Rich, soft, and moist Chocolate Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins that are quick, healthy, and perfect to make ahead! They’re gluten free, grain free, dairy free, nut free and Paleo and make a great on the go breakfast or snack.
Hi, chocolate muffins to the rescue! Rescue from what? From the skeletons in my running closet? Wouldn’t it be nice if I had a running closet. Instead I have a single drawer that takes an hour to rearrange if I try to get something that’s not right on the top. Like shorts. Chocolate muffins to rescue me from my shorts and the ghost of my visor that I can’t locate anywhere.
As I’m typing this, Diana is re-reading her Boston Marathon thoughts from yesterday and I am trying to allow the chocolate muffins to distract me from my pre-marathon angst. No, I have not begun packing yet (maybe as soon as I find the visor) but I sure as hell bought enough prepackaged gluten- free-but-not-all-paleo food to last at least until Monday.
Leave it to me to freak out about what I will eat AFTER the flipping marathon. NEWSFLASH! That is not your problem. Running the marathon is your problem.
Okay just one more thing before I talk about the muffins, which, by the way I wish I had another batch of right now. WHY is it that each time before I run a marathon I am fighting like made the urge to “do things differently” – you know – all the things you’re not supposed to do before a race. I suppose since the race is special, we have a tendency to want to “celebrate” by doing things slightly out of the ordinary even though we know this is not the right thing to do.
Exhibit A – gluten free granola. Just step away from it (talking to myself) because you literally never eat it and a day before the marathon is not the time to start. I guess I also have this urge to “carb up” and then look at my usual carbs and really have zero desire to eat any more of them than I normally do. I also realize that an extra potato is not going to make up for the fact that my training was what it was – nothing special. Not-special training is probably best complemented by not-special food prior to the race. Makes sense! Save the granola for after. After the 26.2 miles have been run, really anything you want to put in your mouth is game. True story.
That chocolate chip looks pretty yummy don’t you think? These muffins are everything they appear to be – extra chocolatey, soft and very moist, with not too much of a banana flavor, and texture that seems to improve after being in the refrigerator, so they’re perfect to make ahead! If I’d gotten my act together sooner, I might have made a batch to take on the road. They’re also completely nut free and sweetened with a bit of maple syrup, along with the bananas, of course! Let’s move along to the recipe before I take off for the weekend!
Chocolate Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins {Paleo & Nut Free}
Chocolate Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins {Paleo & Nut Free}
Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- 2 small/med overripe bananas
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup canned full fat creamy organic coconut milk
- 1/2 cup organic coconut flour
- 1/4 cup tapioca flour
- 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- pinch of fine grain sea salt
- 1/3 cupEnjoy Life dark chocolate chips* plus a few to sprinkle over the top
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line a muffin pan with muffin/cupcake liners**
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In a large bowl, mash the bananas well and whisk together with the eggs until smooth. Add the coconut milk, maple syrup, and vanilla and whisk until smooth
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In a separate bowl, combine the coconut flour, tapioca, cocoa powder, baking soda and powder, and salt.
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Slowly stir the dry mixture into the wet. Coconut flour expands and thickens the mixture as it sits, so it will be somewhat more like a dough than a batter. Stir in the chocolate chips before spooning into liners.
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Spoon the batter into muffin liners about 3/4 full for 10 muffins, 2/3 full if you want 12. Sprinkle a few chocolate chips over the top, then bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until set, and a toothpick comes out clean.
Recipe Notes
*Enjoy life brand is nut free, soy free, and dairy free and my favorite to use for all baking needs!
**Will make 10-12 depending on how high you fill the cups
Nutrition
I’ll be back Monday with a recap of my last training week plus whatever pictures from Boston I have from the weekend. Tuesday I have an awesome recipe scheduled so I can get my thoughts together for a race recap Thursday! Planning ahead much? Yup, just a little 😉
What are your weekend plans?
Do you have last minute race urges that you know you shouldn’t give in to?
meredith @ cookie chrunicles says
April 15, 2016 at 5:44 amomg your missing visor is like when I was missing my neck warmer! I still haven’t found last year’s neck warmer but I did find this year’s which means you will find your visor. I would totally be planning what I would eat after the marathon! you will be hungry and you need food asap and it needs to be right lol. I am the same way, always have my food planned and within reach of the finish line. so excited for you! oh and the muffins like delish 🙂
Michele says
April 15, 2016 at 7:08 amThanks! Trying to pack food to make the kids happy plus me is getting ridiculous – we have tons of stuff! I feel like my visor will turn up, though I know I’ll be digging!
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine says
April 15, 2016 at 6:12 amThese look amazing! I hope you have a fun time in Boston this weekend and a great race on Monday!!!
Michele says
April 15, 2016 at 7:08 amThanks Lisa!
SuzLyfe says
April 15, 2016 at 6:37 amHey, at least you have your shoes, right? Have an amazing weekend, and I will be cheering you on on Monday!
Michele says
April 15, 2016 at 7:09 amAt least there is no questioning the shoes, just need to remember to have them on my feet 🙂 Thanks!
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says
April 15, 2016 at 7:10 amWhenever I get stressed I’m inclined to do a bunch of weird stuff. Mine is usually in the form of cleaning everything top to bottom. Somehow it brings me comfort but it is annoying like why I can’t I just deal with anxiety emotion? Ugh…good luck Monday!
Michele says
April 15, 2016 at 9:20 pmI wish I would clean every time I felt anxious! Instead I cook and make more of a mess, or just run around trying to do a bunch of things and accomplish nothing. Thanks Megan!
Lesq says
April 15, 2016 at 7:53 amCan’t believe the marathon is here already. It seems like you just ran the Manhattan one. Time sure flies when your having a blast huh? Lol. Anyone that is a mother and wife knows how very time consuming and cumbersome it is to pack for a family and while trying at the same time to take care of our own needs. we take food like its for months–but better to have then not to–and everybody has something to say about what they need and are bringing. Forget the endless loads of laundry when we get home. Okay enough said, now you know you are not alone in the se of trying to have some recognizable semblance of space for yourself. You are more ready for this marathon emotionally then you have ever been and physically you have done this before. Your pro–enjoy your accomplishments. You have worked hard to earn them. Can’t wait to hear your recap.
Michele says
April 15, 2016 at 9:19 pmIt really doesn’t feel like it’s been long at all! Less than 6 months, so it really hasn’t been. And yes yes yes! You know exactly how my day went today, and that I’m already thinking about what I need to do when I get back, ugh!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
April 15, 2016 at 7:59 amOooo good luck good luck good luck! I’ll be thinking of you and cheering you on! Have FUN!!!
Michele says
April 15, 2016 at 9:17 pmThanks Rebecca!
Heather @ Polyglot Jot says
April 15, 2016 at 8:11 amThese look amazing! I’m glad to hear they dont have an overwhelming banana flavor because im not a huge fan. good luck this weekend!!!
Michele says
April 15, 2016 at 9:11 pmThanks so much! I definitely love banana but don’t need my muffins to be just banana 🙂
Alyssa @ renaissancerunnergirl says
April 15, 2016 at 10:43 amGood luck at the marathon, and these look AMAZING! So difficult to find Paleo AND nut free baked goods 🙂
Michele says
April 15, 2016 at 9:08 pmI love the coconut/tapioca combo for muffins! Almond flour is great too but not at all necessary in my opinion 🙂
Taylor says
April 15, 2016 at 12:01 pmGood luck!!!! You have me craving chocolate again before noon!!! these looks delicious and I love the simplicity of ingredients!
Michele says
April 15, 2016 at 9:06 pmThank you! Chocolate paired with bananas always wins!
Chelsea@runningwithawhisk says
April 15, 2016 at 1:11 pmI am excited to see your race recap! I am sure you will run wonderfully. I am loving these muffins. I have been testing out paleo for a little while to help with some digestive issues and have recently discovered that gluten and I are NOT friends…I do miss yummy muffins though. These sound like the perfect (intestine friendly) treat!
Michele says
April 15, 2016 at 9:05 pmThere are truly so many great grain free options! I still surprise myself with how great baked goods can taste even paleo, it’s awesome! And thanks, I’m getting nervous!
Kristy @ Southern In Law says
April 15, 2016 at 5:08 pmThese look perfect! Banana muffins are always a winner in our house – but especially if there’s chocolate involved too!
Our weekend involves a few DIY projects that we keep forgetting about!
Michele says
April 15, 2016 at 9:04 pmThat sounds nice! And banana muffins can do no wrong 🙂
Amanda Mahoney says
April 15, 2016 at 5:17 pmSo don’t get too alarmed if I “fan girl” you on the 2nd newton hill between mile 19-20! I will be watching. That part is 1 mile from my house so I will walk up and cheer! Should I wear a shirt that says AmandaM so you will know who I am? j/k I won’t. but i’ll “stalk” you and hope to guess when you’ll be passing by. Good luck and can’t wait to see you in person!
Michele says
April 15, 2016 at 9:03 pmYay, thanks! That is so cool! I definitely can’t make promises for being able to see anything at mile 20 but I will try! It feels so far away right now!
Dani @ Dani California Cooks says
April 15, 2016 at 10:54 pmCan’t wait to read your race recap! Loved reading the NYC one. Break a leg!! 🙂
Michele says
April 17, 2016 at 8:18 pmThanks so much!
Erin says
April 16, 2016 at 6:55 pmI have the same drawer LOL! Good luck at Boston:)
Michele says
April 17, 2016 at 8:19 pmChallenging drawer lol! And thanks!
Karen says
April 20, 2016 at 6:46 pmThese are amazing!! And I agree about putting them in the fridge – makes them even better. Making 2nd batch in 2 days.
Michele says
April 20, 2016 at 9:18 pmAwesome, glad you hear it!
Suzanna says
May 16, 2016 at 10:02 pmThese look SO amazing! So Im currently in Grenada for medical school and Im not sure if I’ll be able to find coconut flour and tapioca flour here. But I really would like to make these because well….they look so delicious. Do you have any recommendations for substitutions in place of the coconut and tapioca flour?
Thank you!
Michele says
May 18, 2016 at 8:49 amYou can definitely sub with almond flour but would need more, and the texture would change a bit although still be fine. I’d probably use about 1 and 1/2 cups almond flour if you were to experiment, not positive though!
Annie W says
April 4, 2017 at 9:50 amBest paleo recipe! I have tried lots of recipes with coconut flour this one is by far the best!
Michele says
April 4, 2017 at 10:20 amGreat! So happy to hear you liked them!
Tina says
March 6, 2018 at 10:41 pmThese muffins are by far one of the best recipes that I have ever made using coconut flour! They are absolutely delicious!! Thanks!
Michele says
March 8, 2018 at 7:53 amOh I’m thrilled you enjoyed them!
Lauren says
December 6, 2018 at 2:25 amFinally a banana muffin both my kids love and can take to school. So hard being GF and not being able to use nuts in our school snacks. Thank you;)