Banana Chocolate Swirl Muffins (Gluten & Dairy-free)

Chocolate spread, ground almonds, and perfectly ripe bananas. What's not to love about these delicious gluten and dairy-free muffins? Whether you're looking for a new recipe to add to the repertoire. A somewhat healthy sweet treat to kill those sugar cravings. Or just an easy and messy recipe to make with the kids. These gluten-free chocolate swirl muffins are bond to be a show stopper. Plus, the hidden melted chocolate inside each muffin provides a delightful surprise even when you know it's coming.

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Ingredients you'll need

I recommend using the highest quality ingredients when possible. Also, if this is your first time cooking gluten-free for someone with Coeliac disease, I always recommend checking the ingredients label before using. As gluten can make its way into a lot of recipes when you least expect it. Below is each ingredient you will need:

• Gluten-Free plain flour - I mostly bake with Doves Farm FREEE foods gluten-free flour blend. The blend contains rice flour, potato starch, tapioca starch, maize flour and buckwheat flour. You could experiment with alternative brands for gluten-free plain flour or your own plain flour blend for this recipe, but results may vary. If you are using an alternative brand, ensure that the blend is gluten-free certified.

• Gluten-Free almond flour - One of the best secret ingredients in gluten-free baking, almond flour provides the protein and increased fat levels that help create moist yet strong structured gluten-free cakes. However, for those with nut allergies you can remove the almond flour from this recipe and substitute it with the same amount of gluten-free plain flour.

• Gluten-free oats - Make sure you buy gluten-free certified oats. Many farms like to alternate there oat and wheat crops which can lead to cross-contaminated oats. While you can buy gluten-free oats, its worth mentioning that not every gluten sensitive or celiac person can eat oats. So if you are cooking this recipe for someone check with them in advance.

• Bicarbonate of soda - When combined with liquid bicarbonate of soda will release gas, helping the muffins to rise.

• Baking powder - We use baking powder for the same reason we use bicarbonate of soda. Just ensure that you check it's gluten-free on the label on your baking powder as many brands produce baking powder in factories that handle gluten.

• Salt - Don't be afraid of adding salt to your baked goods. It will help to enhance the flavours of these delicious gluten-free muffins.

• Granulated sugar - White granulated sugar will bring the sweetness levels up in these gluten and dairy-free banana chocolate swirl muffins. While helping to balance out the change in colour that brown sugar often creates.

• Brown sugar - Bringing a delicious molasses flavour and complexity to the muffins. Brown sugar is one of my favour baking sugars for it's depth in flavour and ability to keep gluten-free cakes moist. While you could just use brown sugar in this recipe, I find the granulated sugar help keep the muffins from going to dark in colour.

• Egg - I like to cook with organic free-range eggs. However, I am conscious that cooking diary-free is expensive, so any quality egg will do. The quality of the egg doesn't impact the flavour of these muffins.

• Almond Milk or Soya Milk - I only ever use almond or soya milk in this recipe but any gluten-free milk alternative will do. Swapping them out at a 1:1 ratio. If you're not dairy-free, you could experiment with using whole milk.

• Vegetable oil or neutral flavoured oil - You want a neutral flavoured oil in this recipe. While chocolate and olive oil does pair well, I feel that flavour might be too much for these muffins. Especially if you are baking them for young children and teens.

• Vanilla Extract - Use a good quality vanilla extra, either homemade or store bought. Don't use vanilla flavouring as that will be too strong in flavour.

• Banana's - You will want to use very ripe banana's in this recipe, the ripe the better. To speed up the ripening process you can place them in a heat oven for several minutes.

• Vego chocolate spread - I always use Vego Hazelnut Chocolate Spread when making this recipe but any vegan chocolate spread equivalent will do. Alternatively, if you can eat dairy products, you could use Nutella or a cheaper Nutella substitute.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a question you want to ask that isn't in the frequently asked questions below. Drop a comment at the bottom of the recipe or send me a direct message. I will try my best to answer every question, to help you in creating the best gluten-free muffins.

Can I make this banana chocolate swirl muffins recipe gluten-free?

As someone with Coeliac disease all the recipes on my blog are 100% gluten-free. With this in mind, if your cooking for someone who is gluten-free and your not. Be cautious of cross-contamination and check all the labels of every ingredients you use. Often gluten products can be process in the same factories as baking ingredients leading to a risk of cross-contamination.

Can I make this banana chocolate swirl muffins recipe dairy-free?

Nearly all of my recipes are dairy-free due to my partner is lactose intolerant. I love the challenge of baking dairy-free and ensuring my recipes are dairy-free for him! Which is why I opt to use the Vego brand hazelnut chocolate spread in this recipe instead of Nutella.

Can I make this banana chocolate swirl muffins recipe vegan?

This recipe isn't vegan due to using egg to help with creating the structure in the muffins. You could experiment with using egg replacements such as oggs whole egg alternative. However, as this isn't something I have tried myself, I suggest you proceeding with caution as results my vary. But if it is successful I would love to hear about your results, so please share in the comments.

How do I store these snicker doodle sandwiches?

To keep them fresh: I recommend storing these gluten and dairy-free muffins in an air-tight container for up to three days. Or for up to five days in an airtight container in the fridge.

Can I freeze these snicker doodle sandwiches?

You can freeze these muffins for up to one month. However, I recommend letting them defrost at room temperature for several hours before eating. While you can give them a quick reheat once thawed. I don't recommend defrosting them in the microwave or oven.

(This recipe was last tested 21/10/24)

Recipe

Here's my recipe for these gluten-free dairy-free goey-chocolatey-banana muffins that will become your new favourite treat.

Serving 12 muffins

Prep time 20 minutes

Cook time 17-20 minutes

Special Equipment  

• Stand mixer with whisk and paddle attachment (optional)

• 12 cup muffin tin

Ingredients

• 225g gluten-free flour

• 25g almond Flour (Substitute with 25g plain flour if opting to make without)

• 90g oats

• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 50g White Sugar

• 100g Brown Sugar

• 1 egg

• ½ cup almond milk (120ml)

• ¼ cup oil (56ml) 

• 1 tsp vanilla extract 

• 2 banana's, mashed

• 1 jar of Vego Hazelnut Chocolate Spread

Method

1. Preheat oven to 190°c and line a muffin tin with muffin cases. 

2. In a medium, mix all your dry ingredients together; gluten-free flour, almond flour, oats, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder and salt. 

3. In a large bowl or a stand mixer, beat together your eggs and sugar.

4. Then add in the remaining wet ingredient; almond milk, oil, vanilla extract, and mashed banana. Mix into a smooth consistency.

5. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined.

6. Fill each muffin case up 1/3 of the way with the cake batter and add a tablespoon of Vego Hazelnut Chocolate Spread in the centre.

7. Divide the remaining muffin batter evenly amongst the muffin cases covering the chocolate spread. Then add one final dollop of chocolate spread on top and give it a little swirl with a tooth pick or cake tester. Don't poke too deep into the batter as you still want the gooey centre.

8. Bake in the oven for 17-20 minutes, until golden.

9. Allow to cool before transferring onto a wire rack and enjoy.

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