There’s something about fresh-baked muffins in the morning and these no added sugar orange oatmeal muffins have quickly become a favorite in our house. They’re simple to make, protein + fiber-packed, and perfect for toddlers (and babies). Prep ahead for a nourishing breakfast on-the-go during those busy weeks!
Why You and Your Toddler Will Love These Orange Oatmeal Muffins
- naturally sweet without added sugar – the applesauce and orange juice give them a gentle, kid-approved sweetness without any added sugar
- soft texture – perfect for babies, toddlers learning to chew, and for grown-ups to enjoy with coffee
- fiber & protein packed – keeps both you and your little one satisfied longer
- simple ingredients – nothing super fancy, just wholesome pantry staples
- freezer-friendly – so you can bake once and have breakfast or snacks ready for weeks
Growing up, one of my favorite treats was when my mom made warm orange rolls on Fridays. The kitchen would fill with that sweet, citrusy smell, and I’d sit by the oven just waiting for them to be ready. Now as a mom myself, I wanted to capture that same nostalgic flavor but in a way I could feel good about serving my littles (toddler/baby friendly). That’s why I HAD to make these orange oatmeal muffins! The same fresh, citrusy flavor I loved as a kid, but with whole grains, healthy fats, and no added sugar to share with my kids.
Another nostalgic childhood memory of mine were these cinnamon donut holes and blueberry donut holes, because we'd visit our local donut shop on on early morning drives.
Jump to:
- Why You and Your Toddler Will Love These Orange Oatmeal Muffins
- Ingredients For Muffins
- How To Make These Orange Oatmeal Muffins
- Hint
- Substitutions
- Variations
- How To Serve To Toddlers
- Equipment
- Storing Your Orange Oatmeal Muffins
- Tiff's Dietitian Tip
- FAQ
- Related
- Pairing
- Orange Oatmeal Muffins (simple & no added sugar!)
Ingredients For Muffins
Here's what you need to make these simple orange oatmeal muffins, all in one bowl!
- oat flour – whole grain, naturally gluten-free (when certified), and packed with fiber to keep energy steady
- almond flour – adds healthy fats, protein, and a soft, tender crumb
- orange zest – brings concentrated citrus flavor and antioxidants without extra sugar
- baking powder & baking soda – help the muffins rise and stay fluffy
- salt – enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness
- unsweetened applesauce – natural sweetness, moisture, and extra fiber
- fresh orange juice – bright citrus flavor plus vitamin C
- avocado/olive oil (or melted coconut oil) – heart-healthy fats that keep muffins moist
- egg (or flax egg) – binds the batter, adds structure, and provides protein
- vanilla & cinnamon – adds a boost of flavor
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make These Orange Oatmeal Muffins
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line or grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
- Step 2: In one bowl, whisk oat flour, almond flour, orange zest, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add in the applesauce, orange juice, oil, and egg. Mix until smooth. If batter seems too thick, add a splash of milk.
- Step 3: Divide batter evenly into muffin cups and bake 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Step 4: Once slightly cooled, top with your orange yogurt glaze yogurt + dash of vanilla + orange zest + opt vanilla extract). Serve and enjoy!
Hint
For the fluffiest texture, avoid overmixing the batter! Stir just until the dry ingredients are incorporated, overmixing can make oat-based muffins dense instead of light and tender.
Substitutions
These orange oatmeal muffins are already naturally gluten-free and dairy-free! Here are some other substitutions if needed:
- almond flour → swap with an equal amount of oat flour for a nut-free version (texture will be denser)
- oat flour → use certified gluten-free oat flour if needed, or swap half with whole wheat pastry flour for a fluffier muffin (not gluten-free)
- avocado oil → melted coconut oil, light olive oil, or even neutral vegetable oil work fine
- egg → use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flax + 3 tablespoon water, rest 5 min) for a vegan option
- orange juice → try lemon juice for a lemon oatmeal muffin twist, or a mix of half orange/half pineapple juice for a tropical vibe
- applesauce → mashed ripe banana works well (adds a stronger banana flavor) or use plain Greek yogurt for extra protein
If you want to make these school-friendly, then I would sub the almond flour for all oat flour! I also love these ABC oatmeal muffins and zucchini oatmeal muffins for lunchbox options as well.
Variations
You can totally jazz up these orange oatmeal muffins by doing different mix-ins!
- cranberry twist – fold in ½ cup chopped dried cranberries or fresh cranberries for a tart twist
- chocolate chip – add ⅓ cup mini chocolate chips for a fun treat (use dairy-free if needed)
- carrot veggie boost – stir in ½ cup finely shredded carrot for extra color, fiber, and veggies
How To Serve To Toddlers
- cut into small bite-sized pieces
- spread with a thin layer of nut butter or seed butter or yogurt for "icing"
- offer alongside yogurt for dipping
- crumble into a small bowl of yogurt as a mix-in
Equipment
All you'll need to make these orange oatmeal muffins is a mixing bowl, measuring utensils, zester or fine grater, muffin tin, and cooling rack.
Storing Your Orange Oatmeal Muffins
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temp. Store in airtight container in the fridge for about 5-7 days. Wrap individually and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or microwave for 20–30 seconds!
Tiff's Dietitian Tip
Want even more staying power? Add 2 tablespoons of hemp hearts, chia seeds, or Tiny Sprouts Brain Booster to the batter for an omega-3 and protein boost! And for those picky eaters, this is a great low-pressure way to re-offer oranges. Try to have them help you squeeze the juice or gently zest (depending age) for exposure.
FAQ
Yes! Swap the egg for a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flax + 3 tablespoon water).
Yes! You can use 2 cups of oat flour if you'd like (plus it'll make them school-friendly). The texture will be denser, so you may want to add 1–2 extra tablespoons of applesauce or milk to keep them moist.
They’re gently sweet, perfect for toddlers’ palates! If you’re used to bakery-style muffins, you can add 1–2 tablespoon maple syrup or honey for a bit more sweetness.
For sure! Try shredded carrot, chopped dates, raisins, dried cranberries, or even mini chocolate chips. Keep add-ins to about ½ cup total!
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with [this recipe]:
Orange Oatmeal Muffins (simple & no added sugar!)
Ingredients
- 1 cup oat flour or blended oats
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1 tablespoon orange zest about 1-2 medium orange
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana or yogurt
- ¼ cup fresh orange juice 2 oranges (depending how juicy they are)
- ¼ cup avocado oil or melted butter or coconut oil
- 1 large egg or flax egg for vegan option
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon optional, measure with your heart
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line or grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
- In one bowl, whisk oat flour, almond flour, orange zest, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add in the applesauce, orange juice, oil, and egg. Mix until smooth. If batter seems too thick, add a splash of milk.
- Divide batter evenly into muffin cups and bake 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Once slightly cooled, top with your orange yogurt glaze (yogurt + dash of vanilla + orange zest + opt vanilla extract). Serve and enjoy!
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