Tag Archives: muffins

Banana Bread Protein Muffins with Chocolate Chips – Smartly Sweet & Delicious

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Imagine this: the warm aroma of freshly baked banana bread (in the form of big, tender muffins) wafting through your kitchen, only this time with a powerful protein punch that’s as guilt-free as it is delicious.

Make the drool-worthy dream a reality! These Protein Banana Bread Muffins with Chocolate Chips boast a mere 163 calories and a substantial 12 grams of protein. The secret? A clever combination of wholesome ingredients, including cottage cheese, protein powder, and a gluten-free peanut flour baking blend that replaces traditional flour in a 1:1 replacement ratio without compromising flavor or texture.

Actually, I’ve become a big fan of this peanut baking flour that can be used interchangeably with regular flour, yet keeps recipes gluten free.  PBfit Peanut Flour Baking Blend* has 80% less fat than almond flour, and 10g of protein per serving. It’s very versatile for a wide-range of baking needs (except yeast breads), and simply replace white AP flour with a 1:1 swap. The light (not at all overpowering) peanut flavor is ideal for brownies, cookies, muffins, pancakes, and quick breads. *Note, this is NOT their popular PBfit powdered peanut butter product, it’s a flour blend designed for baking!

I also use cottage cheese, one of my favorite protein-boosting ingredients – and it also keeps the muffins so moist and delicious.

And, a bit of protein powder in this gluten-free banana bread muffin recipe, too – Clean Lean Protein, a plant-based protein powder from Nuzest. Save 15% with my Nuzest discount code: FITFORK )

Watch the 20-second protein banana bread muffin tutorial!

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases.

5 from 4 votes
As a healthy breakfast or snack, this high protein banana muffin recipe (also gluten-free) boasts a mere 163 calories and a substantial 12 grams of protein per big muffin thanks to smart baking swaps.
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Banana Bread Protein Muffins with Chocolate Chips (gluten-free)
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
25 mins
 

As a healthy breakfast or snack, this high protein banana muffin recipe (also gluten-free) boasts a mere 163 calories and a substantial 12 grams of protein per big muffin thanks to smart baking swaps.

Course: Breakfast, brunch, Snack
Keyword: banana, banana bread, gluten free, muffin, peanut flour
Servings: 6 jumbo muffins
Calories: 163 kcal
Ingredients
  • 1 cup mashed overripe bananas
  • 1/2 cup 0% cottage cheese slightly blended
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/3 cup peanut flour baking blend
  • 1/3 cup vanilla protein powder
  • ¼ cup stevia granulated baking blend.
  • 3/4 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/8 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350F and prepare a 6-count jumbo muffin tin with liners or spray. Set aside.
  2. In bowl, mash up bananas well and stir in cottage cheese and egg. Next stir in remaining dry ingredients (except chocolate) until incorporated.
  3. Mix in 3 tbs of the chocolate chips to batter. Reserve remainder for tops of muffins.
  4. Divide batter among muffin tins, top with that reserved chocolate.
  5. Bake for approx. 20 minutes, or until lightly golden on top and toothpick pulls clean from center.
Recipe Notes

Makes 6 muffins: Each with 163 cal, 22g carb, 3.6g fat and 12g protein.

Banana Bread Muffins with Amaranth (an Ancient Grain) – Gluten-free

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I LOVE warm, sweet, soft banana bread, don’t you?! It’s a childhood favorite and reminds me of being at my grandmother’s house.

My gluten-free banana bread recipe incorporates amaranth, an ancient grain that offers protein, healthy carbs, fiber and lots of micronutrients.

Popped amaranth blended with oats to make a gluten-free flour.

Amaranth is kind of a toothsome grain, reminding me of farro or wheat berry. You don’t use the whole seed grain in this gluten free banana muffin recipe, but instead amaranth flour. I like to make my own amaranth flour in my blender using popped amaranth – it’s ready to make into a light, versatile, gluten-free flour right out of the bag. It’s also tasty for snacking right out of the bag or sprinkling on salads or yogurt for extra nutrition.

Check out the video for some tips!

Pro Tips:

  1. Ripe bananas make the tastiest, sweetest, moistest banana bread muffins. I keep my peeled ripe bananas in the freezer, ready to defrost for quick bread recipe like this banana amaranth flour recipe.
  2. Some products may be swapped. For example, use the milk of your choice whether that be dairy, almond, oat or whatever. Also, the sugar can be swapped out for a cup-to-cup equivalent. For example, 1 cup of coconut sugar, 1 cup of brown sugar, or 1 cup of stevia baking blend, etc.  Don’t use liquid sweetener drops or products with very little volume as it will through the proportions of your recipe off and it will be too wet.
  3. While making this easy muffin recipe, make extra amaranth-oat flour and set aside for use in your next batch OR to use as a gluten-free flour substitute for pancakes, waffles and other baked goods.
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Amaranth Banana Bread Muffins are so delicious – tender, moist and sweet! Before baking I love to top mine with extra goodies like dried fruit, nuts and seeds  — shredded coconut and chocolate chips would be yummy too!

Recipe adapted from Amaranthy.com  (you can save 20% there with my code FITFORK20 )

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission from sales that are used to help offset operating costs for The Fit Fork.

5 from 5 votes
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Gluten-free Banana Bread with Amaranth
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
40 mins
 

Looking for an easy quick bread muffin that’s gluten-freeand packs extra fiber and protein? Check out these Banana Bread Muffins madewith “flour” that’s created simply by pulsing popped amaranth and rolled oats inthe blender! Also, use an alternative sweetener to moderate the carbs – still sosweet, tender and delicious! A favorite for breakfast – even serve warm withice cream for dessert!

Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
  • 2 cups popped amaranth from Amaranthy or amaranth flour
  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/2 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/4 tablespoon baking soda
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
  • 3 medium ripe bananas
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/3 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon milk of choice
  • 1 cup sugar of choice or 1 cup-for-cup equivalent sweetener
  • 1/4 cup dried fruit of choice optional
  • 1/4 cup unsalted nuts and/or seeds of choice optional
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350F. Prepare a standard loaf pan or jumbo 6-count muffin tin.
  2. Add popped amaranth and rolled oats to blender, blend on high for 1 to 2 minutes until a medium-fine flour forms. Pulse in baking soda and baking powder. Set aside.
  3. In large bowl, mash together bananas, eggs, butter, milk, vanilla and sugar.
  4. Empty banana mixture into the blender filled with dry ingredients. Incorporate dry and wet slightly with spatula then pulse, scraping down sides as needed, until thick batter has formed. *Mixture should be thick, but if not blending well add a 1-2 tbsp. more milk.
  5. Divide in muffin tins. Top with nuts, seeds and dried fruit.
  6. Bake approx. 45 minutes in loaf pan and 30 minutes in jumbo muffin tins. Test for doneness by inserting toothpick into center and it pulls clean. Remove from oven, cool in pan for 15 minutes. Store leftovers in fridge.
Recipe Notes

Chocolate Cashew Baked Oatmeal Cups

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When kids are young, you can have almost total control over their existence, including what they eat. In fact, it’s good parenting to offer a wide variety of wholesome foods, starting early on to get a clean-eating lifestyle established. But, as they grow up and fly the coop, decisions big and small, and not just about food, become entirely up the them.    Care Box with Silk Milk and Chocolate Cashew Baked Oat Cups

This month my oldest is leaving two years of dorm life to live in an apartment for the first time. There will be plenty of decisions to make – gas for the car vs. video games, making it to class on time vs. sleeping in, eating ramin noodle cups and vending machine donuts vs. preparing healthy meals at home. All these years I’ve been teaching him how to make good choices, and more recently, how to cook. For my own peace of mind, I’m sending off a care package this week packed with a Chocolate Cashew Baked Oat Cups made with a favorite pantry staple, Silk® Unsweetened Vanilla Almondmilk Bottles.

Continue reading →

Mini Paleo Chocolate Angel Food Cakes using Banana Flour

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Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Now Foods. I received product and compensation for my time to create this recipe and share my honest opinion. 

What if I told you to eat the whole cake? Would you do it, could you do it? I think so! My Personal-sized Paleo Chocolate Angel Food Cakes are a light, low-cal cake treat that will satisfy your cravings and jive with your food tribe – be that Paleo, gluten-free, sugar-free, or diary-free.Paleo & Dairy Free Chocolate Angel Food Cake - personal sized

Each substantial-sized “mini” cake (made in jumbo muffin tins) has just 162 calories, 45g total carbs with 13 of those being dietary fiber (but no added sugar), 8g protein and less than  ½ g fat. Honestly, they are so big for being little, I’m often happy with just half! Read on to get the recipe and find out about the green banana flour I used in the batter. Continue reading →

12 Ideas for Hosting a Healthy Holiday Breakfast or Brunch

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year – it’s a season for eating and greeting and spreading good cheer! If you are hosting a morning get-together over the holidays, it needn’t be fancy or fussy to be successful. In fact, some of the best memories I have are sitting around in my pajamas after the stockings have been unstuffed and ribbons unraveled to share a leisurely breakfast with family and reminisce about the glories of yore.  When I’m in town, I also like to don my most festive “ugly” sweater and invite the neighbors over for a holiday brunch.

Check out 12 Ideas for a Healthy Holiday Breakfast or Brunch

by The Fit Fork at Foodie.com


I have to admit though, the thought of hosting breakfast or brunch sometimes intimidates me – especially knowing I’m not a graceful waker-upper. So, I like to have many of the menu items prepped ahead of time so I’m not running around like an overworked, grouchy elf in the morning. Make-ahead egg casseroles are ideal as are muffins and quick breads that can be baked a day or two earlier. Even pancakes can be cooked and kept in the freezer for a no-stress holiday breakfast celebration. Some of my favorite breakfast recipes are included in the Healthy Holiday Breakfast and Brunch collection I created for Foodie.com.

Snow Men Milk Bottles - Kid's Craft - TheFitFork.comIf your gathering is anything like mine, there will probably be at least a dozen kids racing around the Christmas tree high as flying reindeer jacked up on candy canes. I have an entertaining little activity that will slow down these busy bodies for a just a few minutes and also provide the opportunity to pump them with a wholesome glass of milk (soy, almond or whatever!).  These Snowman Milk Bottles are adorable and a super easy craft that most any youngster can make with minimal supervision – however, I suggest pre-cutting the felt and assisting with the glue gun lest there be no emergency room trips on a holiday. And, BTW, TheFitFork.com has not turned into a DIY Craft blog, but these were just too fun not to share!

Snowman Milk Bottle Christmas Craft - TheFitFork.com

Supplies needed for each Snow Man Milk Bottle:

  • Empty mini milk bottle (available at craft store or recycled Starbucks Frappuccino bottle)
  • 1 ½ inch x 8 inch piece of colorful felt
  • 3 black buttons
  • Glue gun or glue dots
  • Scissors
  • Striped paper straw

For the scarf, use scissors to snip ½” long fringe into each end of the felt. Wrap around neck of bottle and knot to one side; secure with glue or glue dot if needed. Glue three buttons down front of bottle.  Fill with milk and add colorful paper straw.

12 Ideas for Hosting Healthy Holiday Brunch #recipes + Snowman Milk Bottle #craft @Foodie #spon

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So, what do you like to serve on Christmas or holiday mornings?  Do you have a once-a-year special holiday recipe or do you stick with your standard-issue morning meal?

This post was sponsored by Foodie.com, however all recipes and editorial comments are my own.