Upside-Down Maple Pecan Bran Muffins Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a bran muffin and a regular muffin? ›

Bran muffins use less flour and use bran instead, as well as using molasses and brown sugar. The mix is turned into a pocketed muffin tray, or into individual paper moulds, and baked in an oven. Milk is often added, as it contributes to the appealing browning appearance.

The Bottom Line

Wheat bran is highly nutritious and an excellent source of fiber. It may benefit digestive and heart health and could even reduce breast and colon cancer risk.

There are four categories you want to try to include when planning a diabetes-friendly meal, whether for breakfast or other times of the day. They consist of: Fiber, such as no-sugar varieties of oatmeal, whole-grain bread, and whole-wheat/bran muffins.

Yes, you'll get a decent dose of fiber thanks to the bran, but larger versions can have more than 400 calories and contain around 13 grams of fat. Also, many store-bought bran muffins actually contain more white flour than fiber-rich bran, while packing unwanted sugar and sodium as well.

But that doesn't make bran muffins healthy. Most of the muffins you buy in stores are high in sugar and fat, more like cupcakes than old fashioned muffins. Bran or other muffins are okay as an occasional treat, but not good as a regular part of a healthy diet.

It should be no surprise that studies show wheat bran can relieve constipation and improve digestion. The outer layer of the wheat kernel is a fiber force with a whopping 25 grams per cup. Sprinkle it over your oatmeal, eat a bowl of bran cereal, or whip up a batch of bran muffins.

"All-Bran can help to alleviate the symptoms of bloating. That's because it contains natural wheat bran fibre that helps keep you regular." 10g of wheat bran fibre per day helps reduce digestive transit time. ALL-BRAN contains at least 3-6g wheat bran fibre per serve.

Oven temperature directly affects a muffin's texture and how well it rises. Muffins baked at too high of a temperature will produce an overly cooked outer crust and an undercooked filling. Muffins cooked at low temperatures for too long may dry out, creating an unpleasant texture and taste.

Check your oven temperature with an oven thermometer. If it's not hot enough, your muffins won't rise well. Don't undermix your batter. Sometimes I see people are so worried about overmixing (which will cause tough and rubbery muffins) that they barely bring the batter together.

How to improve bran muffin mix? ›

Turn boring bran muffins up a notch by adding delicious and healthful mix-ins such as shredded carrots, coconut and dried cherries. Served warm with butter, this muffin can run with the best of 'em. Blog post updated October 2023.

It should be no surprise that studies show wheat bran can relieve constipation and improve digestion. The outer layer of the wheat kernel is a fiber force with a whopping 25 grams per cup. Sprinkle it over your oatmeal, eat a bowl of bran cereal, or whip up a batch of bran muffins.

But you may not actually know what it means, or why those in medical fields suggest you incorporate more of it into your diet. "The main benefit of bran is that it's loaded with fiber, which is great for your digestion, colon health and heart," registered dietitian Miranda Galati tells USA TODAY.

There are two types of muffins: bread-like and cake-like. Each type has its own technique for mixing the batter. Less sugar and butter makes a bread-like muffin. A higher sugar and butter content makes a cake-like muffin.

Because it's a great source of insoluble fiber, wheat bran helps keep you regular and promotes digestive health. It's also been shown to reduce symptoms of bloating and discomfort and increase healthy bacteria in the gut, as it's rich in prebiotics (which are the food for the beneficial probiotic bacteria).