Remember the Green Monster Smoothie I made a long time ago? Well, because I’m currently obsessed with muffins, here’s the muffin version of that smoothie. Yes, they are green and they do have spinach. No, they do not taste like spinach – AT ALL. In fact, in a blind taste test I probably would have guessed they were banana muffins. They’re the perfect way to trick your kids (or husband, ha!) into eating more vegetables. I know I should be posting something for Valentine’s day, but these would be the perfect breakfast for St. Patrick’s Day! Guess I got a little ahead, huh? =) Enjoy!
Green Monster Muffins
1 cup white whole wheat flour
2 tbsp flax seed meal
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup light brown sugar*
1 tbsp canola oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup tightly packed spinach leaves
1 very ripe banana
1 egg
1/2 cup plain fat-free greek yogurt
1/2 tsp turbinado sugar
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray 6 muffins cups with non-stick spray or line with paper liners.
2. Whisk together flour, flax seed meal, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and brown sugar in bowl.
3. Combine oil, vanilla, spinach, banana, and egg in blender or food processor and pulse until smooth. Gently stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients being careful not to over mix. Fold in yogurt.
4. Divide batter evenly between prepared muffin cups. (The muffin cups will be almost completely full.) Sprinkle with turbinado sugar. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned. Makes 6 muffins.
Note: These muffins are not super sweet. If you like more of a dessert-style muffin, you may want to add another tablespoon or so of sugar.
Nutritional Info (per muffin): 171 calories; 4.2 g fat; 28 g carbohydrates; 3.5 g fiber; 6.5 g protein
