Our family has always loved muffin recipes — especially during the days when we were on a really tight grocery budget and trying to stretch every last dollar and ingredient. Muffins are easy to whip up, usually very frugal, and can often be tweaked if you want a healthier version.
They are also really versatile! They can be used for on-the-go breakfasts and snacks, paired with a bowl of soup to make the meal more filling, or enjoyed as an after-dinner treat.
Over the years, I’ve found many muffin recipes that are really easy to prepare ahead of time and freeze for later. If you’ve been a blog follower for a while, you’ve probably noticed that my freezer cooking sessions often include some sort of muffins or bread. I love that muffins freeze so well and are almost as delicious thawed out as they were right after baking!
Here are my top 7 all-time favorite freezer-friendly muffin recipes…
1. Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins – These muffins are hearty and filling. Not too sweet, but just the perfect blend of crunch and chocolate mixed together.
2. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins – This recipe is one of our longtime family favorites. These muffins are so good and freeze so well. These also make a great dessert to add to a sack lunch. Just pull a frozen muffin out and stick it in a baggie in your sack lunch and by lunchtime, it’s all thawed and ready to eat.
3. Easy Morning Glory Muffins – These muffins are delicious and nutritious. They are packed with carrots, whole wheat flour, raisins, coconut oil, and apples. When my friend, Angie, brought us some one day, I took one bite and knew they were winners.
4. Corn Dog Muffins – This recipe uses my favorite World’s Best Honey Cornbread to make an easier version of homemade corn dogs. Kids love this one, and it’s such an easy make-ahead lunchbox idea!
5. Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins – This non-Pinterest-perfect picture does not do this delicious recipe justice. Years ago, I used to make this for the kids all the time. They aren’t the healthiest muffins you’ll eat, but they are yummy, frugal, and super easy to whip up!
6. Apple Butter Muffins – I found this recipe online a few years ago, and decided to substitute apple butter for applesauce. I tweaked a few other things and wasn’t sure how it would turn out, but we all ended up loving these. They are SO delicious and freeze really well!
7. Cinnamon Doughnut Muffins – These muffins have been a family favorite for almost 20 years. We got the recipe from a Taste of Home magazine and have been making them ever since! Even though they look fancy, they are simple to make and rely on just a few basic ingredients. And the jam is a fun addition!
Looking for grain-free options? Try these!
Egg & Sausage Breakfast Bites – These are SOO good. And they are incredibly easy to make and freeze really well!
Trim Healthy Mama Cupcakes – These grain-free, dairy-free cupcakes are pretty delicious for how healthful they are!
Grain-Free, Honey-Sweetened Muffins – When I discovered this recipe, I did a happy dance! The ingredients are a little unique, but trust me on this, these are good. No, they might not taste quite like a regular muffin made with flour, but they are still scrumptious — and easy to make, too.
A Few Tips On Making Muffins
I highly, highly recommend grabbing a set of Silicone Baking Cups! I bought some this year and have been pleasantly surprised with how well they worked and how easy they were to clean and wash!
I’m definitely sold on using these — especially because they kept the muffin pan so clean and easy to wash! These are now a staple item in our kitchen!
Also, did you know that you can freeze unbaked muffin batter?! This is such a helpful tip when you’re in the middle of a freezer cooking session and ran out of time, or when you made too much batter and would rather save it for another freezer cooking session!
Can you tell me more about the silicone liners? Do you take the muffins out of them once they are baked? Or do you freeze the muffins in the liners? Are they easier to wash than the muffin pan itself? Thanks.
Yes! They are easy to wash! I share more about them at the end of this video: https://www.facebook.com/MoneySavingMom/videos/10154589843413227/
How long can you freeze the egg muffins? I’ve made them in the past and refrigerate them. My kids ate them way faster than they could go bad.
Thanks so much for including grain-free options, perfect for diabetics!
Good timing! I’ve been in a muffin rut, making the same two kinds over and over. Now I have a few more recipes to try. Crossing my fingers the kiddos will like some of these!
Another awesome product for baking muffins is the Silverstone brand muffin tins. They are coated with ceramic, which is naturally non-stick. So if you are concerned about the health effects of Teflon, PFOAs, or other chemicals, this is a great alternative. I have been using mine for a year and a half and have no complaints. They are affordable too!
Thanks so much for sharing!
We love muffins! We have them at least once a week for an easy breakfast. Two of my kids are gluten intolerant, but oats are fine for them. So we make a lot of oat flour muffins. My favorites are the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip (you end up with 24 Muffins from one can of pumpkin!): http://findinghomeblog.com/recipe-gluten-free-pumpkin-chocolate-chip-muffins/
But all of the oat flour recipes are yummy: http://www.findinghomeblog.com/oat-flour-muffins
I might have to try some of the ones you linked and see how they convert to oat flour – they sound yummy!
Thanks so much for sharing these recipes!
We LOVE muffins for all the reasons you listed. The few times that my husband and I go out, I “pay” the sitter with your pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. I like to make mini muffins. My kids also love this recipe: http://www.yammiesnoshery.com/2013/09/healthy-100-calorie-double-fudge-banana.html
I think your sister, Gretchen, posted it a few years ago as part of her menu plan. It has been in my rotation since that time. I don’t take the time to drizzle chocolate on top, I just stir some mini chocolate chips in.
That recipe looks SO yummy! I want to try it soon!!
Hi Crystal-
I am really interested in the grain free muffins and what the unique ingredients are. However, the link was not working. Any suggestions?
Thank you!
I just checked and it’s working. Try this: https://wholelifestylenutrition.com/recipes/appetizers-snacks/the-easiest-gluten-free-and-grain-free-muffin-recipe-ever/
A couple of links are broken
They should be fixed now! So sorry about that!
These look delicious!! I can’t wait to try them. My girls say I make the same muffins over and over. Lol
I am unable to open the grain free honey muffin link. Any suggestions?
I just checked and it’s working. Try this: https://moneysavingmom.com/2013/05/delicious-grain-free-honey-sweetened-muffins.html
Perfect timing!
Just Bought some items at the grocery store for these!
Been wanting to put together lists for breakfast, snacks and lunches of a few go to items. So I can have more brain room and I think I might have learned that from you!
Do you have any go to items for snacks? Have made your pb balls many times and shared with friends!
Do you have healthy go to items for your kids lunches? My daughter is 3.
This post might be helpful for snack ideas: https://moneysavingmom.com/2014/07/can-save-money-food-im-never-home.html
I’d love the recipe for the Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins but it doesn’t look like the link is working.
It’s fixed now. So sorry about that!
Perfect Timing – thanks so much!
Is the Oatmeal/Choc Chip link correct?
Thanks!
I can not get the oatmeal/choc chip link to open correctly..takes me to how to freeze and not the recipe…anyway to get the actual recipe..thanks in advance.
It’s fixed now — so sorry about that.
https://moneysavingmom.com/2012/12/oatmeal-chocolate-chip-muffins.html
Thank you! I was having trouble finding this too.