Muffins are convenient to make for holidays because they’re portable, keep well, and can be eaten as breakfast, snacks, or dessert. These muffins have great coconut flavor – there’s toasted coconut on top, flaked coconut inside, and half of the flour I used in these muffins is coconut flour, which is high in fiber and protein. Surprisingly, the coconut flavor isn’t overwhelming at all; the coconut flour has a very subtle coconut flavor and the flaked coconut inside is mainly to keep the muffins moist, so the little bit of toasted coconut on top really ends up being the most pronounced coconut flavor. And what goes better with coconut than chocolate and macadamia nuts? Nothing, other than maybe a tall glass of milk. :)
I hope everyone has a safe, happy Labor Day! 
Toasted Coconut Muffins
(Yield: 18 muffins)
2 c all-purpose flour
2 c coconut flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 ¼ c low-fat or fat-free milk
⅔ c canola oil
1 large banana, mashed (about ½ c)
¾ c sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla, coconut, or almond extract
1 c plus 6 TB sweetened flaked coconut, divided
⅓ c mini chocolate chips
⅓ c roughly chopped macadamia nuts
Muffin tray
Paper muffin liners
To toast the coconut and macadamia nuts: We’re only toasting the coconut that will be used as a topping (6 TB); the remaining coconut (1 c) will be kept untoasted and mixed inside the batter to help keep the muffins moist. Add 6 TB coconut to a small, dry pan over medium-low heat; stir frequently and remove from heat once the coconut is a light golden brown color. Repeat this process with the macadamia nuts. Let the coconut and nuts cool before adding to the batter.
Preheat the oven to 350F. In a medium bowl, whisk or sift together the flours, baking powder, and salt. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, oil, banana, sugar, and extract. Slowly stir the dry ingredients into the wet until incorporated. Stir in the remaining 1 c coconut, chocolate chips, and nuts. (The batter will be somewhat thick and lumpy, which is fine.)
Line the muffin tray with paper liners and fill each muffin well about ¾ full with batter and sprinkle 1 teaspoon toasted coconut on the top of each muffin. Bake for about 20-24 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted inside comes out with just a few crumbs.
kim says
How would I make these muffins without the banana?
admin says
Kim, You could try using 1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce instead. Hope you enjoy the muffins -- they were delicious! Faith
Karen@Mignardise says
This sounds amazing - I love all things coconutty. I've never used the coconut flour, but I'm looking forward to giving it a try soon! Thanks.
Sophie says
I also love to use coconut flour!! I love its taste a lot!
Sophie says
MMMMMMMMM,..your coconut muffins look like the real deal!! ooh yes!
I will make a Gf version of it! That's for sure!
marla {family fresh cooking} says
I love coconut everything these days. Coconut flour is such a fun addition to baked goodies. The texture and subtle flavor are a nice change from the whole wheat pastry flour that I usually use. The chocolate & macadamia nuts add so much to this recipe too. xo
Kari says
These look amazing and sound so good.
Juliana says
Faith, these coconut muffins look awesome...SO SO tasty...hope you had a great Labor Day weekend :-)
Dana says
Yum! These look fantastic... I would eat them for breakfast, snacks, AND dessert!
Hope you had a great labor day weekend :)
Nutmeg Nanny says
These look delicious and beautiful! I love all the toasted coconut on top...yum!
Rosa says
What perfect muffins! They look so attractive and delicious.
Cheers,
Rosa
FOODESSA says
Faith...thanks for reminding me to try that coconut flour. It's been on my list of try-outs to be used soon.
The coconut will probably be baked with some cashews in my case...because, macademia nuts are hard for me to find ;o)
Another succesfully tempting recipe for me to try.
Flavourful wishes,
Claudia
Barbara says
Wow, Faith! You've got a lot of flavors going on there. I make coconut bread a lot and these muffins look fabulous. The banana surprised me. And I've never used coconut flour, which sounds wonderful.
Super recipe!
MaryMoh says
Beautiful muffins. These would be great to have with friends and chat and laugh abut life :D
Marisa says
Ooooh that looks good! I would add a little bit of lemon zest to these babies as well, love coconut & citrus combos. So interesting about the coconut flour too - I'm definitely going to have to hunt that down!
indie.tea says
O my, your coconut muffins look and sound wonderful!
Monet says
I adore coconut...adore it! And I love adding it on top of muffins. Of course, you can't go wrong with bananas and macadamia nuts either!
Carolyn Jung says
Those look so very moist. And the toasted coconut shavings over the top just make it all the more special.
coco says
I love coconut flour. I can imagine this muffin really cakey ;)
Carol says
Your coconut muffins look delicious! Toasted coconut, macadamia's, chocolate and banana's are a perfect combination of flavors!
Barbara Bakes says
I love this idea of a muffin, so many possibilities. How about pineapple instead of chocolate.
Julie says
These look so delicious! Your photographs are great. Hope you had a great holiday weekend.
Lazaro says
I am all about these coconut muffins. I could have about a dozen of those. Bravo.
HPD says
Delish!
deana@lostpastremembered says
I have never heard of coconut flour, Faith... what a great idea to add taste and moisture to a recipe... can't wait to try this!
ingrid says
Bananas and pineapple go best with coconut. Waaay better than chocolate. :)
Hope you're having a good one, Faith!
~ingrid
grace says
faith, you temptress! toasted coconut is such a weakness for me--i'll make a run for anything that's garnished with it. these are some lurvely muffins. :)
Jessie says
GORGEOUS muffins, Faith! Especially with those toasted coconut flakes on top and the chocolate and macadamia nuts - oh my. I need to track down some coconut flour and make these. And since Peter doesn't like coconut, I'll get to have them all! Muah ha ha!
Have a great Labor Day, Faith!
Lynn says
The muffins look amazing. I'll bet they're yummy.
Biren @ Roti n Rice says
Oooh...these muffins look scrumptious! I like the toasted coconut on the top. Must be really tasty!
kim says
how I wish to be devouring this on a tropical island.
Happy Labor Day to you too!
Maria @ ScandiFoodie says
Delicious! They look so perfectly moist, I'm also surprised about the coconut flour, I'll have to try it!
tasteofbeirut says
I had no idea there was coconut flour out there! These muffins make me wish I was in Hawaii, dancing by the beach! They look and sound amazing!
Mo says
These are beautiful! I love that it's a subtle coconut flavor, too. I do like coconut, but it's easy for the flavor to overtake everything. :)
Katerina says
My husband is a big fan of coconut. I am sure he would love these.
Mary says
What lovely little gems. I'll wager they are as tasty as they are beautiful. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Blessings...Mary
chaya says
Some pineapple and these would be tropical. They make a great muffin. I think that what we put into out muffins, makes all the difference. This has a nice much of ingredients that sound like they blend well together.
Sara says
Love the coconut muffins!!! :)
Treat and Trick says
These are absolutely delicious, love the topping and great click too
Krista says
These look lovely, Faith! I just love coconut and chocolate together. Coconut flour is something I've yet to come across. I'll have to be on the lookout for it...
Jen says
Just lovely! Perfect muffins! I've never used coconut flour before - very interesting. Happy Labor Day!
Xiaolu says
I love how toasty and brown the coconut on top is. Just really makes me want to take a big bite. Great recipe and have a great holiday weekend!
Louanne says
Faith, these look beyond delicious! Bookmarking - these would be perfect for breakfast meetings.
Heavenly Housewife says
I recently had something very similar except they had raspberries in them. THey were absolutely lovely. I bet these are fantastic, coconut is a big favourite of mine.
*kisses* HH
Chiara says
Look at those!! I love them. And I really like coconut, so these are right up my alley. Have a great Labor Day weekend!
Joanne says
I'm not gonna lie, these look dreamy. I am coconut addict...and so I love that you infused coconut flavor everywhere you could in these!
Ameena says
These would be the perfect addition to the Eid brunch my mom and dad are hosting. I wonder if I can find time to make these. I know they won't look as good as yours but I still think they'd be a huge hit!
Priyanka says
I love coconut based baked goods!! I am springpading this recipe!!
Honey @ honeyandsoy says
These look awesome, Faith! I've never heard of coconut flour before but I bet they would pack a massive flavour punch to these muffins!
Anna Johnston says
These look wonderful Faith. Have a lovely holiday weekend.
sophia says
YES!!! AWESOME!!! Bookmarking this RIGHT NOW, because I have coconut flour to spare! YES YES YES!!! :D
Veronica says
I love you for showing us the insides. The further I scrolled, the more I hoped there would be one. Thank you! It looks sooo incredibly delicious.
BeadedTail says
Oh wow, those look so good! Those are packed with lots of yummy things although I've never heard of coconut flour. Will have to look for that!
Louise Mellor says
You're right about muffins, breakfast lunch or snack... the problem is if I have a good muffin around, I will eat it for all four... Love the first shot, the muffin looks proud and looking straight into the camera... have a great weekend.
~Chef Louise
Betty @ scrambled hen fruit says
Beautiful for breakfast or brunch- What a lovely combination of flavors there are in this muffin!
Emily Z says
Oh man these look sooooooo delicious. I love macaroons, I bet I'd love these too! I am curious though, where do you find coconut flour? Can you find that at the average store?
admin says
Emily, I buy my coconut flour right in my regular grocery store. (I've also seen it at Walmart in this area.) If you can't find it in your regular grocery store, you might be able to find it at an organic store. If all else fails, it's available on Amazon. :)
Cara says
Hello deliciousness!
I would like a bite right now please!!!
Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella says
They look so lovely and moist inside! What a great recipe, thankyou Faith! :D