Get Even More Visitors To Your Blog, Upgrade To A Business Listing >>

Banana Protein Muffins Better Than Mom Made

These popular, healthy, delicious, easy banana protein muffins taste like classic banana bread your mom made, but are low in added sugar, PACKED with protein, and way more satisfying!

*This post was originally posted in February 2019, but I'm republishing it with updated photos and information*

I remember my Grandma making banana nut bread when I was a kid. She would make it often and give it to my sister and me as a snack.

Oh, it was so good. And the memories I have of it are filled with love.

And yumminess.

Do you have childhood memories of banana bread (or another special dish)?

Converting Classic Banana Muffins Into Healthy Protein Banana with Yogurt Muffins

I love banana nut bread (probably because of my Grandma) but I wanted to create a healthier version – lower in added sugar and higher in Protein – that I could give to my kids for snacks. And maybe for dessert too.

And any healthier protein banana muffins recipe HAD to taste amazing – like classic banana bread – because I want my kids to have the same association with it that I do.

I often don't make quick bread recipes into bread loaves, but rather into bite-sized Muffins (or full-sized, it doesn't matter to me). Because, honestly, though, I enjoy muffins way more than bread! Don't you?

I mean, c'mon! Bite-size bread is cuter, easier to portion out, and less messy to give to the kids. Plus, I love freezing them more in muffin form than bread.

This healthier version makes me feel good about giving these Banana Protein Muffins to my kids with breakfast, lunch, dessert, or even as a snack.

Who wouldn’t want to eat a protein-packed version of (any) bread (in much cuter muffin form?!) These protein muffins are easy to make, super delicious and contain healthy ingredients!

Love Healthy Muffins? Check These Out!

  • Healthy Zucchini Muffins
  • Flavorful Lightened-up Pumpkin Spice Muffins

Ingredients for Banana Protein Muffins

Here are the key players in this recipe and how they come together to create a filling and delicious bread you can use for bread, snacks, or a dessert!

  • white whole wheat flour – whole wheat flour provides more protein and fiber than all-purpose flour.
  • sugar & brown sugar – there is a little sugar added to this recipe to give it that classic banana bread flavor, but it's reduced from classic banana bread.
  • Superfood protein powder (vanilla flavor) – adds a boost of protein, and I recommend this brand because it's a plant-based protein and tastes amazing.
  • ground flax seeds – add fiber and a terrific nutty flavor.
  • Greek yogurt (plain) – adds protein and moisture to the recipe
  • overripe bananas – add sweetness, moisture, and flavor.
  • milk (or rice milk) – adds moisture, great flavor, and even more protein. I've tried it using rice milk and it worked well.
  • vanilla extract – a flavor enhancer.
  • chopped walnuts (optional) – these are optional, but I usually leave them out.

**You can grab the full recipe and instructions down below!

How to Make Healthy Banana Protein Muffins with Yogurt

Follow these instructions to make your own muffins. They're simple to make!

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray (or add muffin liners to) your muffin pans.

Step 2

Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Step 3

Combine wet ingredients in a medium mixing bowl, including walnuts (if adding them).

Step 4

Add wet ingredient mixture to dry ingredient mixture.

Step 5

Bake for 8 minutes, then turn muffin pans 180 degrees. Bake another 7 minutes. Check muffins. If done, remove from oven. If not done, check in 2 minute increments to ensure they don't burn.

Protein Banana Muffins FAQs

You've got questions…I've got answers!

I Don't Have Overripe Bananas. Can I Still Make This Recipe With Bananas That Have Some Green In Them?

Yes! Overripe bananas are yellow with brown spots. They are great for making banana bread because they are more moist, softer, sweeter, and have more banana flavor.

However, if you are itching to make this recipe but your bananas don't have those telltale brown spots yet, stick your yellow bananas into the microwave for roughly 20 seconds to make them easier to mash.

How Long Will They Last?

I put them in a resealable plastic bag and put that in the fridge. These muffins will last up to 7 days in fridge.

Can I Freeze These Banana Muffins?

Yes! In fact, if you don't plan to eat them within about 4-5 days, I highly recommend freezing them. 

They freeze (and thaw) really well! Since I have 3 kids, I tend to package them in batches of 3 and thaw them out one batch at a time when I plan to use them.

Why Add Protein to These Muffins?

Protein is a huge component of a healthy diet. In addition to building and repairing body tissues, protein is an essential building block for muscles, bones, skin, cartilage, and blood.

What Makes These Greek Yogurt Protein Banana Muffins Healthy?

I took my grandma's recipe and made a few tweaks to it to make these muffins healthier but still incredibly yummy.

They're Low in Added Sugar

With only 1/2 cup of sugar for the entire recipe, these muffins get a lot of their sweet flavor from the natural sugars in the overripe bananas. You can totally cut the sugar down even more, if you prefer!

Added Protein Punch

Muffins are usually loaded in sugar and carbs and have little to no protein in them. This recipe has Greek yogurt and superfood protein powder in it which makes these muffins moist and filling!

I Love the Vanilla Superfood Protein Powder from Amazing Grass! Some Key Benefits:

  • 20g complete natural protein from organic pea protein, organic quinoa, organic hemp protein & chia.
  • 7 alkalizing greens, 9 nutrient-dense fruits & veggies, 4 carbs, less than 1g of sugar, 3g of fiber.
  • 2 full servings of fruits & veggies per serving. Alfalfa, Spirulina, Chlorella, and Acai.
  • USDA Organic, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Grain-Free.

Whole Wheat Flour

While you can definitely use regular white flour, I highly recommend using white whole wheat flour to add more nutritional value while not impacting the flavor of the muffins.

Contain Healthy Fats

Instead of butter, I used olive oil in this recipe. You can also add the optional walnuts to give these muffins even more healthy fats!

 

Tools Needed for Making Easy Banana Muffins (or bread)

  • Basic Muffin Tins – You can use the classic version
  • Or a good quality silicone muffin pan
  • Or Bread Pans (classic or silicone)
  • Amazing Grass Superfood Protein Powder (vanilla)

Try Making Banana Protein Muffins As A Healthy Snack – your kids will BEG for them!

More Sweet Treats With A Healthy Twist:

  • Chocolate Chip Cake
  • No-Bake Berry Cheesecake Parfait
  • Best Darn Healthy Apple Crisp Ever
  • Slow Cooker Peach Crisp

Pin for Later!

Healthy Banana Protein Muffins
These popular, healthy, delicious, protein-packed banana muffins taste like classic banana bread, but are low in added sugar and way more filling!
  • CuisineAmerican
Servings18 muffins
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15-20 minutes
Passive Time5 minutes
Ingredients
  • 2cups white whole wheat flour
  • 1/4cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup loosely packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2scoop Superfood protein powder(approximately 2 Tbsp)
  • 3Tbsp ground flax seeds
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2tsp salt
  • 1/2tsp cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
  • 1cup Greek yogurt (plain)
  • 1 egg
  • 4small overripe bananas(or 3 medium), mashed
  • 1/4cup milk(or rice milk)
  • 2Tbsp olive oil
  • 1tsp vanilla extract
  • 1cup chopped walnuts(optional)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray (or add muffin liners to) your muffin pans.
  2. Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Combine wet ingredients in a medium mixing bowl, including walnuts (if adding them).
  4. Add wet ingredient mixture to dry ingredient mixture.
  5. Bake for 8 minutes, then turn muffin pans 180 degrees. Bake another 7 minutes. Check muffins. If done, remove from oven. If not done, check in 2 minute increments to ensure they don't burn.


This post first appeared on Made In A Pinch, please read the originial post: here

Share the post

Banana Protein Muffins Better Than Mom Made

×

Subscribe to Made In A Pinch

Get updates delivered right to your inbox!

Thank you for your subscription

×