Moist Honey Bran Muffins Recipe

Moist, lightly sweet, and wonderfully satisfying, these fiber-packed honey bran muffins are an easy healthy snack you will actually look forward to eating.

Honey bran muffin with a pat of partially melted butter on top

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Honey bran muffins are a smart choice when you want something sweet, homemade, and nourishing. They have a warm nutty flavor, a tender crumb, and just enough honey to make them feel like a treat without being overly sugary.

This bran muffin recipe is made with nutrient-dense ingredients such as wheat bran, whole wheat flour, ground flaxseed, milk, and Greek yogurt. Together, they create a muffin that is moist, filling, and naturally rich in fiber. If you are trying to add more high-fiber snacks to your routine, these muffins are an easy place to start.

The recipe is also egg-free and sweetened only with honey. That makes these muffins a practical option for meal prep, lunch boxes, after-school snacks, or a quick bite with coffee. They are simple enough for beginner bakers but delicious enough to become a weekly staple.

Prefer a savory muffin? Try healthy sausage and cheese muffins instead.

Why you’ll love honey bran muffins

Dietitian-made: This recipe was created with nutrition and satisfaction in mind, so the muffins taste good while also offering more fiber and wholesome ingredients than many traditional muffin recipes.

High in fiber: Wheat bran, whole wheat flour, and ground flaxseed help make these honey bran muffins filling and supportive of everyday digestive health.

Easy to prepare: You do not need special baking skills. The batter comes together in two bowls, and the muffins bake in about 20 minutes.

Great for meal prep: One batch makes 12 muffins, giving you a convenient snack to enjoy throughout the week or freeze for later.

Moist and flavorful: These muffins have a soft center, a lightly crisp top, and a naturally sweet, nutty taste from honey and bran.

Honey bran muffins in a metal baking pan

What makes these muffins healthy?

  • They are sweetened with honey, and this recipe uses less added sugar than many bran muffin recipes.
  • They are egg-free and use ground flaxseed for structure, moisture, fiber, and healthy fats.
  • They contain whole wheat flour, wheat bran, and flaxseed for a fiber-rich muffin.
  • They use olive oil instead of butter for added unsaturated fats.
  • Milk and plain Greek yogurt add moisture, tenderness, and a small boost of protein.

Ingredients and swaps

Here are the key ingredient notes for making the best honey bran muffins:

  • Wheat bran: Use plain wheat bran, not bran cereal. Bran cereal will change the texture and sweetness of the muffins.
  • Whole wheat flour: Whole wheat all-purpose flour adds more nutrients and fiber. Regular all-purpose flour can be used if needed, but the muffins will be less nutrient-dense.
  • Ground flaxseed: Flaxseed replaces eggs in this recipe and helps with moisture and structure. Two eggs may work as a substitute, but that version has not been tested.
  • Milk: The recipe was tested with 2% cow’s milk, but another milk should work if that is what you have available.
  • Plain Greek yogurt: Non-fat plain Greek yogurt was used in testing. Any fat percentage should be fine, but leaving it out is not recommended.
  • Honey: Honey is the only sweetener in this recipe. Another liquid sweetener may work, but substitutions have not been tested.
  • Apple cider vinegar: This helps the muffins rise and stay fluffy. Substitutions are not recommended.
Ingredients for honey bran muffins displayed in small bowls on a beige, marble counter

Scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredient amounts and step-by-step directions.

How to make honey bran muffins

Place your oven rack in the middle position and preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with silicone or paper liners, then set it aside.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients until evenly combined.

Dry ingredients being whisked together in a large mixing bowl

In a second large mixing bowl, whisk the wet ingredients until smooth. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl so the honey is fully incorporated.

Wet ingredients for muffins being whisked together in a large mixing bowl

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until just combined. Avoid over-mixing, because too much stirring can make the muffins dense or dry.

Dry and wet ingredients mixed into a muffin batter in a large mixing bowl

Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin pan. A large cookie scoop can make this step cleaner and easier.

Raw muffin batter in a 12-cup muffin tray

Bake the muffins for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the tops are set. They are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack.

Cooked honey bran muffins on a beige marble counter

How to serve honey bran muffins

These honey bran muffins are delicious on their own, especially when freshly baked or gently warmed.

For an extra cozy snack, warm a muffin in the microwave and add a pat of butter, a small drizzle of honey, and a pinch of flaky sea salt.

They also pair well with peanut butter, almond butter, or a spoonful of plain Greek yogurt. For breakfast, serve one with fruit and coffee. For a more filling snack, add a protein-rich side.

Add extra protein

To make these muffins part of a more protein-rich snack, try one of these simple serving ideas:

  • Crumble a muffin over plain Greek yogurt.
  • Serve a muffin with a protein shake or smoothie.
  • Enjoy one with a handful of nuts or seeds.

Storage

  • Store muffins in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Freeze muffins for up to 3 months.
  • Use sealed food containers with fitted lids, or freezer-safe bags if freezing. Defrost frozen muffins in the refrigerator overnight before eating.

Honey bran muffins are best served warm. Heat one in the microwave for about 10 seconds before serving.

Honey bran muffins stacked a drizzled with honey

Top tips

  • Measure flour with the spoon-and-level method to avoid adding too much.
  • Do not over-mix the batter, or the muffins may turn out tough.
  • Bake the batter right away, because the texture changes quickly after mixing.
  • Use a large cookie scoop to divide the batter evenly and reduce mess.
  • Use silicone muffin liners if you want to help prevent sticking.

More healthy muffin recipes

Blender banana muffins
Kodiak Cake protein muffins
Healthy apple cinnamon oat muffins
High protein blueberry muffins
Protein double-chocolate muffins
Chocolate chip protein muffins
Healthy apple carrot muffins

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Honey bran muffin with a pat of partially melted butter on top
5 from 6 votes

Honey Bran Muffins

By Miranda Galati, MHSc, RD
Moist, lightly sweet, and full of fiber, these honey bran muffins are a wholesome snack with a tender texture and rich, nutty flavor.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 12

Equipment

  • 1 12-cup muffin pan
  • 2 large mixing bowls
  • 12 silicone or paper muffin liners use silicone to prevent sticking
  • 1 large cookie scoop optional

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • ¾ cup wheat bran
  • 1 ½ cup whole wheat all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • ¼ cup ground flaxseed
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

  • ¾ cup milk
  • cup plain Greek yogurt, non-fat used in testing
  • ¾ cup honey
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  • Place the oven rack in the middle position and preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a muffin pan with silicone or paper liners and set it aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the wheat bran, flour, flaxseed, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
  • In a separate large bowl, whisk the milk, Greek yogurt, honey, olive oil, vanilla extract, and apple cider vinegar until smooth. Scrape the bottom of the bowl so the honey is fully mixed in.
  • Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until just combined. Do not over-mix.
  • Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups. A large cookie scoop works well for this step.
  • Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the tops are set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Nutrition

Serving: 1muffin
| Calories: 196kcal
| Carbohydrates: 33g
| Protein: 4g
| Fat: 7g
| Fiber: 4g
| Sugar: 19g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used only as an approximation.

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