Super healthy muffins packed with zucchini, banana and tahini for a nutty flavor and super-moist texture. Have you had your chocolate fix today?
I couldn’t help it; I baked again today. It’s the third day in a row, and honestly, I hardly ever bake. There’s something about these uber-cold temperatures we’re experiencing this week, coupled with the fact that Mr. EN and I have both been allowed to work from home, for three days in a row that just make baking a necessity. I’m telling you… this kind of togetherness calls for chocolate!
I am so thrilled with these Double Chocolate Tahini-Zucchini Muffins. The ease of prep… the texture…the nutrition… all A+++. And the taste? Just one word: scrumptious!
I’m begging you, if you love ooey-gooey, dark and decadent chocolate things (and really, who doesn’t?) that are easy to prepare and are healthy for you. You’ll want to get these gluten free, naturally sweetened, Double Chocolate Tahini-Zucchini Muffins in your mouth ASAP. Just look at that yummy-chocolaty goodness! (If you’re wondering, that’s a little but of banana peaking out near the bottom.)
Peace, love and good eats, from our empty nest to yours.
Mr. EN’s Take on This Recipe: “ You absolutely cannot tell these are gluten free. Love them. Will take two with my coffee in the morning. Oh yeah, I just got the call – another day off tomorrow.” (Yikes!) 🙂
Trending in the Empty Nest Kitchen: Medaglia D’Oro Instant Espresso
Double Chocolate Tahini-Zucchini Muffins
Prep
Cook
Total
Yield 12 muffins
Ingredients
- ½ cup grated zucchini (about 1-½ of a medium size zucchini, grated), extra moisture squeezed out (see Step 2 below)
- 3 eggs
- 2 medium-size very ripe bananas, mashed well
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/3 cup tahini
- ¾ teaspoon instant coffee, instant espresso, or espresso powder (see Note below)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/3 cup ground flax seed (flax seed meal)
- ¼ cup plus two tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup chocolate chips (dairy-free if you wish) plus a few extra for Step 6, below
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners or grease the pan with non-stick spray.
- After you grate the zucchini, place in paper towel and squeeze out extra moisture. This helps your muffins from becoming too wet.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the zucchini (from step 2 above), eggs, mashed bananas, tahini, maple syrup, instant espresso powder, and vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: almond flour, flaxseed meal, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.
- Gently stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until JUST combined. Do not use an electric mixture. Combine gently. When well-combined, fold in the chocolate chips.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups/liners until about 3/4 of the way full. Sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 22-24 minutes, or until muffins are set and a toothpick inserted near the center of one comes out batter-free (melted chocolate is okay).
- Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for 3-5 minutes, then remove and finish cooling on a wire rack.
- Store leftovers loosely covered at room temperature for one day or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. These muffins will freeze well if tightly wrapped in plastic for up to three months.
Notes
If you do not have instant espresso, instant coffee, or espresso powder you can omit it. The muffins will still taste very good; just not as rich.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 muffin
Amount Per Serving | ||
|---|---|---|
Calories 279 | ||
% Daily Value | ||
Total Fat 19 g | 29% | |
Saturated Fat 4 g | 20% | |
Cholesterol 47 mg | 16% | |
Sodium 146 mg | 6% | |
Total Carbohydrates 20 g | 7% | |
Dietary Fiber 5 g | 20% | |
Protein 10 g | 20% | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
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