Delicious Barley, Pear, and Date Muffins (Diabetic Friendly)

These muffins are easy to make and come out of the oven or air fryer moist and delicious. The best part? They’re sweetened primarily with dates and pears, so you won’t find any refined sugar or artificial sweeteners here. Walnuts add a delightful crunch, extra flavor, and protein to the mix. With plenty of whole-grain fiber, protein, and healthy fats, these muffins are great (in moderation, as always!) if you're on a diabetic diet or just want to eat healthy.

We love these muffins for breakfast, alongside dinner, or as a nutritious snack with a cup of coffee or tea (or a glass of milk, if that’s your jam). Enjoy!

Delicious, Easy to Make, Diabetic-Friendly Barley Muffins with Pears and Dates

Ingredients for Barley, Pear, and Date Muffins

Makes 10 muffins

• 1/3 cup of canola oil

• 1 large egg

• 1/3 cup of plain Greek yogurt

• 1/2 cup of milk

• 1 cup of pears, peeled and chopped

• 1/2 cup of pitted dates, chopped

• 1 1/4 cup of barley flour

• 1 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon of salt

• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon of ground ginger

• 1/4 teaspoon of allspice

• 1 cup of chopped walnuts, divided

  
  

How to Make the Muffins

Step 1: Prepare Your Muffin Cups

Start by spritzing 10 baking cups with non-stick cooking spray. Set them aside for now.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the canola oil, egg, Greek yogurt, and milk. Once that’s well combined, stir in the chopped dates and pears.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

Now, add the barley flour, baking powder, salt, and spices to the bowl. Stir everything into the wet mixture until just combined. Don’t overmix! Gently fold in half of the chopped walnuts.

Step 4: Fill the Muffin Cups

Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle the remaining walnuts on top of the batter for that extra crunch.

Cooking Methods

Air Fryer Method

If you’re using an air fryer, set it to the "bake" setting at 350 degrees. Air fry the muffins for 15-20 minutes, or until they’re golden brown. You can test them by inserting a toothpick; it should come out clean with no wet batter attached. If your air fryer doesn’t have a bake setting, just set it to 320 degrees for the same amount of time. Let the muffins cool a bit before removing them from the cups to cool completely.

Oven Method

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Bake the muffins for about 20 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and a toothpick inserted into a muffin comes out clean. Again, let them cool a little before taking them out of the cups.

Deliciously Simple Barley, Pear, and Date Muffins for Diabetics

Storing Your Muffins

Once your muffins are completely cool, you can store them. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to keep them longer, pop them in the fridge for up to a week. You can also freeze them! Just make sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll be good for about three months.

Final Thoughts

These Barley, Pear, and Date Muffins are not just easy to make; they’re also a fantastic way to enjoy a healthy treat. With wholesome ingredients and no added sugars, they fit perfectly into a nutritious diet. So, whether you're enjoying them for breakfast, as a snack, or even for dessert, you can feel good about what you’re eating.

Give these muffins a try! You might just find your new favorite recipe. Happy baking!