Like many basic white girls, I am a lover of all things fall. These protein-packed Kodiak apple spice muffins are one of them.

Total honesty here, I’m not a huge pumpkin spice kind of girl.

Give me all things apple. Apple cider, apple pie and apple protein muffins.

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The main dilemma in the fall and holiday season is navigating so many wonderful treats and flavors of the season while staying on track with my nutritional goals.

So I like finding ways to recreate healthier versions of my favorite treats so that I can enjoy all the flavor without throwing my diet out of whack.

I’ve written before about Kodiak Cakes, a company known for flapjack mixes rich in protein and complex carbs. Our pantry is usually stocked with a box (or six) that I can whip it out when we’re meal prepping.

There are a lot of questionable protein muffin recipes out there. Which is why I began creating my own Kodiak muffin recipes.

I felt recipes on the Kodiak boxes, while tasty, were too high in sugar, fat and calories.

On the flip side, the Kodiak protein muffin recipes I found online (while lower in fat and calories than the ones of the box) were dry, disappointing and tasted like a mouthful of sand.

But not to worry. These fall protein muffins don’t disappoint.

Like in all my Kodiak protein muffin recipes, these Apple Spice Kodiak Muffins are high-protein, low-fat and full of healthy complex carbs and flavor.

They’re vegetarian friendly, vegan adaptable and picky-eater approved. They’re also the perfect addition to your weekly meal prep. Grab a couple for breakfast on the go, a healthy afternoon snack or just because you love a good muffins!

Protein-Packed Kodiak Apple Spice Muffins

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 Cups Kodiak Cakes protein packed flapjack mix
• 1 Scoop SFH vanilla protein powder (or your preferred protein powder)
• 1 Egg
• 1 Cup  skim milk
• 1/2 Cup Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and finely chopped
• 1/2 Cup + 1 Tablespoon unsweetened apple sauce
• 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 Teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 Teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 Teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 Cup Splenda brown sugar blend, plus some to sprinkle

Throw all ingredients, except for apples, into a bowl and mix until smooth. Stir apples in gently and then pour batter into greased muffin tins. Sprinkle some of the brown sugar over each muffin and bake at 350°F for 12-18 minutes (or until they pass the toothpick test). Makes 12 muffins.

PREP TIPS:

• Pay attention to the Kodiak mix you buy (the original mix has 8g of protein per serving while the protein-packed version has 14g).
• Try to evenly distribute apples between muffins (too many in one will increase moisture and too few will decrease it).
• If you do meal prep in advance each week, keep in mind with fresh ingredients these muffins stay good for about 3 days. When making a big batch, consider freezing some to use as needed so they don’t start to spoil on you by day 4 or 5.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

• If you’re not a fan of artificial sweeteners like Splenda, you can substitute Stevia or regular sugar.
• You can also substitute soy or coconut milk for the skim milk.
• If you’re vegan, you can swap a vegan baking egg replacer for the chicken egg and use a vegan protein powder (see vegan protein powder recommendation further down on post).
• When making substitutions, just keep in mind that your macro count and baking consistency may slightly vary from my specific recipe. If you’re counting macros, just make sure to adjust the recipe macros in a macro calculator based on the ingredients you use.

MACROS PER MUFFIN:

• Calories: 142
• Carbs: 22.7g
• Fat: 1.3g
• Protein: 8.3g

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WHERE TO FIND KODIAK CAKE MIX

Quite a few retailers now carry Kodiak Cake mixes and products. I’ve regularly found them in Target, Bi-Lo, Walmart and Publix.

But if you’re struggling to find it at your local grocery store (or, like me, just don’t like leaving your house and prefer things to come to you), no worries. Amazon has got’cha back.

Buttermilk Protein Packed Flapjack Mix

Kodiak Cakes Buttermilk Flapjack and Waffle Mix

Click here to find on Amazon

I currently have three boxes of Kodiak’s protein packed buttermilk stocked in our pantry. My husband is a Crossfit coach and personal trainer who does a lot of power and Olympic lifting. He can put away a LOT of food.

So I often opt towards buying Kodiak’s protein packed mixed for that extra boost of protein. You can never go wrong with some classic buttermilk and I make this regularly in muffin, pancake and waffle form as his work week breakfast.

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Cinnamon Oat Protein Packed Flapjack Mix

Kodiak Cakes Cinnamon Oat Flapjack and Waffle Mix

Click here to find on Amazon

If you REALLY want to take your Protein-Packed Kodiak Apple Spice Muffins to the next level, then look no further than the Cinnamon Oat Flapjack mix. This is actually one flavor I don’t currently have on hand, but my husband gives it a solid 10/10.

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For Gluten-Free Kodiak Muffins

Kodiak Cakes Gluten Free Protein Pancake Flapjack and Waffle Mix

Click here to find on Amazon

Does gluten not jive well with your system? Not to worry. Kodiak makes a gluten-free mix! That way no one has to miss out on the fun.

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Protein Powder Recommendations

A quality protein powder will make or break the difference in your protein muffin. I try to aim for a low-carb, high-protein powder that’s easy on the taste buds and the digestive system.

Here are three protein powder brands that I’ve tried, approved and will work with my smoothie recipes.

Tasty and Budget-Friendly Whey

Quest Nutrition Protein Powder

Click here to buy on Amazon

Quest Protein powders are gluten-free, soy-free, high-protein and low-carb. Their protein is smooth, delicious and won’t break the bank. I’ve enjoyed all of the flavors I’ve tried in this protein.

High-Quality, Artificial-Free Whey

SFH Pure Whey Protein Powder

Click here to buy on Amazon

SFH is known for their high-quality protein. Gluten-free and soy-free, their Pure Whey Protein Powder is made of grass-fed whey that is that is 100% GMO and artificial ingredient-free. I’ve really enjoyed both chocolate and vanilla flavors of this protein powder.

Vegan

New Vega Protein & Greens Click here to buy on Amazon

It can be challenging to find a vegan protein powder that’s low-carb, high-protein and doesn’t taste like cardboard. I tested quite a few of them during my vegan dieting experiment and Vega was actually my favorite. It’s completely dairy, soy and GMO-free and easy on the tastebuds.

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Hey there, don’t leave yet!

We’re still getting to know each other! Don’t go away so soon. Here are a few more of my Kodiak Cakes recipes that I think you’re going to love.

Protein-Packed Chocolate Peppermint Kodiak Muffins

Protein-Packed Pumpkin Kodiak Muffins

Protein-Packed Blueberry Kodiak Muffins

Pumpkin-Apple Spice Kodiak Protein Pancakes

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All writing and images copyright © 2018 Rachel Elise Weems Woods

Originally published 10/25/17. Updated 10-24-18