Perfect almond flour muffins that are grain-free, Paleo, and easily made Keto, too! Vary them in multiple ways with different add-ins and flavorings.
Easy Almond Flour Muffins
My friend Kim informed me last week that she has been following a Paleo diet (grain-free, dairy-free) for the past month and that if I could come up with a go-to Paleo muffin/bread recipe, she would be ever so grateful. I detected some urgency in her voice (she mentioned that the entire family was on the diet and dissension in the ranks was mounting), so I set to work at once.
I knew I had some almond flour in the freezer from a bulk foods buying spree, so I decided to put it to immediate use on Kim’s behalf. I love working with almond flour. Working with it is fairly straightforward, but it does require some finesse.
For example, it cannot be used as a measure-for-measure replacement for all-purpose or whole wheat flour; it benefits from a lower percentage of overall liquid (almonds have far more moisture than wheat) and benefits from an a higher proportion of eggs (to aid leavening due to the absence of gluten).
How to Make Perfect Almond Flour Muffins
In my mind a good muffins should have a tender crumb but must also be firm enough to stand on it’s own without crumbling into your lap. I wanted a minimalist muffin, as well as one with a minimal amount of added oil) too much leaves almond flour recipes greasy). A bit of pumpkin, applesauce or banana works perfectly in its place.
I also scale back on the many eggs often found in many almond flour recipes. Almond flour baking recipes need eggs for structure and a good rise, but add too many and the results can taste overly egg-y.
The resulting recipe is easy as can be; in one bowl, combine the dry ingredients (almond flour, baking soda and salt). In a small bowl, whisk the we ingredients (eggs, mashed banana, water, oil, and maple syrup) and then add to the dry ingredients, stirring until combined.
Add in Fruits, Nuts, Chocolate Chips & More
You can vary these endlessly with a cup of fresh fruit (not too wet; blueberries are always welcome additions), unsweetened dried fruit, cacao nibs, or chocolate/carob chips if you are not following a paleo diet. Have fun with differnt flavorings, too, such as extracts, spices, and citrus zests.
Alterntively, head in a savory direct with fresh or dried herbs, savory spices, seeds, nuts, you name it.
Fresh blueberries are always a favorite add-in at my house.
Scoop the batter into 10 lined cups of a standard size muffin tin (the batter will be thick). Now comes the only difficult part of making these muffins: waiting for them to bake!
In a small bowl, whisk the eggs, banana, oil, water and vinegar (add any extracts or zest at this point, if using).
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until blended. Fold in any optional stir-ins, if using.
Divide batter evenly among prepared cups.
Bake in preheated oven for 14 to 18 minutes until set at the centers and golden brown at the edges. Move the tin to a cooling rack and let muffins cool in the tin 30 minutes. Remove muffins from tin.
Notes
Storage: Store the cooled muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 day, the refrigerator for 5 days, or the freezer for up to 6 months.
Keto Variation: Use unsweetened applesauce as the puree and replace the honey with an equal amount of keto-friendly liquid sweetener.
I subbed 1/2 cup of almond flour with 2 scoops of vanilla whey protein and used agave instead of maple syrup. Mixed in raisins and chia seeds. They came out great. Nice post workout snack with lots of protein..
Camilla
Friday 19th of February 2021
Ooh, that sounds great, Zach!
Lisa K
Tuesday 25th of June 2019
I am also not someone who comments on things. I made these this evening and the batter was thick enough to scoop up with the muffin scooper so I just put them on parchment and they’re more like a scone or drop biscuit. Not sure what I did wrong
Camilla
Sunday 30th of June 2019
Hi Lisa,
I am sorry that the muffin batter was so dense. A possible reason may be that the cups of almond flour/meal were packed, so that there was more than 2 and 1/2 cups. I wrote this recipe before I used weight measurements, but your comment has prompted me to add the weight for the flour, as well as a direction for lightly spooning in the almond flour when measuring. I hope that solves it, Lisa!
Jackie Mueller
Saturday 5th of November 2016
I just made these. They turned out fabulous!!! I added 1 cup blueberries, 1/2 cup crushed pumpkin seeds and 1/2 cup crushed almonds.
They are amazing!!! Thanks for sharing such a yummy recipe!!
Camilla
Monday 7th of November 2016
Yay, so glad to hear it, Jackie!
Jackie Mueller
Saturday 5th of November 2016
Also, how would you recommend storing?
Paleo Almond Muffins | Rolling With Crohns
Sunday 9th of October 2016
[…] Original recipe found here: Original Recipe […]
Knowledge Items Blog
Thursday 22nd of September 2016
52 Healthy Paleo Breakfast Recipes
[...] er so grateful. I detected some urgency in her voice (she mentioned that the ent [...]
I’m Camilla, food writer, author, runner, and spin instructor. PowerHungry® is where I share my easy, minimalist, plant-based recipes, designed for living a healthy, delicious, empowered life.
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Zach Dahlgren
Thursday 18th of February 2021
I subbed 1/2 cup of almond flour with 2 scoops of vanilla whey protein and used agave instead of maple syrup. Mixed in raisins and chia seeds. They came out great. Nice post workout snack with lots of protein..
Camilla
Friday 19th of February 2021
Ooh, that sounds great, Zach!
Lisa K
Tuesday 25th of June 2019
I am also not someone who comments on things. I made these this evening and the batter was thick enough to scoop up with the muffin scooper so I just put them on parchment and they’re more like a scone or drop biscuit. Not sure what I did wrong
Camilla
Sunday 30th of June 2019
Hi Lisa, I am sorry that the muffin batter was so dense. A possible reason may be that the cups of almond flour/meal were packed, so that there was more than 2 and 1/2 cups. I wrote this recipe before I used weight measurements, but your comment has prompted me to add the weight for the flour, as well as a direction for lightly spooning in the almond flour when measuring. I hope that solves it, Lisa!
Jackie Mueller
Saturday 5th of November 2016
I just made these. They turned out fabulous!!! I added 1 cup blueberries, 1/2 cup crushed pumpkin seeds and 1/2 cup crushed almonds.
They are amazing!!! Thanks for sharing such a yummy recipe!!
Camilla
Monday 7th of November 2016
Yay, so glad to hear it, Jackie!
Jackie Mueller
Saturday 5th of November 2016
Also, how would you recommend storing?
Paleo Almond Muffins | Rolling With Crohns
Sunday 9th of October 2016
[…] Original recipe found here: Original Recipe […]
Knowledge Items Blog
Thursday 22nd of September 2016
52 Healthy Paleo Breakfast Recipes
[...] er so grateful. I detected some urgency in her voice (she mentioned that the ent [...]