Banana Bread Muffins

Banana Bread Muffins are a delicious way to use your ripe bananas and enjoy a moist, tender and flavorful breakfast or snack. This easy banana bread recipe is adapted from my classic banana bread and makes 12 perfect muffins. You can also add crunchy crumb topping for extra texture and sweetness.

Why Use Ripe Bananas?

Ripe bananas are key to making best banana muffins. They are sweeter, softer and easier to mash than unripe bananas. They also add more moisture and flavor to the batter. Riper bananas, better muffins!

How to Make the Best Banana Muffins

Making Banana Bread Muffins is very simple and takes only few steps.

1. Whisk Dry Ingredients Together

Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in big bowl. These are dry ingredients that will give structure and rise to the muffins.

2. Mash Bananas

In medium bowl, mash bananas with fork until smooth. You should have about 1 1/2 cups of mashed bananas. If you have more or less, adjust amount of sugar accordingly.

3. Combine the Wet Ingredients

Add melted butter, sugar, egg and vanilla extract to mashed bananas and whisk well. These are wet ingredients that will provide moisture and richness to the muffins.

4. Combine and Add Chocolate Chips

Add wet ingredients to dried ingredients and stir gently until combined. Refrain from overmixing or you will end up with tough muffins. Fold in the chocolate chips if using. You can also use nuts, dried fruits or other mix ins of your choice.

How to Mash Bananas

Easiest way to mash bananas is to use fork and mash them in a bowl until smooth. You can also use potato masher, pastry blender or an electric mixer on low speed. Alternatively, you can peel and freeze the bananas, then thaw and mash them with your hands.

How Long to Bake Banana Muffins

Banana bread muffin is delicious and easy way to use up overripe bananas. They are perfect for breakfast, snacks or dessert. But how long do you need to bake them? And why are overripe bananas better for baking? This blog post will answer these questions and share tips and variations for making the best banana muffins ever.

Baking time for banana bread muffin depends on the size of your muffin pan and temperature of your oven. Generally, you want to bake them at 375°F (190°C) for 18 to 22 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center is clean. You can also use digital thermometer to check doneness of your muffins. They are done when they reach an internal temperature of 190°F (88°C).

Why Use Over Ripe Bananas?

Overripe bananas are ideal for baking because they are sweeter and softer than fresh bananas. They also have more natural sugars and starches, which help to moisten and flavor your muffins. Overripe bananas also mash easily, which makes them easier to incorporate into the batter.

Place bananas in a paper bag with an apple or tomato to ripen them faster. These fruits produce ethylene gas, which speeds up ripening process. You can also bake unpeeled bananas in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until the skins turn black. This will soften and sweeten bananas as well.

Banana Muffin Variations

One of best things about banana bread muffins is that you can customize them with different add ins and toppings. Here are some of our favorite variations:

Chocolate chip banana muffins: Add 1 cup (175 g) of semisweet chocolate chips to the batter and sprinkle more on top before baking.

Banana nut muffins: Add 1/2 cup (60 g) of chopped walnuts or pecans to batter and sprinkle more on top before baking.

Banana oatmeal muffins: Replace 1/2 cup (65 g) of all purpose flour with 1/2 cup (45 g) of rolled oats. You can also add 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon for extra flavor.

Banana blueberry muffins: Gently fold in 1 cup (150 g) of fresh or frozen blueberries into the batter. If using frozen blueberries, do not thaw them before adding them.

Banana peanut butter muffins: Add 1/4 cup (60 g) of creamy peanut butter to wet ingredients and mix well. You can also drizzle some melted peanut butter on the baked muffins.

Ingredients for Banana Bread Muffins

To make these delicious banana bread muffins, you will need:

All purpose flour: Base ingredient for the muffin batter. You can also use whole wheat or gluten free flour for different variations.

Baking soda: Leavening agent that helps muffins rise and become fluffy.

Salt: Pinch of salt enhances flavor and balances out sweetness.

Cinnamon: Warm spice that adds aroma and taste to the muffins. You can also use nutmeg, cardamom or pumpkin pie spice for different flavors.

Bananas: Star ingredient that makes these muffins moist and sweet. Use ripe or overripe bananas for best results.

Butter: Melted butter adds richness and tenderness to the muffins. You can also use oil or applesauce for different options.

Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens muffins and helps them brown nicely. You can also use brown sugar, honey or maple syrup for different sweetness levels.

Egg: One large egg binds ingredients together, adding structure and moisture to the muffins.

Vanilla extract: Splash of vanilla extract enhances flavor and aroma of the muffins. You can also use almond, lemon or banana extract for different flavors.

Chocolate chips: Optional but highly recommended. Chocolate chips add gooeyness and decadence to the muffins. You can also use white chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips or peanut butter chips for different options.

How to Store Banana Muffins

Banana bread muffins are delicious treats that can be enjoyed for breakfast, snack or dessert. But how do you store them to keep them fresh and moist for longer? This blog post will share some storage tips for banana muffins, answer frequently asked questions and provide recipes for our easy and healthy banana muffins.

Storage Tips for Banana Muffins

Best way to store banana bread muffins is to let them cool completely on wire rack after baking. Then, transfer them to an airtight container or ziplock bag and store them at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze banana bread muffin for up to 3 months. To freeze them, wrap each muffin in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer safe bag or container. Label and date bag or container and store them in the freezer. To thaw them, microwave them for 15 to 20 seconds or let them sit at room temperature for an hour.

FAQs

Conclusion

Banana bread muffins are a great way to use ripe bananas and enjoy a sweet and satisfying treat. By following these storage tips, you can keep them fresh and moist for longer. Try our easy and healthy banana bread muffin recipe below and let us know what you think!