Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Nutritious Ingredients: Packed with carrots, spinach or kale, and bananas, these muffins offer a boost of vitamins and minerals.
- Naturally Sweetened: Sweetened with maple syrup or honey, providing a healthier alternative to refined sugars.
- Quick and Easy: Prepared in a blender and ready in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy schedules.
- Dietary Friendly: Vegetarian and dairy-free, with easy adaptations for gluten-free diets.
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs (or 2 flax eggs for a vegan option)
- 1 cup mashed overripe banana (about 2-3 bananas)
- 1 cup grated carrots
- 1 cup loosely packed spinach or kale
- ¼ cup oil (melted coconut oil or avocado oil recommended)
- ¼ cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup white whole wheat flour (or a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup chocolate chips (optional)
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-hole muffin tin with liners.
- Blend Wet Ingredients: In a high-speed blender, combine eggs, mashed banana, grated carrots, spinach or kale, oil, maple syrup or honey, vanilla extract, and apple cider vinegar. Blend until smooth.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- Combine Mixtures: Pour the blended wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined; avoid over-mixing.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Fold in the chocolate chips, if using.
- Fill Muffin Tin: Divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups.
- Bake: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow muffins to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Servings and Timing
- Yield: 12 muffins
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Variations
- Vegan Option: Replace eggs with flax eggs and ensure chocolate chips are dairy-free.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute white whole wheat flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Different Veggies: Swap carrots and greens with other mild-flavored vegetables like zucchini or butternut squash.
- Alternative Sweeteners: Use unsweetened applesauce in place of bananas for a different flavor profile.
Storage/Reheating
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Refrigeration: Keep in the fridge for up to a week.
- Freezing: Freeze muffins in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Thaw at room temperature or warm in the microwave for 20-30 seconds.
FAQs
What makes these chocolate muffins healthy?
These muffins are made with whole food ingredients, including vegetables and fruits, and are naturally sweetened, making them a healthier option compared to traditional muffins.
Can I taste the vegetables in the muffins?
No, the flavors of the carrots and greens are subtle and blend well with the chocolate, making them virtually undetectable.
How can I make these muffins vegan?
Use flax eggs instead of regular eggs and choose dairy-free chocolate chips to make the muffins vegan-friendly.
What is the purpose of apple cider vinegar in the recipe?
Apple cider vinegar reacts with the baking soda to help the muffins rise and become fluffy.
Can I use frozen spinach or kale?
Yes, thaw and drain the greens thoroughly before blending to prevent excess moisture in the batter.
Is it necessary to use a blender?
A blender helps achieve a smooth batter, especially with the vegetables, but you can also finely grate the veggies and mix by hand.
Can I omit the chocolate chips?
Yes, the muffins will still be delicious without the added chocolate chips.
How do I prevent the muffins from sticking to the liners?
Use high-quality parchment paper liners or lightly spray the liners with cooking oil before adding the batter.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, simply double the ingredient quantities and bake in
Chocolate Muffins
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy these Healthy Chocolate Muffins, a delicious twist on a classic treat packed with vegetables like carrots and spinach. Naturally sweetened and made with wholesome ingredients, these muffins are quick, easy, and perfect for a nutritious snack or breakfast.
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs (or 2 flax eggs for vegan option)
- 1 cup mashed overripe banana (about 2–3 bananas)
- 1 cup grated carrots
- 1 cup loosely packed spinach or kale
- ¼ cup melted coconut oil or avocado oil
- ¼ cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup white whole wheat flour (or 1:1 gluten-free flour blend)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-hole muffin tin with liners.
- Blend eggs, mashed banana, grated carrots, spinach or kale, oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and apple cider vinegar in a high-speed blender until smooth.
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- Combine wet and dry mixtures, stirring until just combined. Avoid over-mixing.
- Fold in chocolate chips, if desired.
- Divide batter evenly into the prepared muffin tin.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool muffins in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For a vegan option, substitute eggs with flax eggs and ensure chocolate chips are dairy-free.
- Swap vegetables like zucchini or butternut squash for carrots and spinach for variety.
- Store muffins at room temperature for up to 2 days, in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
