Our award-winning ABCD Muffins are great for kids and are packed with apple, banana, coconut and dates making them a perfect lunch box option!
We all know that muffins are a favourite with kids and make a great lunch box treat. Whether it's a batch of banana muffins, blueberry muffins, apple crumble muffins, white chocolate and raspberry muffins or these ABCD muffins, they're sure to disappear quickly!
Apple, Banana, Coconut & Date Muffins (ABCD)
The name ABCD muffins stands for apple, banana, coconut and date muffins - the 4 main ingredients in these freezer-friendly muffins.
A One Bowl Muffin Recipe
To make these muffins, simply mix the wet ingredients together in a bowl (apple, banana, dates, vegetable oil, egg and milk).
Then gently fold through the dry ingredients - don't over-mix (self-raising flour, raw sugar and coconut).
Divide the mixture between the muffin tray holes, sprinkle with extra sugar (optional) and bake.
Variations
This is such a versatile recipe and you can mix and match with so many different ingredients. I recommend checking out the reader comments at the end of the post (there's so many great suggestions there!).
Some great suggestions are:
- adding grated carrot
- adding nuts
- using gluten-free flour
- reducing the amount of sugar
Lower Sugar ABCD Muffins
This recipe contains ½ cup of raw sugar. However, it does also get a lot of sweetness from the apple, banana and dates, so you can absolutely cut down this amount for a low sugar option. Many of our readers suggest ¼ cup of raw sugar instead.
I like to sprinkle a little extra raw sugar over the top of the muffins to give a beautiful crunch, but again, if you're after a low sugar muffin, then skip this step (they'll still be absolutely delicious).
How To Store ABCD Muffins
These muffins can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature and consumed within 3-4 days. Alternatively, you can freeze the muffins for up to 3 months.
Popular Lunch Box Recipes For Kids
Here's 5 more of our most popular lunch box recipes:
- Milo Biscuits
- Chocolate Banana Fudge Loaf
- Healthy Homemade Muesli Bars
- Apple & Cinnamon Scrolls
- Oat & Milo Slice
ABCD Muffin Recipe Tips & FAQ
Can I make these muffins in my Thermomix?
Absolutely! There's conventional and Thermomix instructions in the printable recipe card below.
Can you taste the dates in this muffin recipe?
No, as they are chopped finely they just give a beautiful sweetness to the muffins.
I don't like coconut - can I leave it out?
Yes you can. There's no need to replace it with anything.
Can I make these into mini muffins?
Yes, of course! Simply decrease the cooking time in the oven.
Do you have any more lunch box recipes?
Absolutely! Check out my entire lunch box recipes collection here or my FREE printable of 101 Lunch Box Ideas here.
How will I know if the ABCD muffins are cooked?
The muffins are ready when they spring back when touched lightly in the middle or a skewer inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs on it.
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ABCD Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 apple grated
- 2 bananas small, mashed
- 50 g dried pitted dates finely chopped
- ½ cup (125g) vegetable oil
- ¾ cup (185g) milk
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup (20g) desiccated coconut
- 225 g (1 ½ cups) self-raising flour
- ½ cup (125g) raw sugar plus extra for sprinkling
Instructions
Conventional Method
- Preheat oven to 180 degrees celsius (fan-forced). Grease a 12-hole muffin tin and set aside.
- Place apple, bananas, dates, vegetable oil, milk and egg into a bowl and mix until very well combined.
- Add desiccated coconut, self-raising flour and raw sugar and mix very gently until just combined (be careful not to over-mix).
- Spoon mixture into prepared muffins tin and sprinkle with extra raw sugar (optional).
- Bake for approximately 20 minutes (turn tray after 10 minutes and then check at 15 minutes).
- Leave to cool in the tray for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Thermomix Method
- Preheat oven to 180 degrees celsius (fan-forced). Grease a 12-hole muffin tin and set aside.
- Place quartered apple and whole pitted dates into the Thermomix bowl. Chop on Turbo for 10 seconds (or until apple is grated and dates are finely chopped). You may need to scrape down the sides a couple of times.
- Add the banana and mix on Speed 5, 5 seconds.
- Add the vegetable oil, milk and egg and mix on Reverse Speed 5, 15 seconds or until well combined.
- Add the self-raising flour, coconut and sugar and gently mix with the spatula until just combined - be careful not to over-mix.
- Spoon mixture into prepared muffins tins and sprinkle with extra raw sugar (optional).
- Bake for approximately 20 minutes (turn tray after 10 minutes and then check at 15 minutes).
- Leave to cool in the tray for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
Jo says
I made these for the kids lunchboxes as they love a little sweet treat each day. I did substitute coconut sugar instead of raw sugar, but they turned out lovely and moist and light. My eldest loves them, younger one has never been keen on fruit so I am happy because he thinks they are “ok”! I think they are delicious too, so either way they won’t be wasted!
Lucy says
Fantastic!
Jemma says
I omitted the dates, used Greek yoghurt instead of milk and only used 1/4 raw sugar.
The came out super fluffy and moist.
Yum!!
Lucy says
Fantastic!
Anita says
Made these for my kids with spelt flour and 2 teaspoons of aluminum free baking powder instead of the self-raising flour - turned out perfectly! Just the right amount of sweetness. Thanks Lucy!
Lucy says
Awww that's so awesome!
Summer says
Hi. Can I use 1/4 cup of honey instead of sugar?
Thanks.
Lucy says
I havent personally tried that but it's a very forgiving recipe, so I would give it a go!
Kate says
Great recipe, the muffins are delicious.
If you have really ripe bananas you don't need any of the sugar.
If you don't have dates use dried prunes, sultanas or raisins.
Lucy says
Thank you for your feedback!
Anna says
Can you make these without the egg?