Strawberry Cinnamon Oatmeal Muffins: A Delicious and Healthy Breakfast Treat

Are you looking for a delicious and healthy way to start your day? Look no further than these strawberry cinnamon oatmeal muffins! They’re packed with wholesome ingredients like oats, strawberries, and cinnamon, and they’re naturally sweetened with honey or maple syrup. These muffins are perfect for a quick breakfast on the go, a satisfying snack, or even a healthy dessert.

## Why You’ll Love These Muffins

* **Healthy and Wholesome:** Made with oats, strawberries, and cinnamon, these muffins are a nutritious way to start your day. They’re also naturally sweetened, so you can feel good about what you’re eating.
* **Easy to Make:** These muffins are incredibly easy to make, even for beginner bakers. The recipe requires minimal ingredients and comes together quickly.
* **Delicious Flavor:** The combination of strawberries, cinnamon, and oats creates a warm, comforting flavor that everyone will love. They strike a perfect balance between sweetness and spice.
* **Versatile:** You can easily customize these muffins to your liking. Add nuts, seeds, or chocolate chips for extra flavor and texture. You can also use different fruits, such as blueberries or raspberries.
* **Freezer-Friendly:** These muffins freeze well, making them perfect for meal prepping. Simply bake a batch and store them in the freezer for a quick and easy breakfast or snack anytime.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s gather the ingredients you’ll need:

* **Oats:** Use rolled oats (old-fashioned oats) for the best texture. Quick oats can also be used, but the muffins will be slightly denser.
* **Flour:** All-purpose flour is used in this recipe. You can also use whole wheat flour for a healthier option, but the muffins may be slightly denser.
* **Baking Powder:** Baking powder helps the muffins rise and become light and fluffy.
* **Cinnamon:** Cinnamon adds a warm, comforting flavor to the muffins.
* **Salt:** A pinch of salt enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
* **Eggs:** Eggs bind the ingredients together and add moisture to the muffins.
* **Milk:** Milk adds moisture to the muffins. You can use dairy or non-dairy milk, such as almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk.
* **Oil:** Oil adds moisture and richness to the muffins. You can use vegetable oil, canola oil, or melted coconut oil.
* **Honey or Maple Syrup:** Honey or maple syrup is used to sweeten the muffins naturally. You can adjust the amount to your liking.
* **Vanilla Extract:** Vanilla extract enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
* **Strawberries:** Fresh or frozen strawberries can be used. If using frozen strawberries, do not thaw them before adding them to the batter.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Now, let’s get baking! Follow these step-by-step instructions to make these delicious strawberry cinnamon oatmeal muffins:

**Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Muffin Tin**

* Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
* Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease the tin well with cooking spray. This will prevent the muffins from sticking.

**Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients**

* In a large bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Make sure the baking powder is evenly distributed to ensure the muffins rise properly.

**Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients**

* In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, oil, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Whisk until the ingredients are well combined and the mixture is smooth.

**Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients**

* Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter, as this can result in tough muffins. A few lumps are okay.

**Step 5: Add the Strawberries**

* Gently fold in the chopped strawberries. If using frozen strawberries, add them directly to the batter without thawing.

**Step 6: Fill the Muffin Cups**

* Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each cup about 2/3 full. This will allow the muffins to rise without overflowing.

**Step 7: Bake the Muffins**

* Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep a close eye on the muffins.

**Step 8: Cool the Muffins**

* Let the muffins cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This will prevent the muffins from becoming soggy.

## Tips for the Best Muffins

* **Don’t Overmix the Batter:** Overmixing the batter develops the gluten in the flour, which can result in tough muffins. Mix until just combined.
* **Use Room Temperature Ingredients:** Using room temperature ingredients, especially the eggs and milk, helps the batter come together more easily and results in a lighter, fluffier muffin.
* **Don’t Overbake the Muffins:** Overbaking the muffins can make them dry. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
* **Let the Muffins Cool Completely:** Letting the muffins cool completely before eating them allows the flavors to develop and prevents them from being too crumbly.
* **Add a Streusel Topping:** For extra flavor and texture, add a streusel topping to the muffins before baking. Combine flour, oats, brown sugar, and butter and sprinkle over the muffins.
* **Experiment with Different Fruits:** Try using different fruits, such as blueberries, raspberries, or bananas, in place of the strawberries.
* **Add Nuts or Seeds:** Add chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, or seeds, such as flax seeds or chia seeds, for extra flavor and nutrition.

## Variations

Here are a few variations you can try to customize these muffins to your liking:

* **Chocolate Chip Strawberry Cinnamon Oatmeal Muffins:** Add chocolate chips to the batter for a decadent treat.
* **Nutty Strawberry Cinnamon Oatmeal Muffins:** Add chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, to the batter for extra flavor and texture.
* **Vegan Strawberry Cinnamon Oatmeal Muffins:** Use plant-based milk and a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) to make these muffins vegan.
* **Gluten-Free Strawberry Cinnamon Oatmeal Muffins:** Use gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these muffins gluten-free. Ensure the oats are certified gluten-free as well.
* **Banana Strawberry Cinnamon Oatmeal Muffins:** Add mashed banana to the batter for extra moisture and sweetness.

## Serving Suggestions

These strawberry cinnamon oatmeal muffins are delicious on their own, but here are a few serving suggestions to elevate your experience:

* **Serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt or whipped cream:** This adds a creamy, tangy element to the muffins.
* **Drizzle with honey or maple syrup:** This enhances the sweetness and adds a touch of richness.
* **Serve with a side of fresh fruit:** This makes for a well-rounded and healthy breakfast or snack.
* **Toast the muffins and spread with butter or jam:** This adds a crispy texture and extra flavor.
* **Enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea:** This makes for a perfect cozy treat.

## Storage Instructions

* **Store at Room Temperature:** Store the muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
* **Store in the Refrigerator:** Store the muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
* **Store in the Freezer:** Store the muffins in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. To thaw, simply place the muffins in the refrigerator overnight or microwave them for a few seconds.

## Recipe Card

**Yields:** 12 muffins
**Prep Time:** 15 minutes
**Cook Time:** 20 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* 1 ½ cups rolled oats
* 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or whole wheat flour, or gluten-free blend)
* 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* ¼ teaspoon salt
* 2 large eggs
* ¾ cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
* ⅓ cup oil (vegetable, canola, or melted coconut oil)
* ½ cup honey or maple syrup
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 cup chopped fresh or frozen strawberries

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease well.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, oil, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
4. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
5. Gently fold in the chopped strawberries.
6. Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups, filling each cup about 2/3 full.
7. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
8. Let muffins cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

## Nutrition Information (Approximate)

* Calories: Approximately 180-220 per muffin (depending on ingredients used)
* Protein: 4-5g
* Fat: 8-10g
* Carbohydrates: 25-30g
* Fiber: 2-3g

*Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.*

## Enjoy!

These strawberry cinnamon oatmeal muffins are a delightful treat that you can enjoy anytime. They are healthy, easy to make, and incredibly delicious. So, gather your ingredients and bake a batch today! Let us know in the comments how they turned out for you, and feel free to share any variations you tried.

Enjoy baking, and happy eating!