Chocolate Chip Protein Muffins

I try to have a balanced diet, but have been trying to eat gluten free since the summer. Let me tell you, it’s hard!

I may not love bread but muffins, cakes and cookies…Oh. Em. Gee.

I’ve tried some recipes off of gluten free blogs and websites. They are very hit or miss. However, I’ve found that “paleo” recipes are not only gluten free but sometimes they are even a bit more delicious.

While recently perusing some websites I had my eyes peeled for baked goods. Yes, muffins or cookies…I needed something to fill that carbohydrate void.

I found these babies – Chocolate Chip Protein Muffins!

Muffins. {Sigh.} Back in my life.

Instead of flour, the batter is based around sunflower seed butter. Combine that with eggs and vanilla extract in a large bowl.

Add chocolate protein powder {you read that correctly}, cinnamon, baking powder and salt.

*I was cheap and used the meal replacement/chocolate powder I had at home. The protein powder recommended by the original recipe is listed below.*

Fold in coconut and dark chocolate chips.

Spoon into a muffin tin and bake in the oven!

Voila!

I’ve been eating these for breakfast this week. They are a tasty little thing that keeps me full right until lunch – crazy, huh?

My only critique is their density. When I think muffin I think light and fluffy with some crumbs left behind. I’m assuming because of the sunflower butter base, they are a bit more dense – very noticeable. I found the texture to resemble that of a Cliff bar more so than of a muffin.  If you don’t think of them as a muffin but rather as a protein bar in the shape of a muffin, well then you’ve got yourself a winner.

Serve them warm with a bit of butter…delicious :)

I would still recommend them and am curious as to what you think of this new twist on an old favorite!

Recipe from PaleOMG!

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Makes 10 muffins

Ingredients

1 Cup sunflower seed butter

3 Eggs {whisked}

1 Teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 Cup unsweetened shredded coconut

35 Grams {1 scoop} Formulx  Chocolate Whey Protein Powder

———> I needed 3 scoops to get to 35 grams of my meal replacement powder

1 Teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 Teaspoon baking powder

Pinch of salt

1/2 Cup dark chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 350′.

In a large bowl, mix together sunflower seed butter, eggs and vanilla extract.

Add protein powder, cinnamon, baking powder and salt and continue to mix.

Fold in the coconut and chocolate chips.

Line muffin tin with baking cups. Spoon batter into tin.

Bake in oven for 15-20 minutes.

Let cool slightly – I recommend eating them warm!

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