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Grain-Free Banana Bran Muffins {Vegan, Nut-Free}

With their old-fashioned taste, these grain-free banana bran muffins–made with chickpea flour & flaxseed meal— are vegan, gluten-free, nut-free & scrumptious!

While blueberry and lemon poppyseed rank as favorites for many, bran muffins–hearty, cinnamon-spiced, and lightly sweetened with molasses or brown sugar–are definitely my jam.

Fueled by my affection, I decided to try something a wee bit wacky.

Bran muffins. Without the bran.

Not only free of bran, but free of all grains.

It took several rounds of testing, but (cue the fireworks; a great muffin recipe deserves fireworks, right?), but I did it!They really do taste like bran muffins! Perhaps, even better.

Most of all, they are marvelous, by any measure.

Healthy Benefits of No-Bran Chickpea Flour Banana Muffins

In addition to being grain-free, the muffins are:

  • Vegan
  • Gluten-free
  • High in fiber (more than the average bran muffin!)
  • Low in sugar
  • Low in fat
  • Only 123 calories per muffin

Ingredients Grain-Free Banana Bran Muffins {Vegan, Nut-Free}

Whether you embrace or eschew grains, you will love these muffins. I used a combination of chickpea flour and flaxseed meal to create the tender, yet hearty, texture, and a bit of dark molasses (I used blackstrap) and mashed, ripe banana for subtle yet deeply flavorful sweetness.

They are also fast, easy and frugal to make (always high on my list for simple breakfast recipes), child-approved (cinnamon and vanilla always help on that front), and, like all muffins, incredibly convenient for breakfast on the run.

They are pretty great on the weekends, too, when you have time to slather on some of your favorite preserves and savor a second cup of coffee :).

Another bonus: unlike traditional muffins, these muffins taste even better on day two. Or three. A few minutes of baking leads to multiple days of satisfying breakfasts and snacks. Go ahead, make two batches.

Although delectable plain, enjoy embellishing these otherwise humble muffins in multiple ways (e.g., dried fruit, chocolate, additional spices, and more).

They are definitely keepers!

Happy baking, everyone. I’m off to the kitchen for another no-bran muffin 🙂

More Scrumptious Chickpea Flour Muffins to Try:

  1. Chickpea Flour Pumpkin Muffins {Vegan, Grain-Free, Oil-Free}
  2. Chickpea Flour Zucchini Muffins {grain-free, oil-free, vegan}
  3. Basic Vegan Chickpea Flour Muffins {grain-free, oil-free}
  4. Chocolate Chickpea Flour Muffins {vegan, grain-free}
  5. Gingerbread Chickpea Flour Muffins {grain-free & vegan}
  6. Coconut-Lime Chickpea Flour Muffins {Vegan, Grain-Free}
  7. Hummingbird Muffins {Vegan & Grain-Free}
  8. Cranberry Orange Chickpea Flour Muffins {Grain-Free, Vegan}

 

Grain-Free Banana Bran Muffins {Vegan, Nut-Free, GF}

Grain-Free Banana Bran Muffins {Vegan, Nut-Free, GF}

Yield: 8 muffins
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

With their old-fashioned taste, these grain-free banana bran muffins--made with chickpea flour & flaxseed meal-- are vegan, gluten-free, nut-free & scrumptious!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup chickpea flour
  • 1/4 cup flaxseed meal
  • 1-3/4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 3/4 cup finely mashed, very ripe banana
  • 1/2 cup nondairy milk
  • 2 tablespoons dark molasses
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (I used avocado oil)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F. Spray or grease 8 cups of a standard size muffin pan.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk the chickpea flour, flaxseed meal, baking powder, cinnamon and salt until blended, being sure to break up any and all lumps in the chickpea flour.
  3. In a large bowl, stir together the banana, milk, molasses, oil and vanilla until blended. Add the flour mixture, whisking until blended and smooth.
  4. Divide batter evenly between the prepared cups.
  5. Bake in the preheated oven for 16 to 20 minutes until the surface of muffins appears dry and a toothpick inserted near center of muffins comes out with only moist crumbs attached.
  6. Cool in pan on a cooling rack for 10 minutes. Remove muffins from pan and serve warm or cool completely.

Notes

Storage: Store the cooled muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days, the refrigerator for 7 days or the freezer for up to 6 months.

Sweetener Options: An equal amount of maple syrup or honey (if not strictly vegan) can be used in place of the molasses.

Bananas: Be sure to use very ripe, soft bananas for the recipe. It will take about 1-1/2 medium-large bananas to equal 3/4 cup mashed. Be sure to measure the mashed banana for best results.

Nutrition Information
Serving Size 1 muffin
Amount Per Serving Calories 123Total Fat 5.6gSaturated Fat 0.8gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 186mgCarbohydrates 15.2gFiber 3gSugar 3.4gProtein 3.6g

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @powerhungrycamilla on Instagram and hashtag it #powerhungrycamilla

 

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Tamara

Friday 17th of April 2020

I love these. Especially with fruits, Iam thankful to come across to this ♡ Thank you so much for creating these recipe!

Camilla

Sunday 19th of April 2020

You are so welcome, Tamara!

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