Banana Chia Protein Muffins

I am just on a health snacking binge this week! I get asked all the time for healthy snacking options, and while I'm not a big snacker myself, have you ever met a toddler that wasn't?! I get asked at least 478 times a day for snacks, even after full meals lol

But I found myself constantly dishing out fruit, crackers, gold fish....things that in and of themselves aren't inherently bad, but I know they quickly raise blood sugar and leave you hungry again soon after.

And so many of our snack choices as mamas tend to be that way too. So I am always on the hunt for well-balanced snack ideas OR I'm making them myself.

And so here we are with another protein-packed snack recipe! And if you didn't catch the one I posted earlier this week, you can also grab my Chocolate Coconut Protein Ball recipe if you're pressed for time and don't feel like baking. Yum!

I LOVE this muffin recipe for so many reasons:

1. It's gluten-free, dairy-free, and easy to digest

2. It infuses healthy omega-3 fats with the chia seeds, which is so important for kiddo's growing brains (and ours too!)

3. It's higher in protein than your typical carb-y muffin and higher in fibre thanks to the chia seeds

4. There's NO butter/butter alternative, so it's calorie conscious

5. It's naturally sweetened and soooooo fluffy!

I think you're gonna LOVE how light and delicious this one is. It's the perfect healthy snack for your always-hungry kiddos, and for that afternoon pick-me-up-so-you-don't-get-hangry situation. Because nobody likes a Hangry Hannah, right?!

Give it a try and leave a comment below if you do!

xo

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Banana Chia Protein Muffins

Prep time: 10min | Bake time: 16-18min | Total time: 26-28min | Makes: 12-14 muffins

Ingredients:

• 1 cup gluten-free baking flour (I used Bob's Red Mill)

• 3/4 cup vanilla protein powder (I used Isagenix plant-based Whole Blend Shake in vanilla chai )

• 1/4 cup chia seeds

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 3 bananas, mashed

• 2 eggs, room temperature

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 1/4 cup honey

Instructions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 375C on bake setting.

2. In a large bowl combine all dry ingredients: flour, protein powder, chia seeds, baking soda, baking powder, and mix to combine.

3. In a medium-sized bowl, add eggs and whisk. Add mashed bananas, vanilla extract, and honey, and whisk to combine.

4. Add wet ingredients to dry, and stir until just combined (don't over mix or the muffins may become dense instead of fluffy!)

5. Prepare muffin tin with muffin liners, and using a spoon fill each to the top. Bake for 16-18 minutes, or until tops are golden brown.

6. Cool for 5 minutes in the muffin tin, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Yuuuuummmmmy!