banana oat protein YUMmuffins

thanks a TON, Ogechi!!! a girl after my own heart. she knew i would be geeked over this recipe and she was exactly right. these muffins are great for breakfast or a snack.  Ogechi also makes a FANTASTIC black bean/sweet potato soup i can't wait to share with you guys- she brought me buckets of it right after i got home from delivering my son.  she is just awesome like that and no you can't have her cause she's all MINE!

Banana Oat Protein YumMufffins (or bread!)
the stuff:
(Dry)
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup vanilla whey protein
  • 3/4 cup quick oats
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup toasted walnuts (toasting always makes a difference)

(Wet)

  • 1/4 cup  coconut oil (in solid form)
  • 1 whole egg 2 egg whites
  • 2 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 4 large bananas)
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/4 cup chia gel (mix together 9 tbsp water & 1 tbsp chia seeds then wait 10-15mins to turn into gel....it's quite interesting to watch )
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla

do this:

preheat oven to 350 right now. also, go ahead and activate those chia seeds.  the chia seeds replace the oil & the butter- neither are used or needed in this recipe!
put them in a small separate bowl and add the water.
 measure out all dry ingredients in a bowl MINUS the walnuts. *tip* swirl it around a few times with a whisk to combine & break apart all the ingredients. set aside.
in another bowl, mix coconut oil, eggs, bananas, applesauce, chia gel & vanilla till well combined.  here's another *tip*- make sure your wet ingredients are room temperature so your coconut oil doesn't harden on you when you mix them together.
Ogechi told me this stuff made a world of difference in the flavor department for these muffins.  i found it in WF and prayed it was worth all 7 dollars. it was.
 be sure you buy it in solid form.  looks just like hair grease.
keep adding..
my bananas weren't super ripe, but if yours are, mash them all up.
i left my batter a little chunky, of course.
gently mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients till everything is combined. do not over mix!
fold in walnuts aaaaaaaaaand (optional): 1/4 - 1/2 cup chocolate chips! will do that next time..don't have any right now:(
pour in a greased loaf pan or do muffins. this recipe makes 12 large muffins or 18 medium ones. top with any leftover nuts and bake.
i pulled the muffins out after about 20 minutes- look at those fresh banana chunks.
it was SUCH a beautiful Houston day! we were invited to my friend Joanna's potluck party in the park and the muffins were perfect timing.  SO, because we were going to a party, i added some buttercream frosting on top and more toasted walnuts!! otherwise, no party, no frosting.  keep them clean.
happy birthday, Joanna! have a muffin!
or three. they're guilt-free!
i hope YOU enjoyed your st. paddy's day as much as i did!
how did you celebrate for st. paddy's day this year?
le