Who doesn’t love banana muffins? These ones are a healthier alternative because they’re made with wholewheat flour, healthy fats and no refined sugar. Most muffins you’ll find in cafe’s/shops are made with white flour, sugar and margarine which makes them light, fluffy and sweet but unfortunately not very good for you!
These ones are naturally sweetened with just bananas and a very small amount of honey so they will taste less sweet (I did say they were healthy muffins after all!) They’re also denser in texture from the wholewheat flour and oats making them high in fibre and very filling. Perfect for an on the go nutritious breakfast or a mid morning/afternoon treat with you’re favourite cuppa – A real family favourite!
Healthy Banana Muffins (makes 10)
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups whole wheat flour
- ¼ cup oats
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup of mashed ripe bananas (about 3 bananas)
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup honey/maple syrup
- ⅓ cup olive oil or melted coconut oil
- ¼ cup milk of choice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional extras: 1/4 cup of finely chopped nuts/seeds
Method
Preheat oven to 170 degrees Celsius. Grease approx. 10 cups of your muffin tray with a little butter/oil or else use muffin cases.
In a large bowl, beat the oil and honey together with a whisk. Add the eggs and beat well. Mix in the mashed banana and milk, followed by the vanilla extract, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
Add the flour and oats to the bowl little by little and mix well with a large spoon until fully combined. (Now is the time to add in any optional extras you desire such as chopped nuts, seeds)
Spoon the mixture into each muffin cup/case, about two-thirds full. Sprinkle the tops with a little oats if you wish. Bake muffins for approx. 23 to 25 minutes, or until a skewer/toothpick inserted into a muffin comes out clean.
Allow the muffins to fully cool before eating, at least 30 minutes (hard I know!) Store in an air tight container for up to 3 days – enjoy!
Elsa Jones is a qualified Nutritional Therapist and author of Bestselling Book ‘Goodbye Sugar’. www.elsajonesnutrition.ie
