Hello, hello. Welcome to Muffin Monday. It’s been awhile, but I’m back with an outrageously delicious new recipe ready to power you through the week. But first, how was your weekend?
Tony and I watched the Chicago Air & Water show from our rooftop, cleaned our house (necessary and a little therapeutic), went to a BBQ with some friends, ate donuts and walked at least 12,000 steps each day. Oh and of course, watched a little Game of Thrones. Sunday traditions are my favorite. What are yours?
Now that we’re onto a new week, I want to chat about why YOU need to make these muffins. JUST LOOK AT HOW GLORIOUS THEY ARE.
Coach’s Oats: The difference
I’m so exciting to be partnering with my friends at Coach’s Oats today. Their oatmeal has been a staple in my life since I first discovered with while living in California back in 2012.
Coach’s Oats aren’t just regular oats. They were invented by a real gymnastics coach who wanted an oatmeal that wasn’t soggy or pasty, so he experimented with whole grain oats (aka groats) and started to toast, grind and cook his own oatmeal. Finally they invented a delicious and unique oatmeal unlike any other (it’s even patented).
Coach’s Oats are prepared by toasting the groats to bring out the natural sugars to the surface of the oat, then cracked into small pieces. This patented Cracked n’ Toasted™ process means that Coach’s Oats are never mushy, always naturally delicious and cook in just 3 to 5 minutes on a stove top or in the microwave. You can read more about the difference in their oats right here.
When I first thought of creating a healthy power muffin, I wanted it to have ingredients that would energize you before a workout, or give you a boost during that 3pm slump.
So I created a unique blend of ingredients to create a fluffy muffin packed with whole grains, protein, and satisfying flavors of banana chocolate chip.
Let’s talk about the key ingredients in this recipe:
Bananas: Make sure you use EXTRA ripe bananas in this recipe (you know the bananas with brown spots all over them). Using ripe bananas helps to sweeten the muffins, since there’s no added sugar in this recipe.
Vanilla Greek Yogurt: I used vanilla because it helps add flavor to the muffins. I recommend sticking with this. I love using Greek yogurt for an extra boost of protein!
Coach’s Oats: We chatted about these above, but they’re ridiculously delicious and I love the texture these give the muffins. Coach’s Oats help to add over 12g protein and 8g fiber to this entire recipe.
Flaxseed meal: These are just ground flaxseeds and contain a good amount of fiber, protein and omega 3. They are available at most grocery stores!
Whole wheat pastry flour: This is one of my favorite flours to bake with! It’s not regular whole wheat flour or white whole wheat flour. Whole wheat pastry flour is milled from soft white wheat. I often use the kind from Bob’s Red Mill.
Chocolate Chips: A few dark chocolate chips never hurt anyone. They really help to sweeten the muffins and keep them kid approved. If you want to use a less sweet chocolate, chop up a 3.5oz dark chocolate bar and use that (often times they have less sugar than chocolate chips).
Walnuts or pecans: I LOVE using nuts in this recipe because you get a good dose of healthy fats for brain power. If you are allergic to nuts, you can simply leave them out of the recipe.
JUST LOOK at these muffins. You need them in your life. Preferably with a healthy dose of your favorite nut butter spread on top. SWOON.
More healthy muffin recipes you’ll love:
Skinny Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
Grandma’s Healthy Bran Muffins
Chai-Spiced Healthy Apple Oatmeal Muffins
The Best Healthy Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins (gluten free!)
Flax Almond Meal Banana Muffins with Dark Chocolate (gluten free, paleo!)
Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
Power Flax Chocolate Chip Banana Oatmeal Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 cup nonfat plain vanilla Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 3 ripe extra bananas, mashed
- 2 tablespoons olive or avocado oil (can also use melted coconut oil or melted butter)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup Coach’s Oats 100% whole grain oatmeal
- 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
- 1/2 cup flaxseed meal
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup dark chocolate chips
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a 12 cup muffin pan with liners and spray the inside of the liners with nonstick cooking spray. This is important to do so that the muffins do not stick to the liners. I would recommend using liners, as they can be difficult to get out of the tin since they are larger muffins.
- In a large bowl or blender, mix together the Greek yogurt, almond milk, mashed banana, oil, egg and vanilla until smooth and well combined. Transfer to a large bowl, and stir in Coach’s Oats. Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes to soften the oats.
- After 5 minutes, add in the whole wheat pastry flour, flaxseed meal, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Stir until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips and chopped nuts.
- Divide batter evenly between the liners. Bake for 7 minutes at 400 degrees, then reduce heat in oven to 350 degrees (do not open the door!) and bake for 13-16 minutes more or until tester comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached. Allow to cool for 5 minutes in pan before removing and transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
This recipe is in partnership with Coach’s Oats, a brand I trust. Thanks for supporting AK and the brands that help make this site possible!
I love this recipe! It is very simple and sweet recipe perfect for if you’re looking for a healthier option and craving something sweet! Thank you for this recipe🤍!
Absolutely! Glad you found these!
can i swap the banana for applesauce
I haven’t tried it but I’m worried they might not be sweet enough!
Hi Monique, I can’t wait to make these! Any way you’d recommend to make them GF?
Hi! I haven’t tested a gluten-free swap for these, but you could try a 1:1 gluten-free all purpose flour. Otherwise, check out all of my gluten-free muffins here!
Just made these, with added mix-ins of hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, and a bit of date syrup for added sweetness! I also added a bit of baking powder for for extra rise. They were delightful and felt so gut-healthy. A feel-good breakfast and snack! Thank you!
Perfect! So glad you enjoyed!
Can I use regular vanilla yogurt in this recipe? It’s all I currently have in the house, and I would love to make this recipe for breakfasts this week. Thanks!
That should work!
Delicious and light
Can these be made with regular rolled oats?
That should work!
Great! I did add a quarter cup of sugar because my bananas were not super ripe (and used plain yogurt) and used half whole wheat, half all purpose flour. Perfect, not too sweet, healthy morning muffin!
The best breakfast!
Made these following recipe exactly, except for greek yogurt- only had plain on hand so added 1 tsp. vanilla extract and they were perfectly sweet! Not overly sweet that made you think you were having cake for breakfast, but just the right amount of sweetness and flavor. Rave reviews from my family!
Perfect! So happy they were a hit!
Great muffins for on the go, although I only had white flour a bit heavier but passed the hubby test 😀 😋
I’m glad they still worked out well!
These were great! Kids loved them. I used Pamlea’s, All Purpose GF flour as a 1:1 and Oat Milk instead of Almond. I used Bobs Red Mill GF rolled Oats. I also did not use muffin pan liners because I did not have them, but instead buttered the muffin pan. I filled the muffin tins very full and they baked just fine:)
Perfect! Glad those swaps worked out well!
The recipe is 3 mashed bananas. Are the bananas medium or large. Is it the same as 1 cup of mashed bananas.
Medium bananas will work best for this recipe! Enjoy!
Been making these for a few years now and they are truly one of the BEST HEALTHY MUFFINS EVER!!! Not sure why I can’t add the fifth star on the rating but they are TEN STARS in our family!!
What can be used to sub the yogurt for those of us who ran out?? Thx!!! Love all your recipes!!
YUM! I am SO glad you are loving these muffins, Susie. Unfortunately, I am not sure there is a good sub for the yogurt that you could use without altering the texture and end result of the muffins!
I would like to make these for my kids to get some omega 3 into them. Can I grind regular old fashioned oats into oat flour and then add to them in place of Coach’s oats?
Great recipe that isn’t too sweet on its own. I used Oikos Triple Zero Vanilla Greek yogurt. I also used half whole wheat/half AP flour because I didn’t have the wheat pastry flour. I added two cups of shredded and squeezed out zucchini and a TBSP of chia seeds to absorb some of the extra water. I added about 1/2 TBSP honey. Didn’t use any nuts. Made mini muffins and did 4 minutes at 400, 12 at 350. It turned out great!
I’m so glad they turned out great with those modifications! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
I have been making these muffins a couple of times a month for, like, six months now! My partner and I love them, they’re healthy with enough chocolate and the perfect protein-packed way to start the morning. Thank you for this recipe!
Hi! I am surprised how incredibly delicious these turned out! I used oat bran instead of the oatmeal, but will look for Coach’s oatmeal next time I’m at the store! Do you know the approximate calorie count for one muffin?
I’m so glad! The nutrition facts are at the bottom of the recipe — just scroll down!
Do you think I could use more milk instead of Greek yogurt? I don’t have yogurt on hand and trying to use what I have.
Unfortunately I think that would be too thin/liquidy, sorry!
I make these muffins every few weeks and store them in the freezer. They are so tasty and sweet, but also a nourishing snack or breakfast.
These are seriously The Best muffin our family has ever had. My 7 year old calls them “our famous muffins” when he requests that I bring them on co-op days. I absolutely adore that they’re healthy AND taste like I’m “cheating”.
Omg LOVE THAT! I’m so happy you guys both love these!
Delicious!!! The banana and chocolate chips add just the right amount of sweetness. I didn’t have whole wheat flour so used regular flour and they turned out great. Love all your recipes!
my FAVOURITE muffin recipe!
I’ve shared the recipe (and the muffins) with many friends and it’s always a hit. Thank you!
I’ve loved every single one of Monique’s muffin recipes, but this is the one I make over and over and over again because they’re DELICIOUS. They also freeze really well, which is nice for a quick breakfast or snack.
So happy to hear that!
So easy, and even more delicious!! The perfect breakfast or quick snack, and I love sneaking in those great omega-3s with the flax. We didn’t have vanilla yogurt, so I mixed a couple tsp of honey and a touch of vanilla extract into the yogurt to sweeten. They’re perfect! Thank you!
Absolutely! Such a great breakfast or snack 🙂
I have used this as a base recipe the last 3x I’ve made banana bread and it came out great!! I have used plain yogurt, old fashioned oats, and reg whole wheat flour each time with success. First tried about 1/4 cup brown sugar, next time about a tsp maple sugar and a few tbsp sugar in the raw, this time extra banana, about a tsp maple sugar and 1/4 carbonated water instead of egg, and coconut milk instead of almond milk (needed a little more baking time.) All came out delish!
So glad they all worked! Perfect snack or breakfast 🙂
yummy muffins! I used whole wheat regular flour and I didn’t have vanilla yogurt so I just used plain with 2 tbs of maple syrup and a little more vanilla extract and they were perfect! Thanks for sharing, will be making again.
I’m glad that worked out well! Such a great snack or breakfast 🙂
I just made these today! I substituted the flour for almond flour and I didn’t have the specific type of oats you did so I used regular oatmeal. It came out great but needed a few more minutes in the oven. I gave it about 5 more minutes! Thanks for posting I love your page!
I’m glad that worked out well! Such a great breakfast or snack 🙂
These are absolutely delicious! Especially with higher fat Greek yogurt. They’re also massive, which is just how I like my muffins!
Absolutely! Love jumbo muffins 🙂 glad you enjoyed!