One thing I’ve realized about homeschooling this year is that I need to plan regular snack breaks. I hardly stop for lunch myself, so it’s easy to get caught up in schoolwork, housework, and blogging and forget that little people need to eat more often!
I’ve noticed that a lot of grouchiness and bickering can be traced back to hunger. Taking a break for a morning snack and an afternoon snack can help everyone stay happier and make our homeschool days run more smoothly. That afternoon snack is especially important for preventing whining while I’m trying to make supper!
Healthy, Easy Snack Options
My go-to snacks are fresh fruit, but the girls also love homemade muffins for breakfast or a quick snack. One of their favourite muffin recipes is actually a childhood favourite of mine: Muffins that Taste Like Donuts. These easy homemade muffins have the warm, comforting cinnamon and nutmeg flavours of a donut, making them a fun treat for kids without having to visit a bakery.
I’ve adapted the original recipe to make it a little healthier by adding ground flax seeds (rich in both dietary fiber and plant-based omega-3 fatty acids) and using honey (which contains antioxidants) instead of sugar. I also usually bake these muffins in mini muffin tins, which makes them the perfect size for little hands and easy to grab when the kids need a quick bite between lessons.
Baking with the kids is also a fun way to incorporate learning into your homeschool day! Measuring ingredients gives them hands-on practice with math and fractions, while reading the recipe helps build reading skills and following directions. Even younger children can help stir, pour, and count muffin cups, making this a tasty way to learn practical life skills together.
If you’re looking for easy homeschool snacks or a simple homemade muffin recipe your kids will love, give these healthy donut muffins a try!
Healthy Muffins that Taste Like Donuts
These homemade donut muffins are easy to prepare with basic pantry ingredients. Make them in mini muffin tins for bite-sized snacks or use regular muffin tins for a more substantial breakfast or afternoon treat.
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- 1/2 cup ground flax seeds
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1 cup honey (or 2 cups sugar)
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups milk (use soy or almond milk for dairy-free muffins)
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Combine the oil, honey (or sugar), eggs, and milk in a large bowl. Mix well.
- Add the flour, ground flax seeds, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Stir until combined.
- Spoon the batter into greased or lined mini muffin tins or regular muffin tins.
- Bake mini muffins for 15–20 minutes or regular muffins for 20–25 minutes. If using silicone baking pans, add about 5 minutes to the baking time.
- The muffins are ready when the tops are golden brown and feel firm when gently tapped. Let them cool slightly before serving.
Enjoy these homemade donut muffins warm or at room temperature! They’re a handy snack to have ready for busy homeschool mornings, afternoon hunger pangs, or a quick breakfast on the go. My kids like them with butter but they also taste great with jam.
What are your kids’ favourite snacks? I’d love to hear what other homeschooling families keep on hand to get through the school day!
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