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Home » Recipes » Single Serving Breakfast

By Joanie Zisk Published: Feb 13, 2023 · Updated: Feb 13, 2023 · This post may contain affiliate links · Please read my disclosure

Small Batch Morning Glory Muffins

Jump to Recipe
four morning glory muffins on a blue plate next to a pitcher of orange juice

Tender Morning Glory Muffins are a great way to start your day! This small batch of muffins are made with fruit, nuts, and other healthy ingredients.

four morning glory muffins on a blue plate next to a pitcher of orange juice

Morning glory muffins are my husband's favorite kind of muffins. They're loaded with a little bit of just about everything - carrots, apples, raisins, nuts, coconut, and even orange juice! These cinnamon-spiced muffins are similar to a fruit-filled carrot cake and our small batch morning glory muffin recipe yields the perfect amount if you're preparing them for one or two people to enjoy.

It is worth noting that the morning glory batter can be used to make a delightful morning glory cake. Just pour the batter into a 5x7-inch baking dish.

Jump to:
  • What Are Morning Glory Muffins?
  • Why This Recipe Works
  • Ingredients
  • Ingredient Notes And Substitutions
  • How To Make Morning Glory Muffins
  • Make A Morning Glory Cake
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Expert Tips
  • Make Ahead And Freezing Instructions
  • Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
  • Recipe

What Are Morning Glory Muffins?

Morning glory muffins are a substantial, healthy breakfast, snack, or post-workout treat. Although they're incredibly delicious the day they're made, I think they may taste even better a day after baking, when the flavors really come together.

Morning glory muffins were created by Chef Pam McKinstry, owner of the "Morning Glory Cafe" in Nantucket in the 1970s. Gourmet magazine printed the recipe and it was chosen by readers as one of the magazine's 25 favorite recipes from the past 50 years.

Why This Recipe Works

  • Incredibly delicious: These morning glory muffins are deliciously moist and perfectly spiced. They're extremely flavorful with a delightful hint of orange.
  • Easy to customize: Feel free to swap out ingredients with ones you love. This is a very forgiving muffin recipe. Consider using another type of nut or leave out the raisins if you're not a fan of them. The opportunities to customize this recipe are endless.
  • Recipe doubles well: This small batch morning glory muffin recipe yields between 6 to 8 muffins. I fill my muffin wells to just below the rim but you can easily make more muffins if you don't fill yours as much as I do.
  • Easy to make: Despite the long list of ingredients, morning glory muffins are very easy to make. Be sure to see below for ways to use up leftover ingredients.
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Ingredients

morning glory muffins ingredients on a kitchen counter

Ingredient Notes And Substitutions

See below for ways to use leftover ingredients.

  • Fruits and vegetables: We use grated carrots and apples along with raisins in our muffins. You might like to consider adding chopped or crushed pineapple which is an ingredient found in many versions of this recipe.
  • Flour: Use all-purpose flour. This recipe has also been tested with King Arthur Gluten Free Measure For Measure Flour with success. If you'd like to make gluten-free morning glory muffins, I recommend using this brand of gluten-free flour.
  • Brown sugar: Adds the perfect sweet flavor to the muffins.
  • Baking soda: Helps the muffins rise.
  • Spices: We don't skimp on spices here, our recipe calls for using a good amount of ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and a touch of salt.
  • Coconut: I use unsweetened shredded coconut but you can use sweetened instead.
  • Nuts: Use walnuts or pecans and sunflower seeds. If you want to make nut-free morning glory muffins, replace them with dried cranberries or more raisins.
  • Oil: I love using avocado oil in this recipe. Avocado oil is oil pressed from the avocado fruit. It's got a very mild taste and is similar to olive oil in terms of nutritional value. Feel free to use canola oil, vegetable oil, or melted butter instead.
  • Orange juice: This ingredient adds such a delicious flavor. You can use pineapple juice or milk instead.
seven morning glory muffins in a muffin tin on a kitchen counter

How To Make Morning Glory Muffins

See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease 6 to 8 wells of a muffin tin or a 5x7-inch baking dish.

Pro Tip: The easiest way to grease muffin tins is to use melted butter or oil and a pastry brush. If you don't have a pastry brush, dip a paper towel into melted butter or oil and use it instead. You can also use cooking spray and lightly spray the wells of the pan.

  1. In a small bowl, cover the raisins with hot water, and set them aside to soak.

Pro Tip: It's always a good idea to soak raisins in hot water before adding them to baked goods. Raisins are dry and tend to absorb the liquid from baked goods which may cause what you're making to be less moist. Soaking raisins in hot water plumps them up and also prevents burning as they bake.

raisins soaking in hot water on a kitchen counter
  1. Use a box grater or a food processor to grate the carrots and the apple. Set them aside.

Note: I have a small food processor so I had to grate the carrots and apple separately. If your food processor is larger you can grate them together.

grated carrots and apples in a food processor
  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking soda, spices, and salt.
flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl
  1. Stir in the grated carrots, apple, coconut, walnuts, and sunflower seeds.
carrots, apples, and dry ingredients for muffins in a large mixing bowl
  1. In a separate bowl, beat together the egg, oil, vanilla, and orange juice.
orange juice, vanilla, egg, and oil in a small bowl
  1. Add to the flour mixture and stir until combined.
  2. Drain the raisins and stir them in.
morning glory muffin batter in a mixing bowl
  1. Divide the batter among the wells of a lightly greased muffin pan.

Pro Tip: I fill the wells to just below the top.

morning glory muffin batter in a muffin tin
  1. This step is optional but I love to sprinkle a few sunflower seeds over the tops.
unbaked morning glory muffins in a muffin tin
  1. Bake the muffins for 18 to 20 minutes, until they've risen nicely and a toothpick inserted in the center of one of the muffins comes out clean.
  2. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes in the pan on a rack.
seven baked morning glory muffins in a muffin tin
  1. Transfer the muffins to a plate or a cooling rack to finish cooling.

Make A Morning Glory Cake

You can use a 5x7-inch baking dish instead of making muffins.

  1. Lightly grease a 5x7-inch baking dish and pour the batter inside. Sprinkle the top of the cake with sunflower seeds if desired, and place the baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any possible spills.
a morning glory cake in a small rectangular baking dish
  1. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
  2. Remove from the oven to cool.
a mini morning glory muffin cake on a table next to a glass of orange juice
a square piece of morning glory cake on a floral dish next to a small baking pan

Frequently Asked Questions

Are These Muffins Healthy?

The word healthy is relative but I would consider morning glory muffins to be healthier than other muffins. Even though they do contain some oil and sugar, these muffins are filled with fresh fruit and vegetables.

Can I Make These Muffins Gluten-Free?

Yes. This recipe has been tested using King Arthur Gluten Free Measure For Measure Flour with success. If you'd like to make gluten-free morning glory muffins, I recommend using this brand of gluten-free flour.

Can This Recipe Be Doubled?

Yes, it can. If you'd like to make additional muffins, just double the ingredient amounts. When I double this recipe, I get 12 muffins.

Can I Leave Out The Nuts?

Absolutely! If you want to make morning glory muffins without nuts, simply leave them out and consider using extra raisins or dried cranberries instead.

Expert Tips

  • Please read through the Ingredient Notes section in the recipe post. There is a lot of information about ingredient substitutions that you might find helpful.
  • This morning glory muffin recipe can be used to make muffins or a small morning glory cake. If making a cake, I recommend using a 5x7-inch baking dish. If making the cake, bake it for 25-30 minutes.
  • Reduce calories in this recipe by using Swerve brown sugar replacement instead of regular brown sugar.
  • Substitutions: See the Ingredient Notes section for substitutions I've tested.

Make Ahead And Freezing Instructions

  • These muffins freeze well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm in the microwave, if desired.
  • Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
a half of a morning glory muffin on a blue plate

Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients

If you have any ingredients leftover from this small batch morning glory muffin recipe, you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:

  • Carrots: Mini Muffuletta, Split Pea Soup, Carrot Cake, Carrot Souffle, Chicken Tortellini Soup
  • Apples: Apple Crisp, Dutch Apple Pie, Fried Apples, Apple Butter, Apple Fritters
  • Raisins: Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, Cream Scones, Irish Soda Bread
  • Walnuts: Maple Walnut Muffin, Overnight Oats, Fudge, Pineapple Lime Jello Salad, Flourless Chocolate Cookies
  • Sunflower seeds: Peanut Butter Toast with Apples, scatter a handful over a salad or into yogurt.
  • Vanilla: Boston Cream Pie, Buckeyes, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Banana Pudding, Banana Bread
  • Orange juice: Orange Oatmeal Cake, Cranberry Orange Scones, Slow Cooker Orange Chicken, Sangria, Tequila Sunrise
  • Ground cinnamon: Hummingbird Cake, Peaches and Cream Rice Pudding, Snickerdoodles, Apple Dutch Baby, French Toast Casserole
  • Ground ginger: Ginger Cookies, Gingerbread, Peach Crisp, Pork Stir Fry, Molasses Cookies
  • Shredded coconut: Coconut Macaroons, Coconut Cream Pie, Cowboy Cookies, Butter Pecan Granola, Gingerbread Granola
half of a morning glory muffin with butter melting onto a plate

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If you’ve tried this small batch morning glory muffin recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.

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Recipe

four morning glory muffins on a blue plate next to a pitcher of orange juice

Small Batch Morning Glory Muffins

Tender Morning Glory Muffins are a great way to start your day! This small batch muffin recipe is made with fruit, nuts, and other healthy ingredients.
5 from 9 votes
Print Pin Rate
See the post above for expert tips,
FAQs and ways to use leftover ingredients.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Course: Bread, Breakfast, Muffins
Cuisine: American
Servings: 7 muffins
Calories: 311kcal
Author: Joanie Zisk

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • mini food processor
  • muffin pan

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup raisins
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup brown sugar , packed
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup shredded carrots , (about 2 large)
  • ½ cup shredded/grated apples , (about 1 small apple, peeled and cored)
  • ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  • ¼ cup chopped walnuts , or pecans
  • 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds , plus 1 tablespoon more for sprinkling over the tops of the muffins
  • 1 large egg
  • ⅓ cup avocado oil , or vegetable oil, canola oil, or melted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 tablespoons orange juice
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease 6 to 8 wells of a muffin tin or a 5x7-inch baking dish.
  • In a small bowl, cover the raisins with hot water, and set them aside to soak.
  • Use a box grater or a food processor to grate the carrots and the apple. Set them aside.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and salt.
  • Stir in the grated carrots, apple, coconut, walnuts, and 2 tablespoons of sunflower seeds.
  • In a separate bowl, beat together the egg, oil, vanilla, and orange juice. Add to the flour mixture and stir until combined.
  • Drain the raisins and stir them in.
  • Divide the batter among the wells of a lightly greased muffin pan. Sprinkle sunflower seeds over the tops of the muffins.
  • Bake the muffins for 18 to 20 minutes, until they've risen nicely and a toothpick inserted in the center of one of the muffins comes out clean.
  • Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes in the pan on a rack.
  • Transfer the muffins to a plate or a cooling rack to finish cooling.

Notes

Expert Tips
  • Please read through the Ingredient Notes section in the recipe post. There is a lot of information about ingredient substitutions that you might find helpful.
  • This morning glory muffin recipe can be used to make muffins or a small morning glory cake. If making a cake, I recommend using a 5x7-inch baking dish. If making the cake, bake for 25-30 minutes.
  • Reduce calories in this recipe by using Swerve brown sugar replacement instead of regular brown sugar.
  • Substitutions: See the Ingredient Notes section for substitutions I've tested.
Nutrition Facts
Small Batch Morning Glory Muffins
Amount Per Serving (1 muffin)
Calories 311 Calories from Fat 153
% Daily Value*
Fat 17g26%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Trans Fat 0.003g
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g
Monounsaturated Fat 9g
Cholesterol 27mg9%
Sodium 178mg8%
Potassium 168mg5%
Carbohydrates 39g13%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 18g20%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin A 55IU1%
Vitamin C 4mg5%
Calcium 30mg3%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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About Joanie Zisk

Joanie Zisk is the creator of OneDishKitchen.com, the number one go-to site for single serving recipes. The aim of One Dish Kitchen is to inspire individuals with access to single serving recipes that will enable them to enjoy the preparation of a meal that will nourish both body and soul. Her website is filled with hundreds of easy, flavorful recipes that are tailored for those cooking for one. Joanie is the author of "The Ultimate Cooking For One Cookbook" and her recipes and food photography have been featured in various publications including, TODAY.com, Huffington Post, Real Simple, Self.com,Women’s Day, Buzzfeed, and others. Come say hello and follow Joanie on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Rose says

    February 20, 2023 at 3:40 am

    Delicious!! This is definitely a winner! This is a great recipe. It’s so moist and tasty. The balance of flavors, the fruit, coconut and carrots, makes it flavorsome. I used dried cherries instead of raisins. I soaked them in water as you suggested with the raisins. I’m going to try dried blueberries next time. Thank you for all your fantastic recipes.

    Reply
  2. Toni says

    February 19, 2023 at 7:55 am

    Looking forward to trying these muffins. Have you ever made them with whole wheat flour ? Must say, you write "the most complete" recipe .... the only other author I've run across who is as thorough writes "recipetineats" from Australia or New Zealand. Kudos !

    Reply
    • Joanie Zisk says

      February 19, 2023 at 1:15 pm

      Hi Toni, thanks so much! I haven't made Morning Glory Muffins with whole wheat flour but another reader just emailed me that she used half all-purpose and half whole wheat flour with success. If you want to use only whole wheat flour, you will probably need to add more liquid (orange juice) and I would actually add more grated apples and/or carrots to give the muffins more moisture.

      Reply
  3. Tracy says

    February 17, 2023 at 2:55 pm

    Made these Morning Glories today! WOW! Fantastically delish!! Thank you.. and they looked just like yours! You’ll have to trust me.. they are all gone already!!!

    Reply
  4. J. Hegyi says

    February 13, 2023 at 3:28 pm

    Good recipe.

    Reply

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