These flourless Chocolate Protein Muffins pack in the nutrients but taste like a brownie. They are quickly mixed up in a blender and have so many nutrients tucked inside. Plus: They store so well in the fridge!
Chocolate Protein Muffins
Muffins are one of those foods that we like to have in the house for easy breakfasts and snacks since they store so well in the fridge and are so easy to eat. These protein muffins taste like a moist brownie but have a load of nutrition inside…including veggies!
Honestly, you’d never know they were in there, but it’s nice to get in a little extra nutrition, right?
I don’t advocate sneaking veggies into everything we serve our kids—we want (and need!) our kids to trust us with the food we feed them—so I love making these with my kids and having them help me add the ingredients.
The zucchini, kale, and ripe banana adds moisture and flavor. The cocoa powder makes each bite super chocolatey, which my little taste testers think they is super yummy.
I love these healthy chocolate muffins since they are packed with protein and healthy fats, which means they provide nicely balanced and long-lasting energy for our busy little people. Plus, the texture is super soft and moist, which makes them easy for younger toddlers to chew and swallow.
Ingredients You Need
To make this recipe you’ll need the following ingredients so you know what to have on hand or pick up at the store.
- Peanut butter: This provides the base for the muffins. I usually use unsweetened creamy peanut butter. You can use sunflower seed butter to make them nut-free as you like.
- Eggs: I use large eggs in baking, and in this recipe they help the ingredients hold together nicely, which is key since there isn’t any flour.
- Honey (or maple syrup): This is my preferred sweetener here. Avoid honey for kids under age 1.
- Raw zucchini (or yellow summer squash): This veggie is great in the mix since it blends in so well. If you don’t have any, just double the banana.
- Kale (or spinach): I prefer to use greens I’ve frozen to knock down the “green” flavor, but fresh ones will work, too.
- Ripe banana: Use bananas with brown spots for the best sweetness and flavor.
- Cocoa powder: I use unsweetened cocoa powder and usually buy SACO or Hershey’s Special Dark.
TIP: Use a very ripe banana with brown spots for the best natural sweetness.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at the process involved in making this recipe so you know what to expect. Scroll to the bottom for all of the info.
- Add all ingredients to a blender.
- Blend, stopping to scrape down the sides or move the mixture around with the stick that came with it (if you got one).
- Divide batter in a greased muffin tin. Top with chocolate chips if using.
- Bake and test for doneness with toothpick or cake tester. Let cool.
Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes to make it easier to get them out of the pan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our kids are usually getting plenty of protein without us worrying too much about it, but it is an essential nutrient for balanced energy. Each regularly sized muffin has 7 grams of protein which is a nice dose!
You can use a food processor though definitely let it process for at least a minute to try to get the greens fully blended. A blender usually makes a more uniform texture, which is why I use it here.
You can bake these as full size muffins or minis, depending on your preference. And this batter also works in a donut pan should you want to go that route. It’s nice that it’s so versatile so you can adjust for the appetites in your household.
I’m always amazed at the texture of these muffins, which is light and moist. I tend to like the flavor better when these are served chilled, but taste them both ways and see what you think.
What’s the best way to clean a blender?
This batter is a little sticky due to the volume of nut butter, so here’s the best way to clean your blender.
- Fill the blender 1/2-¾ full of warm to hot water. Add a squirt of dish soap.
- Put the top on securely and blend, starting on low and working up to high. Keep going until the sides of the blender are clean. (Any stuck on batter will come off from the friction of the water!)
- Rinse out.
How to Store
Store for 3-5 days in an airtight container in the fridge or in a sealed freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature.
Best Tips for Success
- Use a very ripe banana with brown spots for the best natural sweetness.
- If your peanut butter has been in the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for an hour before using OR warm for 15 seconds in the microwave.
- Spray your measuring cup with nonstick spray before measuring the honey to make it easier to pour out.
- Stir a handful of chocolate chips into the batter to make it slightly sweeter.
- Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes to make it easier to get them out of the pan.
- I find that these taste best with greens that have been frozen and once the muffins have been fully cooled (and even chilled in the fridge for a bit!).
- Dice the muffin for little ones as needed.
Related Recipes
I’d love to hear your feedback on this recipe, so please comment below to share!
Chocolate Protein Muffins (With Veggies!)
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter (almond butter or sunflower seed butter)
- 1 cup roughly chopped very ripe banana
- 1 cup roughly chopped raw zucchini (if you don't have zucchini, use 2 cups banana)
- 1 cup kale leaves (lightly packed; or spinach)
- 3 eggs
- ¼ cup honey (or maple syrup)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseeds
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- chocolate chips (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a mini or standard-size muffin tin with nonstick spray or line with paper liners.
- Fill muffin cups about ½ full using about ¼ cup batter in each. Top with chocolate chips, if using.
- For regular muffins: Bake 20-22 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
- For mini muffins (or a donut pan): Bake 12-14 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let cool for 5-10 minutes in the pan, run a knife around the edges, and carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Equipment
Video
Notes
- Store for 3-5 days in an airtight container in the fridge or in a sealed freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature.
- We prefer to eat these cold.
- Use a very ripe banana with brown spots for the best natural sweetness.
- Nut-free: Use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter.
- Egg-free: Use a liquid egg substitute such as Just Eggs.
- If your peanut butter has been in the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for an hour before using OR warm for 15 seconds in the microwave.
- Spray your measuring cup with nonstick spray before measuring the honey to make it easier to pour out.
- Stir a handful of chocolate chips into the batter to make it slightly sweeter.
- Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes to make it easier to get them out of the pan.
- I find that these taste best with greens that have been frozen and once the muffins have been fully cooled (and even chilled in the fridge for a bit!).
Nutrition
This post was originally published June 2019.
These are delicious! I am pleasantly surprised at how moist they are. They don’t taste like “healthy muffins” at all. My picky kids gobbled them up (and so did my husband and I!)
Hi Amy, are these supposed to be a little moist (like, a little wet) when done? Maybe because no flour? I baked them for 23mins, toothpick came out dry but turned out still a bit moist. Ate them right away, very delicious, maybe needs some cooling? Lol Going to fridge them to see how that compares.
Hi- They should be pretty close to normal muffin texture. If they are a little moist or they didn’t rise much, I would make sure that your baking soda is fresh and active. Enjoy!
I don’t usually leave comments, but these are so stinking good! I make them every week, usually a 1.5 batch, but I’ve been tempted to try a double batch in my Ninja. I’ve subbed or left out various ingredients and they still always turn out great (the banana with greek yogurt, extra banana instead of zuchinni, almond butter instead of peanut or a mix of the two, skipping the spinach). They do taste better cold, but are fine from the oven too, just a little spongy. They are amazing with a dollop of greek yogurt on top. My 2 year old and I have them every morning for breakfast and it’s so great to have a one bowl receipt I can quickly whip up for breakfasts for the week. Thank you!
Hi, I’m excited to make these! We have severe flax allergies in our house…do you suggest leaving it out or replacing it with something else (and if so, what)? Thank you!
Hi- if you have chia seeds, use those, or oats should work similarly too. Enjoy
I’ve made these several times and each time it blows my mind that they are THAT good, and full of healthy ingredients. Tastes like a decadent chocolate cake. So thankful to have found this recipe my very picky toddler loves!!
This was just outstanding! Wow, wow, wow. Thanks so much Amy!
I used cacao powder instead because that’s what I already had. The kids eat them every time! Even without the chocolate chips
Can’t wait to try this!
I don’t have cocoa powder. Can I use chocolate protein powder instead?
I don’t know if that would work the same since it’s a different ingredient but let me know if you decide to try it!
I tried it and they came out great! i did have to bake them for a little longer though.
As a black woman, I’m always super skeptical about the quality of “health” recipes online but this…THIS IS SOOO GOOD!
My boyfriend didn’t want to try it but after he asked me to make some for him! Definitely adding this to my arsenal.
I’ve never left a review on a recipe before
10/10 recommend
Thanks so much for the feedback and I’m glad you enjoyed them!
My girls (2 and 4yo’s) loved these! I would like to make these school friendly (nut free), how do I replace the peanut butter with flour and yogurt? How much?
I especially love that it’s so easy to make. Throwing everything in the blender is so convenient and not having to grate and squeeze the water out of the zucchini is a huge plus!
The easiest way to make these nut-free is to use sunflower seed butter. I haven’t experimented with doing it any other way but let me know if you try something else!
My kiddo loves these and he’s a very picky eater, so they have been great snacks. Thank you!
I currently don’t have banana at home, can I use applesauce or something else as a substitute?
These are so yummy! And they make me feel so much better to serve for breakfast than regular muffins. Definitely better cool or cold.
These are so yummy! My most picky eater LOVED these! 😍
I didn’t have zucchini so subbed some carrots – love this recipe! So yummy!
These are amazing!
We haven’t made with zucchini yet. Been using the extra banana and spinach because it’s what we have on hand. The kids, me and my husband love them.