I’ve made alot of terrible, inedible banana bread and I’ve made terrible, inedible muffins. This week, I worked hard to combine the two and create a banana bread muffin. The consistency is a bit gooey, but 4 of my harshest critics (who I live with), gave me positive feedback and ate them without wincing. So I consider that a win!

I’ve baked many different gluten free muffins over the years desperately trying to discover a healthy version of banana bread that my kids can eat for breakfast…because somedays I am so tired in the morning, and sometimes making breakfast can be so hard.

Did you know that America’s favorite fruit is the banana?

Bananas are mostly carbohydrates and contain a high amount of the macro-minerals potassium and magnesium as well as other vitamins and micro-minerals.

Macro and micro-minerals have very important roles within the body. They act as cofactors for many enzyme reactions, they maintain the pH balance in the body, help facilitate the transfer of nutrients across cell membranes, help with the contraction and relaxation of muscles, regulate tissue growth, and provide both structural and functional support. They are essential to proper health!

Potassium is an important mineral as it supports blood pressure, cardiovascular health, as well as bone and muscle strength. It helps your nerves and muscles to function properly. Symptoms of potassium deficiency are fatigue, muscle weakness, slow reflexes and dry skin.

Magnesium is an extremely important macro-mineral, and apparently, we are all deficient in it and not getting enough of it in our diets.  This is because our modern diet is high in processed foods. Magnesium is a cofactor for more than 300 enzymatic reactions and it plays an important role in prevention and treatment of many diseases.  Magnesium is needed for energy production, bone and teeth structure, muscle and nerve function, and other important processes. (source) Magnesium deficiency is connected to numerous chronic diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Deficiency is also connected to migraine headaches, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). (source) Some studies have shown that magnesium supplementation has helped children with ADHD. (source)

Of course, we can’t forget to mention bananas have fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. All good stuff.

Try this recipe! Use those old bananas that you bought and no one ate.

Grain-Free Banana Bread Muffins

3 RIPE BANANAS

1 1/2 CUPS CASSAVA FLOUR

1 CUP PLAIN VANILLA YOGURT (RAW IF POSSIBLE- MAKE SURE NO SUGAR ADDED)

1 TSP. BAKING SODA

1 TSP. SALT

1/4 CUP PASTURED BUTTER melted

1 TBS. VANILLA EXTRACT

1/4 CUP MAPLE SYRUP (CAN OMIT FOR SUGER-FREE)

1/4 CUP CHOCOLATE CHIPS (optional) (I like these)

Mash the bananas in a large mixing bowl. Add in all other ingredients, except chocolate chips. Mix with whatever device you prefer. When fully mixed, fold in chocolate chips. Pour into buttered muffin pan.

BAKE at 350° until golden brown and toothpick comes out clean.

Cool down and enjoy!