Sugar-Free Carrot Muffins (dairy-free, gluten-free, healthy)

These sugar-free carrot muffins make the perfect on-the-go snack! A healthy carrot muffins recipe that is allergy-friendly and is naturally sweetened with dates. Moreover, these easy carrot muffins are perfect for kids but even better for babies! Therefore, whip up a batch (or make the healthy carrot muffins in mini form) for a simple, healthy snack for busy days!

If kids could determine food groups I'm pretty sure muffins would make the cut 😀 and why not? They're an easy way to sneak in veggies, they taste good and you can make them bulk. Thus, it's a win all around.

Don't want to read? JUMP to the recipe!

Why You'll Love These Sugar-Free Muffins

This healthy carrot muffins recipe is a hit with both moms and kids alike. Likewise, the sugar-free carrot muffins are perfect for young babies too. We love these muffins because:

• they're sweetened naturally
• they're dairy-free and gluten-free
• the easy carrot muffins are super simple to whip up
• there's a veggie hidden in them
• they make a great make-ahead snack or breakfast when paired with fruit (check out more make-ahead breakfast ideas)

Having healthy muffins on hand as a busy mom is crucial to you staying sane. Whip up a batch of these sugar-free carrot muffins and smile as your kids enjoy eating nutrients!

 

Who Are These Healthy Carrot Muffins For?

While this easy carrot muffins recipe is great for everyone, if you're used to a sweeter palate you may not enjoy them much.

Considering this, these sugar-free carrot muffins were made for the purpose of feeling my (then) eight-month-old. Making the transition to food is challenging as a mom and I'm always on the hunt for what to feed my baby.

For this reason, muffins are a great option because babes can rip them apart and mush them up in their mouths. However, most muffins contain a hefty amount of sugar.

These carrot muffins were made with this in mind (similar to my kitchen sink toddler muffins), A simple, healthy snack that my very little kiddos would enjoy.

 

Why Scaling Back On Sugar Is Better For Kids

While sugar is definitely an easier way to go when baking, organic sugar is still sugar. Being that it still has the same effects.

Since I have postponed introducing many sugars to my babes (they both even had a healthy cupcake for her first birthdays, it only makes sense that our snacks would be minimal in sugar too.

Keeping in mind, kids have zero NEED for sugar (we moms don't need it either!). All sugar does is:

• hype up kids on the wrong kind of energy
• alter kids taste buds
• provides zero fuel

On the other hand, while I believe in cutting back sugar in kids' diets, I don't believe in eliminating it completely. More often than not, I use better forms of sugar (honey, maple syrup etc) and less of it than typical in my recipes.

However, for a healthy muffin recipe that can be offered to babes, sugar-free is the way to go.

 

How To Sweeten The Muffins Naturally

When you start experimenting with more natural, food-based sweeteners you learn a few things. One is that: dates are effing amazing.

It's a possibility my household goes through an alarming amount of dates (here's one brand I like). Indeed it's because dates are naturally very sweet and you can work them into almost anything.

Thus, adding them into recipes like these sugar-free carrot muffins, no-bake bars, and energy balls is a no-brainer.

Side note: dates also been shown to help immensely in the later stages of pregnancy- so win!

Conversely, dates are definitely still sugar-based. It's simply that they're not processed. Plus, the other ingredients in this sugar-free carrot muffins recipe help stabilize that sugar. Other foods that make wonderful sweeteners:

• bananas
• applesauce
• figs
• dried fruit
• regular fruit
• molasses

Therefore, there are a lot of other, more natural options to choose from when trying to scale back sugar in your recipes. 

 

How To Store Them

You can store these easy carrot muffins in the fridge or the freezer. That said, they do freeze solid. So you'll either want to heat them up to thaw or to let them sit out for a few hours before eating.

In the fridge, the healthy carrot muffins stay very soft and tasty. In fact, they last about one week if in an airtight container. 

 

Ingredients 

• very ripe bananas
• applesauce
• eggs
• dates
• cinnamon
• ginger
• all spice
• nutmeg
• unrefined coconut oil
• all-purpose gluten-free flour (I used cloud nine)
• almond meal
• baking powder
• baking soda
• shredded carrot
• chopped almonds for topping (optional- do not use if recipe if for very young kids or babies)

Most of these ingredients can be found in my Pantry Staples.

 

Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful

• Grater
• Bowls with Spout
• Measuring spoons

How To Make The Recipe

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a powerful blender, combine the first 9 ingredients. Blend until combined and creamy.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, meal, powder, and soda.

Finally, pour wet ingredients into the dry and mix.

Stir in the carrot until everything is combined.

Prep a muffin tray with liners and portion out the batter evenly.

Top each muffin with chopped almonds (if using)

Bake for fifteen minutes, rotate the tray and bake another 5-6 minutes.

Remove from the oven and let sit in the tray until fully cooled.

Makes 12 carrot spice muffins.

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These dairy-free, naturally sweetened, healthy carrot muffins make a tasty and healthy snack for moms and kids. Likewise, they're easy to make, contain no added sugar, and also have some hidden vegetables! Make a big batch, freeze them and take them with you as you run out the door.