Banana Bread Mini Muffins Recipe

Banana bread mini muffins are the perfect bite-sized treat for breakfast, a snack, or dessert. These muffins are moist, flavorful, and easy to make, offering all the deliciousness of banana bread in a convenient mini size. Whether you’re hosting a brunch, packing a lunchbox, or satisfying a sweet craving, this recipe is a surefire hit.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Perfectly Portable: Mini muffins are great for on-the-go snacks.
2. Quick to Bake: Their small size means they bake faster than traditional banana bread.
3. Moist and Tender: Thanks to ripe bananas, these muffins are soft and flavorful.
4. Customizable: Add nuts, chocolate chips, or spices to make them your own.

Step 1: Prepare for Baking

1. Preheat the Oven
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a mini muffin pan with non-stick spray or line it with mini muffin liners.
2. Mash the Bananas
   • In a medium bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork or potato masher until smooth. Set aside.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

1. Combine Dry Ingredients
   • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon (if using).

Step 3: Prepare the Wet Ingredients

1. Mix Wet Ingredients
   • In another bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, granulated sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

1. Fold Together
   • Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, gently folding with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the muffins dense.
2. Add Optional Mix-Ins
   • If desired, fold in nuts, chocolate chips, or other add-ins.

Step 5: Fill the Muffin Pan

1. Scoop the Batter
   • Using a small spoon or cookie scoop, fill each mini muffin cup about 3/4 full with batter.

Step 6: Bake the Muffins

1. Bake
   • Place the muffin pan in the preheated oven and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
2. Cool
   • Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Perfect Pairings

• Coffee or Tea: Enjoy these muffins with a warm cup of coffee or tea for a cozy breakfast.
• Smoothies: Pair with a fruit smoothie for a nutritious and balanced snack.
• Honey or Butter: Spread a bit of honey or butter on a warm muffin for an extra treat.

Tips for Perfect Banana Bread Mini Muffins

1. Use Ripe Bananas
   • Overripe bananas with brown spots are best for flavor and moisture.
2. Don’t Overmix
   • Mix the batter just until combined to avoid tough muffins.
3. Grease the Pan Well
   • Mini muffins can stick easily, so be sure to grease the pan thoroughly or use liners.
4. Check for Doneness Early
   • Mini muffins bake quickly, so start checking at the 12-minute mark to avoid overbaking.
5. Cool Completely Before Storing
   • Let the muffins cool completely to prevent them from becoming soggy in storage.

Variations

1. Chocolate Banana Mini Muffins
   • Add 1/4 cup cocoa powder to the dry ingredients for a chocolaty twist.
2. Nutty Banana Mini Muffins
   • Fold in 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans for added crunch.
3. Banana Oat Mini Muffins
   • Replace 1/4 cup of flour with rolled oats for a heartier texture.
4. Gluten-Free Banana Mini Muffins
   • Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
5. Vegan Banana Mini Muffins
   • Replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons water) and use coconut oil instead of butter.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I Make Regular-Sized Muffins with This Recipe?

• Yes! Simply use a standard muffin tin and bake for 18–22 minutes.

2. Can I Use Frozen Bananas?

• Absolutely. Thaw the bananas first and drain any excess liquid before mashing.

3. How Do I Know When the Muffins Are Done?

• Insert a toothpick into the center of a muffin. If it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, they’re done.

4. Can I Reduce the Sugar?

• Yes, you can reduce the granulated sugar to 1/4 cup for a less sweet muffin.

5. Are These Muffins Healthy?

• These muffins are relatively low in calories and can be made healthier by substituting whole wheat flour, reducing sugar, or adding nutritious mix-ins like flaxseed or chia seeds.

Conclusion

Banana bread mini muffins are a delightful treat that combines the classic flavor of banana bread with the convenience of a bite-sized snack. This recipe is versatile, easy to make, and perfect for any occasion. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or get creative with variations, these muffins are sure to become a favorite in your household.

Yield: 36

Banana Bread Mini Muffins Recipe

Print

Banana bread mini muffins are the perfect bite-sized treat for breakfast, a snack, or dessert. These muffins are moist, flavorful, and easy to make, offering all the deliciousness of banana bread in a convenient mini size. Whether you're hosting a brunch, packing a lunchbox, or satisfying a sweet craving, this recipe is a surefire hit.

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Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup whole wheat flour (optional, or use all-purpose)
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
• ½ cup mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the Oven
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a mini muffin tin or line it with mini paper liners.
2. Step 2: Mash the Bananas
   In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas with a fork or potato masher until smooth.
3. Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
   Stir in the melted butter until combined.
   Mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla extract, blending well.
4. Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
   Sprinkle the baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if using) over the wet ingredients and stir gently.
   Add the all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
5. Step 5: Optional Add-ins
   Fold in mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts if desired.
6. Step 6: Fill the Muffin Tin
   Spoon the batter into the prepared mini muffin tin, filling each cup about ¾ full.
7. Step 7: Bake
   Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
8. Step 8: Cool
   Let the muffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Banana Ripeness: Overripe bananas with brown spots work best for this recipe, adding natural sweetness and flavor.

Add a Crunch: Sprinkle a few oats or coarse sugar on top of the muffins before baking for added texture.