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    "Home" » Recipes » Healthy Cakes and Treats

    Coconut flour chocolate muffins

    Published: Sep 21, 2021 · Modified: Mar 25, 2022 by Wendy

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    These coconut flour chocolate muffins are moist, chocolatey - and totally moreish. They are gluten free, and low in added sugar - but you'd never know it. They are naturally sweetened with dried prunes. Prunes add a rich sweetness in place of other less healthy ingredients, and give these healthy chocolate muffins a fantastic flavour.

    Coconut flour chocolate muffins

    Why make chocolate muffins with coconut flour?

    • They are a healthy choice. Prunes are rich in antioxidants and fibre, and coconut flour is also high fibre and a good source of protein. Healthy chocolate muffins have no refined sugars and will help to keep blood sugar levels stable.
    • Using coconut flour makes these gluten free chocolate muffins. They are also suitable for a grain free diet.
    • They are satisfying. The combination of fibre and protein will help to stop cravings later in the day. And they only have 155 calories!
    • Chocolate prune muffins are a delicious snack. Enjoy them with a cup of coffee, or as an after dinner treat.

    Ingredients

    There's quite a short list of ingredients, and the process to make the recipe is easy and simple. Exact measurements and instructions are included in the recipe card below.

    Prunes

    Prunes and chocolate are a marriage made in heaven. If you're thinking that adding something as healthy as prunes to chocolate will spoil it, think again! The natural sweetness of prunes brings out a real depth to the chocolate flavour. Prunes also add a lovely texture to these muffins - almost velvety, and very moist.

    Coconut flour

    If you've never used coconut flour in baking, give it a go! Surprisingly, it doesn't really taste of coconut - it just adds a slight sweetness to your baking. Coconut flour, as you might expect, is made from ground up coconut flesh, and is actually a byproduct of coconut milk production. It's gluten free, and contains more protein and fibre than wheat flour. It's also less likely to cause spikes in your blood sugar.

    Although coconut flour looks very similar in texture to other flours, it's much more absorbent. That means it behaves very differently in baking, so you can't simply switch coconut flour for wheat flour. Generally, you need about a quarter the amount of coconut flour to other flours. In this coconut flour recipe, you need just 20 g to make 6 muffins. Weigh it out carefully as a small difference in the amount you use can make a big difference in the outcome.

    Recipes that use coconut flour also tend to have a higher proportion of eggs than other recipes. These coconut flour chocolate muffins have 3 eggs. This helps to give your baking a good structure, and bind it together. Eggs also provide extra nutrition and protein which helps to reduce hunger pangs.

    Ingredients for chocolate muffins with coconut flour

    There's also a small amount of honey and oil in the recipe. I use olive oil, but if you prefer you can replace it with another healthy oil. You could also use maple syrup rather than honey, but stick to a liquid sweetener so as not to alter the proportions of the recipe.

    A quarter of a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda helps to give the muffins a little lift. If you don't have bicarb, replace it with one teaspoon of baking powder. Note that if you are baking outside the UK and are using Dutch processed cocoa, you should use baking powder and not bicarb. (It's all down to chemistry. Bicarb needs acid to activate it, and Dutch processed cocoa has had the acidity removed.)

    Although it seems strange to add salt, a pinch of salt works really well in chocolate recipes to enhance the flavour.

    Optional ingredients

    Extra chocolate:). If you want healthy double chocolate muffins, then by all means add some dark chocolate. You could use either chocolate chips or chopped chocolate. Around 50 g would work well.

    Coffee: for a subtle mocha flavour, add a teaspoon of instant coffee. It'll intensify the chocolate flavour. If you are using granules, grind them to a powder first in a mortar and pestle.

    Spices: cinnamon or cardamom both complement chocolate really well. Try half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon or quarter of a teaspoon of ground cardamom.

    Orange zest. For a healthy chocolate orange muffin, add the finely grated zest of half an orange.

    How to make coconut flour chocolate muffins

    You'll need to soak the prunes in 120 ml boiling water first for about 20 minutes so they are soft enough to make a puree. If you are in a hurry, chop them first and you can get away with 10 minutes;). Then add them to the bowl of a food processor along with the soaking water and blitz until smooth.

    Making prune puree in food processor

    Add the eggs, honey and oil and blitz again until smooth.

    Adding eggs, honey and olive oil to chocolate muffin mix

    Add the cocoa, coconut flour, salt and bicarbonate of soda and pulse until mixed.

    Mixture for coconut flour chocolate muffins

    Spoon into a muffin tin lined with paper cases.

    Gluten free chocolate muffins mixture in tin

    Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees for 20 minutes, turning part way if necessary. Cool on a wire rack.

    Chocolate prune muffins on cooling rack

    Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

    Frequently asked questions

    Can I substitute another flour instead of coconut flour

    This recipe has been developed specifically for coconut flour, so I wouldn't advise switching it out. If you looking for healthy gluten free muffins using other flours, you might like to try these apple muffins or these carrot muffins. Or you could make these breakfast muffins which are made with quinoa.

    Can I make coconut flour muffins without eggs


    Eggs are an important component in this recipe as they help to bind the mixture and add rise. I don't think you'd end up with the same result if you use an egg replacement.

    Can I make this recipe without a food processor?

    You could also use an immersion blender or a soup/smoothie blender to make the recipe.

    Are chocolate muffins made with coconut flour healthy?

    There's a lot of different definitions of healthy, but compared to your average supermarket muffins, these are definitely a healthy choice. They are much lower in added sugar, and the sugar which is naturally present in prunes is combined with fibre. These chocolate muffins are also lower in fat. One muffin has 155 calories, and the protein and fibre will help to keep your blood sugar stable and fill you up.

    Can i freeze these chocolate muffins?


    Yes, like most muffins, coconut flour chocolate muffins freeze really well.

    Serving suggestion

    If you want to turn these chocolate muffins into a super indulgent dessert, try serving them with this healthy chocolate sauce.

    Gluten free chocolate muffins with chocolate sauce and blackberries

    Other healthy chocolate recipes you might like

    • Healthy Florentines
    • Healthy chocolate coconut truffles
    • Dark Chocolate Coated Strawberries
    • Healthy Chocolate Sauce

    You might also enjoy these healthy blueberry muffins which are made with coconut flour.

    Have you tried this recipe? Please leave a rating and/or comment at the bottom of the page. Your feedback and questions are much appreciated.
    You can also follow me on Pinterest and Facebook.

    Coconut flour chocolate muffins sq

    Coconut flour chocolate muffins

    Wendy
    These coconut flour chocolate muffins are moist, chocolatey - and totally moreish. They are gluten free, low in added sugar and low in fat - but you'd never know it.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Soaking time 20 mins
    Total Time 50 mins
    Course Healthy treat or dessert
    Cuisine Healthy
    Servings 4
    Calories 155 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 100 g dried prunes
    • 120 ml boiling water ½ cup
    • 3 eggs, medium
    • 2 tablespoon honey or use maple syrup
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil or another healthy oil
    • 20 g cocoa
    • 20 g coconut flour
    • ¼ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
    • pinch of salt

    Instructions
     

    • Soak the prunes in the boiling water for 20 minutes.
    • Preheat the oven to 180 degrees (160 degrees fan)
    • Add the prunes and the water to a food processor and blitz until the prunes turn to a puree. Add the eggs, honey and olive oil and blitz again until smooth.
    • Add the cocoa, coconut flour, bicarb and salt and pulse until mixed.
    • Spoon into a muffin tin lined with paper cases. Bake for 20 minutes.
    • Cool on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the muffins.

    Notes

    If you use Dutch processed cocoa, use 1 teaspoon of baking powder instead of bicarbonate of soda.
    Measure the coconut flour carefully as a slight variation can alter the recipe.
    For double chocolate muffins with coconut flour, add 50 g of dark chocolate chips or chopped chocolate.
    Keyword Chocolate, Coconut Flour, Prunes

    Please note nutritional information is for guidance only

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    Wendy Faulkner, creator of Cinnamon and Kale

    Hi, I'm Wendy.
    Welcome to Cinnamon and Kale.
    Here you'll find lots of delicious, easy recipes and tips for a healthier diet.

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