Delicious Matcha Banana Coconut Muffins for a Healthy Snack

These matcha banana coconut muffins are not just a comforting treat; they're a wholesome option to fuel your day, packed with nutritious goodness for a fulfilling energy boost.

With simple ingredients and easy preparation, you can whip up a batch of these gorgeous muffins in no time. And bonus, they’re a great way to use up those overripe bananas hanging around on the counter!

Why You’ll Love These Matcha Banana Coconut Muffins

Firstly, these muffins taste really good. You've got that delicate earthiness of matcha, which pairs up very nicely with the natural sweetness of bananas and a kick of coconut.

But what we're really here for – the reason behind this recipe – are the health benefits in each and every muffin.

Matcha is renowned for its rich antioxidant content. This green powder's powerful compounds can help reduce inflammation and encourage improved focus.

Specifically, Matcha Flow is a drink rich in matcha and beneficial adaptogens, amplifying the health benefits of these muffins. It adds another layer of nourishment, helping us feel invigorated and balanced.

When combined with the fibre and potassium found in bananas and their catalogue of health benefits, you'll feel good as well as full.

While the nutritional wellness profile of these muffins is robust, the recipe is so simple, with easily available ingredients. Being able to whip up these muffins in no time not only cuts down the time we spend in the kitchen, but also reduces food waste by giving those overripe bananas a new lease of life.

Finally, these muffins are a handy snack any time of the day. If you want a sweet but healthy breakfast, they're nice and light but filling. They're perfect for nipping cravings in the bud, or whenever you need a boost.

They also freeze exceptionally well, which means we can batch cook and have a nutritious snack on hand whenever we need it.

Ingredients

To create our delicious matcha banana coconut muffins, you will need the following ingredients:

• 2 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 large egg
• 240g of plain flour
• 100g of granulated sugar
• 250ml of reduced fat milk
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 52g of coconut oil, melted
• 1 tablespoon of Matcha Flow
• Pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 20g of sweetened coconut flakes

Instructions

This recipe is nice and easy. Just follow these step-by-step instructions, and you'll have made some delicious matcha banana coconut muffins in no time at all.

Prep

1. Begin by preheating your oven to 190 degrees Celsius (fan oven, or 375 degrees Fahrenheit).
2. Prepare a muffin tray with muffin liners, ready for the mix.
3. In a mixing bowl, take 2 ripe bananas and mash them well with a fork, aiming for a smooth consistency.

Mix

1. In a large bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients (barring the coconut flakes) - plain flour, baking powder, the Matcha Flow, a pinch of salt, and the sugar.
2. In the bowl you mashed the bananas in, add the coconut oil, vanilla extract, egg, and milk, blending them together.
3. Now go back to the bowl of dry ingredients, and make a well in the centre of it – this is where you're going to pour the wet ingredients.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the well, and mix it all together with a wooden spoon.
5. Once you have an equal consistency, spoon the ingredients into the muffin cases.
6. When all the muffin cases are looking equally filled, sprinkle them with sweetened coconut flakes.
7. Bake in the oven for approximately 20 minutes.
8. Once 20 minutes has passed or they're looking slightly golden on top, pop a toothpick in the centre of one of the centrally positioned muffins. If the toothpick comes out clean, then they're done; if not, pop them back in for another couple of minutes.
9. When you're happy they're done, place them on a wire rack to cool, and enjoy!

Storage and Reheating

Making a batch of these little goodies is great for future snacks, but only when done properly. Here are our top tips to keeping these matcha banana coconut muffins fresh and tasty:

Storage

1. Allow the muffins to cool to room temperature on a wire rack before storing.
2. Pop the cooled muffins in an airtight container. This helps trap moisture and keep them soft. If you have multiple batches, separate layers with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking.
3. Store the muffins at room temperature for up to three days, or refrigerate them for up to a week. This may change their texture slightly.
4. To freeze the muffins, wrap each muffin tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. They can last up to three months in the freezer! Just make sure to label the bag with the date for reference.

Reheating

Got a guest over or fancy a quick and healthy treat? Here's how to warm them up to their fresh-from-the-oven goodness:

1. Microwave Method: For a quick fix, use the microwave. Place a muffin on a microwave-safe plate. Heat on medium power for 10-15 seconds.
2. Oven Method: The best method and for a more even warmth, preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Place the muffins on a baking tray and cover them lightly with foil. Heat for about 10 minutes.
3. Avoid Overheating: Keep an eye on them while reheating. We want to warm them up without making them tough.

Using these storage and reheating tips ensures our matcha banana coconut muffins stay delectable and good to go for whenever we fancy them – and it reduces waste!

Is Matcha Good for Baking?

Definitely! You'll soon see this recipe works really well for matcha, which means we get to enjoy a baked treat with plenty of helpful and flavourful ingredients as well as the incredible benefits we get from Matcha Flow.

Like anything, just keep an eye on them in the oven for best results, and follow all our reheating and storing advice.

Substitutions and Variations

We think this recipe is great as it is, but if you fancy a switch-up or simply have to avoid a certain ingredient, then here are a few suggestions you might love:

Flour Alternatives

If you prefer a gluten-free option, you can replace plain flour with almond flour or coconut flour. Or for a protein boost, consider chickpea flour.

Just keep in mind that coconut flour is more absorbent; so if you opt for it, you should reduce the amount or add a bit more milk to the batter for the right consistency.

Sweetener Options

Honey or maple syrup works wonderfully, but we can experiment with other sweeteners. Agave nectar or date syrup can offer similar sweetness with a lower glycaemic index.

Or for a sugar-free alternative, consider using erythritol or stevia, adjusting the quantity to taste, especially as they can taste much sweeter than traditional sweeteners.

Egg Substitutes

For a vegan version, we can replace eggs with flaxseed meal or chia seeds.

Mixing one tablespoon of flaxseed meal or chia seeds with three tablespoons of water creates an excellent binding agent. After letting it sit for about five minutes, it will thicken nicely and substitute one egg.

Coconut Variations

To adjust the coconut flavour, we can incorporate different forms of coconut. Coconut cream can be used for a richer texture, while unsweetened shredded coconut can replace desiccated coconut for a chewy bite.

Banana Alternatives

If you find yourself short on ripe bananas, you can substitute them with applesauce or pureed pumpkin. While applesauce will maintain a sweet profile, pumpkin adds a unique flavour and additional nutrition.

For each banana, use about 120ml of either applesauce or pureed pumpkin.

Add-Ins for Extra Nutrition

To boost the nutritional value of these muffins even further, you could even add some superfoods or extra ingredients. Chia seeds or hemp seeds can provide an added protein punch, or some chopped nuts or dark chocolate chips, so long as they are low in sugar to keep things healthy and beneficial.

Summary

In each and every one of this recipe's muffin cases, you'll discover a perfectly satisfying treat that tastes really good, and gives you that flavourful boost you needed. With so many benefits from the Matcha Flow combined with some healthy, naturally sweetened ingredients, what's not to love?

You'll soon be making up batches of them, ready to warm up for whenever you fancy a pick-me-up. Delicious.