Chocolate Spinach Muffins

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5 from 19 votes

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www.theconsciousplantkitchen.com

These Chocolate Spinach Muffins are soft, healthy kid muffins for lunchbox, breakfast, or snack. They are vegan kids muffins which means they don't contain eggs, or dairy. Plus, the recipe is refined-sugar-free.

You can find the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, video, storage instructions, detailed allergy swaps, FAQ, and save at: https://www.theconsciousplantkitchen.com/chocolate-spinach-muffins/ or scan the QR code here ➡️

Prep Time10

Cook Time24

Total Time34

Servings: mini muffins

Calories: 55.9kcal

Author: Carine Claudepierre

Ingredients

½ cup Almond Milk (note 1)
¼ cup Maple Syrup (note 2)
2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
2.5 oz Fresh Baby Spinach Leaves (note 3)
2 medium Ripe Bananas (note 4)
7 tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (note 5)
1 ½ cups Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats (note 6)
¼ cup Mild-Flavor Olive Oil (note 7)
2 teaspoons Baking Powder
½ teaspoon Baking Soda
¼ teaspoon Salt (note 8)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line three 12-hole mini muffin trays with a mini muffin paper liner. Spray cooking oil in each of the muffin paper liners to prevent the muffins to stick. Set aside.
If unsure about the size of your bananas, peel, mash with a fork into a puree, and pack into a 1-cup measuring cup and fill it up to the top. If you mash too much of it, freeze it for later, and use it in a smoothie
Place all the ingredients in the jug of a high-speed blender.
Blend on medium-high speed and use the tamper attachment of the blender to push the food down to the blade, increasing blending speed as you go, to form a smooth, thick chocolate batter. You may have to stop the blender and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Stop when the batter is smooth and consistent. There are still a few grainy bits of oats, but that's ok. It takes about 90 seconds max to blend into this texture. Let the batter rest for 5 minutes in the jug to thicken.
Use a small cookie dough scoop to grab the batter from the jug and fill the mini muffin cups up to 3/4 of their level. I filled 30 mini muffins.
Bake the muffins for 18-22 minutes at 350°F (180°C) until a toothpick inserted in the center of the muffins comes out clean or with just a few crumbs on it. You can place two pans on the middle rack, one pan in the bottom rack, or, if not enough space in your oven, keep the pan on the kitchen counter. No need to refrigerate.
Cool down in the pan for 10 minutes at room temeprature before transfering to a cooling rack.

Notes

Note 1: Any milk work, use soy milk to increase the protein per serving.

Note 2: Any liquid sweetener, like agave syrup or coconut nectar, works as well.

Note 3: This is equivalent to about 3 cups unpacked baby spinach. I do recommend the weight for this recipe, or you will add too much and taste the veggie. It means weight 2.5 oz (70 grams) of baby spinach leaves. For the best result, weigh the uncooked baby spinach. You can't use frozen, thawed spinach.

Note 4: Equivalent to 1 cup of mashed banana. If unsure of your banana size, and you worry about the muffin not firming up because your bananas look too big, mash them first, measure in measuring cups, then add to the blender.

Note 5: 7 tablespoons are equivalent to 1/4 cup + 3 tablespoons or half a cup minus 1 tablespoon. You can swap for cacao powder, but the muffins will be slightly bitter.

Note 6: Quick oats work as well. Use gluten-free certified oats if you need.

Note 7: Or any low-flavor oil you love

Note 8: Optional. It enhances the chocolate flavor, but you can skip it if preferred.

Add-ons: if you want to stir in chocolate chips, or finely chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts. Add 1/2 cup to the blended batter and use a silicone spatula to evenly incorporate.

Storage: Store the muffins in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container.

Oven Mode: I use the fan-forced (convection) mode. If you have to use conventional mode, I recommend increasing the temperature by 25°F (15°C). The baking time should be the same, but it might take a few more minutes.

Nutrition