Gut-Healthy Mini Banana Chocolate Chip Buckwheat Muffins

Is there anything that’s cuter than mini muffins?! I can think of one thing… gut-healthy mini muffins. My Gut-Healthy Mini Banana Chocolate Chip Buckwheat Muffins are my newest (and cutest!) recipe that’s made especially for kids, but with busy parents in-mind. As a busy parent, I understand how difficult it can be to make sure that our kids are eating healthy, which is why I made this quick and easy recipe with bushy parents in-mind. Plus, this recipe is not only loaded with gut-healthy ingredients, but also happens to be gluten-free and vegan-friendly as well!

When it comes to the way that I feed my kids, I follow the same philosophies that I do for myself. Which means, ALL foods are on-limits! While I of course serve healthier, whole foods options to my kids, I still am a believer in letting them enjoy the foods that they love, so that they develop a healthy relationship with nutrition and their bodies. Sometimes, that looks like a big bowl of creamy, cheesy mac-n-cheese for dinner, or a gooey brownie ice cream for dessert. And there’s nothing wrong with that!

But most days, I try to make sure that my kids are eating healthy and meeting their nutritional needs. With both of my boys being under 10, it’s so important that I do my part to support their growing bodies with high-quality, healthy foods. This recipe is one of my favorites, because it does just that, while also coming together in a matter of minutes.

As a busy parent myself, I know how it feels when you want to make your kids a healthy, homemade meal, but just don’t have the time. Whether it’s due to work, or a lack of outside support, there are so many factors at play that can make it difficult to feed our kids the way that we want to.

My hope is that this recipe makes things just a little bit easier. If you’re reading this, mama (or dad!) I just want to remind you: you’re doing a great job.

Why Gut-Healthy Muffins are the Best Muffins

Did you know that our kid’s gut health is just as important as our gut health? It’s true! For kids, and even toddlers and babies, maintaining a healthy gut is crucial to setting them up for success as adults. Not only can a healthy gut help them to maintain healthy bowl movements and ample digestion, but a diet rich in both prebiotics and probiotics (aka the good bacteria that feeds our gut) can also help support their immunity, strengthen their dermatological health (they will thank us for that later) and also strengthen their respiratory health.

So, aside from making sure our kids eat fermented foods with every meal (which, let’s be honest: how many kids are really excited to eat kimchi and sauerkraut every day), how can we make sure that our kids are maintaining a healthy gut microbiome?

Well friends, get ready, because I am about to share something SO exciting with you.

This month, my friends at Seed have launched their Pediatric Daily Synbiotic – aka a powdered version of This month, my friends at Seed have launched their PDS-08™ Pediatric Daily Synbiotic – very similar to their signature DS-01™ Daily Synbiotic for adults, but formulated for kids ages 3-17. It is not only free from 14 classes of allergens, but is also formulated with 9 probiotic strains, a fiber-based prebiotic (5 grams!), to help fill in the gaps in kid’s daily diets. Fiber is one of the hardest nutrients to incorporate into a child’s diet—it can also directly impact the health of the gut microbiome. With 5 grams of fiber per serving, PDS-08™ is a meaningful complement to a healthy diet.

Plus, it comes in a simple powder form, which makes it super easy for kids to take. My boys have been taking it daily and LOVE how simple it is! It’s perfect for busy parents, because it only takes a few seconds to prepare, and requires no additional refrigeration.

Oh, and not to mention, their signature “BacTrac” container tracks is designed with how-do-I-get-my-kid-to-take-this-daily in mind, so you’ll always know how much is left in your container and what day it was taken.. And if you want to try Seed for yourself and for your kids, use code KALEJUNKIE15 for 15% off your first month’s supply of DS-01™ or PDS-08™.

What You Need to Make These Kid-Friendly Mini Muffins

These mini muffins are so adorable, and come together with the help of a few gut-healthy ingredients! How do I know these ingredients are gut-healthy? Because I consulted Seed’s Periodic Table of Microbiome Friendly Foods, to make sure that the ingredients I’m using can help support a healthy gut!

• Bananas: Bananas truly are a superfood! They are high in antioxidants, fiber, potassium, magnesium, and zinc, and are a rich source of important phytochemicals.
• Dark Chocolate Chips: Did you know that dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants? It’s true! Just another reason to load up on the dark chocolate chips in this recipe.
• Buckwheat Flour: Despite its name, Buckwheat is 100% gluten-free, and is high in both fiber and Vitamins B & E. You can find buckwheat flour at most health foods store, or here is my favorite brand.
• Almonds: Almonds, particularly almond flour, is a staple in my household because it helps to lower cholesterol levels and increase Vitamin E. Plus, they’re also rich in phytosterols (aka plant compounds) that benefit our overall health in a number of ways. In this recipe, we’ll be using both almond flour and almond milk to get all those benefits in!
• Rolled Oats:  Did you know that oats are a prebiotic food?! It’s true! They help to feed specific, good bacteria in our gut, and can be thought of as nature’s prebiotic. Plus, they’re also high in soluble fiber, which helps us to maintain regular bowl movements.
• Flax Seed Meal: Flax seeds are full of plant-based protein, fats, and fiber, making them an all-around staple for a gut healthy diet! Plus, they contain “lignans,” which help to mitigate inflammation levels.

In addition to these gut-healthy ingredients, we’ll also be using the following ingredients as well:

• Arrowroot Starch or Tapioca Starch or Corn Starch: Either of these starches work well in this recipe! I recommend arrowroot or tapioca for the healthiest option, but corn starch works too. 🙂
• Coconut Sugar: A little bit of coconut sugar adds sweetness without the refined sugars, which can be harsh on our gut!
• Baking Powder: Baking powder helps these mini muffins rise tall!
• Cinnamon: I love a dash of cinnamon in any muffin recipe. It adds the best flavor, and makes these muffins taste like they’re fresh from the bakery!
• Sea Salt: And, of course, a touch of sea salt helps to balance out the sweetness.
• Avocado Oil: A little avocado oil helps hold these muffins together. You can also use olive oil, if you prefer, but I like avocado for the more neutral flavor.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: You do need apple cider vinegar in this recipe. Any other vinegar will not work the same, so please save yourself the trouble of a failed recipe and use apple cider vinegar.
• Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract is essential to any delicious muffin recipe!

How to Make These Adorable Gut-Healthy Mini Muffins

Because this recipe was designed with busy parents in-mind, making these mini muffins is so simple and easy! To get started, simply preheat your oven to 375 F and grease a 24 cavity mini muffin tin well, so the muffins don’t stick.

Next, you can opt to make your own oat flour, or skip this step and simply add all of your dry ingredients to a large bowl and mix to combine well. Then, set aside.

In another large bowl, add the bananas and mash them well. Then, add in the avocado oil, apple cider vinegar, almond milk and vanilla, and mix until fully incorporated.

Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined – don’t over mix them, or the muffins will get tough. Then, slowly fold in the chocolate chips.

Next, divide the batter evenly among the muffin cavities – you should be able to get 20-24 mini muffins. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Finally, remove them from the oven and let cool. Use a knife, if necessary, to scrape around the side of the tin to remove each muffin carefully.

Serve once cool, or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. Enjoy!

Ready to Try out Seed? Let’s do This Thing!

If you are interested in trying out Seed’s new kid’s synbiotic, I’ve linked it for you, and you can use code KALEJUNKIE15 at checkout to save 15% off your first month’s supply of Seed’s PDS-08™ Pediatric Daily Synbiotic. I can’t wait to hear how Seed works out for your littles, so if you decide to try it out, be sure to come back and leave a comment below!

**This post is sponsored by Seed. However, all information and opinions shared in this post are 100% my own. I share only products and services that are a part of my life and that I wholeheartedly love. 

** Photography by Gayle McLeod