The Best Bran Muffin Recipe

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The Best Bran Muffin Recipe – delicious, perfectly moist bakery style bran muffins from scratch at home!

Try these healthy and delicious bran muffins for an easy grab-and-go breakfast.

They’re moist and packed with flavor! A delicious source of fiber. Serve with jam, butter, or marmalade for a great healthy way to start your day.

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Homemade Bran muffins

My bran muffins call for wheat bran, not cereal like many recipes; this gives them a truly classic bakery bran muffin flavor.

If you’re looking for a bran muffins recipe, this will be your go-to. 

My great recipe using real bran gives these muffins fresh-from-the-bakery authentic flavor. 

There’s something so comforting about bran muffins – these aren’t overly sweet but sweet enough to make it a treat. 

These muffins are a great treat and also are healthy. It’s so nice to be able to grab something and run out the door without feeling guilty! 

picture of a bran muffin on a plate

How to Make Bran Muffins From Scratch

I love how easy these bran muffins are to make!

There are a couple steps to follow to be sure they come out perfectly, every time.

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees, spray the muffin tin well. I don’t recommend using paper liners for these.

Mix together the wheat bran and buttermilk. Allow it to sit and absorb for at least 10 minutes. 

In a large mixing bowl beat together applesauce, egg, brown sugar, and vanilla until combined.

Add the bran mixture and stir with a rubber spatula until just combined.

Sift the all-purpose flour and the wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt onto the top of the wet ingredients, distributing them evenly.

Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, again until just combined. 

Add a 1/2 cup of batter (I like to use my measuring cups to 8 greased muffin cups.

Sprinkle a little additional bran on top, if desired.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.

Place the pan on a wire rack to cool for at least 15 minutes before turning them out to cool further. 

picture of a bran muffin on a plate

Tips To Perfect Bran Muffins and FAQs

Mix the ingredients until just combined. Over-mixing will result in muffins that are too dense.

Vegetable oil or another neutral cooking oil can be used instead of applesauce. Another option to add a great flavor is to try coconut oil. 

I don’t recommend using paper liners with these. Because of their moist texture, they’ll stick to them and fall apart

Why Use Wheat Bran?

Wheat bran is known for its high fiber content. There are many known benefits to your health for getting enough fiber.

Wheat is made up of three parts, the bran, endosperm, and the germ. 

Bran is the outer shell of the wheat, which is removed during the milling process. Although some consider bran to be more of a byproduct rather than the main event, a diet including bran can help to add fiber. 

One of the great things about bran is that it adds bulk, is nutrient-dense, but low-calorie. 

Although muffins and cereals are the most common places to find bran, it’s known for its slightly sweet and nutty flavor. These muffins make that great flavor front-and-center. 

Bran is well-known to contribute to better digestion and heart health as a part of a well-balanced diet.

As long as you don’t have wheat sensitivity, bran is a great addition to a healthy well-rounded diet. 

Healthy Choice Picky Eaters Love

If you have picky eaters in your family, getting enough fiber in their diets can be a struggle, try these muffins.

I love that these muffins contain the kind of healthy ingredients that stick with you all day. They are perfect for sustained energy for work or learning. 

These delicious bran muffins seem like a special treat, especially when topped with butter or jam! 

Because these bran muffins don’t contain nuts, they are a great snack to slip into lunchboxes! Although I’m not in the “trick my kids to eat healthy” club, sometimes I have to trick my kids to eat healthy.

Good eating habits that include healthy choices like these muffins will last a lifetime.

Bran Muffin FAQs

What can I substitute for buttermilk?

An easy substitute for buttermilk is to use a cup of milk minus one tablespoon and add a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to make a full cup.

Where can I buy wheat bran online?

If your local store doesn’t have wheat bran, you can find it online. I get it on Amazon. One bag is enough to make two batches of these muffins.

When are bran muffins done cooking?

Can I add mixins?

Absolutely! Try nuts, blueberries, or nuts. I also love the taste of bran with about a 1/4 cup of chocolate chips!

How long do bran muffins last?

Bran muffins can be stored for up to four days in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

Can bran muffins be frozen?

Double-wrap them and they’ll keep in the freezer for up to three months. Allow them to thaw naturally.

What should I serve bran muffins with?

picture of a bran muffin on a plate

Other Breakfasts You’ll Love

If you’re looking for delicious breakfast ideas to start your morning, we love making these muffins alongside our Easy Sangria Mimosas, Air Fryer Bacon, The Best Deviled Eggs, Prosciutto Egg Cups, and Triple Berry Smoothie Bowls!

Find our complete breakfast recipe archives here.

The Best Bran Muffin Recipe Ever

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The Best Bran Muffin Recipe

Delicious, healthy, easy baked bran muffins the whole family will love.
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Keyword baking, bran, breads, breakfast, muffins
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 8 muffins
Calories 110kcal
Author Courtney O’Dell

Ingredients

  • cups wheat bran
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • ? cup apple sauce
  • 1 large egg
  • ? cup light brown sugar packed
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease muffin tin with nonstick spray and set aside.
  • Mix together the wheat bran and buttermilk in a large bowl and let sit for 10 minutes.
  • In a separate bowl, beat together the apple sauce, egg, brown sugar, and vanilla until combined.
  • Add to the bran mixture and mix just until combined.
  • Sift the flours, baking soda, baking powder, and salt on top of the wet ingredients.
  • Then stir the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, until just combined.
  • Add 1/2 cup of batter to 8 greased muffin cups and sprinkle some additional brand on top, if desired.
  • Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 110kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 282mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 12g

About Courtney

Courtney loves to share great wine, good food, and loves to explore far flung places- all while masting an everyday elegant and easy style at lifestyle blog Sweet C’s Designs. Sweet C's devoted to finding the best food and drinks you'll want to make or find, around the world!

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3 Comments

  1. I’ve tried several bran muffin recipes and found them to be blan. These muffins are moist and packed with flavor. I think I found my go to recipe for bran muffins.

  2. One of the best things about this recipe is that it calls for wheat bran and not bran cereal. The cereal itself contains sugar, which makes the muffins too sweet. Wheat bran is pure and contains no additives.