Blender Double Chocolate Spinach Muffins

I know the title of this recipes seems a little strange but trust me when I say that these muffins are gonna blow ya mind! I came up with them after wanting to make a better for you muffin that I could feel good about noshing on for a quick breakfast on the go, or better yet, for a lunch dessert (best dessert of the day!). They’re very similar to my chocolate banana bread, but with a more nutrient dense twist.

Bonus: they also make the perfect treat for kiddos — they’ll never know you packed them with fiber, protein and tons of nutrients because they taste like a slice of chocolate cake. LOVE LOVE LOVE.

Everything you’ll need to make chocolate spinach muffins

These spinach chocolate muffins are packed with nutrients thanks to spinach, almond flour, hemp seeds, cacao powder and oatmeal; plus they’re sweetened with banana and just a touch of maple syrup and taste like a cross between a brownie and a slice of chocolate cake. They’re fudgy yet still fluffy. What more can I say? I LOVE THEM. I’ve been keeping them in my freezer and warming them up whenever I have a sweet tooth. Here’s what you need to make them:

• Bananas: using ripe bananas helps to naturally sweeten these chocolate spinach muffins and give them the right texture. Choose bananas with brown spots on them!
• Eggs: you’ll need 3 eggs in this muffin recipe. I haven’t tested them with any egg alternative so I’m not sure how they would turn out. Let me know if you give it a try!
• Sweetener: we’re using just a few tablespoons of pure maple syrup to sweeten these muffins with the banana. Honey is a great option too! You’ll also need some vanilla extract.
• Dry ingredients: you’ll need fine, blanched almond flour, unsweetened cacao powder and rolled oats (gluten free to keep these muffin gf).
• Mix-ins: we’re also adding a few tablespoons of hemp hearts for a boost of healthy fats, fiber and protein, and of course, fresh spinach! I like to make these double chocolate spinach muffins by adding dark chocolate chips as well.
• Baking staples: you’ll also need some baking soda and salt so that these muffins bake properly.

Wait… spinach in muffins?

Yes! These chocolate spinach muffins have 3 whole cups of fresh spinach baked right into them. Trust me, you won’t taste or see it at all. It’s just like adding spinach to your favorite smoothie and adds a wonderful boost of veggies. Next I’m going to start blending spinach into my favorite banana oatmeal pancakes!

What makes these chocolate muffins healthy?

There are a few ingredients that really help to make these spinach chocolate muffins nutritious and healthy.

• Spinach: this recipe has 3 cups of spinach in there! Spinach is packed with iron, calcium, folic acid, plus vitamin A, C and K1.
• Almond flour: this is one of my favorite flours to bake with because it’s so nutritious. Tons of protein, fiber, calcium and healthy fats to help keep you full and satisfied.
• Hemp seeds: I use hemp seeds all the time with my son because they are a great source of protein, fiber, healthy fats and iron.
• Cacao powder: a great source of iron and a healthier alternative to regular cocoa powder.

Optional ingredient swaps

If you’re missing some of the ingredients for these chocolate spinach muffins, here are some subs I can recommend:

• Feel free to use honey in place of the maple syrup
• If you don’t have cacao powder, you can use regular, unsweetened cocoa powder
• Instead of rolled oats, you can use 1/4 cup of oat flour
• Swap the hemp hearts for a tablespoon of chia seeds if you’d like

Can I use regular flour?

Unfortunately, I would not recommend using regular flour for these gluten free chocolate spinach muffins. Try these muffins instead!

What do chocolate spinach muffins taste like?

If you love brownies, banana bread and chocolate cake then you’re in luck. These healthy chocolate spinach muffins literally taste like a fudgy brownie and your favorite banana bread had a delicious baby. The texture of them is similar to a slice of chocolate cake. Trust me when I say kids will love them!

How to make healthy chocolate spinach muffins in the blender

1. Prep your muffin tin. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and add muffin liners to your muffin tin. Be sure to spray the inside of the liners with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Blend the wet ingredients. Add your bananas, eggs, maple syrup & vanilla to your high powdered blender and blend until smooth.
3. Blend in the dry. Next, add the almond flour, cacao powder, oats, hemp hearts, spinach, baking soda & salt and blend again until smooth.
4. Chocolate party. Stir in those dark chocolate chips (do not blend). Or feel free to use whatever chocolate chips you’d like.
5. Pour & bake. Evenly pour the batter into your prepared muffin liners, top each with a few chocolate chips and bake them. If the batter doesn’t pour well, you can simply scoop it into the muffin batter with a measuring cup.
6. Top & enjoy. Add a sprinkle of fancy sea salt to the tops (if you’d like), let them cool and enjoy as-is or with a dollop of nut butter!

Pro tips for making spinach chocolate muffins

• Pack your almond flour. When you measure the almond flour be sure to pack it just like you would with brown sugar.
• Use ripe bananas. Be sure to use bananas that have lots of brown spots to give the muffins the perfect sweetness.
• Do not use steel cut oats. Rolled oats have a much different consistency than steel cut, so be sure you’re using rolled oats or quick oats.
• Keep them dairy free. Remember to use dairy free chocolate chips if you need to keep the muffins dairy free!
• Vegan option. I haven’t tested these chocolate spinach muffins with flax eggs, but let me know if you do in the comments!

How to store & freeze muffins

To store: place these gluten free chocolate spinach muffins on the counter in an airtight container for a day, then transfer to the fridge.

To freeze: allow the muffins to cool completely then put in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Once ready to reheat, you can thaw at room temperature, or heat up in the microwave in 30 second intervals.

More muffin recipes you’ll love

Healthy Peanut Butter Banana Muffins (dairy free + gluten free)

The Best Healthy Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins (gluten free!)

Heart Healthy Olive Oil Salted Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins

Paleo Double Chocolate Tahini Banana Muffins

Healthy Carrot Cake Muffins with Cream Cheese Glaze

See how to make the blender chocolate spinach muffins

I hope you love these blender double chocolate spinach muffins! If you make them be sure to leave a comment & a rating so I know how you liked them. Enjoy, xo!

Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by: Eat Love Eats