Muffin Recipes to Bake with Toddlers and Kids

Making muffins is the ULTIMATE way to get kids in the kitchen. Muffins are simple, hard to mess up, and come together quickly (for low attention spans). Also, you can easily add in veggies or protein, and muffins are DELICIOUS for kids and adults alike. Below is a round up of all my best Muffins Recipes to Bake with Toddlers and Kids! Also included are my favorite tools and  tips + tricks for making muffins with kids!

Why bake muffins with toddlers and kids?

• There are only a few ingredients
• Most ingredients are familiar (you probably have most in your pantry already!)
• No complicated techniques (keeping it simple is KEY to kid chef success!)
• You can build skills as kids get more comfortable
• Baking muffins can provide opportunities for exposure to new or non-preffered fruits/veggies

Remember! You can always start small! Dumping in flour here, stirring a bit there. A few minutes is all it takes to gain skills, ignite curiosity, and build confidence in the kitchen!

Bonus: you will have breakfasts and snacks on hand for the week…and YOU didn’t need to do all of the heavy lifting!

The Best Tools for muffin recipes to bake with toddlers and kids:

• Muffin tin: This OXO Non-stick muffin tin is my favorite, well-made muffin tin. However, this Wilton Muffin Pan is also great and more affordable.
• Silicone muffin pans:  Silicone pans are good for baking muffins, and also great for making “stickier foods” like egg cups or pizza rolls. Sometimes silicone pans can stain and hold on to flavors, so there are pros and cons to these pans. These are the pans I like: Structure 12-Cup Silicone Muffin Pan and the mini version Here.
• Liners: Paper Liners (non-stick): and the mini version HERE. I haven’t found silicone muffin cups that are easy to clean, so I don’t recommend those for making muffins.
• Portion scoops (aka dishers/ice cream scoops): I can’t live without these! I have them in several sizes, and I definitely recommend that people have them in at least a small and large if you are baking muffins and cookies often. Here’s the Set of Three that I like best. This is not a place to buy a cheaper product because they often break really easily. If you are looking for a single large scoop (1/4 cup) for regular-sized muffins, this one is a good choice.
• Bowls: Using a large bowl is one of the biggest ways to reduce mess while making muffins with kids. I like a classic stainless steel bowl because it’s lightweight and durable. One with a “grip” on the bottom can be helpful too. I usually get my bowls at a restaurant supplies store, but here are some options on Amazon as well: Stainless Steel Nesting Bowls with Lids, Cuisinart Stainless Steel Bowls with Nonslip Base (and they come in fun colors too), and for a plastic option: OXO Good Grips Plastic Mixing Bowl Set.
• Measuring tools: For liquid, the traditional pyrex measuring cups are always a good choice. However, I find them a little heavy for kids to easily use. That’s why I love these OXO Nesting Beaker Measuring Set (bonus that they are colorful too). For dry ingredients, any kind of measuring spoon and cup set will work fine. However, if you are looking for a durable, high quality set (that’s still fun), I like this Stainless Steel Magnetic Measuring Set.
• Mixing tools: Any whisk or wooden spoon you have already is perfectly fine for kids to use in muffin recipes. However, it can be nice for kids to have tools that are a little smaller and fit well in their little hands. Also, kids get really excited to use their own “special tools” for baking and cooking. I like this Tovla Jr. 4 Piece Utensil Set or if you are looking for a more complete set (and great gift) check out the Tovla Jr. Cooking and Baking Gift Set.

My Best Tips…Less Stress and Less Mess!

• Measure ahead: Reminder: Your child doesn’t have to do every step of a recipe to benefit from making the muffins. You can measure all or most of the ingredients while your child is busy/not around. That way, when they start helping, they can just dump everything in the bowl.
• Be prepared: Make sure you have all the tools, ingredients, and equipment you need for the recipe within arms reach before you even invite your child to cook with you. Also, it can be helpful to have a few clean kitchen towels on hand to wipe sticky hands or any messes that happen. I like to have water to drink close by as well. You want to make sure you have everything you need, so the baking experience can go as smoothly as possible.
• Attention span: It’s age appropriate for toddlers and kids to have shorter attention spans. They might not want to cook through an entire recipe with you, and that’s ok! If you know your little baker doesn’t stay long, maybe just save a few final steps for them to do at the end, such as placing some chocolate chips on top of the muffins before baking. Or they can simply place the paper liners in the muffin tin, stir a little, and then be on their way to play.
• Big bowl and Demo: To reduce spills, make sure you teach kids to add ingredients to the center of the bowl. Demonstrate how to stir, the speed and motion, to teach kids how to make less of a mess. Also, always use a larger bowl than you think you need. It will be easier for kids to stir the ingredients together without things creeping up over the edge and onto the counter.

 

Muffins Recipes to Bake with Toddlers and Kids

Double Chocolate Banana Muffins

One of the best ways to use up some brown bananas! Double Chocolate Banana Muffins are lower in added sugar, whole grain, and super easy to mix together in one bowl. Not only do the muffins have double the chocolate goodness, they are also moist, fluffy, and nutritious. Bake them up for breakfasts, snacks, or to pack up in lunch boxes.

Zucchini Cottage Cheese Muffins

Filled with whole grains and protein packed cottage cheese, these little muffins are a nutritious snack for toddlers and kids. Zucchini Cottage Cheese Muffins are egg-free and nut-free and can easily be made gluten-free as well.

Healthy Corndog Muffins

Perfect for lunch boxes and quick meals for kids, these Healthy Corndog Muffins are easy to stir up and are packed with nutritious ingredients. We love using salmon hot dogs made by Kvaroy Arctic for an extra boost of heart healthy Omega-3s. Plus, they taste great (not fishy at all!).

Banana Protein Muffins (with lentils)

This healthy muffin recipe is going to become your new go-to way to use up those overripe bananas. They are super easy to make and filled with wholesome ingredients to keep little bellies full and happy. Banana Protein Muffins are packed with plant-based protein and fiber thanks to lentils. But I promise you can’t taste the lentils at all! Bake up these muffins with your kiddos and enjoy them for breakfast, snack, or pack them up for school.

Healthy Strawberry Banana Muffins

Easy, nutritious, lower in sugar, and perfect for toddlers and kids. These Healthy Strawberry Banana Muffins are going to be a staple in your home for snacks and breakfast. Since the muffins come together in one bowl and have minimal, wholesome ingredients, they are a great recipe to cook with kids.

Cottage Cheese Blueberry Muffins

A healthy, higher protein muffin that’s easy to make ahead! These Cottage Cheese Blueberry Muffins are a hit with toddlers, kids, and grown-ups alike. Made with whole wheat flour and naturally sweetened, these are a baked good you can feel good about serving any time of day. They happen to be egg-free too.

Healthy Cranberry Orange Muffins

Wholesome, sweet, and full of festive cranberry and citrus flavors. These naturally-sweetened Healthy Cranberry Orange Muffins are perfect to bake up for a snack or breakfast treat. Can be made from whole wheat or gluten-free flours, and can easily be vegan too. Perfect quick recipe to cook with kids and get some antioxidant-rich cranberries into the day.

Super Green Mini Blender Muffins

Green food is always FUN! Whether you are celebrating a holiday or just any day of the week, these Super Green Mini Blender Muffins are a great snack or healthy treat to have on hand. Make them with your little one by simply having her help add all the ingredients, including a few big handfuls of spinach, to the blender and wizzing it all up. Couldn’t be easier! Plus, the little muffins are packed with tons of fiber and nutrients from applesauce, pumpkin puree, and oats.

Sweet Potato Gingerbread Muffins

Sweet, lightly spiced, tender muffins with added veggies? Yes, please! No need to bake cookies to get those yummy gingerbread flavors in your life. These Sweet Potato Gingerbread Muffins are the perfect way to have a festive treat any time of day. The muffins are filled with whole grain goodness and are naturally sweetened. Kids will love to get in the kitchen to help make these treats for breakfast, snack time, or any time of day. Making them together is a great way to expose kids to sweet potatoes, especially if your little one isn’t a fan of the potatoes in their whole form. You can show your child that although she might not like roasted sweet potatoes, she might liked them baked into a sweet muffin. Cooking the muffins together means you aren’t hiding the veggies but finding new ways to enjoy them.

Banana-Pumpkin Blender Muffins

I know there are A TON of pumpkin muffin recipes out there, but I’m telling you, no joke, these are the best healthy muffins I have ever made! Shouting from the rooftops about my Banana-Pumpkin Blender Muffins is totally worth sounding like a crazy lady. Haha. The muffins are nut-free, dairy-free, and if you use gluten-free oats, gluten-free as well. You throw all the ingredients into a blender so they are super easy to make, especially if you have little helpers with you in the kitchen. Banana adds natural sweetness so only a little maple syrup is needed to make this recipe perfectly sweet without much added sugar.

 

Want more recipes for nutritious baked goods? 

Homemade School Snacks (Nutritious and Nut-free)

Or do you need breakfast ideas??

Make-Ahead Kid Friendly Breakfasts