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Healthy Chocolate Muffins ~ with no added sugar! Loaded with spelt flour, oats, ground flaxseed meal and coconut oil, then sweetened with applesauce and honey. We topped these muffins with dark chocolate chips and chopped walnuts to help us keep on track with our New Year’s resolutions.
It’s hard to believe but we’re already halfway through January and, if you’re like me, that craving for a little something chocolate has come back again. So … if I’m going to enjoy a few carbs, they might as well be healthy carbs!
First, don’t let the ingredient list scare you off.
If you don’t have spelt flour in your pantry, and are not interested in buying it for this recipe, substitute whole wheat flour (whole wheat pastry flour is even better) or use all-purpose. However spelt flour is worth investigating and does an amazing job as a substitute for AP flour in most recipes. Spelt is high in protein with a nutty flavor that’s sweeter and lighter than whole wheat. When baking breads and lofty cakes with spelt flour, it may be best to combine it with all-purpose flour. Spelt flour is made from a primitive grain related to modern day wheat. It’s easily digestible and a good source of fiber.
Additionally, I’ve included ground flaxseed meal and Brewer’s yeast in this recipe but you can skip the yeast and use all flax if desired. As another alternative, you can substitute protein powder in equal amounts for both ingredients. We keep ground flaxseed meal in the refrigerator all the time and add it to oatmeal, cereals and smoothies for that extra something healthy. Ground flaxseed meal is a heart-healthy addition to our daily diet. It has a mild flavor and is loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids and fiber.
My favorite way to eat these muffins is topped with Skyr and sliced strawberries.
We fell in love with Skyr while traveling in Iceland a few years ago, and were thrilled to find it in our local Wegman’s grocery store. Skyr has been a staple in the Icelandic diet for thousands of years and is actually considered a cheese, not yogurt. Most of all, Skyr is a great source of protein, has a mild flavor and a texture similar to Greek yogurt. YUM!
Finally, add a few sliced strawberries and you won’t believe how the muffin is transformed into an amazing dessert. My taste testers were fighting over the last bite of these delicious muffins so I’ve promised to make them again soon. Bake these Healthy Chocolate Muffins in the low, flat muffin/cake paper liners for a larger muffin, or a regular muffin pan is perfect too!
Don’t forget your PIN!
- 1 1/4 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup spelt flour or substitute whole wheat or AP flour if desired
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened natural cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed meal *
- 1 tablespoon Brewer's yeast *
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup low fat buttermilk
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil melted and cooled slightly
- 1/3 cup to 1/2 chopped walnuts optional
- 1/3 cup to 1/2 dark chocolate chips for sprinkling on top
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray a 12 cup muffin pan with nonstick vegetable spray and set aside. Or use 5 (4½-inch) paper baking liners/cups/wrappers placed on a baking sheet. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl combine the oats, flour, cocoa, flaxseed meal, Brewer's yeast, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl whisk together the egg, applesauce, buttermilk, honey and oil.
- Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the applesauce mixture. Using a rubber spatula, fold the mixtures together just until all dry ingredients are moistened.
- Spoon the batter evenly between the prepared muffin pan or paper liners. Sprinkle with chopped nuts and chocolate chips. Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes or until the top springs back when lightly touched.
- Cool on a wire rack.
- Store leftovers at room temperature in a sealed container.
* Substitute ground flaxseed meal for the Brewer's yeast or use 2 tablespoons protein powder in place of the yeast and flaxseed.
Great served with yogurt or Skyr and sliced strawberries.
Makes 10-12 regular muffins or 5 large
Here are a few more healthy snack ideas you might enjoy:
- Homemade Coconut Cream Pie Larabars
- Homemade Peanut Larabars
- Dark Chocolate Detox Bites ~ The View from Great Island
- Coconut Chocolate Chip Granola Bars ~ Simply Fresh Dinners
For more information about our favorite paper baking cups – click on the photo below:
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What a great way to start the week! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Tricia
2 Sisters Recipes says
January 18, 2017 at 3:04 pmThis muffin looks amazing! We probably would eat the entire dozen in one day! But who cares- these are healthy carbs- right? Love the recipe – thanks! 🙂
Tricia Buice says
January 18, 2017 at 3:55 pmExactly! Nothing like a healthy carb disguised as a chocolate treat!
John/Kitchen Riffs says
January 18, 2017 at 11:35 amGreat looking muffins. Even if they are healthy. 😀 Really inspired recipe — thanks.
Tricia Buice says
January 18, 2017 at 3:54 pmThanks John! They have inspired me to make them again and again – because somebody keeps stopping by and eating them up!
Susan says
January 17, 2017 at 12:13 pmThey say a little chocolate is good for us and you’ve loaded these chocolate muffins with so much goodness! I have yet to bake with spelt flour and this is the perfect recipe for a first try 🙂
Tricia Buice says
January 17, 2017 at 1:26 pmThanks Susan! I hope you give it a try – this recipe is delicious and easy to make too Enjoy!
tanna says
January 17, 2017 at 7:19 amI can honestly say I have never seen a more beautiful muffin! And, I had to have some of those liners. LOL! Now, if your muffins would just come in them. LOL! Thank you for working to get more healthy choices in our lives, too. 😉 blessings and hugs ~ tanna
Tricia Buice says
January 17, 2017 at 11:57 amAwww thanks Tanna! These are so easy to make and I know those grandkids will love them – and you can feel good about sharing them too 🙂
Gerlinde @Sunnycovechef says
January 16, 2017 at 10:44 pmWhat a great job Tricia, you are giving us a healthy treat. Thank you, these cute little muffins look adorable.
Tricia Buice says
January 17, 2017 at 11:53 amHi Gerlinde! You will love these muffins – so good and no quilt!
Monica says
January 16, 2017 at 8:36 pmLove the ability to have such a beautiful chocolate dessert in a more healthy way. I have no resolution to cut out anything but overall, I’m always looking for lightened up yet delicious recipes, especially ones that involve chocolate! I find that we’re always hungry and looking for a treat in the winter so this is perfect. I also like spelt flour but I’m out of it…I agree that w/w flour (I love white whole wheat) is a great substitute.
Tricia Buice says
January 16, 2017 at 9:54 pmThese easy muffins taste more like dessert especially with the strawberries – the healthy part is such a bonus! Thanks Monica!
cheri says
January 16, 2017 at 4:21 pmLove how you sweetened these muffins up Tricia, looks like they are loaded with all kinds of deliciousness. Will have to check out Skyr…….
Tricia Buice says
January 16, 2017 at 9:53 pmThey really are great Cheri – hope you get the chance to give them a try. Thanks!
Becky Green says
January 16, 2017 at 3:22 pmChocolate always wins, doesn’t it? These look heavenly, Tricia! 😉
Tricia Buice says
January 16, 2017 at 3:44 pmAbsolutely Becky! Thank you
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
January 16, 2017 at 3:20 pmDid you say healthy and chocolate in the same sentence? I’m all over these, and I especially love the pretty shape of those low muffin cups ~ pinning and sharing!!
Tricia Buice says
January 16, 2017 at 3:45 pmThese are so delicious Sue! I made them years ago and decide to give the recipe a complete makeover. These are perfect!
Dom says
January 16, 2017 at 12:18 pmoooh, these look adorable and I love the little round brownies too. Nice to see some chocolate this side of January too!
Tricia Buice says
January 16, 2017 at 3:45 pmThanks Dom! Hope you enjoyed your visit to the USA 🙂
Chris Scheuer says
January 16, 2017 at 11:55 amThese sound to me like “just what the doctor ordered” – healthy but also fun and delicious! I love that combination. I’ve never tried Skyr but it sounds wonderful and we’re getting a Wegman’s here in Raleigh, so exciting!
Tricia Buice says
January 16, 2017 at 3:49 pmThey are so delicious Chris and seem to get better each time I made them 🙂 I can’t wait to hear what you think about Wegman’s. It takes a while to find everything, because they have a different method when it comes to store design. We used to have Friday night dates wandering about the store shopping and eating. They have a sushi bar, serve yourself hot and cold bars, pizza and a seafood restaurant in the middle of the fish department. Such a fun place to shop, and the prices are great!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
January 16, 2017 at 11:54 amWow, you’ve packed a lot of goodness in to these beautiful muffins! Love these healthier ways to enjoy treats 🙂
Tricia Buice says
January 16, 2017 at 3:49 pmThanks Jennifer – we’re trying to keep on track, and have lots of encouragement from our kids. Have a wonderful week!
[email protected]'s Recipes says
January 16, 2017 at 10:56 amThese healthy muffins are right up my alley, Tricia. Love the idea of serving these with Skyr :-))
Tricia Buice says
January 16, 2017 at 9:55 pmThanks Angie – we love Skyr and were so pleased when they brought it to the US. I thought of you when I used the spelt flour – hope you give them a try!