I’ve had these grain-free coconut flour muffins in my freezer for the past two years straight. Not the same dried-out 2-year-old muffins, but consecutively.
As in, as soon as we run out, I make more and restock the freezer.
They’re so moist and easy to make, and they thaw in less than 30 minutes no problem, so these are my super-emergency-have-to-leave-the-house-NOW stash.
They vary in flavors, from plain to cinnamon-raisin or banana-nut, to my favorite, cranberry-walnut, or the kids’ fav, blueberry. The recipe is such a blank slate that you can pretty much make it into anything you want (and in Healthy Snacks to Go, the second edition, I did – I took the spices from our favorite healthy pumpkin muffins and made grain-free pumpkin muffins too).
I like to surround myself with easy, versatile, flexible recipes, like those famous muffins I just mentioned, which are made in one bowl and had no problem morphing into delicious gluten-free pumpkin muffins (that were also egg-free, dairy-free, and nut-free).
During this week of a grain-free baking challenge, if you just want to try one recipe, make this the one. Share in the comments how you adapt it with fun flavors!
To learn more about baking with coconut flour check out my how-to post. (It’s really more of a how-NOT-to post.)
Revamping an all-purpose flour or whole wheat recipe to use coconut flour is, I understand, possible. I’ve never been brave enough to try it, but in Baking with Coconut Flour, Starlene Stewart says to use 1/4 cup coconut flour for each full cup wheat flour and then add some eggs as well. The total number of eggs in the recipe should equal one egg for every ounce of coconut flour used.
Starlene has many more tutorials and tips about how to measure the flour, other compensations to make when revamping recipes, and even some great ideas for saving failed experiments so you don’t have to waste expensive ingredients.
You can get a copy of Starlene’s book Baking with Coconut Flour ebook 50% off by using the coupon code KSFIFTY. That code will get you half off Mastering the Art of Baking with Coconut Flour and it will also work for Baker’s Dozen Volume 1 Sweet Quick Breads.
Recipe: Easy Grain-free Coconut Muffins
Prep Time:
Yield:
Print
PinIngredients
- 6 eggs
- 1/4 c. unrefined coconut oil, melted
- 1/2 c. honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 c. coconut flour (use the code STEWARDSHIP for 10% off at that site!)
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F.
- Beat or stir eggs, coconut oil,
honey and salt together until smooth. Be sure to mix the oil in immediately as it will likely solidify as soon as it hits the cold eggs. - Sift coconut flour into the batter and sprinkle baking soda over the top so that it mixes in evenly. Beat or whisk hard until smooth.
- I highly recommend using muffin cup liners for this recipe, but if you don’t mind the clean-up, you can grease 12 muffin cups with coconut oil.
- Divide batter evenly between 12 cups (usually about halfway full) and bake at 375F for 10-15 minutes (350F if you use all honey) until a toothpick in the center comes out clean and tops are springy, not mushy.
- Remove to a wire rack to cool. Store at room temperature 3-5 days or freeze immediately.
- Makes 12 muffins.
Notes
* I often use half maple syrup and half honey; I like the way the flavors balance out. I’ve also successfully used both date sugar and sucanat, so I’m pretty confident any granulated sweetener will work as well.
* This recipe was previously exclusive to my “on the go” eBooks, Healthy Snacks to Go and The Healthy Lunch Box enjoy it on the house!
* More on how to bake grain-free with coconut flour.
* And my comparison of 3 different coconut flour brands to find the best brand of coconut flour.
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I’m guessing that if I did find a 2-year-old muffin in the freezer, it would still be moist and tasty, to tell the truth.
Have fun with this one!
This is perfect if you’ve just been told you need a GF diet, if you have a friend or family member eating GF and you’d like to cook for them, or if you’re just curious what it’s all about!
Katie Kimball is a trusted educator and author of 8 real food cookbooks. She is passionate about researching natural remedies and making healthy cooking easier for busy families. She’s been featured on media outlets like ABC, NBC and First for Women magazine as well as contributing regularly on the FOX Network. Over the last 10 years, Katie has spoken prolifically at conferences, online summits and podcasts and become a trusted authority and advocate for children’s health. Busy moms look to this certified educator for honest, in-depth natural product reviews and thorough research. She often partners with health experts and medical practitioners to deliver the most current information to the Kitchen Stewardship community. In 2016 she created the #1 bestselling online kids cooking course, Kids Cook Real Food, helping thousands of families around the world learn to cook. A mom of 4 kids from Michigan, she is a Stress Mastery Educator and member of the American Institute of Stress.
Mailisha Chesney says
How many grams of carbs are in each muffin, would you guess?
Katie Kimball @ Kitchen Stewardship says
Sorry, Mailisha, I’ve never counted carbs.
Mailisha Chesney says
Oh, bummer! It makes it so much easier when recipes show the macro information, for people trying to stay within certain ranges.
🙁
Ben Mena says
I find that a lot of coconut flour recipes have that grainy/gritty taste of coconut.
Will using a blender on the flour before mixing with other ingredients help?
Other suggestions? Much appreciated.
Also, how can you get more rise and less denseness with coconut flour muffins?
Katie Kimball @ Kitchen Stewardship says
Hi Ben, I truly think any gritty texture is the brand – Tropical Traditions is my fav because it’s so, so fine. I’ve tested 3 of them side by side: http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2013/10/03/how-do-3-different-brands-of-coconut-flour-differ-review/
If you do dislike the mouthfeel, I can’t imagine a blender would hurt.
As for more rise, recipes with a bit of acid (lemon juice, vinegar) and baking soda will help with that.
🙂 Katie
Ben Mena says
If I first grind the coconut flour, do you think that will result in a finer non-grainy/gritty texture of the recipe? I’d rather not pay the shipping cost for the Tropical Traditions brand.
Katie Kimball @ Kitchen Stewardship says
Might work Ben! Also TT has free ship weekends about once a month, so watch for those on their FB page. 🙂 Katie
Svetlana says
Just made these muffins this morning and they were GOOD! I had only 5 eggs, so I added 2 mashed bananas. I also used 1/3 cup of honey and muffins were way too sweet for my taste, but my kids loved them. Many-many thanks for sharing the recipe!
★★★★★
Kendall says
I just wanted to say that our family LOVES these muffins. I made a quadruple batch this morning (batch cooking day). I like to add about 1/2 tsp vanilla to ours and they get devoured. Thank you so much for this recipe!
Jen says
I just made these – Simple, delicious! Putting them in the freezer for when baby arrives. 🙂
Here’s what I did
– Doubled recipe
– Subbed butter for coc oil
– Added zest of (almost) 2 lemons, plus the juice from 1
– Added 1 tbs extra coc flour to make up for extra liquid from lemon juice
– Added ~1.5 cups frozen raspberries.
Perfection!!!
THANK YOU Katie!!
Blessings,
Jen
Jen says
Oh also, I made them in a 9×13 baking dish lined with parchment paper, and because the recipe was doubled, it took about 35 minutes to bake at 375F.
Laurie says
I thought these were great. A little chewy sort of like a bran muffin. I used only a tablespoon of honey and subbed lakanto sugar for the rest. Also I put in some chopped up strawberries. Very nice recipe.
Sharla says
These look great and so easy! I’m curious to know if I can just add pumpkin or banana (and what quantity) without changing the end result by adding that extra moisture. I’d love to try a pumpkin version next week. Thanks!
Katie Kimball @ Kitchen Stewardship says
Sharla,
I do have a pumpkin version in my Healthy Snacks to Go ebook – http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2010/04/26/healthy-snacks-to-go-ebook-now-on-sale/. I think I decreased the eggs by one egg and added pumpkin, maybe 1/2 cup? 🙂 Katie
Melody says
Has anybody had success using Ener-G egg replacer instead of the egg or flax/chia eggs? I don’t eat egg anymore, but I sure miss these muffins!
Rach says
Hey guys.
I’ve made these twice now and both times I noticed the bottoms were almost translucent and a totally different consistency to the rest. They are very oily. Its so odd! Am I the only one? Could it be the climate? – since it’s quite damp and cold here right now.
Katie Kimball @ Kitchen Stewardship says
Maybe try reducing the oil next batch?
Anjanette says
I just wanted to say that we have these about twice a month. 🙂 I must have made 30 batches by now. 🙂 SO yummy! Today our add-ins are chocolate chips and dried cranberries. 🙂
Katie Kimball @ Kitchen Stewardship says
Which leads me to wonder: why have I never added chocolate?!? I love that you love them! 🙂 Katie
Carla Ehrenreich says
My first attempt baking with coconut flour after several other times of giving up having overloaded on recipes/advice/warnings while searching for a recipe. Tastes fantastic. Thanks so much.
Kristina says
This was my first time using coconut flour and was a huge success thank you so much!!
I noticed a very eggy taste from the muffins is it possible to use less eggs? 4 or 5 maybe?
Katie Kimball @ Kitchen Stewardship says
Kristina,
I haven’t tried reducing the eggs – I think some have taken some eggs out and then used the flax-egg replacement. You don’t want to just take them out or the muffins could get too dry, you know? 🙂 Katie
Amber says
what about egg free for this recipe?
Katie Kimball @ Kitchen Stewardship says
Amber,
Yikes, your comment got totally misplaced, sorry about that!
I’ve seen others say that because of the nature of coconut flour, you really can’t do egg-free (which is a bummer!). Because of that, I’ve never even experimented. 🙁
Katie
Jennifer says
These were perfect! My first attempt at baking with coconut flour and I couldn’t be more pleased. Thanks so much for sharing.
Katie Kimball @ Kitchen Stewardship says
Wonderful!
regina says
Hi,
I’ve made these once and they were a huge hit; so thank you. I’d like to try a variation but am wondering on the measurements? I assume cinnamon raisin, for example, is just something I could just guess on – but for the others, if there a set amount I should aim for? thank you again!
Katie Kimball @ Kitchen Stewardship says
Regina,
I probably use about 1/2 c. walnuts for 12 muffins and a similar amount of chopped cranberries, and we actually add the blueberries into the muffins after pouring into the cups – about 4-5 per muffin. Any of the add-ins, you can really just guess and check on the batter. 🙂 Katie
Brittany says
Just wanted to add this tip with coconut flour: Use a stick blender. Because it behaves differently than wheat flour (no gluten, I may be the reason, I think?) you can’t overmix it. It makes the batter super-smooth even without sifting.
Julie says
I’ve been making these muffins (via Heavenly Homemakers) for a few years. I usually bake half plain for the kids, and add a few tablespoons cocoa powder, a teaspoon of instant coffee granules, and some cinnamon to the other half for us grown ups. Yummy.
Katie Kimball @ Kitchen Stewardship says
Why I’ve never added cocoa powder I have no idea…I’m sitting here in shock. Going to have to make them chocolate soon! 🙂 🙂 🙂 Katie
Serene in Singapore says
If we add cocoa powder do we decrease the amount of coconut flour?
Susan Alexander says
Judging from this recipe, I don’t know if I would: http://paleospirit.com/2012/paleo-chocolate-birthday-cake-coconut-honey-frosting/ But you will probably need more liquid if you don’t cut the coconut flour…
Julie says
I don’t cut the flour and usually it’s just fine. Once in a while it does seem dry, (depending on the weather) and then I just add a bit if water, or milk, or yogurt, or (sshhhh) melted chocolate chips!
Suzanne says
Where do you buy coconut flour? Normal grocery store? Amazon?
Katie Kimball @ Kitchen Stewardship says
Suzanne,
Amazon is a good place, but as you’ll see in today’s comparison post (http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2013/10/03/how-do-3-different-brands-of-coconut-flour-differ-review/) I prefer Tropical Traditions brand and it’s least expensive right from them, especially with free shipping which happens about once a month. 🙂 Katie
brenda says
I have found a 5# bag of Coconut Flour at Sam’s Club for $9.98–less than 2.00 a pound. SUPER price!!!
Katie Kimball @ Kitchen Stewardship says
Wow! That’s awesome – I haven’t seen it at Costco and don’t have a Sam’s membership. Good find! 🙂 Katie
brenda says
email me if you like–i will happily buy and send you a bag from Sam’s. I’m a seller on ebay and can list it there if it would put you at ease.
brenda says
duh…might help if i included my email, wouldn’t it?
[email protected]
Erin says
I am new(ish) to the blog so sorry if you’ve answered this somewhere else, but wondering why you prefer coconut flour to almond flour, and if almond flour would be an acceptable substitute?
Katie Kimball @ Kitchen Stewardship says
Erin,
I prefer it for rookies especially just because it’s more cost effective since you use so little flour per recipe. Almond flour is used in proportions a lot more like wheat flour (2 c. for muffins instead of 1/2 cup) and can’t be subbed in for coconut flour without really revamping the recipe. Best to find a really good almond flour recipe – I’ve had delish almond flour muffins! 🙂 Katie
Lori says
Does this recipe work for a bread loaf instead of muffins? I have been trying variations of banana bread using alternative flours and sweeteners. They rise beautifully in the oven, but fall after taking out and cooling. I’ve tried various baking times, temps, letting it cool slowly in the oven, but they all fall. I should also note I am using soldium free baking soda, which has worked fine when I use regular flour.
Sheila says
What about trying a bundt pan?
Katie Kimball @ Kitchen Stewardship says
I’ve not tried a loaf, but it does work great in a cake pan, either round or square. In fact, it was my son’s first birthday cake (doubled). 🙂 Katie
Lindsey says
Could you post the baking temp/time for the cake version. I’d love to use it for my daughter’s first birthday cake. We just made a version of the muffins with cocoa powder and cherries and they were yummy!
Katie Kimball @ Kitchen Stewardship says
Lindsey,
Oh dear, I’m sure I baked at the same temp as in the recipe here, but he’s 2.5 now…I can’t remember the timing! I probably just started with 5 minutes longer than the muffins and checked the center every 5 mins. It’s a forgiving cake and won’t deflate if you open the oven door! 😉 Katie