Easy Gluten Free Applesauce Muffins Recipe For BLW
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Gluten Free Muffins BLW
Gluten free applesauce muffins are an excellent choice for baby-led weaning (BLW) using simple ingredients, offering a soft texture that is easy for little ones to grasp and chew, a great snack or breakfast on the go.
They can be made using wholesome ingredients like almond flour, oat flour, or mashed bananas, ensuring they are both nutritious and delicious.
These muffins can be naturally sweetened with fruit or a touch of honey (for babies over 12 months), making them appealing to young taste buds.
Gluten-free options reduce the risk of gluten intolerance, allowing babies to explore different flavours and textures while enjoying a safe, healthy gluten-free recipe that aligns with their developmental stages.
Homemade Applesauce For BLW
Applesauce and apple purée are often used interchangeably in the context of baby-led weaning (BLW), but there can be subtle differences.
Applesauce typically refers to a smooth, cooked mixture of apples, usually sweetened or flavoured, while apple purée may imply a more straightforward blend of cooked apples without added sugars or seasonings.
Both options are excellent for introducing your little one to new textures and flavours, as they are soft and easy to hold.
When preparing these gluten-free applesauce muffins recipe for BLW, it's essential to ensure that the consistency is suitable for your child's stage of development, allowing them to explore the taste and texture safely.
How To Serve Muffin To Baby For BLW
When serving a muffin to your baby for baby-led weaning, it's best to start by ensuring the muffin is soft and easily manageable.
You can choose to serve the muffin whole or halved, depending on your baby's comfort level with grasping food.
A whole muffin can be more engaging for little hands, allowing them to tear off bites as they wish, while halving the muffin can make it easier for smaller hands to hold and chew.
Always keep an eye on your baby as they explore and enjoy their muffin, and ensure that any added ingredients are appropriate for their age and developmental stage.
Gluten-Free Babies
Throughout all my recipes, I will provide swaps to accommodate various dietary needs.
Gluten-free substitutions are typically straightforward, as you can easily replace regular flour with a gluten-free alternative, ensuring it contains xanthan gum to maintain the necessary texture.
This allows for seamless integration of dietary preferences without compromising on taste or nutrition, making mealtimes enjoyable for little ones with diverse dietary requirements.
Finger Food
Finger foods are an excellent choice for baby-led weaning, and homemade muffins stand out as a versatile option.
Packed with wholesome ingredients, muffins allow you to customise flavours and textures, making them appealing to little ones.
With their soft yet sturdy structure, they are easy for small hands to grasp, promoting self-feeding and encouraging independence.
You can incorporate fruits, vegetables, and even whole grains to enhance nutrition while keeping mealtimes exciting.
Baking a batch of muffins not only offers a convenient snack but also provides an opportunity for parents to introduce new flavours in a fun and engaging way.
Ingredient information
Applesauce - I have used unsweetened applesauce or apple puree for this recipe, it is nice to sweeten the muffins with fresh apples instead of banana without the sugar.
Egg - I have used 1 free range egg for the recipe, this helps the muffins rise and combines all the ingredients together.
Flour - I have used a gluten-free self raising flour for this recipe. The flour does not rise as much as the usual self raising flour but it is great for recipes that are gluten-free. Of course you can use regular flour, whole wheat flour or coconut flour too.
Baking powder - As the flour needs a little more help, I have added in a little baking powder for extra rise for the muffins.
Cinnamon - I have added cinnamon to add extra flavour and I feel it pairs so nicely with apple. You can leave this ingredient out if you did not like it. You can also use other spices such as apple pie spice.
Milk - I have used whole milk for this recipe but you can use a plant based alternative such as oat milk.
Serving suggestion
The healthy apple muffins would be great served with a plain Greek yogurt or natural yogurt.
You could halve the muffins and spread with almond butter or peanut butter.
You could serve the gluten-free apple cinnamon muffins with extra apple slices or pureed apple or applesauce. A great after school snack.
Other recipes you may like: Carrot cake muffin, Banana Muffins, Carrot and courgette muffins or Berry and oat muffins.
Storage instructions
Store the applesauce muffin recipe in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
The gluten-free apple muffins can be frozen (once cooled to room temperature) in an airtight container or in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Be sure to label the freezer bags or freezer-safe container with the item and date, so it is clear how long they can be stored. To label the airtight container I use masking tape this way it will not ruin the airtight container.
To defrost the gluten free apple muffins, keep them in an airtight container and defrost in the fridge overnight. Make sure they are fully defrosted before serving.
Equipment used to help with this recipe
Muffin tin - A non-stick muffin pan that will easily clean any spills from the muffin cases. You will need one of these to easily hold the muffin cases.
Silicone cups - I love reusable kitchen stuff! These silicone muffin cases are dishwasher and freezer safe and can be used in the oven up to 230 degrees C! Ideal for individual baby portions.
Airtight container - I much prefer the click-shut lids on these containers compared to others. They are also dishwasher and freezer safe and BPA free, so very suitable for food use.
Large bowl - Definitely choose a stainless steel one - they are lighter than the stone or glass ones and very easy to clean.
Recipe | Easy Gluten Free Applesauce Muffins Recipe For BLW
Easy Gluten Free Applesauce Muffins Recipe For BLW
This is a yummy recipe that is gluten-free for babies a great recipe for snack time or breakfast time.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Start by preheating the oven to 180C or 350F. Prepare a muffin pan with 6 silicone cups or cupcake liners/paper liners.
- Add all of the ingredients into a large mixing bowl and mix together using a large spoon until fully combined.
- Spoon approx 2-3 tablespoons of the muffin batter into each muffin cup equally.
- Pop into your preheated oven and cook for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
- Leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes or so and then you can remove to a cooling rack.
Notes
You could add in other fruit to these gluten-free muffins such as blueberries and chopped strawberries. (or chocolate chips for older kids).
Or you could add in a raspberry just like my banana and raspberry muffin recipe using mashed banana. Simple muffins are the best!
Hope you and your whole family enjoy!
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