I’m so excited to share this Chocolate Spinach Muffins Recipe with you because it’s one of those joyful discoveries that sneaks veggies right into something deliciously chocolatey. When I first tried these, I couldn’t believe how moist and flavorful they were—and the sneaky spinach adds a subtle earthiness without overpowering that chocolate goodness. Trust me, whether you’re sneaking in some greens for your family or just craving an indulgent but nutritious treat, you’re going to love these muffins as much as I do.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Healthy Twist: Spinach sneaks in extra nutrients without sacrificing flavor.
- Perfectly Moist: Bananas and Greek yogurt keep these muffins wonderfully tender.
- Kid-Friendly: My family actually asks for these, spinach and all!
- Simple Ingredients: You likely already have everything on hand to make them today.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Chocolate Spinach Muffins Recipe lies in how the ripe bananas and spinach blend together to keep these treats moist, tender, and packed with nutrition. You’ll want to choose fresh spinach to keep that flavor light and mild—more on that below.

- Bananas: The riper, the better! They’re your natural sweetener and moisture booster.
- Baby spinach: Use fresh, not frozen, to avoid excess water and bitter flavors.
- Milk: Almond milk or regular works—you can grab whichever you prefer or have on hand.
- Egg: Helps bind everything together and adds richness.
- Sugar: For just the right touch of sweetness; you can tweak it to your taste.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the other flavors with a lovely aroma.
- Greek yogurt: I love that it adds tang and extra moisture without making the batter too runny.
- Oil: Keeps the muffins soft and helps with texture; I prefer a neutral oil like canola or vegetable.
- White whole wheat flour: Brings a subtle nuttiness with more fiber than regular flour.
- Baking soda: Gives that nice rise and fluffiness you want in muffins.
- Cocoa powder: Use unsweetened for that deep chocolate flavor.
- Sea salt: Just a pinch to balance out the sweetness and elevate the chocolate.
- Dark chocolate chips: Because who doesn’t love melty pockets of chocolate?
Variations
I love customizing this Chocolate Spinach Muffins Recipe depending on what I have available or my mood. It’s such a flexible recipe that’s perfect for experimenting!
- Add nuts or seeds: I sometimes stir in chopped walnuts or pumpkin seeds for an extra crunch that my family adores.
- Swap sweeteners: If you’re cutting back on sugar, try maple syrup or honey instead, but reduce the milk slightly to compensate.
- Add dried fruit: Raisins or chopped dates add a chewy burst of sweetness without overwhelming the chocolate.
- Make it vegan: You can replace the egg with a flax egg and use dairy-free yogurt, and they still turn out great.
How to Make Chocolate Spinach Muffins Recipe
Step 1: Blend Your Wet Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F, then toss your milk, ripe bananas, and fresh baby spinach into a high-powered blender. Blend until mostly smooth—some tiny lumps are totally okay and actually add texture. This step is my secret to incorporating those greens seamlessly into the batter without any bitter taste. Just remember: fresh spinach is your friend here, and it blends more quietly than frozen, which can add unwanted moisture.
Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients
Pour your banana-spinach mixture into a large bowl, then whisk in your egg until it’s lightly combined. Next, stir in the sugar, vanilla, oil, and creamy Greek yogurt. At this stage, your batter will be smooth and luscious—a good sign that the muffins will bake up moist and flavorful.
Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the white whole wheat flour, baking soda, sea salt, and cocoa powder. This helps evenly distribute the leavening and cocoa for a consistent rise and deep chocolate flavor throughout your muffins.
Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet
Slowly add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture, folding gently with a spatula. Don’t over-mix; you want all the ingredients just combined for the perfect tender crumb. Then fold in most of your dark chocolate chips, reserving some to sprinkle on top for that irresistible melty finish.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners and spoon the batter evenly into each cup. Top with the extra chocolate chips if you like some visible chocolate pearls. Bake for 18–22 minutes, but start checking at 18 to avoid overbaking. A toothpick inserted should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Then, let them cool a little before pulling one out—you’re in for a deliciously rich, moist surprise.
Pro Tips for Making Chocolate Spinach Muffins Recipe
- Use Fresh Spinach: I learned the hard way—frozen spinach makes the batter watery and changes the flavor, so always choose fresh for these muffins.
- Don’t Overmix: To keep muffins light and tender, fold ingredients gently—overworking the batter means tough muffins.
- Check Early for Doneness: Oven temperatures vary, so start poking with a toothpick around 18 minutes to avoid drying them out.
- Line Muffin Tin: Using liners makes cleanup easy and keeps muffins perfectly shaped without sticking.
How to Serve Chocolate Spinach Muffins Recipe

Garnishes
I personally love having a gentle dusting of powdered sugar for a pretty touch and just a drizzle of natural peanut or almond butter on top—it adds richness that pairs beautifully with chocolate and disguises the spinach even more. If you’re feeling fancy, a spoonful of Greek yogurt on the side works wonders.
Side Dishes
These muffins are a great breakfast or snack, especially paired with a fresh fruit salad or a simple smoothie. I sometimes serve them alongside a hot cup of coffee or chai—simple, comforting, and filling.
Creative Ways to Present
For birthday brunches or kids’ parties, I’ve arranged these muffins in a tiered stand decorated with fresh berries and mint leaves. It turns them into a centerpiece that gets rave reviews, especially from those who didn’t suspect a veggie twist!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftover muffins in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. This helps them stay fresh longer, especially since they have fruit and yogurt, which can spoil quicker than dry baked goods.
Freezing
Freezing works wonderfully with these muffins. I let them cool completely, then tuck them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. When you want a quick snack, just thaw overnight in the fridge or for a few hours at room temperature.
Reheating
To bring frozen or refrigerated muffins back to life, I pop them in the microwave for about 20 seconds or warm them in the oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes. This helps restore that freshly baked softness and melts any chocolate chips just right.
FAQs
-
Can I use frozen spinach in this Chocolate Spinach Muffins Recipe?
It’s best to use fresh spinach because frozen spinach contains a lot of water, which can make your muffin batter too wet and affect the texture and flavor. If you must use frozen, thaw thoroughly and squeeze out as much liquid as possible before adding—but fresh is truly the way to go here.
-
Are these muffins kid-friendly despite the spinach?
Absolutely! I’ve made these for my kids many times, and they’re always a hit. The spinach flavor is very mild, and combined with the chocolate and banana, it’s a sneaky way to add greens without any fuss.
-
Can I substitute the Greek yogurt with something else?
You can try swapping it for sour cream or even a dairy-free yogurt alternative. Just keep the consistency similar to maintain the moisture and texture of the muffins.
-
How ripe should my bananas be?
Very ripe bananas with lots of brown spots are ideal because they’re sweeter and mash easier, which helps flavor and moisture. If your bananas aren’t quite there yet, you can speed up ripening by placing them in a brown paper bag for a day or two.
-
Can I make these muffins gluten-free?
You’ll need to swap the white whole wheat flour with a gluten-free blend that includes xanthan gum or other binders. Expect a slightly different texture, but they still turn out tasty and moist.
Final Thoughts
These Chocolate Spinach Muffins Recipe have become one of my go-to treats when I want a little indulgence but don’t want to skip on nutrition. I’m continually amazed by how you can fold spinach into a chocolate muffin so seamlessly that no one even notices! Whether it’s for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or even dessert, this recipe is a keeper—and I truly hope you enjoy making (and eating!) it as much as I do. Go on, give it a try—you might be sharing these with your whole family soon like I do.
Print
Chocolate Spinach Muffins Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious and nutrient-packed Chocolate Spinach Muffins made with ripe bananas, fresh spinach, and rich cocoa powder. These moist and flavorful muffins combine healthy ingredients with indulgent chocolate chips to create a perfect breakfast or snack option that’s both satisfying and nutritious.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 3 very ripe bananas
- 2 large handfuls baby spinach (fresh)
- 3 tablespoons milk (almond milk or regular)
- 1 egg
- ½ cup Greek yogurt, full fat
- 3 tablespoons oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 cup white whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ⅔ cup cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Add-ins
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips (plus extra for topping if desired)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the muffins.
- Blend Wet Ingredients: In a high-powered blender, combine the milk, ripe bananas, and fresh baby spinach. Blend until mostly smooth; a few small lumps are acceptable. Transfer this mixture to a large mixing bowl.
- Add More Wet Ingredients: Whisk the egg lightly into the banana-spinach mixture. Stir in the sugar, vanilla extract, oil, and Greek yogurt until everything is well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, sift together the white whole wheat flour, baking soda, cocoa powder, and sea salt. Stir these dry ingredients to ensure they are evenly mixed.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, gently folding with a spatula to combine without overmixing. Fold in the dark chocolate chips, reserving some for topping the muffins.
- Prepare Muffin Pan: Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. Evenly spoon the muffin batter into each cup. Sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips on top of each muffin if desired.
- Bake: Bake the muffins in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes. They are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for several minutes before transferring them to a wire rack or serving.
Notes
- Use fresh baby spinach instead of frozen for best flavor and texture. Frozen spinach adds excess moisture and a stronger taste.
- Store muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or at room temperature for about 3 days.
- Freeze muffins in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
- Optional add-ins include shredded coconut, chopped nuts, raisins, or dried fruit for extra texture and flavor.
- Serve with a drizzle of peanut butter or almond butter for added richness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg


