From the Little Kitchen: Apple & Cinnamon Oat Muffins

Warm, gently spiced and filled with fresh apple, these Apple & Cinnamon Oat Muffins are a lovely little recipe for children to help make at home.

Perfect for breakfast, lunchboxes or an afternoon snack, they combine oats, fresh apple and Greek yoghurt to create soft, wholesome muffins with plenty of natural flavour.

And, as always, there are lots of jobs for little hands along the way — measuring, pouring, mixing and, of course, helping to fill the muffin cases.

What You’ll Need

• 1½ cups rolled oats

• 1 cup plain flour

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 2 apples, grated

• 2 eggs

• ½ cup plain Greek yoghurt

• ¼ cup milk

• 2 tablespoons melted butter or mild oil

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Optional: 2 tablespoons maple syrup for a little extra sweetness

How to Make Your Apple & Cinnamon Oat Muffins

Preheat the oven to 180°C and prepare a muffin tray with paper cases.

Begin by adding the rolled oats, flour, baking powder and cinnamon to a large bowl and gently mix together.

In a separate bowl, combine the grated apple, eggs, Greek yoghurt, milk, melted butter or oil and vanilla. Add the maple syrup at this stage if you are using it.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently mix until everything is just combined. Try not to overmix the batter.

Spoon the mixture evenly into your prepared muffin cases.

Bake for approximately 18–22 minutes, or until the muffins are lightly golden and cooked through.

Allow them to cool before serving.

Little Hands Can Help

There is plenty for children to get involved with in this simple recipe.

Little ones can help measure the oats, sprinkle in the cinnamon, pour ingredients into the bowl and gently stir the mixture together. Older children can help with more of the measuring and preparation under appropriate adult supervision.

Cooking together also gives children an opportunity to explore ingredients through their different smells, tastes and textures — from crisp fresh apples to warming cinnamon and soft rolled oats.

And there is always something rather special about sitting down to enjoy something you helped make yourself.

From the Little Kitchen is a Burlington Nannies series sharing simple, wholesome recipes for children, nannies and families to make and enjoy together.