Apple Cinnamon Muffins Recipe for Your Kids

Here is a quick way to make muffins using a typical store bought package (Quaker - oatmeal) but add homemade apple sauce and chia seeds for your child's diet.

If your kiddo likes apples and muffins, this could be a great option to increase fiber intake.

Here are the ingredients to put into a saucepan:

• 6 apples (peeled, cut, and diced into small pieces).

• 1/4 cup water

• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Place all those items into a saucepan and cook them for 10-12 minutes on medium. Stir often.

Mash the apples with your spoon as you stir.

I used a silicone spatula to do this.

Take off heat once the apples are soft enough. Put the pan aside.

In a medium bowl, add these ingredients:

• Quaker - Oatmeal muffin mix (store bought)

• Follow the back recipe and add 3/4 cup of water

• Exclude the egg. I do not put the egg and use the applesauce mix instead.

• 1/8 teaspoon chia seeds (to start)

Add the ingredients - muffin mix, water, and stir in the homemade apple sauce to it. Mix well. Once the mix is consistent, add the 1/8 teaspoon of chia seeds. Stir well.

If chia seeds are new for your kids, only start with a small amount like 1/8 tsp. The flavours and mix will mask the seeds so children won't be able to 'see' it and also 'feel it' when they are chewing.

For picky eaters, small changes are better. If you add too much and they refuse it, it will be harder to try this recipe again since they will probably remember it had too many seeds.

If over time your kiddo likes the muffins, you can add another 1/8 teaspoon or less to the original 1/8 teaspoon.

Get your muffin pan and cups ready.

Pour the muffin mix into the cups (2/3 fill).

I often use colored muffin cups or fun themed ones to add more interest to the muffins for kids. My kiddos love the rainbow silicone muffin cups and will make their color choices.

Bake the muffins for 15-16 minutes or until you poke the muffin with a fork and the fork is removed with no mix on it.

Remove and cool on a rack. You can freeze these for breakfast or treats in your kids lunch box.

Enjoy!

Thanks for reading!

Take care,

Jessica Earle, Occupational Therapist