These delicious Double Chocolate Beet Muffins are secretly healthy. You can't tell, but there are beets in them. Being made from coconut flour, they are grain-free and gluten-free. No refined sugar also makes them paleo!
If you are just looking at the pictures, you might think I am straying away from Beet Week!
But I know you are all smart foodies and read in the title that these decadent-looking muffins are secretly packed with vegetables - beets, in fact! Believe me, you can't tell by their taste though. They are that good. Sort of like my zucchini brownies.
And this isn't where the 'healthiness' ends. My new best chocolate friend is also grain-free; yep, it's made from coconut flour. And maple syrup as sweetener also means there is no refined sugar (Depending on the chocolate chips you choose, as there might be sugar in those).
Pivoting To Make The Perfect Beet Brownie
My original plan for these muffins was to make them red-velvet flavored. There was less cocoa powder and more beet puree and the batter had a dramatic red tint.
Unfortunately, once the muffins were done baking, the redness had 'baked out' and the beet flavor was still noticeable.
So, I scrapped the red velvet idea, reduced the beet puree, increased the cocoa powder and threw in some chocolate chips. Voila! A secretly healthy double chocolate chip muffin was born.
Puree Your Beets
This recipe is loosely based on my Coconut Flour Pumpkin Muffins. They are from last year, but with pumpkin season having started again, they are quite popular this time around too.
Unlike pumpkin puree, you can't buy canned beetroot puree (at least where I live). In order to make the puree, the beets have to be cooked first - for about an hour in plenty of water (see more detailed instructions here). Or, roast them wrapped in aluminum for about an hour at 350 F.
Then, peel (while wearing gloves) and puree them in a food processor. The gloves part is important so that you are not walking around looking like a muffin criminal! Or worse!
Another change to the coconut flour muffin base is the addition of tapioca starch. I just recently learned that adding tapioca starch when baking with coconut flour creates a finer crumb texture. How good!
Not unlike adding cornstarch to wheat flour in order to emulate cake flour, that is.
The finer crumb suits these double chocolate muffins perfectly - making them almost cupcake-like. If you feel like pairing them with an equally 'healthy' frosting, try this chocolate fudge frosting (it's avocado-based!).
What's your take on hidden veggies in baking?
By the way, I recently came out with an eBook full of delicious coconut flour recipes.
--->>> Check it out here!
Recipe
Grain-Free Double Chocolate Beet Muffins
Ingredients
- ½ cup coconut flour
- 6 tablespoons cocoa powder
- ¼ cup tapioca starch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 medium beets cooked and pureed, about ⅔ cup
- 4 eggs beaten
- 6 tablespoons maple syrup
- 6 tablespoons coconut oil melted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips more for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 12-case muffin pan.
- In a medium bowl whisk together coconut flour, cocoa powder, tapioca starch, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
- In another bowl mix together beet puree, eggs, maple syrup, coconut oil and vanilla extract. Stir wet and dry ingredients until all lumps are gone. Fold in chocolate chips.
- Divide batter into 12 muffin cavities and top each with a few chocolate chips. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Pin Grain-Free Double Chocolate Beet Muffins recipe for later?
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Random Questions
The calorie content of a double chocolate beet muffin can vary slightly based on the specific ingredients used and their quantities. However, as a general estimate, a standard-sized muffin might contain around 200-250 calories.
Chocolate beet muffins can be considered a healthier alternative to traditional muffins due to the incorporation of beets, which add natural sweetness and moisture. Beets are rich in essential nutrients such as folate, manganese, and potassium.
Additionally, the use of coconut flour and maple syrup instead of refined flour and sugar can make these muffins suitable for those following gluten-free or paleo diets.
The exact carbohydrate content of a double chocolate beet muffin can vary depending on the specific recipe and the amount of ingredients used. However, considering that beets, coconut flour, and chocolate chips all contribute to the carbohydrate content, a standard-sized muffin might contain approximately 25-35 grams of carbohydrates.
Beet muffins are typically baked at a moderate oven temperature, usually around 350°F (175°C). This temperature allows the muffins to bake evenly and develop a golden-brown exterior while ensuring that the inside remains moist and tender.
Adjustments may be needed based on individual oven characteristics, so it's essential to monitor the muffins closely while they bake.
Check out the other Beet Week recipes!
Cindy Meredith
My husband LOVES these. I make them two or three times a month. I use an 8" square silicone pan instead of individual muffins. Occasionally I will substitute flax for eggs. Thank you for this recipe! Who knew healthy could taste this good.
Regina
That's so awesome! Love to hear your husband is into these as well. Does he know there are beets in there? 😉
LB
omg I have not even let them cool before hashing one open. Amazing!!!! Love the subtle hints of coconut throughout, due to the flour and oil. I added walnuts to half of them...
Melissa
Made this with my preschooler today! Turned out great. Made the following substitutions based on what we had available. Used 1 cup grated beet, steamed for about 20 min and drained and squeezed. Used 1/4 cup arrowroot instead of tapioca. Omitted chocolate chips because we didn't have any. My preschooler ate it up and loved helping! I liked them too though next time I will add chocolate chips. Thank you so much!
Regina
Awesome! So glad to hear both you and your kiddo enjoyed these!!
Stern
Today I am going to try these muffins out. The only change I am going to make is to substitute the eggs with "flax eggs". I will let you know how they turned out. 🙂
Regina
Awesome! Would love to hear how coconut flour muffins work with all flax egg substitute
Stern
The muffins turned out delicious! The batter has a very nice texture, there is no need for eggs if you have flaxseeds at home.
Thanks for this lovely recipe! 🙂
MJ Palmer
When using the beet puree...are the beets cooked first, or just finely grated raw until they are mushy?? Really want to try these.
Regina
Beets should be cooked or roasted before pureeing. Let m know how it goes when you try these muffins 🙂
Ana
Could I use cornstarch instead of tapioca flour? I don't have any at the time!
These look absolutely amazing btw
Regina
Yes, corn starch should work the same way. It's not paleo, but this isn't a concern, corn starch makes a good substitute.
Jacquee @ I Sugar Coat It!
I love veggies, so no need to conceal them from me, but I do love me some beets mixed in with my chocolate! Enjoying your Beet Week series.
Regina
So glad to have a fellow beet lover in you 🙂
Angie@Angie's Recipes
These beet muffins look fanfreakingtastic! Both coconut and beet are my favourites.
Is tapioca starch allowed in Paleo diet?
Regina
Thanks so much Angie! From my research I found that tapioca is allowed in moderation. 1/4 cup divided by 12 muffins seems moderate to me 😉
Raphaela Goodwin
I was wondering if I could substitute carob for cocoa powder? Looking for AIP recipes! What a great idea for sneaking in veggies on those teens that are resistant!
Regina
Hi Raphaela, I don't have experience using carob in these muffins, but if you have tried replacing cocoa in other recipes and like the results, I don't see why it would be different with this recipe 🙂