Baobab Muffins vegan are moist on the inside with slightly crunchy tops and are loaded with vitamin C and bits of chopped dates. Get ready to make the most amazing dairy free and egg free vegan muffins ever!
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I was recently contacted via my Instagram page by a company specialising in organic powders and was allowed to select a few different powders which I could create a recipe out of. I was ecstatic! (and no, this is not a paid collab) One of those powders I chose was Baobab powder.
I hadn't yet had the pleasure of using baobab powder*, but had physically come across a huge circa 750 year old Baobab tree in Perth and instantly fell in love with this fat tree many years ago. I remember how impressive it was and it's story (this Baobab tree found in the Perth's Kings Park had to be transported from The Kimberley's WA (a significant trip). Australia only has one type of Baobab tree.
Baobab* tastes tart and slightly sweet! I have since been drinking it as a latte, similar to my moringa latte recipe. After getting acquainted with the taste of Baobab, I decided to pair it with dates and create these cafe style vegan muffins. But before we get into the Baobab recipe, here's a few things to know about the impressive Baobab plant.
FAQ
Baobab trees are native trees to Australia, mainland Africa and Madagascar. There are eight species (medium to large) under the Adansonia genus known as baobabs.
Baobab trees can live up to 1000 - 1500 years old.
A fruit grown on the Baobab tree in hard pods which is edible (seeds included). Baobab fruit is ground into powder which high in nutrients and is a good source of vitamin C, potassium, carbohydrates, and phosphorus.
In Australia Baobab powder can be bought from most health food stores. For the rest of the world Baobab powder can be found online via Amazon*
Baobab powder can be used as a hot or cold beverage, it's also great in baking, in cereal, mixed into smoothies, juices or porridges.
Baobab is a great source of vitamins and minerals, helps balance Blood Sugar Levels
Contains anti-oxidants and polyphenols that protect cells from damage, helps aid digestion as it's high in fiber.
Baobab tastes slightly sweet and tart with a hint of citrus.
I love pairing muffins with a hot beverage. There are two I am currently into - a whipped instant coffee delight called Dalgona coffee or a immunity boosting Moringa Latte. What's your got to hot beverage when eating a muffin?
🥘 Ingredients
- 2¼ cups Plain Flour
- 1¼ cups Brown Sugar
- ¾ cup Vegan butter (melted)
- 1¼ tbsp Baking powder
- ¼ tbsp Bicarb soda
- 1½ cups Almond Milk
- 150 grams Dates (chopped)
- 2½ tbsp Baobab Powder*
- 1 tbsp Vanilla extract (alcohol free)
🔪Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 220C (428F)
Dry Ingredients
- In a mixing bowl, add plain flour, baobab powder*, baking powder and bicarb soda and mix together. Set aside
Wet Ingredients
- In a separate mixing bowl, add brown sugar, melted vegan butter, almond milk, vanilla extract and mix together well, then add dates
- Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until all is blended (do not over mix)
- Oil muffin tray and evenly scoop batter into each muffin hole.
- Place tray in the middle of the oven and immediately turn heat down to 180C (356F), bake for about 20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean when muffins are pricked
- Allow muffins to cool down for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to completely cool
💭Recipe Tips
- Preheating the oven to a higher temperature 220C (428F) and then reducing it to the required baking temperature 180C (356F) immediately upon placing in the muffin tray helps to lift the muffin tops higher. The higher temperature will also allow the muffins to have a slightly crunchy outside.
- For larger muffin tops, fill each muffin hole just under the brim.
- Working with recipe ingredients that are all at the same room temperature (with the exception of butter - should be melted), helps to bind all ingredients together.
- Don't overwork the batter, when mixing in the dry and wet ingredients together, mix until all is combined. I used my Kitchenaid mixer* to mix, if you are using your hand, folding is a good option too.
- Allow baked muffins to cool for 5 minutes in tray before transferring to a wire rack.
- Muffins will store in an airtight container for 5-6 days in the fridge or cool area.
💡Recipe Variations
- I did try this recipe with coconut oil and monkfruit sugar also. The coconut oil results in a denser muffin. The monkfruit sugar* is a lovely natural sweetener alternative. This combination did yield a darker muffin altogether.
- If you don't like dates - swap these out with your preferred chopped dried fruit.
- Use your preferred plant milk
⏲️Cooking Time
Immediately upon placing muffin tray into the oven, reduce heat from 220C (428F) to 180C (356F) and bake for 20 minutes. Or until the prick test is clean - use a toothpick to prick muffins and if toothpick comes out clean, they are ready.
📋Other Vegan Muffin Recipes
- Healthy Banana Muffins with Coconut
- No Egg Choc Chip Muffins
- Pluffins - Plum Chocolate Chip Muffins
📖 Recipe
Baobab Muffins (Vegan Muffin Recipe with Dates)
Ingredients
- 2¼ cups Plain Flour
- 1¼ cups Brown Sugar
- ¾ cup Vegan butter melted
- 1¼ tbsp Baking powder
- ¼ tbsp Bicarb soda
- 1½ cups Almond Milk
- 150 grams Dates chopped
- 2½ tbsp Baobab Powder
- 1 tbsp Vanilla extract alcohol free
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 220C (428F)
Dry Ingredients
- In a mixing bowl, add plain flour, baobab powder, baking powder and bicarb soda and mix together. Set aside
Wet Ingredients
- In a separate mixing bowl, add brown sugar, vegan butter, almond milk, vanilla extract and mix together well, then add dates
- Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until all is blended (do not over mix)
- Oil muffin tray and evenly scoop batter into each muffin hole.
- Place tray in the middle of the oven and immediately turn heat down to 180C (356F), bake for about 20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean when muffins are pricked
- Allow muffins to cool down for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to completely cool
Anjali
These muffins turned out amazingly well when we made them! I had never thought to use baobab in baking before but it gave these muffins a sweetness that was absolutely delicious!
plantbasedfolk
that's awesome Anjali - so glad you liked amazing Baobab!!
Christie Gagnon
I love trying new foods; looks delish!
plantbasedfolk
Thanks Christie
Traci
Such a unique ingredient. Love this simple, healthy recipe. Thanks for sharing!
plantbasedfolk
You're welcome Traci - enjoy 🙂
kim
This recipe was fabulous! So tasty and really easy too! Will definitely make again!
plantbasedfolk
Thank you Kim, I am glad you enjoyed this recipe - the Baobab flavour is so yummy!
🙂
Beth
This looks so delicious and yummy! So excited to share this recipe with my family!
plantbasedfolk
It will be a family favourite.
Thank you Beth 🙂
Bintu
These sound like such delicious muffins and super healthy too! Love that they have plenty of Vitamin C and are dairy free and egg free!
plantbasedfolk
Thanks Bintu - they are a hit with the family 😀
Charla
Love the whole concept of adding baobab powder to muffins. I'm looking forward to testing out your recipe, I'm excited!
plantbasedfolk
You'll love these Baobab muffins Charla - enjoy!
Patty
I've never tried Baobab powder and am excited to make this muffins. They sound and look terrific!
plantbasedfolk
It's an ancient fruit that is now becoming more popular 😀
Shadi Hasanzadenemati
I can’t wait to try this recipe at home, it looks very tasty!
plantbasedfolk
You'll love it! 😀
Shelley
What an exciting and unique recipe - I absolutely had no idea that you could eat baobab fruit (or that it was nutritious and yummy)! Super cool! I really like the caramel-y flavor of the dates, but your suggestion that other dried fruit will work too has me thinking about other options to try. Thanks for this terrific post!
plantbasedfolk
You're welcome Shelley, yes I know some people don't like dates, so I say pick your favourite dried fruits and add them into your baobab muffins
Sylvie
I had never heard of Baobab Powder before, but I'm so intrigued! These muffins look absolutely delicious with the dates!
plantbasedfolk
Thank you Sylvie, they are pleasantly unique in taste 🙂
Sarah
I've been to the baobab tree in Perth, its beautiful. Gorgeous trees but I didn't know you could eat them, much less turn them into delicious muffins!
plantbasedfolk
Amazing trees- the fruit is edible. I'm glad you learnt something new Sarah 😀