sugar to make the muffins nice and sweet.

Leavening agents: You will need 1 ½ teaspoon of baking powder and ½ teaspoon of baking soda to make sure that these muffins puff up and rise as they bake.

Salt: Add in ½ teaspoon of salt to help make the flavors in these muffins really stand out.

Orange: For a fresh orange citrus flavor, you need the juice and rind from 1 orange.

Buttermilk: Using ½ cup of buttermilk will moisten the batter while adding rich flavor to every bite.

Yogurt: You will want to use ½ cup of vanilla flavored Greek yogurt, you can use plain flavored as well, vanilla just adds a little more flavor to the muffins.

Eggs: 2 eggs will help bind the muffins together well for the perfect consistency and texture.

Butter: Add in 3 tablespoons of melted butter for added richness and more fats to keep them moist.

Vanilla extract: You will need 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to help enhance the flavors in these muffins.

How to make Quinoa Oat Orange Muffins

Cook quinoa

To begin assembling and making the muffins, the quinoa needs to be cooked and cooled. Complete this by following the instructions on the package. Once this is done you can get your muffins started!

Prep

Get the oven preheating to 400 degrees F, you need it for toasting the oats and baking the muffins. So be sure you keep it on after the oats are toasted.

Toast the oats

Begin by placing the oats and cooled, cooked quinoa into a jelly roll pan that is about 10×15 inches in size. Toss them together to combine.

Then add in the olive oil and toss well to coat.

Spread the mixture into an even layer and then bake for 10-12 minutes, stirring once about halfway through the cooking time.

Remove the mixture from the oven and let it cool.

Batter

Set aside a ¼ cup of the oat mixture, and then place the rest into a large mixing bowl.

Add in both types of flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir well to combine and then set aside.

Next, finely shred the orange peel and then juice the orange to get about 3 tablespoons of juice from it.

In a separate bowl, whisk the orange juice, orange peel, buttermilk, yogurt, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract.

Proceed to add the wet ingredients to the dry ones and stir until just moistened.

Scoop batter

Spoon the batter into prepared muffin pans, filling each muffin cup about 3/4’s of the way full.

Sprinkle your reserved oat mixture over the top of each muffin.

Bake

Place the muffins in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes or until the tops are golden and a toothpick can be inserted and come out clean.

Let the muffins cool for a few minutes before serving and then enjoy!

How long are toasted quinoa and oat muffins good for?

You can keep these muffins stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to about 3 to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the muffins in a tightly sealed container for up to 3 months. Thaw before serving.

How can I make quinoa oat orange muffins vegan?

To make quinoa oat orange muffins vegan, replace the buttermilk with a non-dairy milk such as almond milk or soy milk, and use a vegan egg substitute such as flaxseed meal or applesauce instead of eggs.

What are some healthy variations of quinoa oat orange muffins?

For a healthier twist, try adding in some chopped nuts, seeds, or dried fruits to the batter. If you’re looking for a healthy and gluten-free option, you can use a gluten-free flour blend or almond flour instead of all-purpose flour. You can also try using oat flour or quinoa flour for a protein boost.

Why do we toast the oats and quinoa before use?

By toasting the oats and quinoa before adding them to the batter we can get an added toasty flavor through the muffins that taste incredible in every bite. Not only that but it helps to add a little more of a chewy texture as well as a golden color that looks and tastes appealing.

How can I make quinoa muffins without buttermilk?

To make quinoa muffins without buttermilk, you can use regular milk or a non-dairy milk such as almond milk or soy milk, and add in a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to mimic the acidity of buttermilk.

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Quinoa Oat Orange Muffins are a tasty and healthy recipe perfect for any occasion, especially breakfast. These oatmeal muffins are a delicious and healthy way to start your day!