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    Home » Recipes » Brunch & Breakfast Recipes

    Published: Sep 6, 2019 · Last update: Sep 24, 2021 by Paula Montenegro
    Income from ads and affiliate links27 Comments

    Raisin Bran Muffins

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    Raisin Bran Muffins long pin with text
    Raisin Bran Muffins long pin with text

    Bran muffins. With lots of raisins. So last century, right? Wrong! These are fabulous, nutritious, loaded with fiber, easy to make, delicious and super moist. Make them ahead and freeze so you have something ready in minutes for hectic mornings!

    Table of Contents Open
    What is wheat bran?
    Ingredients
    How to make bran muffins
    Top tips
    Related recipes you might like:
    Raisin Bran Muffins
    Ingredients
    Nutrition
    Bran muffin on wire rack, loose bran and raisins on grey surface.

    For most of you it's back to school, end of summer, the let's-get-organized time of year when lazy days are no longer an option. Where they ever really?

    Anyway, let's talk about this great recipe for raisin bran muffins.

    They are great for grabbing breakfast on the go because they last for about 2 days at room temperature and can also be frozen. Or for those, like me, who don't eat much in the morning. I keep them frozen and reheat them briefly while the coffee is ready, and boom, I'm having an actual breakfast.

    What is wheat bran?

    It's the outer layer or shell of the grain, in this case the wheat kernel. It's usually stripped from it during the milling process when they make flour for example, so it ends up being a byproduct flour milling. Wheat bran is a source of dietary fiber and some claim it has weight loss properties.

    It looks like dull, light brown flakes that take up space and usually comes in large bags that don't weigh much. So look for smaller bags unless you're planning on making many, many batches of these breakfast muffins or other recipes containing this ingredient.

    Hands holding halved raisin bran muffin in paper liner

    Back when bran muffins were the thing to eat for a healthy breakfast - hello 80's and 90's - this recipe appeared as one of the best.

    Being a supreme fan of Nancy Silverton - bread baker and pastry chef extraordinaire - I wonder what took me so long to finally try them. I bought her books 20 years ago, but somehow I got sidetracked with other, more modern, recipes as we food bloggers usually do.

    Ingredients

    • Wheat bran: not to be mistaken with oat bran. Wheat bran flakes come in different levels of coarseness, and I the very or medium one (image below). It gives the muffins the texture which I find to be essential.
    • Raisins: I use dark or light raisins, and sometimes add cranberries if I have some lying around.
    • Brown sugar: light or dark brown sugar, they all work.
    • Flours: besides all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour is used in this recipe. I am partial to superfine which is similar in texture to white flour. We already have the bran to give texture.
    • Oil: you can use any type you like, from coconut oil to sunflower, even olive oil if you feel like trying something different.
    • Buttermilk: if you can't buy buttermilk it's easy to make it at home. Simply add a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to a 1 cup measuring cup and add milk to fill it. It will curdle and that's fine.
    • Orange: it's the flavoring of these muffins and it pairs amazingly well with the rest of the ingredients.
    • Eggs: fresh, large.
    Raisin bran muffin ingredients in bowls on white surface including orange, buttermilk, oil, brown sugar, egg

    How to make bran muffins

    They have three easy steps: the bran mixture, the raisins, and the final muffin batter.

    Don't be intimidated by the different components as they are super easy to prepare. They add so much to the final moist muffin (the perfect breakfast muffin as I call them sometimes) that it's very much worth taking the time.

    • Toast the bran and let cool before using. Be careful and watch it like a hawk because it burns in a minute! This step adds a lot of flavor to the muffin, but I have made them many times without toasting the bran because I didn't have time. They are amazing too.
    • Boil the raisins with the water until almost evaporated. You can process it to a paste, or not. I don't because I like to have the pieces of raisin when I bite.
    • Mix the bran with the buttermilk first in a large bowl (image 1, below). It will moisten it a bit and it will be good for the end result.
    • Add raisins with the leftover liquid, the vanilla and the orange zest (image 2).
    • Next comes the egg, the last of the wet ingredients (images 3 and 4).
    • Add the dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Don't beat, just mix until incorporated (images 5 and 6).
    Plain bran mixture for muffins in glass bowl, after adding raisins and orange zest, red spatula
    Two image collage mixing raisin bran orange muffin batter in glass bowl with red spatula
    Collage showing bran muffin batter in glass bowl before and after adding flour
    • Scoop or spoon batter by tablespoons (2 in my case for each muffin tin or muffin cup) onto paper liners or directly in a sprayed or buttered muffin tins or pan (image 7).
    • Bake until dry and tester comes out clean. Don't overbake or they'll start to dry. They don't rise much or have domed tops (image 8).
    Scooping bran muffin batter with spoon onto muffins paper cups in metal pan
    Bran muffins in metal pan on grey surface

    Top tips

    • Organization: always read the recipe first and make sure you have all the ingredients, at the right temperatures, and also the rest of the equipment and space to make it. This will make the process so much easier!
    • Baking time: keep in mind that all ovens and pans are different, even if they look the same or very similar. The baking time in my recipes are as accurate as I they can be, but it might take you more or less time. You can use a thermometer that is placed inside the oven (like the OXO oven thermometer) to check that your oven is the right temperature. I recommend you keep track of how your oven works and what tiny details you might need to adjust. 
    • Wheat bran: not to be mistaken with oat bran. Wheat bran comes in flakes with different levels of coarseness, so choose a medium one. It gives the muffins the texture which I find to be essential.
    • Raisins: I use dark or light raisins, and sometimes add cranberries if I have some lying around. Make sure they are seeded.
    • Oil: I use coconut oil, which is not in the original recipe. It really makes them so moist and light at the same time. I will never go back to a regular vegetalble oil for these bran muffins. Alternatively, I use a light olive oil. Yes, olive oil. It is fantastic, but I use it a lot in baking so I'm used to it.
    • Flours: besides all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour is used in this recipe. For a better result you have to use superfine which is similar in texture to white flour. We already have the bran to give texture. You can also use only white flour (all purpose flour) and the total amount will be ¾ cup.
    • Flavorings: you can add some vanilla extract which will give it a sweeter all-around flavor. Also spices, like ground cinnamon can be added. You can also omit the orange zest though I think it gives it a good bitterness to counterbalance the sweetness of the raisins.
    • Storing: they keep well for 2 days at room temperature, always covered in plastic wrap or a bag or in an airtight container. After that I like to refrigerate or freeze them, always well wrapped to prevent drying out.
    Cut bran muffin on wire rack with whole muffins, loose raisins

    And this is an exceptional raisin bran muffin recipe. Take note.

    Single muffins in paper liner on wire rack; other muffins blurred in background

    Related recipes you might like:

    • Morning Glory Muffins Recipe
    • Best Oatmeal Muffins (easy recipe)
    • Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins (Quick & Easy)
    • Applesauce Muffins

    Let me know in the comments below if you made this recipe and loved it, and if you had issues, so we can troubleshoot together. I love to hear what you think, always. Thanks for being here, it's much appreciated.
    You might also consider subscribing to our FREE email series to Boost your Home Baking Skills! And our regular newsletter.
    And let's connect via Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

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    Several whole and halved bran muffins on metal wire rack

    Raisin Bran Muffins

    ★★★★★

    4.9 from 19 reviews

    Print Recipe
    Save Recipe Recipe Saved

    Bran muffins. With lots of raisins. So last century, right? Wrong! These are fabulous, nutritious, loaded with fiber, easy to make, delicious and super moist. Make them ahead and freeze them so you have something ready in minutes for hectic mornings!

    • Total Time: 50 minutes
    • Yield: 12 muffins 1x

    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 2 cups (100g) wheat bran
    • 1 cup (120g) raisins, no seeds
    • 1 ½ cups water
    • ½ cup buttermilk
    • Zest of 1 orange
    • ½ cup brown sugar
    • ½ cup coconut oil (or another oil, like sunflower, canola, light olive oil)
    • 1 egg, room temperature
    • 1 egg white, room temperature
    • ½ cup all purpose flour
    • ¼ cup fine whole wheat flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon salt

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven at 325ºF / 170ºC
    2. Have ready 12 muffin cups with paper liners.
    3. In a small saucepan bring to a boil the raisins and 1 cup of the water. Let it boil very slowly for about 15 minutes, until there is almost no water left.
    4. Process the raisins, as smooth or a bit chunky, whatever you like. You can skip this step.
    5. Toast the wheat bran for about 5 minutes in the oven, careful not to burn. Move it around so it toasts evenly. Careful it burns quickly if you don’t watch it, much like coconut.
    6. In a large bowl mix buttermilk with the ½ cup remaining water, the toasted bran, raisins, orange zest and sugar. Mix well.
    7. Add coconut oil, egg, egg white and mix everything.
    8. Add both flours, baking powder, soda and salt (I sift them directly over the oil mixture) and mix quickly and only until no dry streaks remain. Do not overmix.
    9. Divide between muffin cups and bake for about 25 minutes, until a tester comes out dry. They don’t raise much.
    10. Let cook on a wire rack.

    Notes

    • Organization: always read the recipe first and make sure you have all the ingredients, at the right temperatures, and also the rest of the equipment and space to make it. This will make the process so much easier!
    • Baking time: keep in mind that all ovens and pans are different, even if they look the same or very similar. The baking time in my recipes are as accurate as I they can be, but it might take you more or less time. You can use a thermometer that is placed inside the oven (like the OXO oven thermometer) to check that your oven is the right temperature. I recommend you keep track of how your oven works and what tiny details you might need to adjust. 
    • Wheat bran: not to be mistaken with oat bran. Wheat bran comes in flakes with different levels of coarseness, so choose a medium one. It gives the muffins the texture which I find to be essential.
    • Raisins: I use dark or light raisins, and sometimes add cranberries if I have some lying around. Make sure they are seeded.
    • Oil: I use coconut oil, which is not in the original recipe. It really makes them so moist and light at the same time. I will never go back to regular oil for these bran muffins. Alternatively, I use a light olive oil. Yes, olive oil. It is fantastic, but I use it a lot in baking so I'm used to it.
    • Flours: besides all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour is used in this recipe. For a better result you have to use superfine which is similar in texture to white flour. We already have the bran to give texture. You can also use only white flour (all purpose flour) and the total amount will be ¾ cup.
    • Flavorings: you can add some vanilla extract which will give it a sweeter all-around flavor. Also spices, like ground cinnamon can be added. You can also omit the orange zest 
    • Storing: they keep well for 2 days at room temperature, always covered in plastic wrap or a bag or in an airtight container. After that I like to refrigerate or freeze them, always well wrapped to prevent drying out.
    • Author: Paula Montenegro
    • Prep Time: 25
    • Cook Time: 25
    • Category: Breakfast
    • Method: Baking
    • Cuisine: American

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1/12
    • Calories: 204
    • Sugar: 13.6 g
    • Sodium: 228.3 mg
    • Fat: 10.3 g
    • Carbohydrates: 28.6 g
    • Protein: 3.9 g
    • Cholesterol: 16.6 mg

    Keywords: raisin bran muffins

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Daniela says

      September 16, 2019 at 12:33 am

      All your in process shots make following this muffin recipe so easy! Thanks so much for sharing :).

      Reply
    2. Amy says

      September 15, 2019 at 8:40 pm

      Raisin Bran was one of my favorite cereals as a kid. I LOVE how I can turn a childhood favorite into a sophisticated and delicious muffin! I cannot wait to give this recipe a try!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. Jessica (Swanky Recipes) says

      September 15, 2019 at 2:10 pm

      This looks delicious and I can smell it from here! I never knew to toast wheat bran before but I bet it adds more of a nutty flavor that sounds perfect with these muffins.

      Reply
    4. lauren says

      September 15, 2019 at 12:06 am

      I freaking love bran muffins. I always have, even as a kid. My memere would serve my bran cereal with raisins and its always been my favorite. These muffins are a delicious breakfast!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    5. Kate says

      September 14, 2019 at 5:41 pm

      I actually really love bran muffins but I haven't had one in sooo long! You don't see them in stores as much anymore. This post is making me feel nostalgic! I will definitely have to make these 🙂

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    6. Colleen says

      September 13, 2019 at 12:13 am

      I for, one, never stopped making muffins for breakfast, and raisin bran muffins are the BEST! These look awesome.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    7. Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness says

      September 12, 2019 at 6:40 pm

      I love a good raisin bran muffin. This would be perfect as a quick grab and go breakfast!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    8. Denise says

      September 12, 2019 at 3:06 pm

      This doesn't look like a bran muffin from my youth! Yours looks moist and much more flavorful!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    9. Natalie says

      September 11, 2019 at 4:21 am

      These muffins look so delicious and perfect for a healthy breakfast or snack ♥

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    10. Sarah | Wandercooks says

      September 11, 2019 at 3:15 am

      Curious to see if I can get wheat bran at our local supermarket, this looks delish! I'd love to be able to make these for a quick breakfast.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
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