These Healthy Banana Protein Muffins are the perfect nutritious breakfast! Gluten/dairy free and packed with protein, they’re delicious + easy to make!
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Oh healthy banana protein muffins, how I love you. This is one of the first healthy recipes I EVER came up with, and to this day – it’s one of my favorites.
Who wouldn’t want to eat a gluten free, protein packed version of banana bread (in much cuter muffin form?!)
These protein muffins are easy to make, super delicious and only require a few ingredients!
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I’m SUPER excited to be adding these protein muffins on my site along side some of my favorite other healthy muffin recipes like these Healthy Apple Muffins and Healthy Carrot Muffins.
Muffins are one of my favorite easy, portable breakfasts – so having a high protein option to enjoy makes me so happy!
These easy protein muffins are super simple to make and something I used to meal prep them ALL the time in college.
I was lucky enough to live at home while at school, so I was able to prep + bring my meals to school with me (no nasty dining hall food, thank you very much).
When I started eating less processed, and cutting sugar out of my diet I was on a quest to make all of my favorite things healthier, and after making a Healthy Banana Bread Recipe I wondered if I could turn it into muffins with some added protein?
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Even though I’m not going back to school this year… with fall coming up it’s making me feel nostalgic and want these healthy banana bread protein muffins! I promise you’ll love them.
What makes these banana protein muffins healthy?
- Added protein – Muffins are typically loaded in sugar and carbs and have little to no protein in them. This recipe has protein powder in it making these muffins a more balanced meal! This is the protein powder I used.
- gluten free oat flour – I used gluten free oat flour in this recipe rather than bleached white flour. Oat flour is a great source of whole grains and so much better for you than regular white flour! This is the oat flour I like
- Low in sugar – This recipe is sweetened only by ripe bananas and a touch of honey (and some chocolate chips for good measure) Many banana muffin recipes are loaded with sugar, but this has only 7g of all natural sugar per muffin.
- Heart healthy fats – Instead of using butter or canola oil, this recipe uses coconut oil to keep it moist, and you can also add some walnuts in it for healthy fats if you like!
My bananas aren’t ripe.. can I still make these Healthy Banana Protein Muffins?
Yes you can. For best results, your bananas should be brown and spotty. As bananas ripen they get sweeter and softer, making them perfect for banana bread!
However, as long as your bananas aren’t green, you can make this recipe. Yellow bananas will work just fine. I recommend microwaving them for about 20-30 seconds so they are easier to mash!
Things we used to make Healthy Banana Protein Muffins:
- muffin pan
+ muffin liners – these are a must for your muffins not sticking!
- honey
- coconut oil
- oat flour
- protein powder
- baking powder + baking soda
- cinnamon + nutmeg
- dark chocolate chips
+ Substitutions for this Healthy Banana Protein Muffins Recipe:
- To make vegan: replace 1 egg white with 1 flax egg. Sub honey with maple syrup, use vegan protein powder.
- Sweetener – You can sub maple syrup with honey.
- WW Freestyle note: Use Lily’s chocolate to save 1 SP per serving
- More protein – You can increase the recipe to have 1 cup of protein powder in it. The muffins will be more dense + have a stronger protein taste. If you increase the amount of protein used, add 1/3 cup milk so the batter isn’t too thick.
- Protein Powders – I used this protein powder to make these protein muffins. It’s vegan, although I’m sure you could use whey protein and these would work perfectly fine!
- Bananas – You can sub pumpkin, applesauce or sweet potatoes for the bananas
Love healthy muffin recipes? Try these!
- Healthy Apple Muffins
- Healthy Lemon Chia Seed Muffins
- Healthy Pumpkin Muffins
- Healthy Carrot Muffins
- Healthy Cranberry Orange Muffins
Healthy Banana Protein Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 cup mashed banana approx 2 large bananas
- 1 egg
- 4 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil melted+ cooled
- 3/4 cup oat flour gluten free if necessary
- 1/2 cup protein powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 and prepare a lined or greased muffin tin.
- In a bowl, mash bananas until smooth. Stir in egg, honey, and coconut oil until combined.
- Add in all remaining dry ingredients until batter has formed.
- Pour batter into cups, filling 3/4 of the way. Bake muffins for 15 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center of the muffin
Notes
- To make vegan: replace 1 egg white with 1 flax egg. Sub honey with maple syrup, use vegan protein powder.
- WW Freestyle note: Use Lily's chocolate to save 1 SP per serving
Nutrition Facts
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rachel @atheltic avocado
August 19, 2016 at 11:56 amcan’t ever go wrong with banana bread ever! Love that these are high in protein, they look delicious 🙂
The Clean Eating Couple
August 22, 2016 at 11:24 amThanks, Rachel!! I love anything that’s high + protein and tastes yummy 🙂
Chrissa - Physical Kitchness
August 21, 2016 at 4:56 pmI’m sooooo excited to try Vital Protein products. I love that you incorporated this into a yummy banana muffin! Such a great way to start busy mornings 🙂
The Clean Eating Couple
August 22, 2016 at 11:49 amTheir products are AWESOME!! You will love them 🙂
Cassie
August 25, 2016 at 12:59 amThe blog is lookin’ mighty gorgeous! I love this new format! Anyways, I also love renovating old recipes and turning them brand new! It’s so much fun!
The Clean Eating Couple
August 25, 2016 at 9:19 amThank you SO much, Cassie!! I appreciate your sweet words 🙂
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking
August 9, 2018 at 8:49 pmThis recipe reminds me that I haven’t had banana bread in such a long time! Love that this is a healthier version, and you’re right, so much cuter in muffin form! Can’t wait to give these a try!
Alka Talwar
September 15, 2018 at 2:42 amMmmmmm…..yum. This looks totally amazing. I’m just starring at the screen looking at how delicious they look.
The Clean Eating Couple
September 17, 2018 at 8:54 amThanks, Alka! Hope you give them a try 🙂
Lacy
February 5, 2019 at 10:05 amThese turned out moist and delicious ?
The Clean Eating Couple
February 5, 2019 at 1:24 pmSo glad you liked them, Lacy!!
Jamie L
September 23, 2019 at 8:43 pmAgreed!
The Clean Eating Couple
September 24, 2019 at 4:04 pmGlad you liked them, Jamie!!
Nancy
March 13, 2019 at 7:16 pmCoconut flour is listed as a substitute for those needing a nut-free recipe. Isn’t Coconut a tree nut? Is there something about the flour(processing?) that is not allergenic to those with tree nut allergies?
The Clean Eating Couple
March 14, 2019 at 7:09 amHi Nancy – Coconut is actually technically not a nut, it’s considered a fruit. Most people with a tree nut allergy can eat coconut. Here’s an article with more info.. Everyone’s allergies are different though so be sure to check with whoever is going to be enjoying these muffins!
Krista Wyman
April 7, 2019 at 10:16 amVery good. Most protein muffins become too dense and dry – these were moist and delicious!
The Clean Eating Couple
April 7, 2019 at 12:15 pmSo glad you liked them, Krista! 🙂
joanne
August 21, 2019 at 7:42 amI thought I’d try making these today because I happen to have 2 very ripe bananas and all the ingredients except one, the flaxseed meal. Is there a substitute for it, or can I just leave it out? Also can I substitute maple syrup for the honey?
Thanks!
The Clean Eating Couple
August 21, 2019 at 8:35 amHi Joanne – You can sub the maple syrup for honey – that’s noted in the post! As for the flaxseed meal, if you have flax seeds you can grind them to create a meal, or you can sub with almond meal. I haven’t tried it without it, but I think if you were to omit it entirely it would work – I just can’t guarantee it. This Healthy Banana Bread is also a super yummy way to use up ripe bananas!
joanne
August 22, 2019 at 8:11 amOops I just realized that you are using almond meal, and not almond flour. Does it make a difference in this recipe? I have almond flour on hand, but not meal. Thanks!
The Clean Eating Couple
August 22, 2019 at 2:42 pmThey’re the same thing!
Erin N
September 2, 2019 at 11:33 amWe made these today and my kids all ate 2 each. They are super good! Thanks!
The Clean Eating Couple
September 2, 2019 at 4:50 pmI’m so glad + your kids liked them, Erin!! This makes me so happy to hear 🙂
JaNell
September 6, 2019 at 11:10 amGreat healthy recipe to use up overripe bananas. I made a couple revisions… I cut down the honey to 3 tablespoons. It was still plenty sweet. I also didn’t have any almond meal so I substituted with more flaxseed. Muffins still turned out great and my entire family loved! Will definitely be making this recipe again! Thank you!
The Clean Eating Couple
September 6, 2019 at 11:32 amSo glad you + your family loved them JaNell! This makes me so happy to hear 🙂
Dian Adiwaskitarini
September 12, 2019 at 7:16 amYumm..! Just made these & turned out terrific! The only thing i changed was using Cacao Nibs in place of Chocolate Chips. I made sure i used my verryyy ripe, super brown spotted bananas (if i waited 1 more day, they’d be trash) so it made the muffin naturally sweet. I used Optimum Nutrition Whey Protein Vanilla flavour, turned out great & no weird after taste or gritty / lumpy texture. Maybe next time i will add some vanilla extract to the recipe.
Overall a great recipe! Will definitely make again!
The Clean Eating Couple
September 12, 2019 at 9:44 amTotally going to try that with the cacao nibs! That sounds delicious, Dian! Glad you liked these muffins 🙂
Ret
September 23, 2019 at 9:01 amI must be losing it, because I see where you’ve listed almond meal in the blog post, but not in the recipe. How much almond meal do I use? I’m sorry if I’ve overlooked it. Thanks in advance.
The Clean Eating Couple
September 23, 2019 at 10:33 amHi Ret – Sorry for the typo – I actually just adjusted this recipe to remove the almond meal in it. It wasn’t necessary and I wanted people to be able to make these nut free if they wanted! I just edited that text in the post 🙂 Thanks for calling it out!
Dianna
September 26, 2019 at 2:28 pmThese muffins are amazing! I love that they are sweetened with honey-we buy our honey local by the gallon! My protein powder happens to be chocolate so that but a little twist on the already delicious recipe! My kids love them too, so I will definetly be making these often as a healthy grab-and-go snack!
The Clean Eating Couple
September 26, 2019 at 4:10 pmThis makes me so happy to hear, Diana! I’m totally trying this with chocolate protein powder- that sounds delicious!
Kristee
September 26, 2019 at 4:52 pmWas there a previous version that included almond meal? I made the recipe before and now I think I’m losing my mind!
The Clean Eating Couple
September 26, 2019 at 5:07 pmHi Kristee – Yes, I actually just tweaked the recipe to make them without the almond/flaxseed meal. I found that it wasn’t necessary and a lot of people don’t have that in their pantry so I wanted to make sure they could make it! I promise they’re just as delicious without it 🙂
Candy
October 4, 2019 at 8:40 pmOh dear God these are so good. I’m not a baker at all but damn these could fool anyone into thinking I can bake. So good so easy!!!!
The Clean Eating Couple
October 5, 2019 at 10:06 amSo glad you liked them, Candy!! They’re one of my favorite muffins!
Sara
October 4, 2019 at 11:39 pmHonestly the best protein banana muffins I’ve ever made. The flavor combo is perfect and it’s so moist but with no butter? Win!! Thanks so much for the recipe!
The Clean Eating Couple
October 5, 2019 at 10:06 amGlad you liked them, Sara!! They are super moist/yummy!
Sara
October 7, 2019 at 1:13 pmI made these last night and subbed 3 bananas (mine were pretty small), whole wheat flour instead of oat, and ghee instead of coconut oil…these are the best protein muffins I have made! Most “made from scratch” protein packed baked goods are dense and too “protein powder tasting”. These were light and fluffy and so delish! These will definitely be in my regular food prep rotation.
The Clean Eating Couple
October 7, 2019 at 11:34 pmI’m so glad you liked them, Sara! This makes me so happy to hear!