These easy Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins are a great way to use up ripe bananas. They are soft, moist, and loaded with mini chocolate chips. Perfect for a quick breakfast or snack.
I love baking muffins for breakfast. You just can't go wrong with soft, fluffy muffins first thing in the morning. My family loves blueberry zucchini muffins, chocolate mocha muffins, and any kind of banana muffin.
This week I decided to make banana oat muffins instead of banana coconut muffins, since we had some overripe bananas.
Why You Should Make These Muffins
These banana muffins are soft, fluffy, and loaded with mini chocolate chips. They are a great breakfast for on-the-go.
You will love how easy these are to make. All you need is one bowl and a few simple ingredients.
Chocolate chip banana muffins are the perfect snack for an early morning breakfast or a midnight snack. Plus, they freeze well, so you can keep a batch on hand for later.
Feel free to leave out the chocolate chips or replace them with walnuts or pecans. Either way, your kitchen will smell amazing as the muffins bake.
Key Ingredients
These banana chocolate chip muffins are easy to make in minutes using ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.
- Butter - We use unsalted butter in most of our recipes. This allows you the opportunity to control how much salt you want to add.
- Cream Cheese - Gives the muffins a soft and moist texture.
- Sugar - Granulated sugar sweetens the batter.
- Eggs - Help to bind the ingredients and to help the muffins bake properly.
- Vanilla Extract and Salt - Adds flavor and balances out the sweetness.
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda - The combination of both leavens help the muffins to rise as they bake.
- All Purpose Flour - Use the fluff and spoon method to measure flour. Knowing how to measure flour correctly will help your baked goods turn out every time.
- Quick Oats - Add a little bit of texture to the muffins. Rolled oats can also be used. Place them in a blender or food processor and do short pulses to break them down.
How To Make Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins
There isn't a much better way to start the day than with soft banana muffins with chocolate chips. Plus, they are so easy to make that you can whip up a batch in no time at all.
- Mix together the wet ingredients. Beat the softened butter and cream cheese with the sugar in a large bowl until light and creamy. Stir in the vanilla, eggs, and mashed bananas.
- Stir together the dry ingredients. Slowly beat in the dry mixture until everything is combined.
- Add the chocolate. Gently stir in the chocolate chips.
- Bake and cool. Spoon the batter evenly into muffin cups lined with paper liners and bake until the muffins are done. Remove and place on a wire rack to cool completely.
Variations
There are so many fun and delicious ways to change up this easy muffin recipe.
- Use different types of chocolate. Semi-sweet, dark, milk, or even white will be delicious. We usually use mini chips, but regular ones are awesome too.
- Add ยฝ cup of fruit to the batter. Some of our favorites are diced strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries.
- Stir in other mix-ins. Chopped nuts, shredded coconut, toffee bits, or even crushed cookies are an amazing addition.
Storage Recommendations
To Store - Keep the cooled muffins in tightly sealed container for 2-3 days. Place a paper towel at the bottom and top of the container to help absorb any moisture.
To Freeze - These banana muffins also freeze great. Make sure they are completely cooled, then wrap each one individually in plastic wrap or place in a sandwich bag. Place the wrapped muffins in a large freezer safe ziplock bag and freeze for 2-3 months.
Before serving, defrost the muffins in the refrigerator or on the counter. Try reheating a room temperature muffin in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for "freshly baked" muffins.
Tips and Tricks
- Overripe bananas will give you the best flavor in your muffins. Dark and spotted ones are best.
- If your bananas are not quite ripe, follow our directions on how to quickly ripen bananas.
- Change out the mini chocolate chips for regular chips if you want a bigger chocolate flavor in the muffins.
- Add ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans, if you like nuts in your banana muffins.
- Make sure the muffins are completely cool before placing in an air tight container.
- Serve the muffins with a cup of hot coffee or a chocolate latte.
Recipe FAQ'S
How do you make fluffy muffins?
Using room temperature ingredients will help muffins rise light and fluffy.
Can you make these ahead of time?
Yes, banana muffins are awesome to make 1-2 days ahead of time because the banana flavor deepens each day.
More Banana Recipes
- Skinny Banana Bread
- Banana Cinnamon Rolls
- Cinnamon Banana Bread
- Banana Waffle recipe
- Banana Toffee Cake
- Triple Chocolate Banana Bread recipe
- Banana Donuts
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Recipe
Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins
These easy Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins are a great way to use up ripe bananas. They are soft, moist, and loaded with mini chocolate chips. Perfect for a quick breakfast or snack.
Ingredients
- ยพ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 - 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 1 ยฝ cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ยฝ cups smashed banana (3 regular size)
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- ยพ cup quick oats
- ยฝ teaspoon baking powder
- ยฝ teaspoon baking soda
- ยฝ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the butter, cream cheese, and sugar until creamy. Add the vanilla, eggs, and banana and beat again.
- Stir together the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add to the butter mixture until completely combined. Add the chocolate chips and stir again.
- Place 26 cupcake liners in a muffin tin. Spoon the batter evenly into the liners.
- Bake for 26-28 minutes. Remove and let cool.
- Store in a sealed container on the counter. Makes 26 muffins.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 26 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 245Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 114mgCarbohydrates: 35gFiber: 1gSugar: 21gProtein: 3g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
*The post for Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins were first published August 2015. The post was updated and republished August 2022.
Laura
Can you use old fashioned oats with this? Or do they have to be quick oats? Thanks!
Jocelyn
You can use old fashioned oats too. I would just give them a whirl in a food processor if you have one or a blender to break them down slightly. Old fashioned oats are larger. But it really wouldn't matter which you use in the recipe. I hope you enjoy the muffins!
Sandy_of_WV
โฌ HINT ... BANANAS โฌ
Separate each at top of bunch stem -- place in fridge
Will last about a week, still being firm - skin may look brown/black - fruit inside is good.
Sandy_of_WV
Hint from... Sandy_of_WV
Jocelyn
Thank you so much for the banana tip!!!
Sandy_of_WV
โฌ Hoping you and others have tried the hint -- it really works -- bananas are still firm/good - unlike being on the counter for a week. โฌ
ChiChi
Not a fan of eating overripe bananas myself but love baking with them.These muffins look so yummy and I would some for breakfast.
Karly
It's like you knew I had a counter full of over ripe bananas waiting to be baked!
Jocelyn
I see lots of banana muffins in your future ๐
Trish - Mom On Timeout
Making muffins with cream cheese is my FAVORITE. They are totally addicting! These look perfect Jocelyn!
Jocelyn
There is just something about that cream cheese that makes muffins and cake so good!!!
Amanda
These look so yummy!
Jaren (Diary of a Recipe Collector)
I'm the say way about bananas, and I always end up with a bunch of brown ones. I'm totally going to make these now!
Karen @ The Food Charlatan
Okay I'm just so glad to hear I'm not the only one who loses stuff on my counter all the time. haha! I've definitely lost bananas before ๐ These look perfect Jocelyn!
Jocelyn
I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one too ๐
Medha @ Whisk & Shout
Love the sweetness from the bananas as they caramelize in the oven and love the addition of chocolate chips ๐
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
They look perfect! And I have a bunch of spotted bananas on my counter, so...muffins!
Jocelyn
Woo hoo for muffin baking fun! Hope you enjoy the muffins!
Michelle @ My California Kitchen
Yesss, I have some bananas in the freezer that I need to use. These look SO good! ALWAYS double the chocolate chips is my motto ๐
Kentucky Lady 717
I agree these do look good, but not a banana fan, what can I use instead of bananas ? ๐ The rest of the ingredients sound great.....
Jocelyn
Banana is a pretty key ingredient in these muffins. I would try another one from the blog. Here is a link to my muffin category. https://insidebrucrewlife.com/category/recipes/breakfast-breads/muffins-scones/
kentuckylady717
Kentuckylady717 says, thank you Jocelyn, the Blackberry Yogurt muffin sounds like a winner....I will be trying this one.....
Danae @ Recipe Runner
Fruit flies rank up there with mosquitos among the annoying bugs of the world. Seriously, why are they necessary? Anyways, they muffins look as perfect as the ones you see in a bakery! So tender and fluffy inside!
Jocelyn
I agree with you...pesty bugs just aren't necessary. I don't see how they help the earth!
Jen | Baked by an Introvert
You read my mind today! I've been craving a banana muffin. Headed to the kitchen to make these now!
Jocelyn
Sounds like a great plan...hope you enjoyed the muffins!
Serene @ House of Yumm
Ugh, fruitflies are the worst!!! Always with the bananas! I always have bananas on hand, I figure either they get eaten or I get to bake with them! It's a win-win. It's especially a win with this recipe because you're allowing me chocolate for breakfast ๐
Jocelyn
Chocolate for breakfast is always a win!!! Gotta love it!
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass
Dear Jocelyn - these banana muffins looks EXTRA delicious. We have some of the same banana "issues" at our house, and I was just up at King Arthur in Norwich over the weekend, got a 3 lb. bag of their bittersweet chocolate chips (among other delicious things) Hmmmm....these muffins are gonna happen!
Jocelyn
Oh, those bittersweet chips sound awesome. Perfect to pair with banana muffins for sure!
Marye
Banana Chocolate Chip Bread is one of my oldest daughter's weaknesses. She would love these!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom
Jocelyn, I always have a few ripe bananas that keep me on my toes every week! ๐ I also love breakfast muffins!! I mean, muffins for breakfast?! love these chocolate chip banana muffins and thank you so much for the link love! Happy Friday and happy weekend to you! TGIF!
Jocelyn
Muffins for breakfast is just a nicer way of saying cake for breakfast really...I'm all over that ๐ And you are very welcome for the link love!!!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan
My daughter doesn't like a huge breakfast during the school week either - but she will eat a muffin for sure if they are on the counter! I love baking with bananas too and I simply love how light and moist these muffins seem to be! Extra chocolate chips are always a GREAT option!
Jocelyn
They really were soft and delicious and of course extra chocolate is a must!
Mir
Those fruit flies are the worst. They're unavoidable if you ripen fruit on the counter. Ick.
These muffins are worth it, though! Happiest breakfast ever!
Jocelyn
It's something we just have to endure to get those ripe bananas for treats!