Oatmeal Apple Muffins
Ireland and potatoes are always associated with each other, but there is more to the agricultural history of the isle than spuds. In fact, potatoes are a very small percentage of crops grown there these days. Most of the large production farmland is dedicated to grains, but there are also smaller specialty crops, like apples and tubers. I want to highlight apples and oats to make some robust muffins. Particular types of apples thrive in the rich soil, and the climate is ideal for the slow ripening of oat grains. In spite of the sugar laden flavored oatmeal packets available in US stores, oatmeal is actually a low fat, high fiber food that keeps me full long after finishing a bowl.
I am always trying to sneak extra fiber into Little B’s diet. Some days all she wants to eat is ham and peanut butter, which are not horrible choices, but do not help much in the way of keeping her system running, er, smoothly. When I cannot pique her interest in oatmeal or an apple I like having something on hand that she perceives as a treat. These muffins work great for getting extra fiber into her, although I sometimes resort to smearing a little honey and Greek yogurt on top when she says “that’s not a cupcake that’s a muffin”. It is amazing what a glop on top can do. These muffins are also wheat free so Big D doesn’t give me that sad puppy dog look I get when I bake something he can’t eat. Double bonus!
Oatmeal Apple Muffins
1 1/2 cups uncooked oatmeal
1 1/2 cups cornmeal
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup banana/applesauce mush
1/3 cup sugar
Preheat oven to 400F. In a food processor pulse until powder ¾ cup of the oatmeal. Mix together oatmeal, cornmeal, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. In another bowl, beat the eggs then add the milk and fruit mush (mash up one banana and fill the rest of the cup with applesauce) and stir. Add the sugar to the wet ingredients and mix well. Pour the egg mixture into the oat mixture and stir until just combine. Pour into a well greased 12-hole muffin tin and bake for around 20 minutes. Let cool for about five minutes and remove from tin.