Baklava Muffins – A Lightened Twist on a Mediterranean Classic

These Baklava Muffins are a delicious fusion of everything you love about traditional baklava—warm cinnamon spice, crunchy nuts, and sweet honey—in a soft, fluffy, portion-friendly muffin form. With less sugar and smart ingredient swaps, this lightened version lets you indulge in a sweet treat without straying from your goals. Perfect for brunch, holidays, or a cozy afternoon snack.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Baklava Flavor, Muffin Convenience – No rolling or layering phyllo.
Better-for-You Bake – Sweetened with honey and low-fat yogurt.
Great for Gifting – Unique, elegant, and easy to transport.
Perfect Portions – Automatically pre-portioned to help you stay on track.

Ingredients

Muffins:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup whole wheat flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• ⅓ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
• ⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup skim milk or unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Nut Filling:

• ⅓ cup finely chopped walnuts
• 2 tbsp finely chopped pistachios
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Topping:

• 1 tbsp honey (for drizzling)
• Optional: additional chopped pistachios or a sprinkle of cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or spray lightly with cooking spray.

2. Prepare Nut Filling
In a small bowl, combine the chopped walnuts, pistachios, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Set aside.

3. Mix the Batter
In a medium bowl, whisk together flours, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
In a separate large bowl, beat the egg. Add yogurt, applesauce, honey, milk, vanilla, and brown sugar. Mix until smooth.
Gradually add dry ingredients into wet, stirring just until combined. Do not overmix.

4. Assemble the Muffins
Spoon half the batter evenly into muffin cups. Sprinkle about 1 tsp of the nut filling into each. Top with remaining batter, then gently swirl the tops with a toothpick or knife to distribute some of the nuts through the muffin.

5. Bake
Bake for 18–20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5–10 minutes.

6. Finish with Sweetness
Warm the tablespoon of honey slightly and drizzle over each muffin. Garnish with extra pistachios or a light dusting of cinnamon, if desired.

Nutritional Information (Per Muffin, Approximate)

Calories: 155
Carbs: 22g
Fat: 5g
Protein: 4g
Sugar: 10g
(Smartly balanced for a light treat—adjust as needed for your personal plan.)

Tips for Success

• Nut Substitutes: Swap walnuts or pistachios for almonds or pecans if preferred.
• Make Ahead: These store well in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Reheat Tip: Warm slightly in the microwave for that fresh-from-the-oven taste.
• Flavor Boost: Add a touch of orange zest or rose water for a more authentic baklava flavor.

Why This Recipe Works

This version of Baklava Muffins captures all the cozy, spiced goodness of traditional baklava in a light, grab-and-go format. With better-for-you ingredients like Greek yogurt and applesauce, it’s proof that you don’t have to give up flavor to enjoy a mindful indulgence.

Baklava Muffins are a delightful and creative way to enjoy the rich, nutty sweetness of a beloved Mediterranean dessert—reimagined in a lighter, simpler, and more everyday-friendly form. Whether you’re making a batch for breakfast, sharing at brunch, or enjoying one with tea, these muffins are bound to become a favorite sweet treat you can feel good about.