If you’re looking to add a pop of color, sneaky greens, and plenty of tasty fun to your celebrations, these St spin on chocolate chip muffins are the perfect treat. They’re a playful nod to everyone’s favorite Irish holiday but honestly, I make them year-round! Blended with fresh spinach, creamy Greek yogurt, and sweetened just right, these muffins are naturally green, nutrient-packed, and studded with melty chocolate chips. Even picky eaters will go wild for these St muffins—nobody can ever guess the secret ingredient!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of these muffins is how easy everything comes together with wholesome, accessible ingredients. Each item plays a key role, whether it’s delivering the signature green hue, moist crumb, or irresistible pockets of chocolate. Here’s what you’ll need for the St experience:
- Old-fashioned oats: Acts as the wholesome base, lending structure and heartiness when blended into oat flour.
- Large eggs: Essential for binding everything together and adding richness.
- Plain Greek yogurt: Keeps the muffins ultra-moist without a ton of oil while packing in protein.
- Fresh spinach leaves: Supplies that festive St green color and a nutrient boost—nobody tastes the veggies, I promise!
- Honey or pure maple syrup: Naturally sweetens the muffins and keeps them perfectly moist.
- Ripe banana: Adds sweetness, moisture, and helps bind the batter for a soft, fluffy texture.
- Vanilla extract: Gives the muffins a warm, bakery-style aroma and depth of flavor.
- Baking powder: Ensures these muffins rise nicely and stay light.
- Baking soda: Teams up with the baking powder for just the right amount of lift.
- Salt: Balances all the flavors and enhances the sweetness.
- Mini chocolate chips: The pop of chocolate in every bite makes these especially kid-approved.
How to Make St
Step 1: Prep Your Muffin Tin
Start your journey by preheating the oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or give it a light greasing—because the only thing that should stick around is your new love for these St muffins! Prepping your pan now means you can pour and go as soon as your batter is blended.
Step 2: Blend the Spinach Batter
In a blender or food processor, pile in the oats, eggs, Greek yogurt, spinach leaves, honey (or maple syrup), ripe banana, vanilla, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Blend on high until the mixture is smooth, vibrantly green, and creamy. This step not only breaks down the oats into flour but also completely purees the spinach, giving your St muffins their signature look and tender crumb.
Step 3: Add the Chocolate Chips
Pour your green batter into a large mixing bowl and stir in the mini chocolate chips by hand. Mixing them in this way keeps the chips intact for gooey, melty surprises in each St-inspired bite. If you want extra chocolatey goodness, sprinkle a few more chips on top before baking!
Step 4: Fill and Bake
Divide the batter evenly among your prepared muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full. Pop them into the oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes. Your kitchen will soon fill with an irresistible, vanilla-scented aroma that’s bound to draw everyone in. Test with a toothpick—when it comes out clean (or with some melted chocolate), your St muffins are ready!
Step 5: Cool and Enjoy
Let the muffins cool in the pan for just 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This keeps them gorgeously moist inside and makes them easy to peel away from their liners. Once cooled, you’re set for the tastiest St snack or healthy breakfast ever!
How to Serve St
Garnishes
For a festive St touch, add a few extra mini chocolate chips on top while the muffins are warm—or dust with a little powdered sugar if you want an extra sweet flourish. Fresh spinach leaves or a fun St Patrick’s flag toothpick add playful party vibes!
Side Dishes
Pair your St muffins with a side of Greek yogurt or a mug of warm milk for a soothing breakfast. They also play nicely with fresh fruit or a smoothie—think of them as the ultimate grab-and-go snack for both kids and adults.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn your St creation into a showstopper! Stack muffins high on a rustic wooden board for brunch, arrange them in a shamrock shape on a platter for parties, or tuck them into lunchboxes with a handwritten note. However you share them, these green treats guarantee smiles.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover St muffins keep beautifully. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate up to a week. Their moisture means they never taste dry, and you can warm them up in seconds for that just-baked vibe.
Freezing
These muffins are freezer-friendly superheroes! Let them cool completely, then arrange in a single layer in a freezer bag or container. They’ll stay fresh for about three months—just grab and thaw as needed for instant St flavor any time of year.
Reheating
To bring back that bakery-fresh taste, pop a muffin in the microwave for 15–20 seconds from the fridge, or 30–40 seconds if frozen. You can also rewarm them gently in a low oven. The chocolate becomes gooey, and your kitchen smells like a cozy St morning all over again.
FAQs
Can I make these St muffins dairy-free?
Absolutely! Just swap in your favorite non-dairy Greek-style yogurt and use dairy-free chocolate chips. The results are just as moist, tender, and delicious.
Do these muffins taste like spinach?
Not at all! The subtle flavor of spinach is completely masked by the banana, vanilla, and chocolate. These St muffins are sweet, soft, and full of hidden goodness.
Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?
Stick with fresh spinach for this St recipe since frozen spinach has too much moisture and a stronger flavor which can change the final texture and taste. Fresh is easy to blend in and ensures a vibrant green result!
Is it okay to use quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats?
Old-fashioned oats create the perfect muffin crumb, but if you only have quick oats, you can use them in a pinch. Just know the texture of your St muffins may be a bit softer.
How do I know when these muffins are finished baking?
A toothpick inserted into the center should come out mostly clean, perhaps with a melted chocolate smudge but no wet batter. They’ll also bounce back lightly when touched—your St muffins are ready to enjoy!
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever wished a treat could be as festive as St, as wholesome as a green smoothie, and as craveable as chocolate chip muffins, this recipe checks every box. Give it a whirl and watch both kids and grownups light up—these St muffins are pure magic!
