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Healthy Banana Muffins - Light, Moist, and Naturally Sweet

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 3 medium very ripe bananas (about 1 1/4 cups mashed)
  • 1/3 cup honey or pure maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup olive oil, avocado oil, or melted coconut oil (or 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt)
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 3/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour or white whole wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 cup milk of choice (dairy or unsweetened non-dairy)
  • Optional add-ins: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips, or 1/2 cup blueberries
  • Optional topping: 2 tablespoons old-fashioned oats or a sprinkle of turbinado sugar for crunch

Method
 

  1. Prep the oven and pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease lightly.
  2. Mash the bananas: In a large bowl, mash bananas until mostly smooth with a few small lumps for texture.
  3. Whisk in wet ingredients: Add honey or maple syrup, oil (or Greek yogurt), eggs, and vanilla. Whisk until well combined and glossy.
  4. Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg (if using), and salt.
  5. Combine wet and dry: Add dry ingredients to the banana mixture. Pour in the milk. Stir gently with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix; a few streaks of flour are okay.
  6. Fold in extras: If using nuts, chocolate chips, or berries, fold them in gently.
  7. Fill the cups: Divide batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full. Sprinkle oats or turbinado sugar on top if you like.
  8. Bake: Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  9. Cool: Let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling helps set the crumb and keeps them tender.