Chocolate Chip Banana Quinoa Muffins {vegan, GF, flourless}

Start your action-packed day with chocolate chip banana quinoa muffins! They use cooked quinoa (no flour) and are vegan, gluten-free and oil-free.

Muffins, The Perfect Portable Breakfast (or Snack)

I am not sure who “invented” muffins, but I am grateful for the inspiration.

Whether running out the door, heading off for a bike trek to work (or weekend play), packing for an early morning carpool/train/plane ride, or pecking away at the computer in the early morning hours before everyone else is awake, handheld, make-ahead breakfasts like muffins are nothing short of magnificent.

How about upping that magnificence with chocolate?

Specifically, in the form of Chocolate Chip Banana Quinoa Muffins!

Healthy Benefits of Chocolate Chip Banana Quinoa Muffins 

Even with the addition of miniature chocolate chips, these hearty quinoa muffins are rich seriously nutritious. They are:

• Vegan (egg-free, dairy-free)
• Gluten-free
• Oil-free
• Flourless
• High in fiber
• Minimally sweet
• 134 calories each

The combination of quinoa, rolled oats, and flaxseed meal maximize satisfaction for hours (fiber + plant protein), and natural sweeteners (ripe banana + maple syrup) prevent sugar spikes. The result is a happy confluence of chocolate chip cookie + bowl of oatmeal + muffin.

Yes, please!

These were a hit with a gaggle of 9 and 10-year-olds, as well as their parents, at a recent, active outing, and I think we all trekked farther and faster as a result of each of us eating our fair share (or, perhaps we were all giddy about eating chocolate first thing in the morning).

Muffin Add-In Options & Substitutions

Dried fruit, nuts and seeds, in any combination, can be used in place of–or, in addition to–the chocolate, and the spices can be varied any number of ways.

Also, if banana is not your thing, use an equal amount of applesauce. Keep in mind that the applesauce is far less sweet than mashed, very ripe bananas. This may be exactly what you want, but if not, reduce the milk by a few tablespoons and increase the amount of ample syrup to taste.

Here’s to powering up with super-power breakfasts & snacks! Have a great week, everyone!

More Quinoa Muffins and Snacks:

1. Multi-Seed Quinoa Crackers {vegan, gluten-free}
2. Vegan Quinoa Omelet Muffins (vegan, high-protein, gluten-free}
3. Vanilla Quinoa Pudding {vegan, gluten-free}
4. Mushroom Kale Quinoa Muffins {vegan, oil-free, GF}
5. 3-Ingredient Banana Quinoa Muffins {vegan, GF, oil-free}
6. 4-Ingredient Chocolate Quinoa Muffins {vegan, oil-free, GF}
7. Blueberry Quinoa Oat Muffins {vegan, oil-free, GF}
8. Cinnamon Quinoa Oat Muffins {vegan, gluten-free}