Spinach Quinoa Muffins

Spinach Quinoa Muffins are lightly sweet, healthy little green muffins, that are free from artificial colors, and filled with yummy, good for you, fruits and veggies. These healthy spinach muffins are quick and easy to make and kid-friendly, yet they’re packed with good for you foods.

Be sure to check out some of my other delicious breakfast and brunch recipes like Blackberry cream scones, Quinoa bowl with blackberries, and Caramelized banana and yogurt parfaits.

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Please let me know if you have any questions about this recipe. I read all the comments myself and I try to help as soon as I can. I have readers from all levels of comfort and experience in the kitchen on my site, and I’ve tried to answer some of your questions already in the post. But if I’ve missed anything, please feel free to leave a comment and ask.

What do these spinach muffins taste like?

This is probably the biggest question in your mind when you see these green muffins. What do they taste like?

These get all of their flavor from the banana in the mix, making them like little banana muffins that just happen to be green!

Lightly sweet. Not bitter at all. The spinach just adds color and nutrition to the mix.

These have the same texture, light and spongy, like regular muffins.

But, what to call these Quinoa veggie muffins?

They could be Green Monster muffins. Those green monster smoothies were super popular back in the day. But, does anyone even remember those? These green muffins are basically the muffin form of those smoothies.

I’d like to call these muffins, “Oscar The Grouch Muffins”. Green and kind of gruff looking, but ultimately lovable and yummy!

And, at Christmas time I call them Grinch muffins! For a seasonal healthy treat! 

I’ve also seen them called Healthy Hulk Muffins, which I think is super cute too! I mean, the Hulk was this big tough green guy.  Or Green Machine Muffins (do you remember those Big Green Machines from way back in the day?).

And, all of these names show how kid-friendly these little quinoa muffins are. Muffins that are perfect for baby or toddlers. Toddler Muffins that are perfect for little kid hands. They’re a bite size healthy snack for toddlers or adults! Shhh, just don’t tell them what makes ‘em green. 

Recipe inspiration

I first published this recipe in 2012. I saw these vegetable Quinoa Muffins, and I knew they’d be perfect for the healthy eating cleanse that I was doing at the time.

There are several days where a muffin is scheduled, and what better way to increase the amount of iron (from the spinach), and protein (from the whole grain quinoa) in the diet? And, such a pretty fun color!

On the go breakfast

When needing a breakfast-on-the-go, these are an easy to grab healthy start to the day, and they give a nice boost of energy as well as nutrients.

This recipe is also a great make ahead addition to Christmas morning or as part of a special brunch buffet for Mother’s Day; it’s always nice to have a fun healthy alternative on the table, especially since the muffins are vegetarian and so yummy.

Check out some of my other delicious muffins for more grab & go breakfasts. Apple Oatmeal Muffins, Mint chocolate chip Greek yogurt muffins, and Coconut Muffins.

Can these be made ahead?

Yes! These can easily be made ahead for a quick breakfast or snack at any time.

They will keep for about 2 days in an airtight container on the counter.

If you aren’t going to eat the quinoa spinach muffins right away, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

For longer storage, about 3 more months, put the muffins in an air-tight container or a zip-top bag and place in the freezer.

To defrost, take them out of the freezer and pop them in the fridge overnight.

They can be enjoyed cold from the fridge, or reheat in the microwave about 20 seconds for refrigerated, and 60 seconds for frozen. You can also reheat them in the oven or toaster oven at 350° F for 5-10 minutes.

Can I change the recipe?

Absolutely! The recipe is pretty customizable.

Make these into banana nut muffins by tossing in ½ cup of chopped nuts, pecans or walnuts would be my top choice here.

Add in ½ cup mini chocolate chips to make chocolate chip banana muffins.

And, speaking of chocolate chips, these would make a fantastic mint chocolate chip muffin, that green color just lends itself to the minty feeling. Add 1 teaspoon mint extract along with the ½ cup of mini chocolate chips. Sprinkle some more chocolate chips on the top before baking for some extra pretty muffins.

Can I make these spinach banana muffins vegan?

If you’d like to make a vegan version, substitute an additional tablespoon of ground flaxseed blended with 3 tablespoons lukewarm water for the egg.

Can I substitute the sugar?

The sugar in these muffins may be replaced by an equal amount of honey or maple syrup, but this substitution will alter the texture of the muffins.

Are these muffins savory?

These are a lightly sweet muffin, and a fun way to increase your veggies, but these are not a savory muffin. If you’re looking for a savory muffin, hop on over to my Savory Spinach Parmesan Muffins Recipe. They are so good!

How to make these muffins

How to cook quinoa

You’ll need to make sure you have some cooked quinoa.

Run cold water over uncooked quinoa in a fine mesh strainer.

In a medium saucepan, add ½ cup quinoa and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to a simmer and cover. Simmer about 15 minutes or until all the water is absorbed. Fluff gently with a fork.

Once you have the cooked quinoa, either freshly cooked, or leftover, proceed with the rest of the muffins. (This recipe is a great way to use up any leftover quinoa that you may have.)

Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Make the spinach puree by blending fresh spinach leaves (and you can use the stems!), and some water. Add in the banana, egg, sugar, oil, vanilla extract, lemon zest (or lemon extract), and flaxseed, and blend.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, and fold in the cooked quinoa.

Fill the muffin cups. I find that an ice cream scoop or cookie dough scoop really helps to keep things even and cleaner. Those silicone muffin trays that you see in the picture above are great too! The muffins pop right out of them, and clean up is a breeze!

Kitchen tools you may need

Note: these are affiliate links

Blender
Mixing bowls
Measuring cups & spoons
Silicone mini muffin tins
Spatula
Ice cream scoop for scooping the batter into the muffin cups
Edible gold stars

Would these be ok with frozen spinach?

Frozen spinach will be much darker and denser, and I don’t know that the color will work for these muffins. I also tend to find cooked spinach to be a little more bitter than fresh.

If you do want to try it, you’re looking for 1 cup of puree, I’d start with about ½ cup of frozen spinach and some water (or milk or pineapple juice). Then see what color you get. You want a bright green color rather than a deep dark green.

If you try it, I’d love to know how it comes out.

Quinoa muffins recipes

Looking for other quinoa muffin recipes? Here are some really good looking ones! Blueberry Quinoa Muffins, Quinoa Muffins, Chocolate Quinoa Muffins, and Quinoa Oat Orange Muffins.

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Spinach Quinoa Muffins Recipe