The morning rush can be hectic at times. Trying to feed two boys a quick and healthy breakfast to start the day can also be challenging. When they wake up, they immediately want to eat.

I quickly realized I had to simplify our morning routine by having read-to-eat bites that they can easily access themselves. Yes, we are there now. They can get food, their milk/water theirselves and it is glorious. If you’re not here yet with your littles, just wait, the time is coming and for once, you might get to sip a hot cup of coffee.

Because I’m a boy mom, these muffins have been called “dinosaur muffins”, “monster muffins” and “hulk muffins”. Anything related to these three subjects, they are all in.

I feel good knowing they are loaded with an ample amount of spinach.

Ingredients

• 2 cups old-fashioned oats (for a gluten free version) or whole wheat flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ cup coconut sugar or your favorite granulated sugar or 1/4 cup of honey or maple syrup
• ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
• 2 cups packed spinach leaves
• ¼ cup coconut oil
• 2 extra-ripe large bananas
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• ¼ cup ground flaxseed (optional)
• Chia seeds optional
• 1 cup of blueberries, also optional

Substitution Options:

• Almond milk: you may use any non-dairy milk to keep the recipe dairy free. Or you may use regular milk!
• Coconut Oil: You may substitute vegan butter (like Earth Balance), regular butter, or ghee!
• Eggs: For vegan version substitute the 2 eggs with 2 TBS ground chia seeds and 5 TBS water.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Add oil, spinach, milk to a vitamix or nutribullet and blend until smooth. Add in bananas and vanilla and blend again until smooth.

Meanwhile, add dry ingredients to a stand mixer – flour/oats (whichever you choose), baking soda, baking powder, salt, sugar, cinnamon & ground flaxseed if you’re adding it.

Add blender mix and two eggs to the dry ingredients, mix until smooth.

Either spray a muffin tin or line with parchment cupcake liners.

Fill 3/4 full.

Bake 16 minutes or until the center is done.

Allow to cool.

(Makes 16-18 muffins depending how big you make each.)

**For a fun Halloween idea, you can decorate these muffins as actual monsters or as Frankenstein.

**They also make for a great side item for a Dinosaur themed birthday party. Top each with a mini toy dinosaur the kids get to keep.

I hope you and your family enjoy these as much as we do.