These flourless Chocolate Protein Muffins pack in the nutrients but taste like a brownie. They are quickly mixed up in a blender and have so many nutrients tucked inside. Plus: They store so well in the fridge!
Chocolate Protein Muffins
Muffins are one of those foods that we like to have in the house for easy breakfasts and snacks since they store so well in the fridge and are so easy to eat. These protein muffins taste like a moist brownie but have a load of nutrition inside…including veggies!
Honestly, you’d never know they were in there, but it’s nice to get in a little extra nutrition, right?
I don’t advocate sneaking veggies into everything we serve our kids—we want (and need!) our kids to trust us with the food we feed them—so I love making these with my kids and having them help me add the ingredients.
The zucchini, kale, and ripe banana adds moisture and flavor. The cocoa powder makes each bite super chocolatey, which my little taste testers think they is super yummy.
I love these healthy chocolate muffins since they are packed with protein and healthy fats, which means they provide nicely balanced and long-lasting energy for our busy little people. Plus, the texture is super soft and moist, which makes them easy for younger toddlers to chew and swallow.
Ingredients You Need
To make this recipe you’ll need the following ingredients so you know what to have on hand or pick up at the store.
- Peanut butter: This provides the base for the muffins. I usually use unsweetened creamy peanut butter. You can use sunflower seed butter to make them nut-free as you like.
- Eggs: I use large eggs in baking, and in this recipe they help the ingredients hold together nicely, which is key since there isn’t any flour.
- Honey (or maple syrup): This is my preferred sweetener here. Avoid honey for kids under age 1.
- Raw zucchini (or yellow summer squash): This veggie is great in the mix since it blends in so well. If you don’t have any, just double the banana.
- Kale (or spinach): I prefer to use greens I’ve frozen to knock down the “green” flavor, but fresh ones will work, too.
- Ripe banana: Use bananas with brown spots for the best sweetness and flavor.
- Cocoa powder: I use unsweetened cocoa powder and usually buy SACO or Hershey’s Special Dark.
TIP: Use a very ripe banana with brown spots for the best natural sweetness.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at the process involved in making this recipe so you know what to expect. Scroll to the bottom for all of the info.
- Add all ingredients to a blender.
- Blend, stopping to scrape down the sides or move the mixture around with the stick that came with it (if you got one).
- Divide batter in a greased muffin tin. Top with chocolate chips if using.
- Bake and test for doneness with toothpick or cake tester. Let cool.
Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes to make it easier to get them out of the pan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our kids are usually getting plenty of protein without us worrying too much about it, but it is an essential nutrient for balanced energy. Each regularly sized muffin has 7 grams of protein which is a nice dose!
You can use a food processor though definitely let it process for at least a minute to try to get the greens fully blended. A blender usually makes a more uniform texture, which is why I use it here.
You can bake these as full size muffins or minis, depending on your preference. And this batter also works in a donut pan should you want to go that route. It’s nice that it’s so versatile so you can adjust for the appetites in your household.
I’m always amazed at the texture of these muffins, which is light and moist. I tend to like the flavor better when these are served chilled, but taste them both ways and see what you think.
What’s the best way to clean a blender?
This batter is a little sticky due to the volume of nut butter, so here’s the best way to clean your blender.
- Fill the blender 1/2-¾ full of warm to hot water. Add a squirt of dish soap.
- Put the top on securely and blend, starting on low and working up to high. Keep going until the sides of the blender are clean. (Any stuck on batter will come off from the friction of the water!)
- Rinse out.
How to Store
Store for 3-5 days in an airtight container in the fridge or in a sealed freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature.
Best Tips for Success
- Use a very ripe banana with brown spots for the best natural sweetness.
- If your peanut butter has been in the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for an hour before using OR warm for 15 seconds in the microwave.
- Spray your measuring cup with nonstick spray before measuring the honey to make it easier to pour out.
- Stir a handful of chocolate chips into the batter to make it slightly sweeter.
- Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes to make it easier to get them out of the pan.
- I find that these taste best with greens that have been frozen and once the muffins have been fully cooled (and even chilled in the fridge for a bit!).
- Dice the muffin for little ones as needed.
Related Recipes
I’d love to hear your feedback on this recipe, so please comment below to share!
Chocolate Protein Muffins (With Veggies!)
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter (almond butter or sunflower seed butter)
- 1 cup roughly chopped very ripe banana
- 1 cup roughly chopped raw zucchini (if you don't have zucchini, use 2 cups banana)
- 1 cup kale leaves (lightly packed; or spinach)
- 3 eggs
- ¼ cup honey (or maple syrup)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseeds
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- chocolate chips (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a mini or standard-size muffin tin with nonstick spray or line with paper liners.
- Fill muffin cups about ½ full using about ¼ cup batter in each. Top with chocolate chips, if using.
- For regular muffins: Bake 20-22 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
- For mini muffins (or a donut pan): Bake 12-14 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let cool for 5-10 minutes in the pan, run a knife around the edges, and carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Equipment
Video
Notes
- Store for 3-5 days in an airtight container in the fridge or in a sealed freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature.
- We prefer to eat these cold.
- Use a very ripe banana with brown spots for the best natural sweetness.
- Nut-free: Use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter.
- Egg-free: Use a liquid egg substitute such as Just Eggs.
- If your peanut butter has been in the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for an hour before using OR warm for 15 seconds in the microwave.
- Spray your measuring cup with nonstick spray before measuring the honey to make it easier to pour out.
- Stir a handful of chocolate chips into the batter to make it slightly sweeter.
- Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes to make it easier to get them out of the pan.
- I find that these taste best with greens that have been frozen and once the muffins have been fully cooled (and even chilled in the fridge for a bit!).
Nutrition
This post was originally published June 2019.
My picky 4 year old loves them! Thank you!
Disclosure: I made this in my blender (not Vitamix) with egg substitute and no flax.
The batter came together fine in the blender, tasted good, and looked like muffin batter to me. However, when I poured 1/4 cup into each spot I had enough batter to fill two tins, and when they baked they expanded and completely collapsed like a souffle. I realize now that the blender added air and bulked up the batter, so my tins were essentially half air half batter. I can’t salvage the end product because it’s glued to the muffin liner in a thin layer. Really bummed because what I was able to pry off was delicious. I saw a comment below that someone did it without veggies and without a blender using a stove to soften the nut butter. I may try that in the future.
I imagine that the egg replacer didn’t add much structure, which is why they collapsed. Due to the unusual ingredients in this, I don’t usually recommend trying them with an egg replacer, but let me know if you get it to work.
what can you sub instead of banana?
Thick applesauce or roasted sweet potato are the most common subs for banana in baking.
Soo yummy and big hit with kids and adults! I love the clean ingredients. It is so easy and quick to make. I didn’t have Zucchini (just left that part out, didn’t sub with more banana either) and it turned out great.
Can this be made without eggs and banana? What would be good substitutes?
I haven’t made this recipe without both of those ingredients so I can’t say for sure, but let me know if you try something out.
This recipe is fantastic and makes a very filling muffin. Great texture for being flourless. Didn’t have the zucchini this time but excited to try that next.
Wow! Okay, full disclosure, I made them without the zucchini and spinach (which I know the hidden veggies are the main purpose here), but you sent out the recipe in an email, I saw it, and couldn’t wait, despite not having any zucchini in the house and having used up all the spinach already. So I used 2 1/2 small bananas, left out the spinach, and since I don’t have a Vitamix and didn’t feel like cleaning up the food processor, I let my peanut butter melt a little on the stove to soften, and make the entire recipe easier to stir by hand. The muffins are delicious! Mine are wonderful as they are, even room temperature. This might be due to the fact I have no veggies in them. I do plan to make them as intended in future! For today, we are enjoying a delicious snack!
I want to make these and i have baby spinach that i froze. If I’m using spinach that has been frozen, do I defrost it before making these or just throw it in still frozen?
If it’s in a bag that you froze, you can just measure it out and toss it into the blender.
This looks great! Will be making these but have a question on the zucchini, do I have to squeeze the water out first? Or just as is in the blender? Thanks
Just add in!
Made these as mini muffins and they are great! We all love them! Thanks for sharing!
Delish!!!!
When I first took these out of the oven they looked great, with a nice muffin top dome. But as they cooled they went flat. Texture seemed off too. Sort of dense and spongy. Flavor is good. I feel like these could be great but I missed the mark somewhere and not sure what to do differently. Suggestions welcome! I found the flavor nice but more mild then expected. I’d like to punch up the chocolate flavor a little bit.
Mine did the same and toothpick said they were done. I think undercooked, I did 20 minutes. Will do longer next time.
These muffins are astoundingly delicious – they taste like mini flourless cakes! I made it exactly as written, except I subbed chia for the flax. My picky son loves them, and so do we- Thank you Amy!