Health(ier) Muffin Monday: Dark Chocolate Banana Walnut Protein Muffins

I don't know why I do this to myself. I make an amazingly awesome muffin with dark chocolate, and then they sit on my kitchen counter screaming "eat me, no, eat three!" They're way healthier than the average amazing chocolate muffin, but as with all things good, we have to have some self control. The longer I'm on earth, the more I think I inherited my Mom's love for all things chocolate. Awesome.......good thing I can do some cardio now! Thanks Mom.... ;-).

I made these gluten free, but you can use whatever kind of flour you prefer. I would suggest using at least whole wheat flour instead of white. So check out the recipe below, and try it yourself!

First, preheat your oven to 375 F, then gather these ingredients:

1.5 cups of flour (I used 3/4 cup each of all-purpose GF flour and GF oat flour)

1/2 cup protein powder (chocolate, vanilla, plain)

1/4 cup dark unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup raw sugar

6 packets of Stevia/Truvia

1 egg + 2 egg whites

3 very ripe bananas mashed

1/2 cup nonfat or low fat Greek yogurt

2 tbsp coconut oil

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

In a standing mixer, mix together the flour, protein powder, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a large bowl, mix the smashed banana, eggs, coconut oil, sugar, Stevia, vanilla, and yogurt. I then added the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients in the mixer, careful to mix until just combined. Then, add the walnuts and chocolate chips and fold them in until uniform. Divide the batter into 12-14 paper cupcake liners that have been sprayed with non-stick spray. I filled 12, and had a little bit leftover, so I started eating the batter. (Don't bake when you're hungry! Oh, and don't eat the batter because it has raw eggs....I survived, don't worry, lol.)

Bake at 375 for 15-16 minutes, or until the tops are cooked and not wet anymore. Let them cool on a wire cooling rack for 5-10 minutes, then enjoy! Try to eat just one ;-).

(This was adapted from a recipe on HomeBeccanomics.com)

I used SparkPeople.com's recipe calorie calculator to try and figure out the stats on these. They didn't have GF oat flour or dark chocolate powder listed, so I used all purpose and regular unsweetened cocoa powder for the recipe. I also divided the whole recipe into 13 servings to best approximate the serving size.

So they're definitely not 100% guilt free if you eat two or three! But after you taste them, you'll be pleasantly surprised at how yummy they are being under 200 calories a piece! All of the chocolate is dark, the fat content is *mostly* due to walnuts and coconut oil, there is added protein from the protein powder and Greek yogurt, and bananas to top it off! They're great as a quick out-the-door breakfast. If you have an extra 16-17 seconds, pop them in the microwave and they'll taste like they just came out of the oven. I would also have half of a muffin and some unsweetened vanilla almond milk as a snack after dinner.

Leave me a comment and let me know if you got to try them! They're delicious, and a great way to sneak some nutrition in when it's least expected. I bet your kids won't even notice!

Have an awesome week, and I'll talk to y'all soon!

Happy Trails!

Stacey

Posted with Blogsy