Banana, Walnut & Dark Choc Muffins

This week I’ve tried changing up a banana muffin recipe a little by introducing some different tastes.

I replaced about a fifth of the flour with oats, and used nearly half and half plain and wholemeal flour for the rest. I toasted some walnuts and then chopped them in the food pro, adding the pieces in with broken up shards of 70% dark chocolate. The final twist was to reduce the sugar by about a quarter, so that all those added ingredients can actually be tasted in the final muffin, rather than being drowned out by sweetness.

I’m pleased with the results and will bake these again. Apart from making for an interesting blend of flavours, the changes also mean less reliance on refined carbs and a higher score on protein, fibre and omega 3.

So you can genuinely feel good about yourself while scoffing these muffins 🙂

Servings

Makes 12 muffins.

Timings

About 10 mins to prepare, and 20 mins in the oven at 160C.

You Will Need:

• 120g plain flour
• 100g wholemeal flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp bicarb of soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 60g walnuts, toasted and then chopped
• 40g 70% dark choc, broken into pieces
• 2 well ripened bananas
• 90g caster sugar
• 1 egg
• 60g oats
• 90ml semi-skimmed milk
• 90ml veg oil

Method

1. Turn on the oven to warm up to 160C. Prepare a muffin tin or mould,
2. Sieve the flours, baking powder, bicarb and salt into a large bowl. Stir in the nuts and chocolate.
3. In a separate bowl, mash the bananas and add in the egg, followed by the sugar, milk and oil. Stir in the oats and leave to soak for a few mins.
4. When the oven is up to temp, pour the wet mix of ingredients into the dry, and stir so that there are no dry ingredients showing. Spoon into the tin or mould and bake for 20 mins or until browned to your desired level.
5. Remove from the oven and, after 5 – 10 mins, remove the muffins to a wire rack to cool (as shown in my photo at the top of the post).

Customise It!

I chose walnuts as they work well with banana, but you could just as easily use almonds, hazelnuts or pecans if you wish. Whatever nut you choose, toasting it for 5 mins in the oven helps bring out its natural taste.

This week I’ve been listening to 90’s band, Mansun who hail from Chester. This is a great track, so I’m adding it to the ADK Playlist: Wide Open Space. Enjoy (with your muffin).