Morning Muffins

Breakfast during the week is difficult because I don't always have the time or feel like cooking something to eat. However, I know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day so I try to find things I can make ahead. I found this recipe from Yummly for Morning Power Muffins that sounded healthy and filling. There were some bananas that were becoming dangerously ripe so I figured this was a a good option to use them in a different way besides banana bread. However, if you need to use up bananas be sure to check out this recipe for two ingredient cookies. These turned out to be super moist so don't let that scare you in thinking they are undercooked and sweet without being too sweet for first thing in the morning.

Ingredients:
4 ripe bananas
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup applesauce, unsweetened
5 tablespoons honey (or agave nectar)
1 cup oats, quick cook
1/2 cup whole wheat flour (or almond flour)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Note: the recipe says it makes 20 muffins, but mine only made 18 which is odd since I usually end up with more servings not fewer servings. 

Line two muffin pans with cupcake liners or spray generously with cooking spray. Peel the bananas and break into pieces. Mix on low for about 1 1/2 minutes.

Add in the canola oil, applesauce and honey. Mix on low until well incorporated.

Thoroughly mix in the baking powder, baking soda, salt and ground cinnamon for 2 minutes.

Next, add in the whole wheat flour and the oats. Mix only until combined. I mixed for about 30 seconds and then finished by hand just to make sure there wasn't anything at the bottom of the bowl that got missed. 

*Note: If you want to add in dried cranberries, raisins or any kind of nut, this is where you would fold them in. However, I didn't have any of that so I didn't add anything in.

Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to fill the cupcake liners 3/4 full. Bake at 350F for 15-20 minutes. The muffins will still look wet when you take them out, but as long at the toothpick comes out clean, they are ready. Let them cool in the pan for 10 minutes before letting them finish cooling on a wire rack. You can eat these plain, with a drizzle of honey or some kind of nut butter. You are ready to enjoy your breakfast, knowing you have fueled yourself properly for the day!