Mini Buckwheat Flour Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

These bite-sized Mini Buckwheat Flour Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins are the perfect grab-n-go healthy breakfast or pop-in-your-mouth snack! These gluten-free, vegan mini muffins are made with bananas and buckwheat flour, vanilla, oat milk, and maple syrup to keep these mini muffins naturally sweetened.

Ever since I made my Mini Apple Cider Banana Bread Muffins I’ve been obsessed with mini muffins. There’s just something so cute about them and they bake up so well! Gluten-free, vegan baking can be very tricky, but I think I have cracked the code to making gluten-free, vegan mini muffins that are light and airy, soft and pillowy… you’ve gotta try them! Let’s break it down, starting with the star in this this recipe, buckwheat flour! This is my first time baking with buckwheat flour at home and it definitely won’t be the last. I am so excited to experiment more with buckwheat flour in my gluten-free baking recipes 😉 .

What Is Buckwheat Flour?

Buckwheat flour has become increasingly popular in recent years not only because it’s a great gluten-free flour, but also because it has a great nutritional profile. Contrary to it’s name, buckwheat is not related to wheat. It’s actually made from buckwheat groats and is a cousin to rhubarb! In fact, buckwheat isn’t a grain either, it’s the seeds of a fruit! #mindblown Buckwheat flour is a great wheat flour replacement and is high in fiber, protein, niacin (vitamin B3), and riboflavin (B2).

💡 Additionally, buckwheat is a complete protein containing all 9 essential amino acids, making it a great flour to use on a vegan, plant-based diet.

Muffin Ingredients

Buckwheat flour. I love the use of buckwheat flour in this mini muffin recipe! You may have a hard time finding it in grocery stores, although it’s becoming more popular in health food stores such as Whole Foods. You can also find it online. I purchased buckwheat flour on Amazon.

Baking soda & baking powder. Used as a leavening agent. Using both in this baking recipe helps the muffins to rise giving them the cute little muffin tops 🤗.

Salt. I like to use Himalayan pink salt for a more mild salt flavor.

Bananas. You will need 3 large, ripe (speckled but not black) bananas. When you mash them it will be equivalent to about 1 cup.

Plant milk. I used unsweetened oat milk in this recipe but you can use another kind of milk if preferred, such as almond milk, cashew milk, hemp milk, flax milk, coconut milk, etc.

Apple cider vinegar. The apple cider vinegar is combined with the oat milk in to create a vegan buttermilk. When used in combination with the baking soda it helps the baked goods to rise while also helping to create that light and fluffy texture. Don’t worry, you won’t taste the apple cider vinegar in the muffins. You can read more on vegan buttermilk in this post:

Vanilla. Be sure to use pure vanilla extract not imitation vanilla (not gluten-free!)

Avocado oil. Avocado oil also helps to create light and fluffy vegan bakery. You only need 1/4 cup.

Maple syrup. I used pure maple syrup in this recipe as a sweetener paired with the sweetness of the bananas and it was the perfect amount of sweetness for me.

Chocolate chips. Because these are mini muffins, I like to use mini chocolate chips (affiliate link)! They’re my favorite! But you may also use any dark or non-dairy chocolate chips you have on hand or that are your favorite.

How To Make These Mini Buckwheat Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Add the dry ingredients to a medium-large bowl and whisk to combine. In a small bowl or measuring cup, add the milk and apple cider vinegar and allow it to sit while you prepare the rest.

Mash the bananas in a separate bowl, then add the vanilla, apple cider mixture, maple syrup, and avocado oil. Stir them together and then add to the bowl with the flour mixture. Add the chocolate chips. Fold the batter with a spatula until all of the ingredients are combined and no dry flour remains. Don’t over mix, lumps are ok!

Grease a mini muffin pan (you’ll likely need 2 pans) and spoon 1 tablespoon of batter into each muffin cavity to the top, but not overflowing. Bake the muffins for 13-15 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of one of the muffins comes out clean. Allow the muffins to cool completely before enjoying for the best texture.

Storage

These muffins are the freshest enjoyed the same day, but you can store these mini muffins covered in an airtight container on the counter for up to 2 days. After that keep them stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.

💡 If the muffins dry out a little, warm them slightly in the microwave for about 10 seconds.

FAQ’s

Can I use another gluten-free flour?

I highly suggest you try buckwheat flour as it’s a healthy addition to any diet, however you may use oat flour, almond flour, or cassava flour instead as they have the same kind of texture. I have not tested this recipe with any other flour so I cannot guarantee the same results.

Can I make regular sized muffins?

I do believe that you can make regular-sized muffins from this recipe. I have not tested it, and you’ll will need to bake them longer than the mini muffins. Make sure a toothpick comes out clean to ensure they are baked through.

Can I use a different oil instead of avocado oil?

I find avocado oil to be perfect in vegan and gluten-free baking, and it’s also not a seed oil for those who are concerned about seed oils. But I have used coconut oil and grapeseed oil which also work well in baking recipes. Basically, you just want to use a neutral tasting, light oil.

Can I freeze these muffins?

Yes! These muffins freeze great! And actually, if you don’t think you’ll eat them all within the same day or 2 days I would suggest freezing them in an airtight container or freezer bag.

To enjoy frozen muffins simply let them thaw at room temperature or pop them in the microwave for 10-12 seconds.

Let me know what you think about these Mini Buckwheat Flour Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins down below in the comments section as well as giving it a five rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ so that others can discover an easy, gluten-free and vegan muffin recipe. Be sure to tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest if you make them!

Other Muffin Recipes To Try

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