Healthy Berry Banana Muffins

I love bananas. Loaves, buns, muffins, and anything else that you throw a mushy banana into will always impress the neighbours.

When baking, Bananas play a key role in binding the ingredients together. Once it ripens, the banana’s starches convert to sugars which makes it sweeter and leaves you with a perfect ingredient that adds an immense amount of moisture to whatever you’re baking!

Incorporating berries into this recipe was an excellent decision, as they provide a burst of natural flavour in every bite, making these muffins one of my favorite recipes.

What you’ll need:

- Eggs: There are two eggs in this recipe. Eggs contribute to structure and help bind the ingredients together. Instead, use 2 flax eggs to make vegan!

- Whole wheat pastry flour: Offers fibre and nutrients. Oat flour would also work.

- Cinnamon and nutmeg: There is both cinnamon and nutmeg in these muffins.

- Baking powder and baking soda: Key leavening agents.

- Salt: Balances flavours.

- Coconut milk: Adds moisture and richness. Any kind of milk would work.

- Apple cider vinegar: Reacts with baking soda for rise.

- Maple syrup: Natural sweetener.

- Coconut oil: Healthier alternative to butter.

- Vanilla: Adds warmth and sweetness.

- Bananas: Gives these muffins moister and natural sweetness.

- Berries: Add whatever berries you’d like, fresh or frozen.

  - Chocolate chips: If you want a little extra sweet treat add some chocolate chips. Try a mix of berries and chocolate chips, the flavour is incredible.

What makes these muffins “healthier”

  - No refined sugars! The ripened bananas, berries, and maple syrup give these muffins all the sweetness that they need.

  - Bananas and berries are packed with vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants.

  - These muffins contain only natural ingredients. No weird additives here!

Ingredients

 Wet

  - 2 eggs

  - 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

  - 1/3 cup maple syrup

  - 2/3 cup milk

  - 1/3 cup coconut oil (room temp)

  - 1 tsp vanilla

  - 2 ripe bananas

Dry

  - 1 3/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour

  - 1 tsp cinnamon

  - 1/4 tsp nutmeg

  - 1 tsp baking powder

  - 1/2 baking soda

  - 1/2 tsp salt

Additions

  - 3/4 cup berries of your choice

  - 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Preparing the Muffins

- Preheat oven to 350 F and prepare muffin tins

- Combine dry ingredients in a bowl.

  - With a hand mixer, beat bananas until smooth in a separate bowl.

  - Add the eggs, milk, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla to the bananas and whisk until fully combined.

- Add the dry to the wet and mix with a wooden spoon until almost combined. Fold the berries and chocolate chips into the mixture. Make sure to not over mix.

- Spoon mixture into muffin cups.

  - Add topping to each muffin.

- Bake 18 - 20 minutes until golden and set.

Topping

I like to add a little topping to my muffins especially if you’re eating them fresh out of the oven! In a small bowl mix together:

  - 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour

  - 1/2 cup rolled oats

  - 1 tsp cinnamon

  - 1/4 tsp salt

  - 1/4 cup maple syrup

  - 1/4 cup of coconut oil (room temp)

Mix ingredients until everything is well incorporated. You want a crumble so add more liquid if too crumbly and more oats if not crumbly enough. Add a sprinkle to each muffin once batter is distributed in tins and toss muffins in the oven.

Tips and Tricks

- Use any type of berries, fresh or frozen.

- Add nuts or seeds for crunch: Enhanced texture and nutrition.

  - If you don't have coconut oil, use olive oil instead, and they will turn out just as well.

  - I use silicon reusable muffin cups and they make baking muffins or cupcakes so easy and there’s less waste. I never have to worry about my muffins sticking to the tins and they always come out clean.

  - Insert a toothpick, and if it comes out clean, your muffins are fully baked. Be cautious of the berries, as they can deceive you.

  - Store these muffins in an airtight container on the counter for a week or 3 months in the freezer.

  - A good combo if you’re feeling adventurous are strawberries and chocolate chips.

I hope you enjoy these delicious and healthy muffins! If you try the recipe, please let me know how it turned out.