Quinoa Almond Banana Bread Muffins

Since I've stopped eating gluten my stomach aches have almost completely gone away! It has been difficult to steer away from something so delicious, but it has also been fun to figure out how to cook normal things gluten-free. I started feeling adventurous last weekend, and I am glad I did! After reading many different recipes and studying gluten-free baking, I came up with a sample recipe for banana bread. I am mildy *cough, cough* obsessed with quinoa, so incorporating it into the bread naturally felt like a good starting point to me. Tonight I made carrot cake (with quinoa of course) and can't wait to see if it turns out!

Quinoa-Almond Banana Muffins

1/2 cup quinoa flour or quinoa flakes

1/2 cup almond meal

2 VERY ripe bananas (the more ripe they are the less sugar or no sugar needs to be added)

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

2 eggs (or for vegan use 1/c cup applesauce)

1/2 cup butter (optional)

2 table spoons brown sugar or 3 teaspoons honey (optional)

1/2 cup almonds, walnuts, etc... (optional)

Mix everything together. Using cupcake liners, fill the muffin tin 1/2 - 3/4 full. This recipe makes 12 muffins. Bake 20 minutes at 350˚

The first batch:

- mildly ripe bananas

- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar

- 2 eggs

- no butter

- no nuts

The verdict: They were delicious right out of the oven.

The second batch: (this is actually vegan)

- I made my own applesauce from 2 apples that were going bad (I don't like mushy apples). I didn't add anything to them, just chopped them up and cooked them down. 

- no eggs (I used the applesauce instead which is common for vegan baked goods) 

- no butter

- riper bananas

- half cup sliced almonds

The verdict: These were not as good right out of the oven and they fell apart and crumbled easily. 

I froze majority of both batches and have been heating 2 in the microwave each morning. After freezing them they both taste great, even the second batch. For some reason after freezing and reheating the second batch they seem to not fall apart and the flavor is delightful.

They're a delicious low/no sugar protein way to start the day!