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Home » Baking » Coconut Pineapple Muffins

Published: January 11, 2016 Last Modified: May 23, 2019 By Sara 23 Comments

Coconut Pineapple Muffins

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These coconut pineapple muffins are a lightened up treat with less fat and sugar than the original version. They're the perfect snack or breakfast to pair with a cup of tea. #MeAndMyTea Ad

These coconut pineapple muffins are a lightened up treat made with whole wheat flour, coconut milk and fresh pineapple. An easy snack or breakfast option!

Muffins are a breakfast classic, but have you ever had a pineapple muffin? These muffins incorporate tropical flavors for a fun twist on a standard recipe.

Coconut

A coconut pineapple muffin topped with glaze.

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MeAndMyTea #CollectiveBias

So now that we’re a little over a week into the new year, who is still going strong with their resolutions? I am not really a resolution kind of person; rather, I feel like it’s better to incorporate little changes over time rather than trying to make a major change in one fell swoop. Like everyone else, I am looking to incorporate healthier eating habits into my life. Instead of giving up all of my favorite foods at once, I’ve been swapping out ingredients in my recipes to create healthier alternatives.

One of my favorite afternoon rituals is a cup of tea and a pastry. Rather than giving up sweet treats altogether, I’ve created a healthier coconut pineapple muffin that satisfies my sweet tooth with less sugar and fat.

Pineapple muffins in a baking tin.

How do you make coconut pineapple muffins?

To make these muffins a little lighter, I omitted the butter entirely and added back in a little bit of heart healthy oil. I also reduced the amount of sugar in the recipe and swapped out part of the white flour for whole wheat flour. The glaze is optional, but you really only need a teaspoon per muffin so it doesn’t add much in the way of sugar or calories.

You can use fresh or canned pineapple for these muffins. The trick is to cut the pineapple into small pieces so that you get a little bit in every bite. The muffins get a double dose of coconut with the addition of both flaked coconut and coconut milk. If you’re a pina colada lover, you’re sure to love these muffins.

Coconut muffins topped with shredded coconut and pineapple.

More breakfast recipes you’ll love

  • Cherry Muffins
  • Cream Cheese Danish
  • Baked Oatmeal Cups
  • Breakfast Egg Muffins
  • Breakfast Sundaes
These coconut pineapple muffins are a lightened up treat with less fat and sugar than the original version. They're the perfect snack or breakfast to pair with a cup of tea. #MeAndMyTea Ad
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5 from 6 votes

Coconut Pineapple Muffins

These lightened up coconut pineapple muffins have less fat and sugar than the original version but are still light, fluffy and full of flavor.
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 28 minutes
Servings 12 muffins
Calories 261kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup whole wheat flour I prefer white whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/4 cups light coconut milk
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 1 cup fresh or canned pineapple coarsely chopped
  • 1/4 cup coconut flakes
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • cooking spray
  • For the glaze:
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons light coconut milk
  • slices pineapple and shaved coconut for garnish optional

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Combine both flours, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl; make a well in center of mixture. Combine coconut milk, oil and egg in a bowl; add to flour mixture. Stir just until moist. Gently fold in pineapple and coconut flakes. Spoon batter into 12 muffin cups lined with paper wrappers.
  • Bake at 400° for 18 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove muffins from pan; cool on a wire rack. After the muffins have cooled, combine powdered sugar and coconut milk in a bowl. Drizzle the glaze over the muffins. Garnish with pineapple slices and coconut shavings if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 261kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 154mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 23g
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Filed Under: Baking, Breakfast, Brunch, Light & Healthy, Snacks

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    Comments

    1. Sue says

      August 30, 2021 at 9:23 am

      5 stars
      This recipe is yummy! A little flavor of the islands at home. Moist and flavorful!

      Reply
    2. Chanti says

      April 27, 2020 at 3:15 am

      Hi – I made these today and they are yummy! I only had about half a cup of crushed pineapple so I added a ripe banana in too. So tasty. Thanks.

      Reply
    3. Mary says

      April 9, 2018 at 5:58 pm

      Canola oil is NOT heart healthy. Please do some research. It is a highly refined and processed oil that goes through 168 discrete steps between seed and bottle, including exposure to hexane and bleach. I know it’s an easy error to make if we just believe what we’re told. But again, please do some research. There have been so many recent discoveries about Canola and other oils and the damage they do to our health.

      Reply
    4. K says

      December 15, 2016 at 12:43 am

      5 stars
      Thank you for this recipe! I made a few changes and absolutely love it.

      I used 1 cup of flour and 1 cup of oatmeal, used honey instead of sugar, used full fat coconut milk, and substituted the oil with 2 tablespoons of Greek yoghurt. The muffins are super moist and not too sweet. Loved the taste of the pineapple! And the moisture that the coconut milk gives is perfect – so happy for your idea!

      It’ll be my basic recipe for other muffins (without the pineapple and coconut flakes).

      Reply
    5. Mercy B . says

      April 20, 2016 at 7:50 pm

      Is it ok to substitute coconut milk for coconut water ?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        April 20, 2016 at 8:51 pm

        I think it would probably work, although the muffins might be a bit drier since the coconut milk adds more fat to the recipe which makes for a moister muffin.

        Reply
    6. bigmike says

      January 18, 2016 at 2:30 pm

      Is there a decent substitute for the coconut milk or is it necessary for the flavor? Live rural it could be hard to find.

      Reply
      • Sara says

        January 18, 2016 at 6:38 pm

        Check your ethnic foods aisle, if not buttermilk would be a great substitute!

        Reply
    7. Diane says

      January 17, 2016 at 4:37 pm

      can I use white flour instead of the wheat

      Reply
      • Sara says

        January 17, 2016 at 4:44 pm

        Yes, you can definitely use all white flour!

        Reply
    8. Evonne Rowse says

      January 13, 2016 at 11:55 pm

      I like your recipe, but you should use olive oil or coconut oil rather than canola oil. Canola
      oil is not that healthy

      Reply
      • Sara says

        January 14, 2016 at 8:49 am

        Great suggestion, you should be able to substitute either of those oils with no problems!

        Reply
    9. kristy @ the wicked noodle says

      January 12, 2016 at 7:12 am

      5 stars
      I love, love, love this idea! A hot cup of tea in the afternoon is such a simple pleasure, especially when it’s sooo cold outside. I’m going to add both your muffins and the tea to my shopping list!

      Reply
    10. JanetGoingCrazy says

      January 12, 2016 at 6:31 am

      I always have a cup of tea beside me when I’m working to keep me warm and motivated. I think I need one of these muffins next time, too, to keep my belly from rumbling. [client]

      Reply
    11. Kristina says

      January 11, 2016 at 4:56 pm

      I love adding pineapple to baked foods – these sound perfect!

      Reply
    12. Debbie says

      January 11, 2016 at 3:26 pm

      I love the lighter recipes!

      Reply
    13. Chrisy @ Homemade Hooplah says

      January 11, 2016 at 10:06 am

      5 stars
      Such a great flavor combination! Wish I had one of these muffins and a tea right now 🙂

      Reply
    14. Florian @ContentednessCooking says

      January 11, 2016 at 8:26 am

      Those look fantastic and so easy to make. Love that you use pineapple and coconut milk.

      Reply
    15. Greg says

      January 11, 2016 at 8:12 am

      Those muffins look great! I love the coconut on top!

      Reply
    16. Manila Spoon says

      January 11, 2016 at 7:53 am

      5 stars
      Love the tropical flavors you added here! These muffins look delicious and perfect with a cuppa!

      Reply
    17. Marye says

      January 11, 2016 at 5:33 am

      These muffins sound so delicious, I wish I had some this morning for breakfast!

      Reply
    18. Ali @ Home & Plate says

      January 11, 2016 at 5:25 am

      5 stars
      Your pineapple muffins are the perfect snack to have with a cup of tea. I find myself drinking it a lot more now that the weather has turned colder and the snow is not melting. Perfect pairing!

      Reply
    19. Christie says

      January 11, 2016 at 5:14 am

      I’ve been having a cup of tea in the afternoon when I feel like eating an unhealthy snack. It really is curbing my cravings for potato chips. I am sure these muffins would help too.

      Reply

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