Sneaky Oatmeal Muffins

  If there's one thing I love more than mini muffins, it's easy cleanup. This recipe does not require mixing bowls or wooden spoons or hand mixers. The ingredients are all tossed into a blender or food processor. It doesn't get much easier than that! You officially have no excuse to not make these muffins. Go, go! Then tell me what you think in the comments below. Oh, and feel free to mix it up and swap in your favorite baby food (pears, sweet potatoes, whatever you want / have on hand).

Sneaky Oatmeal Muffins
Makes 48 mini muffins or 12 regular muffins

What I use:

• 2 bananas
• 2 eggs
• 1 4oz. baby food jar carrots
• 1 4oz. baby food jar squash
• 1 4oz. baby food jar applesauce
• 1/2 c. sugar
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 2 1/2 c. old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/4 c. ground flaxseed meal

How I do it:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

2. Place everything in your blender or food processor except the oats and flaxseed. Pulse to combine.

3. With the machine running, add the oats 1/4 cup at a time, then the ground flaxseed. Allow the machine to run for a minute or two after the final addition. Scrape down the sides if necessary.

4. Grease a mini muffin pan. Fill each cup 3/4 of the way. I use a mini ice cream scooper to keep each one the same and so they bake evenly.

5. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes for mini muffins and 20 to 25 minutes for regular muffins.

6. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to finish cooling.

Enjoy or freeze. Serve them up with breakfast, lunch, or as an after-school snack. No one needs to know about the hidden goodness but you!

Note: Feel free to add some wheat germ or extra flaxseed if you want.

(These muffins are on the right in the pic above. The ones on the left are Surprise Banana Muffins.)