• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Oh My Veggies logo

  • Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Vegan Recipes
    • Vegetarian Main Dishes
    • Vegetarian Appetizers
    • Vegetarian Breakfast Recipes
    • Vegetarian Side Dishes
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Snack Recipes
    • Drinks
    • Sauces, Spreads and Condiments
    • Holiday Recipes
    • From our Readers
  • Cooking Tips & Hints
    • Cooking Tips
    • Plant-Based Nutrition
    • Product Reviews
  • Shop Cookbooks
  • About Us
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Find Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • About Us
  • Freebies!
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Find Recipes
    • Cookbooks
    • About Us
    • Freebies!
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Oh My Veggies » Vegetarian Recipes » Dessert Recipes

    Banana ANZAC muffins - sugar free

    Published: Apr 24, 2012 · by Nicole · Updated: Aug 22, 2023 · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    sugar free muffins

    My fiance is a member of the Australian Army, and not long after we met he was deployed overseas for 6 months. As a partner of any member of the serving military knows, and in fact the members themselves, being apart for that period of time is difficult. Communication is sporadic at best, and whenever you read about something happening in the news where they are deployed you worry until you hear from your loved one again. As a result you make the most of what little communication you have.

    So while Troy was deployed I decided to send him care parcels of baking.  I loved putting together those parcels. I'd spend hours researching recipes that could survive the journey, which could be anywhere up to a couple of weeks before they arrived at their destination depending on what was going on in the area at the time. I would also go shopping and buy magazines, dvd's, snack foods and other bits and pieces to add to the parcels. Little did I know that each parcel I sent over would not only become a hit with him but with others too who were serving over there with him at the time. In fact, whenever he received a parcel news would spread quickly and people would come to see what delicious treats I'd baked to send over.  Troy would gladly share my baking, in fact I think he got a kick out of it, and would gladly ration out biscuits or pieces of fruit cake.

    While I sent parcels of baking Troy sent me a bunch of flowers each fortnight, and each bunch would include a note counting down how many weeks or days we had to go until we could be together again. Each flower delivery was huge, in fact so big that when I picked them up from my office reception to carry them back to my desk they would tower over me! And much like the baking I sent to Troy news of my latest flower deliveries spread through the office like wildfire with all the women coming to my office to see.

    As hard as it was to be apart I think about how much harder it would have been for previous generations to cope when their loved ones were at war. What must it have been like back in 1915 when Australians were conscripted and sent off to war? There were no telephones that enabled you to call your loved ones back home and let them know you were ok. There were no emails either. The only method of communication was handwritten letters, which could take months or even years to eventually reach home.

    And so tomorrow we commemorate ANZAC Day, which marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during World War I and the landing at Gallipoli on April 25 1915. It is an important national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand for all of those who have given their lives in military service. While we now commemorate ANZAC day on April 25 the first ANZAC day was actually on 30 April 1915, when the first news of the landing reached New Zealand, where an impromptue half-day holiday was declared and services were held. It wasn't until 1916 that April 25 was officially recognised as ANZAC day. And while the early ANZAC day services focused on the landing at Gallipoli today's services serve as a time to remember and honour all service men and women who have served in the military.

    Much like I did while Troy was deployed, fiances and wives of troops serving in World War I baked batches of the now infamous ANZAC biscuits. ANZAC biscuits became popular because they travelled well and did not spoil easily, but I don't think they would have become half as popular as they are if not for the fact that they are delicious too.

    While I've baked a couple of batches of ANZAC biscuits to take to the dawn service at Troy's army unit tomorrow I also wanted to try an ANZAC cake because according to history the first published ANZAC recipe was in fact a cake and not a biscuit. Without access to the original recipe, this is what I came up with - Banana ANZAC muffins. I also wanted to make it a bit healthier than the sugar laden biscuit, so this version is sugar free too!

    So, on April 25, it's appropriate we remember those who have served and given their lives, but also those who continue to serve and their partners and families back home.

    sugar free muffins

    Recipe

    Banana ANZAC muffins - sugar free

    A sugar free spin on traditional ANZAC biscuits.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Email Recipe
    Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Course: Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine: Dessert, sugar free
    Keyword: ANZAC biscuits, Banana ANZAC muffins, Delicious Everyday, muffins recipe
    Servings: 12 muffins
    Calories: 283kcal
    Author: Oh My Veggies

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups of wholemeal flour
    • 1 tsp of ground cinnamon
    • ¼ tsp of ground nutmeg
    • ½ tsp of ground ginger
    • 1 egg beaten
    • ⅔ cup of brown rice syrup
    • 2 teaspoons of baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon of baking soda
    • 100 ml of vegetable oil
    • 1 cup of buttermilk
    • 3 bananas mashed
    • ANZAC CRUMBLE TOPPING
    • ⅓ cup of plain flour
    • 2 tbs of brown rice syrup
    • ⅓ cup of rolled oats
    • ¼ desiccated coconut
    • 30 g of butter melted
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 190 degrees celsius (375 Fahrenheit) and line a muffin tin with liners.
    • Start by making the crumble mixture. In a small bowl combine the flour, brown rice syrup, oats, coconut and melted butter. Stir to combine and set aside while you make the muffins.
    • Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger in a bowl and whisk to combine.
    • In a large jug combine the egg, buttermilk, oil and brown rice syrup and whisk to combine. Add to the flour, along with the mashed bananas and mix until just combined.
    • Divide the mixture between the prepared muffin liners, filling them until almost full. Sprinkle the top with the ANZAC topping and bake for 20 minutes or until lightly golden brown.

    Notes

    If you can't find Brown Rice Syrup you can substitute honey or agave, or indeed sugar. Using brown rice syrup makes these muffins a great sugar free treat.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 283kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 5gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 107mgPotassium: 289mgFiber: 3gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 135IUVitamin C: 2.6mgCalcium: 81mgIron: 1.2mg
    Craving more veg-friendly recipes? Shop our collection of vegetarian and vegan cookbooks, including our new Vegan Thanksgiving and Vegan Christmas cookbooks!
    « Lemony Asparagus Risotto by OhMyVeggies.com
    How to Make Basil Simple Syrup (and what to do with it!) »

    Delicious Everyday, Dessert Recipes, Vegetarian Breakfast Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes DE

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. JJ @ 84thand3rd says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      What a sweet story and I'm sure both the muffins and the biscuits were a hit!

      Reply
    2. Jen Laceda @ Tartine and Apron Strings says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      thanks for telling the ANZAC history 🙂 i don't think i've seen brown rice syrup here in Toronto. Got to hunt it down now! belated happy ANZAC day!

      Reply
    3. Jesica @ Pencil Kitchen says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      Anzac cookies was one of my first baking attempts. Making the muffin version is sure to bring me back to back when. These look yummy and rustic and homey.

      Reply
    4. myfudo says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      I can so relate with long distance love affairs. Really difficult, but can be rewarding too...You get to learn the values of trust, loyalty and total commitment. And you get to appreciate sweet stuff. These treats are really romantic.

      Reply
    5. Sandra's Easy Cooking says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      5 stars
      Very romantic from his part, and so very sweet from yours..I can imagine your goodies being so popular. Lovely post, touching and refreshing! I really enjoyed reading it, and drooling over your muffins!

      Reply
    6. Katie @Epicurean Mom says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      What a wonderful story!! And such a thoughtful hubby! These Muffins look amazing!

      Reply
    7. oluwatoyin says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      4 stars
      I love coconut and banana so much, so anything made with they is welcome. I will try them out. I'm happy you are back together.

      Reply
    8. Erin @ she cooks, she gardens says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      Lovely. I am so happy for you both, such a special story. Bless.

      Reply
    « Older Comments

    Something to say? Leave a comment. Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    image of the author

    Nicole is a life long vegetarian and the author of the popular vegan cookbook, Weeknight One Pot Vegan Cooking. She loves sharing her recipes and showing the world just how easy and delicious meatless meals can be!
    Learn more here.

    signature of author

    get a free 5 day vegetarian meal plan

    shop our vegetarian and vegan cookbooks

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    • Shop Cookbooks
    • About Us
    • Work with Me
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use

    Still hungry? Check out our delicious family of blogs.

    veg kitchen
    step away from the carbs
    all she cooks
    midlife rambler
    wandertooth logo

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Hook & Porter Media