Healthier Chocolate Banana Muffins

These double chocolate banana muffins taste like a treat, but they’re made with coconut oil, whole wheat flour, honey, and plenty of naturally sweet mashed bananas. See Note for peanut butter swirl version.

Ingredients

• 1 and 1/2 cups (345g) mashed bananas (about 4 medium or 3 large ripe bananas)
• 1/3 cup (113g) honey (or maple syrup or agave)
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup (56g) coconut oil, melted (or vegetable oil, olive oil, or melted butter)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup (130g) whole wheat flour (spooned & leveled)
• 1/2 cup (41g) natural unsweetened cocoa powder (or dutch-process)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (180g) semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips (save a few for topping)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C). Spray a 12-count muffin pan with nonstick spray or line with cupcake liners. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, mash the bananas up using a fork.* Try to mash up any large lumps. Once mashed, whisk in the honey, egg, coconut oil, and vanilla extract until combined. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until everything is combined. Fold in the chocolate chips, reserving some for the tops of the warm muffins.
4. Spoon the batter evenly into each cup or liner, filling each all the way to the top.
5. Bake for 5 minutes at 425°F (218°C); then, keeping the muffins in the oven, reduce heat to 350°F (177°C) and continue baking for another 15–17 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The total time these muffins take in the oven is about 20–21 minutes, give or take. (For mini muffins, bake 11–13 minutes at 350°F (177°C) the whole time.)
6. Press any remaining chocolate chips into the tops of the warm muffins. Allow the muffins to cool for 5 minutes in the muffin pan, and then transfer to a wire rack to continue cooling, or enjoy warm.
7. Muffins stay fresh covered at room temperature for a few days, then transfer to the refrigerator for up to 1 week.