Whole Wheat Banana Oat Muffins (No Sugar Added)

Thank goodness it is Friday! It has been one heck of a week. I'm looking forward to a weekend of relaxation and fun... bring on the sunshine.

I gave up sweets, junk food, and really anything that tastes great for Lent, in hopes of losing some weight. I've put on a few pounds since last summer and I'm determined to shed it! It really hasn't been too hard, but I've had my moments. Sometimes, I just want a muffin. Or some ice cream. Or a brownie. Or a caramel macchiato. OK, so maybe it's been sort of hard. BUT, I can now have a muffin and not feel bad about it with this recipe! These Whole Wheat Banana Oat Muffins are a healthy alternative to the muffins at the bakery or grocery store. They're packed with good-for-you ingredients that you can actually pronounce and there's no added sugar. 

These muffins are the perfect breakfast, mid-day snack, or dessert. They're moist, delicious, and nutritious-- you can't go wrong. Try them today!

Whole Wheat Banana Oat Muffins

Makes 12 Muffins

Ingredients:

1 cup whole wheat flour (or half wheat and half all-purpose)
1/2 cup old fashioned oats
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
3 ripe bananas, mashed (the riper the banana is, the sweeter the banana will be)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon olive oil

*Optional: I didn't add any sweetener to my muffins, but if you want to add some sweetness add in 1/4 to 1/2 cup sweetener (brown sugar, sugar, honey, etc.)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350* and line a muffin pan with foil-lined baking cups (if you don't have foil-lined cups, spray paper cups with non-stick spray- otherwise these muffins will stick!). In a small mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine the wet ingredients. (I mash the bananas in the large bowl and beat the eggs in a small bowl, then transfer them to the bowl with the bananas.) Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and mix until well combined. Pour the batter into the baking cups and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Enjoy!

Oh, and I need to mention that a slather of nut butter takes these muffins over the top. You won't even miss not having sugar. Promise!

Do you have any favorite "skinny" or "lightened up" dessert/snack recipes?