We couldn’t talk about snacks like cookies without discussing their counterpart, the muffin. Cookies are eaten as dessert at the end of the meal and muffins provide that burst of energy and tasty goodness first thing in the morning. Here are some ideas for healthy muffin snacks.

Muffins are a very car-friendly food. They can be baked in muffin cups so they are easy to carry around in your hand. They store well in sealed containers in the fridge. Mini muffins are great for kids with tiny hands.

Don’t you ever just want to nibble on something at those odd hours of the day? Muffins are perfect for that. Put a few in your lunch bag or box for a day at work. They work well in the car, in the park, walking through the mall, and anywhere else you might be during the day.

The thing about muffins is they can have any number of gooey, good-to-your-taste buds ingredients. For breakfast, think about bran muffins. Sounds kind of plain doesn’t it? Try adding some turkey sausage crumbles and shredded cheese to liven up your next breakfast.

Don’t eat meat? Vegetarians can use vegetable breakfast patties or skip the meat altogether. Keep the cheese and add diced peppers for a Southwestern flare. Muffins can also be baked with marmalade or jelly in the center as a secret surprise for the members of your family. Mix and match your favorite breakfast foods to find a yummy breakfast muffin to help kick start your morning every day of the week.

Most don’t think of muffins as a lunch item, but they are a healthy alternative to greasy burgers and fries. Try a veggie muffin instead of eating out for lunch by adding your favorite vegetables to your muffin mix.

Sweet potatoes and zucchinis make wonderful muffins. For those who are thinking vegetables in muffins doesn’t sound appealing - don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. I didn’t think a vegetable in a muffin would be good until I tasted one at work. It was terrific. Sprinkle some fiber ingredients such as oats or wheat germ in the mix and you get an extra health perk too.

Fruit also works well in muffins. Go for some cranberry muffins with orange zest or raisins and cinnamon. If the fruit is dried, it will have a candied taste after being baked. Choose your favorite treats and turn them into a healthy muffin snack you can enjoy any time of the day.

Little changes can be made to the muffin mix to get a health boost. Instead of adding oil, measure out half as much oil and add applesauce to the mix. Egg whites can be substituted for raw eggs with yolks. Just a tip, less oil will cause the muffins to dry out faster when baking so time and temperature will need to be adjusted to keep your muffins moist.

Are you catching the muffin madness, yet? Start today with new muffin creations like these that the whole family will enjoy and can grab in a flash.

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