Healthy Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Healthy, Really?

I thought this was a baking blog.  A site with recipes chalk full of butter and sugar.  Well, for the most part that’s true.  However, I’ve been feeling a little sugared out lately and I think my complexion is beginning to show it haha.  As a result, I decided to dabble on the healthy side of things by making relatively healthy banana chocolate chip muffins.  These muffins are tender, moist, and so full of naturally sweet flavor that you wouldn’t even know they were healthy.

What Do You Mean By Relatively Healthy?

I say these muffins are relatively healthy because they are still an indulgence.  Just a more natural indulgence.  They aren’t filled with ground flax seeds, avocado, and gluten-free flours.  Rather, instead of added sugar, butter, and sour cream, these muffins contain honey, mashed bananas, and plain nonfat Greek yogurt in addition to a 50/50 blend of all-purpose and whole wheat flours.

To add a little pizzazz, I included some dark chocolate chips.  Dark chocolate is good for you in moderation.  It’s full of antioxidants which decrease your risk for heart disease and generally contains less added sugar than other types of chocolate.

What If I Don’t Want To Be Healthy?

Don’t worry, I’m the last person to judge you on that score.  If you would rather a little more indulgence from your muffin, you can just make the following alterations:

• Substitute the whole wheat flour for another 1/2 cup of the all-purpose flour.  If I’m being honest though, you can’t even taste the whole wheat flour in these muffins.
• Sub out the plain nonfat Greek yogurt with vanilla flavored regular yogurt.
• Use 1/4 cup of sugar instead of honey.

What If I Want To Be Healthier?

Well, then I’m sorry to say, you’re a little out of my element.  The only suggestion I can make for you would be to omit the streusel and the chocolate chips.

Even if you’re not one for baking “healthy” things, I hope you take my word for it that these muffins surely do not taste healthy.  I hope you decide to brave the unknown world of baking without butter and added sugar and find that the result is just as sweet as if you would have included them.

Blessings on your home and table,                                                                                                                 ~Natalie

“Healthy” Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Serves 10

Ingredients:

Muffins:

• 3 small ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/4 cup honey
• 3/4 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 Tablespoon melted coconut oil
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips

Streusel:

• 1/2 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 Tablespoon cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.  Grease a muffin tin or line with muffin liners.
2. Combine mashed bananas, yogurt, egg, vanilla, honey, and melted coconut oil.
3. Stir in the dry ingredients.
4. Fill muffin tins with batter (don’t be afraid to fill them to the top).
5. Combine streusel ingredients in a small bowl.
6. Press streusel on the tops of the muffins.
7. Bake for 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.  It may be a little tricky to insert the toothpick without the streusel coating it as it comes out, so try inserting it from the side.
8. Remove from oven and let cool.

*Recipe inspired by Sally’s Baking Addiction’s recipe for skinny double chocolate chip muffins.