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Think it’s impossible to make healthy chocolate muffins that are actually delicious? Think again! These healthy chocolate banana muffins are SO rich and delicious, it’ll be your new favourite low calorie muffin recipe!
*This post was originally published in July 2017. I’ve updated a few of the photos and added headings to make the post easier to follow. The recipe remains the same*
*This post may contain affiliate links that may earn me a small commission, at no extra cost to you*
So, Sunday night was the much anticipated season premiere of Game of Thrones!! If you’re not a GOT fan I apologize for my enthusiasm but I have been waiting over a year for this season to kick off! It did not disappoint. So good. The opening scene with Aria!? I can’t wait for next Sunday!
Ok, enough fan-girl talk. Have you ever seen those giant double chocolate muffins from the Costco bakery? They are SO delicious, but oh my gosh they are also SO full of fat and sugar. 1 muffin has 690 calories and 38 grams of fat. In 1 MUFFIN!! I’m certainly not opposed to a sweet treat but this just seems outrageous to me for a muffin.
Calories aside, I find myself craving a moist, chocolatey, cakey muffin now and then. Mostly now. The good news is, you can have all that goodness with much less guilt!! Enter these healthy chocolate banana muffins!
Do these muffins taste like banana?
With only 1/3 cup agave syrup, much of the sweetness in this muffin comes from the overripe bananas; however, these muffins do not taste like a regular banana muffin! The cocoa powder ensures that the flavour is very much chocolate. The chocolate chips throughout definitely help 😉 Remember, the riper the bananas the sweeter the end result!
It’s no secret that I love baking with bananas (here, here and here). It’s the healthiest way (in my humble opinion) to sweeten up your baked goods! Plus, the bananas, along with a smidge of coconut oil and some Greek yogurt, contribute to the moistness factor of these muffins.
It’s the Costco muffin trifecta: moist, sweet, and CHOCOLATEY!!
How do you make healthy banana chocolate muffins?
Make sure you mash your bananas really, really well – you don’t want to end up with unsightly banana chunks in your chocolate muffin. The bananas are the secret ingredient here!!
You’ll want to gently combine the wet ingredients with the dry, stirring just until moistened. The muffins take about 15 minutes to bake, or until a toothpick comes out clean. I urge you to try at least one while it’s still piping hot – with a pat of butter. Just be sure not to burn your tongue on a chocolate chip!!
If you haven’t already, be sure to follow me on Instagram and say hello over on my Facebook page!
For more sneakily delicious recipes, check these other lighter sweets out!
- chocolate nice cream pie
- keto peanut butter cookies
- no-bake chocolate coconut balls
- dark chocolate mini peanut butter cups
Healthier Chocolate Banana Muffins
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 standard muffins 1x
Description
Think it’s impossible to make healthy chocolate muffins that are actually delicious? Think again! These healthy chocolate banana muffins are SO rich and delicious, it’ll be your new favourite low calorie muffin recipe!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3 overripe bananas
- 1/3 cup agave syrup*
- 1 egg, slightly beaten, room temperature
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted and slightly cooled
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, room temperature
- 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 F and either grease a standard 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray, or place muffin liners in each cavity.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine both flours, the cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, mash the bananas with a fork until no large lumps remain. Whisk in the agave syrup, then add the egg, coconut oil, and Greek yogurt. Combine the wet ingredients with the dry, stirring just until moistened. Gently fold in the chocolate chips with a rubber spatula.
- Evenly distribute the muffin batter amongst each muffin cavity until about 3/4 cup full. Bake for 14-16 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
Muffins will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for about 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Notes
- Substitute the agave syrup for honey, or maple syrup
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
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We totally indulge on Costco muffins. But, that calorie count is CRAZY!!! This recipe is a keeper, thanks Kathy:)
They’re so good Maria, I can’t judge!! But at least you have a healthy alternative for every once in a while now!! :):)
So I’m going to be honest, I read you say GOT and I totally stopped reading and just started looking at the pretty pictures, because we are HUGE game of thrones fans, but we record the entire season and then binge watch it. So I didn’t see the episode yet… and I won’t for a while. And I can’t do spoilers! 🙂 I’m sure you understand! Anyways, LOVING these muffins! Anytime the words healthier and chocolate can be combined I’m all for it! These are FABULOUS! Cheers, friend!
Hahah, Cheyanne I do NOT know how you can hold off watching any of the shows until the end of the season, although I definitely understand the love of binge watching. I promise not to include any spoilers in my future posts!! I’m glad you enjoyed the photos anyway 😉 Have a great one!!
Hooked on healthy, chocolate and muffins that taste like they should be 690 calories, but they’re not. That is ridic!!! About GoT, I don’t watch it, we don’t have HBO, but if I did, I would be so hooked. Have a great day Katherine! Pinned!
Right!? They’re so good. I am addicted. Oooh you would so be hooked – we actually just got HBO so we can watch GOT – we’ll probably cancel it after. We’re maaaaybe a little nuts. Thanks for the pin!!
OK, I had no idea how many calories were packed into those Costco muffins. No wonder my mom wouldn’t let us eat more than a few bites when we were growing up! These sound SOOOOOOO perfect :). Have a great week, Katherine!
Haha your Mom was probably wise. They are SO terrible but so yummy too. Thank you, thank you!! Have a great week too!! XO
They look so moist and delicious 🙂
Thank you!! They’re addictive 🙂
These look so good. I would have to disguise the bananas extremely well as hubby does not like them cooked. I have never used agave syrup 🙂
Luckily for him all you taste is chocolate!! I wanted to make sure they didn’t taste like banana 🙂 Agave is great, but you could easily swap it for maple syrup or honey!!
Well, don’t laugh at me, but I’ve never watched the Games of Thrones. I’ve heard I’m missing a lot, but I guess I’m just waiting for the time when the show is over and I’m able to watch all seasons at once:) And these chocolate muffins look great…wait, 690 calories in one Costco muffin? I’m with you here, Katherine. Besides, I would always prefer to have a few muffins equal 690 cal rather than one. I love MY math. Well done!
I can’t laugh at you – you’re not the only one!! I don’t think that’s the worst strategy, there’s nothing like a good binge watch!! The calorie count is crazy on those things!! I was shocked when I actually looked. Thanks Ben!!
I love your secret ingredient!! These look like the ultimate, guilt free, chocolate treat!!!
Thank you Liz!! They’re wonderful if you want that chocolate taste without all the guilt!!
I don’t watch Game of Thrones…can you believe it?! I think I’m the only person in the world, lol!! I may have to give it a go, though, to see what all the fuss is about 😉
I never buy those Costco muffins – it’s just too much for hubby and I and, plus, those calories…and fat. I just can’t bring myself to buy/eat them. So not worth all the running I’d have to do to burn those dang calories! But, these? These look DELICIOUS, Katherine! I love the healthy swaps you have in here. They look so chocolatey and moist. Pinning and giving these a try super soon! Can’t wait! Have an awesome weekend! xo
Haha you’re not – I know a lot of people that don’t watch it!! That being said, I think you should definitely jump on the train. Right!?!? I feel the same way about those muffins. I hope you get a chance to try them and love them as much as we do. Thanks for the pin!!
Oh my gosh, it is such a coincidence, I just started watching the first three episode of season 1 this week after my sister in law ( super super super fan of Game of Thrones) was shocked that I have never watched it. So I began watching and am already so addicted. It is a great series. Absolutely loving it
And these muffins look amazingly delicious… looking forward to baking up a batch for myself 😃( like thats going to ever happen in my home…probably will just get one) and watching the next episode.
SO glad you got hooked!! I like to share in my addiction! It is really great hey? And so fun to be a part of the obsession! Hah – I hope you get to eat more than just one 🙂