If you’re looking for a fun and surprisingly nutritious treat, this Monster Muffins Recipe is an absolute game-changer. Bursting with hidden greens, creamy avocado, and just a touch of sweetness from chocolate chips, these muffins manage to be both playful and delicious. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or a festive party treat, the whimsical candy eyes add personality that will have everyone smiling before their first bite. Once you try this Monster Muffins Recipe, you’ll be hooked on how easy it is to create something so unique and tasty.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Monster Muffins Recipe lies in its simple yet thoughtfully chosen ingredients. Each one plays an important role: the spinach brings vibrant color and nutrients, the avocado adds moisture and richness, and the chocolate chips provide just the right amount of sweetness and fun texture. Here’s what you’ll gather before the kitchen fun begins:
- 3 cups spinach: Fresh or thawed spinach adds a subtle earthiness and a beautiful green hue.
- 1 cup milk: Helps keep the batter smooth and tender.
- 2 eggs: Bind the ingredients together, ensuring a fluffy, structured muffin.
- 1 avocado: Adds creamy moisture without heaviness, making these muffins wonderfully soft.
- 2 tablespoons butter (melted): Provides richness and a slight buttery flavor.
- 2 cups flour: The structure base that allows these muffins to rise and hold together perfectly.
- ½ cup brown sugar: Lends a deep, caramel-like sweetness to balance the greens.
- 3 teaspoons baking soda: The leavening agent that gives these muffins their rise and lightness.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- ½ cup chocolate chips: Adds pockets of melty sweetness which kids and adults alike adore.
- Candy eyes: The playful monster “faces” that make these muffins a total crowd-pleaser.
How to Make Monster Muffins Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
First up, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Grab two 12-cup muffin pans and line each with cupcake liners. This simple prep step ensures your muffins bake evenly and slide out effortlessly.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. This dry mix is the backbone of your muffin batter, so make sure everything is evenly combined before moving on.
Step 3: Blend the Wet Ingredients
Next, toss the spinach, milk, eggs, avocado, and melted butter into a food processor. Blend it all until the mixture is silky smooth—this usually takes about five minutes. The spinach disappears into the creamy batter, making these muffins a sneaky way to enjoy greens.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry
Pour your vibrant spinach mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix, as that can make your muffins dense instead of light and fluffy.
Step 5: Fold in the Chocolate Chips
Now for the sweet surprise: carefully fold in half of the chocolate chips. This ensures they stay more intact during baking, melting beautifully in the finished muffin.
Step 6: Fill the Muffin Cups
Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, using about a quarter cup in each. This portion control helps your muffins bake up just right—plump, but not overflowing.
Step 7: Add Toppings
Sprinkle the tops with the remaining chocolate chips and position edible candy eyes to create those iconic monster faces. This step is where the muffins really come to life and become a hit with kids and grown-ups alike.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Place your pans in the oven for about 15 to 18 minutes. Keep an eye on them and test with a toothpick; when it comes out clean and the muffin tops feel firm, they’re ready to come out.
How to Serve Monster Muffins Recipe
Garnishes
While the candy eyes are a must, you can add a dusting of powdered sugar after baking to give your monster muffins an extra pop. For a savory twist, a small dab of cream cheese frosting tinted green works wonders and adds rich creaminess.
Side Dishes
These muffins pair beautifully with a fresh fruit salad or a simple yogurt parfait. For a cozy breakfast, serve alongside a warm cup of coffee or herbal tea to balance the sweetness and subtle spinach flavor.
Creative Ways to Present
Make a spooky monster-themed party platter by arranging the muffins among mini pumpkins and fall leaves. You can also pile them in a festive basket wrapped with colorful cellophane for an irresistibly playful gift.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Monster Muffins Recipe creations in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. Keeping them sealed preserves their moisture, and they taste lovely fresh.
Freezing
Monster muffins freeze wonderfully! Simply wrap each muffin tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They can freeze for up to 3 months without losing flavor or texture.
Reheating
To reheat, remove wrappers and warm muffins in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or pop them in a toaster oven for a few minutes until heated through. This refreshes their soft, melty charm as if just baked.
FAQs
Can I substitute the spinach for something else?
Absolutely! If spinach isn’t your favorite, kale or Swiss chard work well too. You might want to blanch them first to soften their texture before blending.
Are these muffins vegan?
This particular Monster Muffins Recipe uses eggs, butter, and milk, so it’s not vegan. However, you can try vegan substitutes like flax eggs, plant-based milk, and vegan butter to experiment.
Can I use gluten-free flour?
Yes, gluten-free all-purpose flour blends should work fine here. Since gluten-free flours can vary, watch the texture of your batter and adjust moisture by adding a splash more milk if needed.
What age range is this recipe suitable for?
These muffins are fantastic for children and adults alike. The hidden veggies and fun monster look make them especially great for encouraging picky eaters to enjoy something nutritious.
How do I make sure the candy eyes stay on during baking?
Place the candy eyes on the batter right before baking starts so they stick well but don’t melt completely. Using edible “googly eyes” specifically made for baking ensures they hold their shape beautifully.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Monster Muffins Recipe enough for anyone who loves a mix of delicious, playful, and healthy all in one bite. Whether you’re making a batch for a family breakfast or a fun snack, these muffins are guaranteed to bring smiles and satisfied appetites. Give them a try and watch your loved ones light up when they see these little green monsters come to life.
Print
Monster Muffins Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 16 muffins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Monster Muffins are a fun and nutritious treat packed with spinach and avocado, making them both delicious and healthy. Perfect for kids and adults alike, these muffins have a moist texture, a subtle sweetness from brown sugar, and are dotted with chocolate chips and adorable candy eyes for a spooky twist.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 3 cups spinach
- 1 cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 avocado
- 2 tablespoons butter (melted)
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 3 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
Add-ins and Decoration
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- Candy eyes (edible googly eyes)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two 12-cup muffin pans with cupcake liners and set aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
- Blend Wet Ingredients: In a food processor, blend the spinach, milk, eggs, avocado, and melted butter until the mixture is smooth and well combined, which should take about 5 minutes.
- Combine Mixtures: Pour the blended spinach mixture into the bowl with dry ingredients and gently mix until just combined, ensuring you do not overmix.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Fold the chocolate chips into the batter evenly.
- Fill Muffin Liners: Spoon about ¼ cup of batter into each cupcake liner, filling them evenly.
- Decorate: Sprinkle additional chocolate chips on top of each muffin and place edible candy eyes to create a monster face effect.
- Bake: Bake the muffins for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the tops are firm and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let them cool before serving.
Notes
- Allow muffins to cool completely before removing from the liners to avoid breaking.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute milk and butter with plant-based alternatives.
- Make sure not to over-blend the batter once combined to keep muffins tender.
- These muffins are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Adding candy eyes is optional but perfect for Halloween or themed parties.
