A healthy version of Chocolate Chip Banana Nut Muffins that remains hearty, moist, and flavorful!
So, I made these muffins… and the kids and the husband practically I-N-H-A-L-E-D them!
The latter the worst offender of all.
These mini muffins are supposed to be two or three-bite muffins, but not for him. No, no, no…They’re one-gulp morsels for him!
No kidding! I went out just for a few seconds to check on my plants on the deck, and when I came back in, they left me with just these three.
Out of a couple of dozens!
I actually caught the one-gulper red-handed, on the spot, in mid-gulp.
I guess I should take it as a compliment. They must be that good, right?!
But they shouldn’t be eating that much sugar and butter in one day! And if they can’t moderate themselves, I’ll have to do some enforcing. Why do I always have to be the food police at home, why?!
Anyway, I thought rather than police everyone, I decided to modify the recipe instead. Make it healthy so I won’t have to worry about how much they eat.
And how much I eat, too, of course. You didn’t think I was a saint, did you? There’s always an ulterior motive and self-interest in everything I do.
So, this is a successful recipe makeover, guys! I sincerely mean it. These muffins are so good you wouldn’t know it only has a quarter of the butter originally called for. I promise!
These are not the-supposedly-good-for-you-but-really-taste-like-cardboard-muffins-nobody-has-any-business-putting-in-their-mouth-kind of muffins. These are the-everybody-should-be-making-and-eating-‘coz-they’re-so good-and-good for ya-kind of muffins.
If you don’t believe me, just make them yourself and then come back and tell me I’m right.
You’re welcome!
***
A few words about making these Makeover Banana Nut Muffins:
- Make sure your bananas are completely, totally, to-the-point-of-almost-being-rotten RIPE. Almost. With lots of brown spots. Like these:
Bananas get sweeter as they ripen, and become extra moist. That’s what these skinny makeover muffins need. - Adding cooking oil will give you a more moist result, so feel free to substitute cooking oil for the butter. However! Butter does give you much better flavor and better mouth-feel, and it’s my preferred ingredient.
- Adding buttermilk also adds flavor as well as moistness.
- Adding spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg is optional, but use a light hand. I personally prefer adding nuts and chocolate chips. Or for an even healthier alternative, add cacao nibs.
- When you whip the sugar into the butter, coconut oil, and yogurt, your batter might appear slightly curdled, like this:
But it’s okay! As long as everything is well-mixed, it’s good to go.
- When you whip the sugar into the butter, coconut oil, and yogurt, your batter might appear slightly curdled, like this:
Bananas get sweeter as they ripen, and become extra moist. That’s what these skinny makeover muffins need.
But it’s okay! As long as everything is well-mixed, it’s good to go.
- ¼ cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened
- ¼ cup coconut oil (solid but softened)
- ¼ cup fat-free Greek-style yogurt
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 1½ teaspoons stevia (about 8 packets)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 x-large egg
- 1 cup mashed very ripe bananas
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- 1 cup oat flour
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking soda
- ⅓ cup mini chocolate chips or cacao nibs
- ⅓ cup chopped nuts
- Extra chocolate chips/cacao nibs, oats, and nuts for sprinkling
- Heat oven to 350°F
- In a large bowl, beat butter, coconut oil, yogurt, and sugar until light and creamy.
- Add vanilla, egg, bananas, and buttermilk. Blend well.
- Mix flours and baking soda. Add to the batter and mix well.
- Stir in chocolate chips/cacao nibs and nuts.
- Spoon into paper-lined mini muffin cups, ¾ full.
- Sprinkle additional chocolate chips/cacao nibs, oats, and nuts.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
For the original recipe, go here –> Chocolate Chip Banana Nut Muffins
I’m bringing these healthy treats to my friends at Throwback Thursday and Saucy Saturday.
Wow, when something is actualy good for you and tastes good it’s a rarity. I can tell these muffins are a real find, I have to try them because I eat too much sugar and butter through my baked goods. These are wonderful, lower gluten too!! They look amazing and i bet that it would bake into a delicious loaf also.
Yes, I’m pretty sure you can bake this into a loaf. Not sure how long that will take in the oven, though, probably more than 30 minutes? Depending on the size. I was patting myself on the back when I saw even my son (the pickiest eater among us) wolfing these down. Made me feel good knowing I made him something healthy to eat. But you tell me what you think if you do try them, and be honest. Maybe you can improve even improve the recipe and I’ll be all ears! 🙂
I will give them a try. Have to let some banana’s get extra ripe first. I let them get almost to that stage and freeze them for smoothies. I will let them sit and make these muffins, Yum,
I love these makeover banana nut muffins. This is the way my kids love it too.. They don’t care for the bread version. I haven’t tried adding yogurt or buttermilk. Will try that the next time. Have a good weekend.
This is right up your alley, right, Su? Healthy treats for the kiddies. I’ve always been a buttermilk fan but now I’m starting to think yogurt is right up there, too, in baked goods. I think it’s a great substitute for butter, though not flavor-wise.
These look fantastic! I love how you modified the recipe, so your family could enjoy a healthier version all day long. When I cook something that I really like, it’s gone in two seconds. The super ripe bananas make these sound delicious as well. Hope you’re enjoying a beautiful weekend!! 😀
Thanks! Anything for my family 🙂 You can probably modify the recipe further and make it GF, Kaila. Maybe with GF oat flour? I should experiment. How’s co-hosting going? I hope you’re having fun! XOXO
Yeah, it’s definitely doable! Probably some hemp milk for buttermilk too. It’d be different, but a good base recipe. Co-hosting is going beautifully. I’m having so much fun at this week’s fiesta- lots of pumpkin treats! Yum! XX
These do look good and I do love banana muffins. I’ll take your comment about them being inhaled as a warning to myself. When I bake muffins, as soon as they are cool, they get bagged and placed in my freezer in the basement. It’s the only way they’ll last. I may have to bag these up while still warm. 🙂
Hi, John! Long time no hear! Probably my fault since I haven’t been able to visit your blog as much as I SHOULD! I always found inspiration when I did. I should have bagged and frozen them, but really they didn’t give me any chance! 😀
Not your fault in the slightest. I’ve been away for much of the year, only returning on the 23rd of last month. Now I’ll be gone again for the next 2 weeks so that I can host a very special visitor from Michigan.
😉
I’ve made banana muffins few times and every time I got something lumpy and wet.. but banana bread (I think it’s a bit similar to muffins) always turns out great.. I should try your recipe, Angie! 🙂 Can I omit coconut oil or use something else?
I’m sure you can make this into banana bread, Mila. Just remember to bake it longer, depending on the size of your loaf pan, of course. You can try the original recipe that doesn’t use coconut milk or use cooking oil. Or use more butter. Trust me, these muffins are lump-free 😀
Amazing Angie! ❤️
I totally hear ya…instead of policing everybody on making better choices, cook/bake something deliciously heathy at home. These fit the bracket so well and I am loving your beautiful morning pictures..brightening my day.
Thanks, Sonal! So glad you like this. I have been trying to get the family to eat healthier. I have no problem with my daughter, but my husband and son at times resist. So it felt good to make something healthy that they like 🙂
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Looking good!!! And obviously a great success ☺️☺️☺️ Makes it all worth it doesn’t it? xx
Totally!! Now I just have to modify all my recipes 😀 😀
I await the outcome…;)
Haha, I cant blame your husband for ‘nailing them’ 😀 They look so good! Since I perpetually have ripe to the extent of almost rotten bananas, I’m gonna try these soon! Thanks Angie xx
You and I both, Naina. Somehow, there are always brown bananas around. They used to go in the compost bins, but now I think I’ll freeze them instead so I can make more muffins 🙂 Let me know what you think. The original recipe is, of course, slightly better. But only slightly! Plus you feel guilty eating too much of it. But not these! 😀
Bananas are my love language! So whenever I can come across a recipe that I haven’t seen before I get so excited! Keeping this one for sure! Thank you so much for sharing with us at #ThrowbackThursday we hope to see you again this week!
So glad you like the recipe, Alli! I love all parties so it was my pleasure to join 🙂
I don’t think that if I made these muffins they would make it past 8 am! My boys would scarf these up in a heartbeat! I buy bananas by the ruck-load so I always have some ripe ones ready to go! Thanks for sharing with Saucy Saturdays!
You’re welcome! I do love to party so it was a pleasure to join! 🙂
I love that this looks so delicious, but its good for you too!! My husband is the same – I have to fight him off from the food when I make something until after I’ve taken photos (if it’s for the blog!!)! I love making Banana Muffins, and I have to try this recipe next time! 🙂
Oh yah, he definitely needs to learn to wait until pictures are taken! The blog is the most important thing, haha… Thanks, Dini! 🙂
Aah!!! I know the satisfaction when you make something delicious which is actually healthy.Cant blame your family Angie. I can imagine how your home must have been filled with that delicious aroma and those banana beauties giving those come hither looks …haha…they deserve a pat on the back for leaving some on the plate ?
These muffins did have that enticing aroma and that come hither looks about them, LOL! But I’m glad I was able to cut down on the calories. Such a job to be the food police. I’d rather be doing something else! 🙂
No seriously Angie being the food police is much better than being on the other side of the table-wishfully ogling and waiting for the tempting goodies. It is easier to taste, gobble, gulp at our own free will when the law is in our hands ?
Now that I think about it, you’re absolutely right! Nobody is going to tell ME what to eat and how much! LOL!
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What a fab recipe Angie, much better to have a healthier version to snack on. I love the idea of using coconut oil and buttermilk. Need to let some bananas develop some spots 🙂
I’m not always a healthy eater. I eat too much red meat, for one thing! But it feels good to skinny-fy some recipes sometimes. And I just totally made up a word, haha…
Looks delicious! You have some great ideas here.