Our High-Protein Strawberry Muffins are the answer for your love of baked goods, but also your need for more protein. We added extra protein to these muffins by incorporating nutty almond flour and creamy Greek yogurt, while still keeping them light and fluffy. The antioxidant-rich strawberries bring a burst of freshness, and the lemon zest brightens each bite. We keep the added sugar low by using unsweetened applesauce in place of some of the sugar. These are perfect for breakfast or as a midday snack. Keep reading for our expert tips on baking technique and how to get evenly sized muffins.
Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen
These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!
- We recommend using Greek yogurt and almond flour, as both ingredients help keep the muffins moist and tender.
- Consider using an ice cream scoop to achieve evenly sized muffins. This is also one of the easiest ways to divide the batter among the muffin cups.
- Baking the muffins at 400°F at the beginning helps the batter rise quickly and encourages the characteristic dome to form while setting the surface. You should see them reach a height that’s ¼ to ½ inch above the tin’s lip.
- Lowering the temperature after 5 minutes at high heat allows the muffins to bake slowly and evenly, preventing them from drying out and ensuring a soft, moist interior.
Nutrition Notes
- Almond flour is simply ground almonds with skins removed. Though wheat flour has some protein in it, almond flour has more. Because it is 100% almonds, it contains all of the healthy monounsaturated fat and fiber that you would get from whole almonds. The fat content in almond flour also means that you should always store your almond flour in a cool place or refrigerator to keep it fresh.
- Strawberries are a naturally sweet treat, especially when in season. Strawberries are rich in antioxidants, including vitamin C. In fact, you get your entire daily amount of vitamin C in just 1 cup of strawberries—now that’s a delicious way to eat your vitamins. Strawberries also provide potassium, which is essential for helping to lower blood pressure.
- Greek yogurt is a tangy, high-protein addition to this muffin. It not only adds extra protein, but also calcium and potassium, two nutrients that are important for heart health. Greek yogurt may also contain probiotics, but the live bacteria may not offer a health benefit after the muffins are baked. Therefore, consider having some cold, fresh yogurt on the side with your muffin for the probiotic benefit.
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle.
