Babycook Recipes: Blueberry Matcha Muffins

Soft, fluffy and bursting with juicy blueberries, these little muffins are a fun way to introduce your toddler to new flavours. A gentle hint of matcha gives them a pretty green colour, while ripe banana and apple add natural sweetness, so there's no added sugar or sweetener. The batter comes together in your Beaba Babycook blending bowl, and they bake perfectly in silicone portion trays for toddler-sized treats.

Suitable from: 12 months

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 15 to 20 minutes

Makes: about 12 mini muffins

Ingredients

1 small apple, peeled, cored and diced
1 ripe banana
1 egg
100ml milk
30g unsalted butter, melted
150g plain flour (or half plain, half wholemeal)
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp matcha powder
80g fresh or frozen blueberries

Method

Steam the apple. Place the diced apple in the Babycook steam basket and steam until soft. Blend into a smooth puree and let it cool slightly. You'll need about 3 tablespoons; save any extra for another snack.
Preheat the oven. Heat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan) and lightly grease a silicone portion tray or a mini muffin tin.
Blend the wet ingredients. Add the apple puree, banana, egg, milk and melted butter to the Babycook blending bowl and blend until smooth.
Add the dry ingredients. Add the flour, baking powder and matcha, then pulse in short bursts until just combined. Don't overmix, or the muffins can turn out dense.
Fold in the blueberries. Pour the batter into a bowl and gently fold through the blueberries with a spoon. If using frozen berries, add them straight from the freezer to stop the colour bleeding.
Bake. Spoon the batter into the tray, filling each portion about three-quarters full. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until risen and a skewer comes out clean.
Cool. Leave the muffins in the tray for 5 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

Tips for toddler-friendly muffins

Use very ripe banana. The spottier the banana, the sweeter your muffins will be.
Go easy on the matcha. Matcha is a green tea powder and contains a small amount of caffeine, so this recipe uses just ½ teaspoon across 12 mini muffins for colour and a mild flavour. Leave it out entirely if you prefer.
Mini portions work best. Silicone portion trays like Béaba's award-winning Multiportions make toddler-sized muffins that pop out easily. Shop our food storage containers.
Check for allergens. This recipe contains egg, milk and wheat. Make sure your child has already tried each of these before serving.
Cut to suit. For younger toddlers, break muffins into small pieces and squash the blueberries, as whole berries can be a choking hazard.

Variations

Egg-free: replace the egg with an extra 3 tablespoons of apple puree.
Dairy-free: use a plant-based milk suitable for your child and swap the butter for a mild oil.
Matcha-free: leave out the matcha for classic blueberry muffins.
Fruit swaps: try raspberries or diced strawberries instead of blueberries, or pear puree instead of apple.

Storing and freezing

Keep cooled muffins in an airtight container for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 4 days. To freeze, store them in a sealed container for up to 2 months, then thaw at room temperature or warm briefly before serving.

Blueberry matcha muffins FAQs

Is matcha safe for toddlers?

Matcha contains caffeine, so it's best used sparingly for young children. This recipe uses a very small amount spread across 12 mini muffins. If you'd rather avoid caffeine altogether, simply leave it out.

Are these muffins sugar-free?

They have no added sugar or sweeteners. All the sweetness comes from the banana, apple and blueberries.

Can babies under 12 months eat these?

This recipe is designed for toddlers from 12 months because of the matcha. For younger babies, leave out the matcha and check that they've already tried egg, milk and wheat.

Can I use frozen blueberries?

Yes. Add them straight from frozen and fold them in gently at the end so they don't stain the batter.

Can I bake these in a regular muffin tin?

Yes. The mixture makes about 6 regular muffins; bake them for 20 to 25 minutes, until a skewer comes out clean.

Browse all our Babycook recipes for more ideas.

Always check with your GP or child health nurse if you have questions about your child's diet or allergies.