Skinny Pomegranate Pear Muffins with Ginger Oat Streusel
These muffins are loaded with fresh, seasonal fruit, and made with healthy whole grains! Low in fat and high in protein, with a warmly spiced, crunchy sweet streusel topping.
Guys, I am so sick.
Again.
It's been a tough winter around here. I hate to complain, but something has seriously put a hurtin' on me here. My voice is gone, and I've got a painful cough and a sniffly nose, but what's really got me down is the joint pain. Aaaargh! My wrists, fingers, and back! I just wanna go hide under some blankets.
The bad news is, I have a chatty four year old to look after, so no blankies for mommy. :o( Also, it's a post day. Luckily I had these skinny pomegranate pear muffins in my back pocket, for just such an occasion. I wrote this a few weeks ago, to contribute to Or So She Says!
So here we are. It's January. Ugh. Tough month. Tough month for a desserts blogger, especially. So many of us have over-indulged in the previous months, and we've resolved to do better in the new year. We are not interested in anything heavy or buttery, we just want something nourishing and soul-satisfying, that will power us through our new, or renewed, fitness routines.
These muffins are all that and more. They're also loaded with fresh, seasonal fruit. And they're so quick and simple to prepare. Also, they are increeeeedibly delicious. I mean, you cannot even believe there is so little refined sugar, and no butter or oil (!) in these bad boys. They are so fluffy and moist, and that spicy ginger oat streusel topping is like the crunchy-sweet icing on the cake! (PS- there's a leeeetle bit of butter in the streusel.)
If you are familiar with the muffin-making process, then you already know that it's as simple as mixing the wet ingredients into the dry and baking it up in your muffin tin. But this recipe has a couple of healthy twists.
First, a combination of all-purpose and whole wheat flours provide a nutty texture and enrich these muffins with healthy whole grain and omega-3's.
The butter and oil are replaced with a combination of Greek yogurt and pear puree. Maybe you've tried subbing in applesauce for oil before? This is the same basic idea, only the pear puree emphasizes the sweet, seasonal pear flavor. I just used about 1 ½ packs of strained pears. Yes, I'm talking baby food, friends. It's such a great shortcut ingredient, and so readily available. That being said, applesauce would make a great substitution if you don't feel like making a run to the store 😉
Pomegranate seeds stud these muffins with the most satisfying crunch, and a tart, berry-like flavor. They are loaded with anti-oxidants, and the color is just so gorgeous! Fresh pomegranates are in season during these winter months, and if you don't quite know how to de-seed one, I've seen little tubs of pomegranate seeds (aka arils) in the produce section of my regular grocery store. That's a really great timesaver!
I just know you and your family are going to love these pomegranate pear muffins!
Doesn't it feel so good to be able to offer your loved ones a healthy, homemade breakfast? And this one is just bursting with seasonal fruit and warm spice.
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Skinny Pomegranate Pear Muffins with Ginger Oat Streusel
Ingredients
For the Streusel
- 1 tablespoon old fashioned oats
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar, (light or dark), loosely packed
- 1 tablespoon whole wheat flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons finely minced crystallized ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 ½ tablespoons (22.18 g) unsalted butter,, melted
For the Muffins
- 1 ½ cups (180 g) whole wheat flour
- 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup (73.33 g) brown sugar, (light or dark), loosely packed
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¾ cup (177.44 ml) milk, (I used lowfat)
- ⅓ cup (66.67 g) plain Greek yogurt, (I used nonfat)
- ⅓ cup (78.86 ml) pear puree
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 2 eggs, (large)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 Anjou pear,, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1 pomegranate,, seeded (about 1 cup of arils)
Instructions
To Make the Streusel
- Place all the streusel ingredients in a small bowl and stir together with a fork. Set aside.
To Make the Muffins
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F, and prepare a muffin tin with paper liners or non-stick spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flours, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and baking soda.
- In a smaller mixing bowl, combine the milk, yogurt, pear puree, maple syrup, eggs, and vanilla.
- Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients, and stir just until barely combined. (Mixture should be very lumpy.)
- Fold in the diced pear and pomegranate arils, and place ⅓ cup of batter in each well of the prepared muffin pan.
- Top each muffin with a pinch of streusel.
- Bake for 5 minutes at 425 degrees F, then turn the oven temperature down to 350 degrees F and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean.
You come up with some delightful treats girl! Yum. Pomegranate and pear - now that's a cool fruit combo. Pinned!
Thank you Melanie, and so do you my dear! I'm happy you liked, and thanks for pinning!
These look very easy to make and incredibly moist! Muffins are a staple in my house and this recipe will definitely be making it to the breakfast table soon! Thanks!
My pleasure, Katy! They were a snap to make and the pureed pears really did keep them nice and moist. Thanks so much!
I'm so sorry you aren't feeling well again! Between the weather and the germs, it has been a horrific winter. The only thing that will get us through it is some serious comfort food, and obviously these muffins top the list! Hang in there, and let me know if you need anything....Feel better!
Aw, thank you Nora! I'm getting there, but yes, it has been a tough few months. Next year I'll be getting the flu shot for sure! Hope you are well, dear!
Poor you!! Are you feeling better? Get well soon dear... These muffins look fantastic!! Skinny food that doesn't look skinny is always the best 🙂 Streusel on top? Even better!! Love these!
xox Amy
I'm getting there, Amy! It's been over a week now since I first started with the fever. I went to the Dr. last night but she said there's nothing she can do until I get to the 14-day mark. I think I'll be a lot better by then though. Today I went out for errands and so my energy is coming back. Just a little sniffly still. Thanks for the warm wishes! <3
Oooo pomegranate and ginger, sounds like a combo I will love!
I know, right? They actually go really well together; I especially liked how the pear tied it all in 😉 Thanks for the comment, Shikha!
Aaw, I'm sorry to hear that you aren't feeling well - hope you get better soon Allie since I know it can be tough to take care of your little ones when you're not feeling well 🙁 This winter has been so brutal - it's hard to not get hit with some kind of bug or another - I just caught something too and have been trying really hard to fight it.
These muffins look fantastic though! Love that they are skinny and the pear and pomegranate sound amazing together with the ginger oat streusel! Pinning - a few of these for breakfast would definitely give me that much needed boost of energy!
Thanks for pinning, Kelly, and I'm sorry to hear that you are under the weather too! I hope you're resting and drinking lots of fluids. This one is taking me quite a while to get over, but I think I'm finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel! Be well, sweetie! <3
Sorry to hear you're ill darling! I'm down with the flu right now and it feels terrible not being able to move and everything :--( Hope you get better soon!
These muffins look terrific! Also, the baby food addition sounds like a fantastic one. Genius!
Aw, Consuelo! It is the worst! I don't know if it was the flu or not but I'm thinking it may have been. I was really knocked out and soooo achy. Now I just have a bit of a cough left and a stuffy nose. Whew! What a wasted week. Hope you are better soon too, get lots of rest, ok dear? xoxo
Everything about winter just sucks in my book... except it's just so pretty. Does that make sense? It's the sickness season AND I'm already tired of my winter attire. Sooooo ready for warm weather, sitting next to the pool (don't like water!) soaking up the sunshine. Hope you don't sick again this season... it's hard being a momma and being sick! We really don't any days off.
Love your creation with these amazing flavors all in one muffin! Have a happy weekend... and get some rest. (=
I'm definitely over it too, Gloria! I'm starting to reaaaaallly look forward to Spring! Sitting next to the pool sounds lovely right about now, lol! Thanks so much for the sweet wishes. I'm getting there!
Oh, no! I hope you feel better soon! These muffins look amazing and would certainly pick me up.
Thanks, Megan! This one was a doozy! I'm starting to come back around now. I'm definitely getting the flu shot next year, lol!
Love these muffins! There are just so many fun combos going on here. Gorgeous pics! pinned 🙂
Thank you so much for pinning, Sarah! I'm so happy you like the post 😀
Yum, these muffins sound absolutely delicious! Pomegranate is one of my fav fruits- and I love all the spices you've added! 🙂
Thanks, Jess! I can't get enough of pomegranate lately, and the ginger is so nice too... 😀
Oh Allie I'm so sorry. This winter has been tough on you. Hope the little one feels better soon so you can recuperate as well. These muffins look amazing. You know I love pomegranate 🙂 but your pair with pears is just creative!! I have to try it. Get well soon dear 🙂
I'll do my best, Zainab! Thank you for your sweet comment 🙂
These sound awesome! Love pomegranate! It's awful to be sick and so hard not to complain 😉 drinking lots of green tea always helps me. My host mother in France always swore by thyme tea with honey and lemon when I was sick. It tastes so good!! Maybe give that a try?
Aw, thank you Kelly! That is a great tip- I've been drinking a lot of earl grey with honey. The honey is so soothing on my throat. My voice is all but gone right now... 🙁