Gluten-Free Mocha Cherry Muffins [high-protein + no added sugar]

These gluten-free mocha cherry muffins are chocolatey, coffee-kissed, and packed with protein thanks to True Nutrition Café Mocha Whey, your new go-to healthy breakfast treat.

If your morning routine needs a little main-character energy, meet the muffin that delivers: Gluten-Free Mocha Cherry Protein Muffins. They’re chocolatey, coffee-kissed, loaded with juicy cherries, and have the perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture, without gluten, dairy, or the sugar crash.

These muffins blend the cozy flavor of banana-sweetened brownie batter with the bold kick of mocha and the tart pop of cherries. Thanks to True Nutrition Café Mocha Whey Protein (code HEALTHYHELPER saves $$!), each muffin brings a solid boost of protein (and flavor!) with a ridiculously tender, cake-like crumb. Basically…they taste like something you’d grab at a trendy café, but they’re secretly a macro-friendly powerhouse.

How to Make Gluten-Free Mocha Cherry Muffins

If you love mocha, chocolate, cherries, or simply being a person who has their life together with grab-and-go breakfasts, these muffins deserve a spot in your weekly rotation.

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How to Customize Your Mocha Cherry Muffins

One of the best aspects of these gluten-free mocha cherry muffins is their ease of customization. Whether you’re a chocolate maximalist or someone who likes a lighter, breakfast-style bake, these muffins adapt to whatever mood you’re in.

Want more coffee flavor?
Mix 1-2 teaspoons of instant espresso powder into the batter.

Prefer them sweeter?
Add 2-3 tablespoons of date syrup without affecting texture.

Need extra moisture?
Stir in a tablespoon of Greek yogurt or a splash more applesauce.

Craving crunch?
Chopped walnuts or cacao nibs make an excellent add-in.

Why These Mocha Muffins Stay So Moist (Even With Protein Powder!)

Protein powders, especially whey, can dry out baked goods. But this recipe stays soft and brownie-like for days because of three things:

1. Bananas + applesauce add natural moisture without extra oil.
2. Oat flour absorbs just enough liquid to stay fluffy, not dense.
3. Café Mocha Whey blends seamlessly with cocoa for a silky batter.

The result? A muffin that tastes indulgent but eats like a balanced breakfast.

How to Store & Freeze

These muffins are meal-prep gold. Here’s how to make them last:

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• Freezer: Freeze individually wrapped muffins for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: Microwave 10-12 seconds for that fresh-from-the-oven vibe.

Pro tip: Freeze a batch, then toss one into your gym bag before work; it’ll thaw by the time you need a protein-packed snack.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a gluten-free, high-protein muffin that tastes like it came from a hip artisan bakery, this mocha cherry combo is the one. It’s rich, satisfying, ridiculously easy to meal prep, and the perfect way to sneak some extra protein into your morning.

81 responses to “Gluten-Free Mocha Cherry Muffins [high-protein + no added sugar]”

1. This looks really good 🙂 and extremely moist!

   • Thank you!

2. I love these healthy and gluten-free mocha cranberry muffins! Love that you included avocado for healthy fats and applesauce to skip butter or oil. I’m sure they taste great!

   • They taste SO GOOD!

3. These are rockin’ my world! Cranberry and mocha are my life! I use both of these everyday, definitely sharing this in my Ten Things Tuesday this week!:)

   • THANK YOU!!! You rock girl!

4. Mmmm mocha muffins sound amazing!!!

   • Thanks, love! They taste pretty amazing too!

5. Those look delicious! Love the addition of avocado in there. I don’t have a prob with moist when referring to baked goods 🙂

   • Yup! The avocado replaces oil! Gotta love healthy swaps!

6. Love the density of these here! So perfect <3

   • Thanks Rachel! So FUDGY!!!!

7. These look great! So moist! I love it.

   • Thank you so much!

8. Ok YUM! These look so moist inside. And I LOVE the mocha/berry combo. So clever and so perfect for mornings on the go!

   • Thanks Chrissa! They really are a great on the go breakfast or snack option!

9. Muffins are always my favorite thing to bake <3 And I love baking with coconut yogurt! It makes for awesome texture and moisture. These look super rich and I can't believe you snuck avocado in there too 😮 If I had to choose which one to smell for the rest of my life it'd be coffee, but to eat the rest of my life it'd be chocolate 😀

   • Ooooh I think I’d have to agree with you there! But then again, chocolate has a pretty amazing smell too! So tough to choose favorites…especially when it comes to foo!

10. I am a moist hater. Haha! Having said that, these sure do look good. Thanks for linking up 🙂

    • Haha! Well hopefully these will convince you that moist can be a good thing! 🙂

11. Wow, I’ve never heard of this yogurt, but it looks SO YUMMY Kaila in those moist, mocha muffins. I can’t wait to try this recipe, Lord willing, soon. :))

    • Let me know how you like them!

12. These look delicious and I love mocha and cranberries! I was just commenting that I have so many frozen cranberries in the freezer because I always stock up and was told they are a fall food. Umm no they are delicious year round, it’s not my fault they are harder to find at certain times during the year, which is why I stock up!
    Thank you for linking up with us for Meatless Monday!

    • Good on you for stocking up! That’s exactly what I do with pumpkin LOL!

13. These looks great! Mocha is one of my favorite flavors ever 🙂

    • Thank you so much Alexa!

14. Love that coffe yogurt and sounds delish when mixing it with cranberries and almonds.

    • The yogurt is amazing on its on and even better in the muffins!!

15. These look so fudgy and delicious! Yum!

    • They certainly are!! 🙂

16. I’ll bet these are really moist and have great layers of flavor with that coffee yogurt. They sound fantastic! I’d love to have you share this recipe at the Healthy Living Link Party that will open at 8 pm EST on Wednesday. Thanks! Blessings, Leigh

    • I will be there!

      • Thanks for linking up!
        Blessings, Leigh

17. […] Gluten-Free Mocha Cranberry Muffins by Kaila at Healthy Helper […]

18. Mocha + cranberry sounds like such a winning combo! Great photography, Kaila!

    • Thank you so much Allie! That means a ton coming from you!

19. These look like brownies for breakfast! Sign me UP!!!! 🙂 <3

    • Will do! 🙂

20. Those look really good. my son is trying to eat less gluten, so I am on the look out for delicious recipes. Thanks

    • So tasty!!

21. I have some oat flour just wanting to be used…think I found a recipe to try 🙂 These look healthy and delicious, perfect for my family!

    • Do it!!! You will love these!

22. This sounds like such a lovely recipe! Will be trying this one out! #tastytuesdays

23. Kaila, I have never used yogurt in baking, and I can see that I need to start. Although I am too a hater of the word moist, I do love my baked goods to have that moist, gooey center. I am pinning this recipe because I absolutely have to make this!

    By the way, I had seen this on social media a few weeks ago and I definitely put my vote in for you. Good luck with the contest, this is a fantastic recipe and deserves kudos!

    • Thanks so much! Fingers crossed!

24. So many yummy ingredients. These muffins sound delicious. Homemade is always better too! So glad you shared with us at Merry Monday.

25. Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe at the #RecipeSharingParty! I hope to see you next week. Pinned and Yummed. Please visit Over the Moon for more sharing fun! Don’t forget to comment your link #’s so I can be sure to visit.

26. These gluten free muffins look amazing! I’m always on the look out for a good gluten free recipe. Thank you!

    • So welcome! Enjoy!

27. These sound delicious! I always seem to have leftover cranberries in my cupboard so will definitely be giving these a go…nice change!

    • Thank you so much! Let me know how you like them!

28. I’ve never used avocado as fat in baking, but I may have to give it a try. I usually use all unsweetened applesauce. These look really good.

    • Thank you Genie!!!

29. Moist isn’t my favorite word either, but when talking about gluten free baking items I’m all for it! Too many gluten free recipes turn out dry, so I love ones that don’t. Looking forward to trying these. I’ll have to pin this so I remember to try it next time I have some spare time to bake! I’ll come back and rate it too after I try it. 🙂

    • Thank you so much! Let me know how you like it!

30. Hi Kaila,
    Wow these sound so healthy and tasty. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & Tweeted!

    • Thank you!

31. Your Mocha Cranberry Muffins look wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday. Have a great weekend and come back soon!
    Miz Helen

32. These look AMAZING! Found you at SITS, great site!

    • Thanks for stopping by!

33. These look so squidgy and delicious 🙂 Thanks for linking to #CookBlogShare

    • Thanks Hayley!

34. […] GF Mocha Cranberry Muffins from Healthy Helper […]

35. These look soo lish! My gluten intolerant mom will love these, I’m sure!
    –G
    http://gingerwroot.com

36. Wow. Yum. Wish I could grab one from the screen lol. #tastytuesdays

    • Thanks! Definitely give them a try!

37. These look delicious! Pinned & Yummed 🙂

    • Thanks Angela!

38. These look and sound fab! I love that fact that you don’t use sugar either.

    • My favorite way to bake! No sugar added! 🙂

39. These look delicious and perfect that they are gluten free as I am currently trying to cut gluten out of our diet . These look like the perfect healthy snack option! #YumTum

    • Thanks Charlotte! Let me know if you try them!

40. How delicious do these look? Thank you for sharing the recipe. I’ll be trying it soon.

    • Good to hear!! Thank you!

41. Oh, these look so moist and fluffy at the same time! Great recipe, and I love the fact they are slightly better for you 🙂

    • Definitely a healthy snack option!

42. oh wow – look how moist these are!! Breakfast coming up!! Thanks for sharing on the “What’s for Dinner” Link up!

    • Welcome!! Enjoy the recipe!

43. This sounds like a delicious combo. Yum! Thanks so much for sharing this at Savoring Saturdays linky party!

    • Thanks for stopping by!

44. […] GF Mocha Cranberry Muffins from Healthy Helper […]

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