These Banana Bread Muffins are so soft and fluffy. Feel free to make this easy banana muffins recipe plain or load them with chocolate chips or toasted nuts. They are the perfect grab and go breakfast when you are short on time.
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Banana Muffins
We go through quite a few bananas every week. I eat the green ones and save the brown ones for banana waffles or sour cream banana bread.
Our kids are picky about what they eat for breakfast. Most days, they just grab a protein shake or a cliff bar. But I have found that they will reach for those if I make muffins first.
Although, if I make these banana muffins without chocolate chips, my kids will let me know that the chocolate is missing. I guess they have the same sweet tooth as I do.
Why This Recipe Works
Baking banana bread muffins is so much quicker than baking a loaf of banana bread. A batch of these muffins can be baked in 18 minutes, compared to a loaf of bread which is usually 60 minutes.
Muffins are much more convenient to grab and go when you are in a hurry. A muffin in a liner is much easier to eat in the car than a jar of chia pudding. Am I right?
These easy banana muffins taste just like banana bread, just a little bit lighter and fluffier. The best part is how moist and delicious they are.
Another great thing is that this is an easy one-bowl recipe. Yay for making less mess in the kitchen, right?
Key Ingredients
This banana bread muffin recipe is easy to make with simple pantry items that you probably already have on hand. Make sure to buy extra bananas because you will want to make these again and again.
- Sugar - A mixture of brown sugar and granulated sugar sweetens the muffins.
- Oil - Used to give the muffins moisture and a soft tender texture. Make sure you use a neutral flavored oil. Melted butter can also be used.
- Bananas - The key to a good banana muffin is ripe bananas. Dark and spotty bananas will give the the best sweet flavor.
- Large Egg - Adds moisture and holds the ingredients together.
- Flour - We use all purpose flour in most of our recipes. Use the fluff and spoon method, so you are not adding too much. See how to measure flour if you are unsure.
- Cinnamon - Adds a delicious warm flavor.
- Baking Essentials - Baking powder, baking soda, vanilla extract, and salt are basics that everyone usually has on hand.
- Optional Mix-In's - You can leave the muffins plain if you like. Or add mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts.
How to Make Banana Bread Muffins
Follow this chocolate chip banana bread muffin recipe for a quick and easy breakfast treat. Line the tin with cupcake liners, mix the batter, and wait while they bake. You really cannot go wrong with this recipe.
- Mix the oil and sugars together in a large bowl. Add the egg, vanilla, and mashed bananas and mix again.
- Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Beat just until combined.
- Gently stir in chocolate chips or nuts if using.
- Spoon the batter evenly into a prepared muffin pan. Sprinkle with a few extra chocolate chips and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
BRUCREW TIP: Do not overbake the muffins. You want them to be moist and delicious. Ours were done in 18 minutes. All ovens bake a little differently, so yours may be done in a little less or a little more.
Storage Recommendations
If kept in an airtight container on the counter, the banana muffins will stay soft for 4-5 days.
These muffins are also freezer-friendly, so make a double batch and have some on hand later for breakfast or a late-night snack.
Tips and Variations
- Use extra-ripe bananas for the best flavor. If the bananas on your counter are not quite ready, check out our post on how to quickly ripen bananas.
- Do NOT over mix your batter. This can make your muffins tough.
- All ovens run differently. Check the muffins a few minutes before the timer goes off. Insert a toothpick into the center. The muffins are done if they come out with a few moist crumbs.
- Change up the flavor of the recipe by adding shredded coconut, toasted nuts, or berries.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, they sure do. They are just a little bit lighter and fluffier than a loaf of banana bread though.
The easiest way to mash bananas is with a fork and a plate. Peel the banana and place it on the plate. Use the tines of the fork to mash it into a chunky fruit puree.
Insert a toothpick into the center of a muffin and pull it out. Muffins are done if there are still a few moist crumbs on it. If there is raw batter on the toothpick, continue baking for a few more minutes.
Yes, these muffins freeze really well. Place the cooled muffins on a tray and freeze for 30 minutes, then place in a freezer safe bag or container. Freeze for 1-2 months.
Thaw on the counter for at least 30 minutes before serving, or heat in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.
Other Banana Muffin Recipes
- Chocolate Banana Muffins
- Banana Butterscotch Muffins
- Banana Nutella Muffins
- Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Banana Pineapple Muffins
- Banana Coconut Muffins
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Recipe
Banana Bread Muffins
These Banana Bread Muffins are soft and fluffy and loaded with mini chocolate chips. Easy breakfast to make ahead of time.
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup canola oil
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups mashed banana
- 1 ¾ cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup miniature chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin tins with 16 cupcake liners.
- In a mixing bowl, mix together the oil and sugars.
- Add the egg, vanilla, and banana and beat again.
- Add the dry ingredients and slowly mix just until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips by hand.
- Spoon into evenly into cupcake liners. Bake for 18 minutes. Let cool slightly before eating. Store in a sealed container for 4-5 days.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 173Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 160mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 1gSugar: 14gProtein: 2g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
*This post was first published in February 2013. The post was updated and republished in September 2022.
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
Pudding muffins! Now we can put pudding in breakfast foods. These rock Jocelyn!
Jocelyn Brubaker
I know!!! Isn't it awesome? Pudding is becoming my new favorite add in!!!
Julie @ Table for Two
wow, ok. so i've never had banana bread with vanilla pudding mix in it - i can only imagine how MOIST and delicious this is. anything with pudding mix in it is SO good - especially cookies, so i really must make these asap cause they sound and look wonderful!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Oh my word, Julie, you wouldn't believe how stinking moist and delicious these muffins were. Totally our new favorite way to eat banana bread.
Kayla
These sound amazing!! I've noticed that you've been using pudding a lot here lately...sounds like I need to take your word and give it a try!! 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
haha! I must be addicted to pudding if others are noticing it too 🙂
Nancy
These look really yummy. Send some east ASAP! 😉
Jocelyn Brubaker
I would send some but...your grandkids devoured these!!!!
Michelle at Faith, Trust, & Pixie Dust
Hello Jocelyn, Wow, your food looks fantastic. Great job on your pictures. I saw you at BYB & I'm popping by your great blog to say "hello". Can I just say that you are so gorgeous? I've seen some photos of you here & there & you look so good in all of them! It was really nice to meet you & I hope to see you again soon.
Warmly, Michelle
Faith, Trust & Pixie Dust
Jocelyn Brubaker
Hi, Michelle. Well, you have me blushing right now. Thank you so much for the absolute sweetest comment. I am so glad I had a chance to meet you too! Are you headed to any other blog conferences this year?
From Nature to Nurture
I am so excited to make these for my kids! Thank you for sharing the recipe! I would love it if you would share this recipe on Thrifty Thursday link party tomorrow @ http://fromnature-tonurture.blogspot.com/ Hope to see you there!
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain
I LOVE MUFFINS!!! If I could I'd eat them all the time heehee. I never thought to throw pudding into mine - now the possibilities are endless. They look fantastic - no wonder you have to plead the fifth! 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
PUdding definitely opens so many windows for baking! I am so tempted to make more of these, but I know I would eat them all with the kids at school 🙂
sally @ sallys baking addiction
I just made chocolate chip banana bread (as a loaf) over the weekend Jocelyn! And I can't wait to post about it. I am loving the individual-sized portions though. 🙂 Love the pudding hiding in there!
Jocelyn Brubaker
I have been hiding pudding in everything lately. It is kind of an addiction. I can't wait to check out your banana bread. You always make the best stuff!!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
I ALMOST bought pudding today at the store, but didn't. Now I am kicking myself! I have bananas I need to use up, like yesterday, and these would be perfect!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Run, don't walk, to the nearest store and get some pudding! Those bananas need to be muffins stat!!!
Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen
I have yet to make banana bread/muffins with pudding mix yet. Looks like I need to stop procrastinating. If only my bananas were brown instead of ugly old bright yellow! 😉
Jocelyn Brubaker
Put those yellow nanners in a brown paper bag so you can have muffins soon!!! You are going to love the texture that pudding gives these muffins!!!
Trish - Mom On Timeout
Pudding in your muffins - LOVE it! They look fabulous Jocelyn!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Trish 🙂
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction
Great idea to add pudding mix to muffins! I just threw some brown bananas in the freezer yesterday, I should have left them out!
Jocelyn Brubaker
That's ok. Pull the bananas out of the freezer, thaw them, and they are ready for pudding muffin goodness!!!
Elaine @ Cooking to Perfection
Jocelyn, you are the pudding mix queen! I've never thought to add pudding mix to bread/muffin recipes... just cookies. But this has opened the door to a whole new world. I can only imagine how delicious these muffins must be since pudding cookies are amazing. I need to try this idea asap!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Hahaha! I am not sure about pudding queen...more like pudding addict! I have definitely been putting it in everything I can think of!!!
Deborah
I would have never thought to add pudding mix - you are a genius!! And I just happen to have some spotty bananas on my counter right now!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Deborah! Sounds to me like you need some banana muffins in your oven today!!!
Tanya Schroeder
I love buying banana's just so I can use them in wonderful recipes like this! I have to try this, we need baked breakfast food ASAP!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets
I put pudding mix in my blueberry muffins and they are so moist. I can only imagine how delicious these are Jocelyn!!!
marcellina
Kids can be so picky for breakfast, can't they? These muffins look great though and goodness in them too!
Dilek
I made some berry muffins too 🙂 The bluiebrrees I bought was a little sour, so I used them for baking. I like the idea of adding bananas to the recipe...this fruit has got this magical power of making bakes soft and fragrant!
Holly Waterfall
These look super nommy. My son would gobble them up.
I completely understand your dislike for the word "moist", but there really is no other word. lol
ps. I love that coffee mug.
Nicole @ Daily Dish Recipes
Your muffins are making me hungry. Oh how I love banana bread muffins and this recipe looks fantastic. Yum! Think I know what I'm making.
Jocelyn Brubaker
I'm glad we could share the banana muffin love!! Enjoy the muffins 🙂
Nicole @ youngbrokeandhungry
I could eat Banana Bread for every meal and If I have it around, I usually do. Vanilla pudding mix is a great addition. I can only imagine how good these are.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Banana bread for every meal...sounds like a challenge 🙂 The pudding was the best thing ever to add!!!