Healthy Bread, Muffin, and Scone Recipes Because Carbs Can Be Good

Think rhubarb recipes stop at strawberry combos? These healthy blueberry muffins will change your mind—and prove that your options are nearly endless with the vegetable. (Yes, rhubarb is a veggie!) Fruits, vegetables, plus some protein by way of Greek yogurt, these healthy muffins are a smart way to start the day.

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Peace. Love. Healthy banana bread. There’s a reason why one BHG.com reader says, “This bread is so delicious I make it weekly! I bring a slice of it to work every day and feel like I'm eating something both healthy and tasty.” Because it is all that and more! A two-to-one ratio of all-purpose to almond flour amps up the nutrition while keeping the texture nice and light, and dried fruits, nuts, and olive oil add healthy fats and natural sweetness.

Since these healthy pumpkin muffins are made with cassava flour, maple syrup, and olive oil (instead of traditional flour, sugar, and butter), they’re 100 percent Paleo-compliant. They’re also 100 percent scrumptious, due to a spoonful of pumpkin pie spice and a big scoop of canned pumpkin. You’ll also enjoy this recipe if portion control is a challenge: Each batch makes a reasonable six single-serving, healthy muffins.

Related: The Ultimate List of Paleo Foods to Keep in Your Kitchen

This healthy zucchini bread is not only gluten-free (double check for GF oats and flour), but also hiding a surprising amount of protein. Each slice has a whopping six grams, in fact, from a scoop of whey protein powder, a carton of Greek yogurt, and a handful of walnuts. Two cups of shredded squash keep the batter super moist.

Sweet, sugary streusel rarely appears atop healthy apple muffin recipes. But here’s a fun, flavorful twist: Add pecans and flaxseed to a bit of brown sugar and butter and the streusel becomes a smart way to sneak in more fiber and healthy fats. The batter is made with half whole-wheat flour for more nutrition.

Related: Try These Irresistible Apple Desserts

Sweet, earthy, and full of freshness, this healthy zucchini bread will disappear fast. Walnuts and pecans offer a welcome crunch factor, and a mind-blowing 2½ cups of zucchini fold beautifully into the batter. Try half all-purpose and half whole-wheat flour for the best texture and nutrition results.

Related: 16 Easy-to-Grow Herbs

Most scones score their crumbly, rich consistency from a substantial splash of cream and plenty of butter. But not this healthy scone recipe (that still tastes and crumbles like its much higher-calorie cousins)! A gluten-free blend of brown rice flour and cornmeal combine with just a bit of butter and milk—plus fresh berries and lemon zest—to yield irresistible strawberry shortcake-inspired results.

This healthy whole grain bread recipe features cracked wheat, cornmeal, whole-wheat flour, and rolled oats for a hearty loaf that packs in 5 grams of protein per slice. Try it as the base for avocado toast, the foundation for sandwiches, or simply spread with homemade jam.

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Get a taste of Italy with this easy, healthy bread recipe. Semolina is a coarsely ground durum wheat flour commonly used in pasta. Here, we mix it with all-purpose flour and olive oil to lend a pleasantly rustic touch to the yeast dough.

Related: Our All-Time Favorite Italian Recipes

For tea time, breakfast, or even as a side with dinner, turn to this fruit-studded healthy scone recipe. A savory blend of oats, orange peel, and rosemary (trust us!) is used to create this tender, flaky dough. Just three tablespoons of a light-flavored oil are needed to ace the scone structure.

This healthy pumpkin bread recipe is about to become your breakfast main squeeze. Stir some grated orange peel and freshly squeezed OJ into the batter to brighten up the flavors. Then keep that citrus handy: Stir extra orange zest into light cream cheese to slather on this enticing honey-sweetened, part whole-wheat pumpkin bread.

Brilliant healthy eating trick ahead! Mini chocolate pieces scatter throughout this healthy banana bread, making a little chocolate seem like a lot. (By the way, chocolate is one of our top five stress-reducing foods...just one more reason to make this delicious, crowd-pleasing quick bread!) Light sour cream and skim or unsweetened almond milk keep the calories low yet the decadence factor high in this banana split-inspired bread.

You can tell just by the name that this healthy muffin recipe is loaded with nutrition. Using rolled oats, mostly whole wheat flour, and flaxseed meal adds ample fiber. The fat is kept in check by using just a small amount of butter and canola oil and fat-free milk.