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.
After reading the other reviews, I thought these might be more like brownies than muffins. I put the batter in a greased square cake pan, and baked at 350 for just over 30 minutes. I used wow butter instead of pb and sprinkled chocolate chips on the top. I found my one banana wasn’t quite a cup so made up the difference with applesauce. They were a hit with the kids!
I’d love to try this with my toddler and 10 month old – but would have to use maple syrup instead of honey for bub. Should I use less maple syrup than the recipe says for honey? Or it doesn’t matter?
Thanks!
As a baker, i had doubts about this recipe and unfortunately i was right. These did not turn out well and even the chocolate chips couldn’t hide the very vegetal taste. No matter how long i baked them, and the fact that a toothpick came out clean, the middle was always dense and a little too wet. I saw it noted somewhere in the recipe that because there is no flour, these couldn’t be dense, but that’s incorrect. Without flour (or more cocoa powder) to absorb some of the liquid from the other ingredients, these will absolutely be dense. That’s why dishes such as flourless chocolate cake are super dense. I’m bummed i wasted good ingredients on this.
You may find that the flavor mellows if you stash them in the fridge overnight and try one tomorrow. I have not had that issue with the interior through my testing of this recipe, but I very much appreciate the feedback.
Has anybody tried and had success with an egg substitute for these? We can’t have egg, and I usually use a flax egg, but noticed they already contain some and thought it might be too much.
I don’t know that these will work with an egg substitute due to the rest of the ingredients. Sorry!
Is there a possible substitute for bananas? I know it is where the sweet comes from but we can’t eat bananas here.
Usually, applesauce, pumpkin, or mashed roasted sweet potato work similarly as banana in baked goods. The sweetness will vary though.
How much applesauce would you suggest using as a substitute for bananas?
I would use the same amount.
Are these supposed to soft and fluffy? Mine are so wet!
No, they should be regular muffin texture. Did you change anything in the recipe? Is it possible they needed to bake a little longer?
Can I use PB2 in place of regular peanut butter? If so, how much?
I haven’t tried it so I can’t say for sure. If there are measurements on the label about making the powder into regular peanut butter equivalents, you could try following that.
I used pb2! I think the muffins really benefit having a fat. I subbed applesauce to mix with the pb2 and it was too much moisture
We can’t import Bananas to Bermuda where I live, and frozen ones have been hard to come by lately. Any banana substitutes?
I left out the flax seed because I didn’t have any on hand. I am now reading the comments that I should have added a substitute. The texture seemed okay, but the flavor was just blah, and neither of my kids would eat them.
Not even with chocolate chips? Sometimes kids like them better once they are duly cooled and cold from the fridge.
My little is allergic to eggs…any good substitutes?
I don’t have an egg-free option for this one (it’s harder when there’s no flour) but my Spinach Banana Muffins have a really great egg-free option if you want to check those out!
Can I use frozen bananas and kale? Excited to make this for my toddler, thank you!
Sure! I would thaw the bananas first I think and use about 1/4 cup of the frozen kale.
I don’t have zucchini. Could I use peas or riced cauliflower? If so, how much?
Of those two I think the riced cauliflower would work. I’d do 1/2 cup
I made this recipe and used flour as a substitute for ground flax. Worked perfectly and my hard to please toddler has loved these. I have never left a comment on any page, but this was such a success for our household and I wanted to say thank you for sharing your recipe ?
I’m so glad to hear that and thank you for letting me know!
I have some grated beets – can I add those? IF yes, what should I omit to balance out the flavor?
I haven’t tried this with beets so I can’t say for sure. Let me know if you give it a shot!
WOW this recipe is amazing, I cannot get over the amount of veggies/fruit/protein in them and they are delicious! My kids and nieces and nephews scarfed them up with no clue as to all the wonderful veggies etc they were consuming! LOVE These!
Has anyone tried this with PB powder? Wonder how to adapt with the change in moisture level?