Add a touch of comfort food to your breakfast routine with these healthy Strawberry Chocolate Hazelnut Muffins! With their warm, toasty notes and nutrient-dense profile, hazelnuts make a great addition to any muffin recipe. We love the light flavor that Strawberry Lifeway Kefir brings with its creamy, probiotic-rich cultures and light, tangy flavor that replaces the need for buttermilk to keep your muffins tender and fluffy. Instead of refined flour, we used the wholesome flaxseed in ground form and almond meal to create a more fiber-rich, healthier option for those looking to avoid refined grains. Coconut sugar keeps these muffins sweet and delicious without the need for refined sweeteners.
Cultured Dairy: The Nutrition Benefits You Need to Know
With increasing research linking the correlation between probiotics, gut health, and immunity, it’s no secret that the integrity of our gut is vital to our health. Although additional factors such as stress, antibiotic usage, and individual health conditions can contribute to the condition of our gut, a focus on healthy food choices is one of the easiest ways to support the microbiome.
Several studies have shown a strong association between the gut-brain-microbiota. Probiotics introduced to the gut have been found to support immunity, improve allergies, and improve digestion.
Studies have shown that reduced diversity of healthy gut bacteria during early years is associated with increased food allergies during school-age years. In addition, kefir made from whole milk helps absorb key nutrients such as Vitamins A, D, E, and K. Vitamin K is important because it helps your bones absorb calcium. It’s important to know that kefir contains a special trio: vitamin D, K, and calcium – all three crucial elements to support bone health.
Prebiotics + Probiotics = A Healthier You
Prebiotics are non-living, non-digestible carbohydrates naturally found in a variety of fiber-rich plant foods. Your body actually can’t digest prebiotics, so they’re what probiotics feed off of to remain actively working in your digestive system. They help the digestive system by promoting the growth of good bacteria. Prebiotics and probiotics work together in balance to make sure our digestive system stays on track and regular. Research has found that consuming a variety of prebiotic and probiotic food sources may improve your body’s natural functions, including both your immune and digestive systems.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Strawberry Lowfat Kefir
- 2 cups ground flaxseed meal (not whole seeds)
- 1½ cup almond meal
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- ⅓ cup dark chocolate chips
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ½ cup chopped toasted hazelnuts
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350F and line a muffin tin with parchment or silicone liners.
- Combine the Lifeway Strawberry Kefir, flaxseed and vanilla extract in a large blender and blend until smooth.
- Add the almond meal, cocoa powder, coconut sugar, baking powder, and salt and blend again.
- If your batter is overly thick, add a tablespoon or two of water until it is thin enough to scoop out of the blender.
- Divide the mixture amount the prepared muffin cups and sprinkle the tops with the chopped hazelnuts. Press lightly into the batter.
- Bake 25 to 30 minutes, until the muffins have risen and are firm to the touch.
