Healthy Banana Lentil Muffin Recipe For Babies
Table of Contents
Adding Lentils to Muffins For Baby
Adding red lentils to this banana lentil muffin recipe for baby-led weaning is an excellent choice due to their nutritional richness and versatility.
Red lentils are packed with protein, fibre, and essential vitamins and minerals, making them a wholesome addition to your little one's diet. Incorporating them into muffins not only enhances the texture but also boosts the nutritional profile without altering the flavour significantly.
This makes it easier for babies to explore new tastes while providing them with a healthy snack that supports their growth and development.
Red lentils cook quickly and blend seamlessly into batters, ensuring that you can create delicious and nutritious treats in no time.
No Sugar Muffins For Baby Led Weaning
Creating a great sugar-free muffin for baby-led weaning is not only possible but also highly beneficial.
By using naturally sweet ingredients like ripe bananas, apple puree, or pureed dates, you can maintain a delightful sweetness without the need for added sugars.
Wholegrain flours, such as oat or spelt, provide a nutritious base packed with fibre, while incorporating healthy fats from sources like avocado or yogurt enhances flavour and moistness.
Adding fruits or vegetables, such as grated carrot to make carrot cake muffins or blueberries to make blueberry muffins, not only boosts the nutritional profile but also adds natural sweetness and texture, making muffins appealing and suitable for little ones just starting their food journey.
With the right ingredients, sugar-free muffins can be both wholesome and delicious, promoting healthy eating habits from an early age.
Ingredient information
Lentils - I have used red lentils (the secret ingredient) in this recipe as it adds not necessarily for flavour but for added protein and nutrients. This muffin could be great as a filling breakfast without the added sugar.
Oats - Oats blitzed to oat flour is such a good base for a muffin recipe for babies. The oats adds flavour as rather than using a plain flour. Having said that you can use flour if you like. Just make sure your baby is ok with flour first.
Banana - The banana adds a touch of sweetness (especially overripe bananas), paired with the oats this makes a great combination and balance or sweetness for baby and toddler.
Egg - I have used a medium free range egg, this helps the muffins to rise and not collapse I have found.
Cinnamon - I have added a tsp cinnamon for added flavour, if your little one is not a fan of cinnamon you can leave this out.
Baking powder and Bicarbonate soda - This combination is great for muffin and cakes for added rise that the muffins will need.
Serving suggestion
The healthy banana muffins would be great served with a plain Greek yogurt as a fun healthy breakfast or perfect snack or meal on the go. Perfect for little hands to hold.
The lentil banana muffins are great served in lunch boxes as a healthy no added sugar muffin recipe.
Other muffin recipes you may like: Carrot cake muffin, Sweet potato muffins or Spinach muffins.
Storage instructions
Store the banana lentil muffins in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
The muffins can be frozen (once cooled to room temperature) in an airtight container or in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Be sure to label the freezer bags with the item and date, so it is clear how long they can be stored. To label the airtight container I use masking tape this way it will not ruin the airtight container.
To defrost the muffins, keep them in an airtight container and defrost in the fridge overnight. Make sure they are fully defrosted before serving.
Once defrosted they will not be able to be re frozen.
Equipment used to help with this recipe
Muffin tin - A non-stick muffin pan that will easily clean any spills from the muffin cases. You will need one of these to easily hold the muffin cases.
Silicone cups - I love reusable kitchen stuff! These silicone muffin cases are dishwasher and freezer safe and can be used in the oven up to 230 degrees C! Ideal for individual baby portions.
Nutri bullet - I have found a blender to be an invaluable tool in the preparation of many of my baby led weaning recipes.
Airtight container - I much prefer the click-shut lids on these containers compared to others. They are also dishwasher and freezer safe and BPA free, so very suitable for food use.
Large bowl - Definitely choose a stainless steel one - they are lighter than the stone or glass ones and very easy to clean.
Recipe | Healthy Banana Lentil Muffin Recipe For Babies
Healthy Banana Lentil Muffin Recipe For Babies
This is a great muffin recipe for baby for baby-led weaning. They are great for little hands to hold.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 180C or 350F. Prepare a muffin pan or silicone tray with silicone cups/paper liners and set aside.
- Pour the lentils into a medium bowl and pour in 125ml cold water and leave to soak for 10 minutes or so.
- While the lentils are soaking, pour the blitzed oats into a large bowl along with the mashed banana, egg, cinnamon, baking powder and bicarbonate soda.
- Mix the ingredients altogether until combined.
- Pour the lentils with the water into a food processor or Nutri bullet and blitz until smooth.
- Pour the blitzed lentils into the large bowl with the other ingredients and mix together.
- Spoon the muffin batter equally between the 6 muffin cups and pop into your preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
- Leave to cool before serving to your baby.
Notes
To make the recipe gluten free, you can use almond flour or gluten free rolled oats. If you’re little one is ok with the usual rolled oats you can use those as per the recipe.
But if your little one has a very sensitive gluten free tum you can use the alternatives.
Hope you and your whole family enjoy!
©The Petit Spoon
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A finger food option for baby and toddler. Great as a snack or a fun way to introduce peanuts to baby. Use natural peanut butter without added sugars or salt.