Is there anything more comforting than banana bread? These banana bread muffins are a healthier take on the classic favorite baked good. It's also more kid friendly and a great alternative to banana bread. You’ll feel good about serving these for breakfast, or enjoying them as a treat any time of day. Your home will smell like heaven in less than 30 minutes with this easy recipe.
This recipe features some simple swaps to make it more wholesome. Instead of processed, white sugar, I use coconut sugar. It's lower in glycemic index, which means your body metabolizes it slower. I also swap oil for applesauce, which not only reduces fat, but also adds moisture. Honestly, I love it better than oil. But, best of all, my kids loved it!
Why You'll Love This Healthy Banana Muffins Recipe
- Potassium – Both the bananas and the coconut sugar contain potassium. You may know that potassium helps prevent cramps, but there are more benefits. Potassium also stabilizes blood sugar and pressure, helps with stress.
- Filled with Fiber – The walnuts, bananas, and applesauce are all fibrous, making these muffins good for your gut.
How to Make Healthy Banana Bread
First, preheat oven to 350, and lightly grease muffin pan with cooking spray, or line with cupcake liners or muffin cups.
Then soften your butter, sometimes melt the butter a little bit in the microwave and then cream together with sugar.
Next, it's time to stir stuff around. In a separate, large bowl, lightly beat eggs. Add mashed ripe bananas and vanilla. Stir until combined, and then add creamed sugar. After this, In a clean bowl, it's time to combine the dry ingredients. Mix flour, baking soda and salt. Stir into banana wet ingredients mixture. Mix in applesauce until combined, making sure not to over mix. Stir in crushed walnuts if desired.
Finally, you'll want to spoon batter into muffin liners or a prepared muffin pan, about ¾ full, leaving space for the muffin to rise.
Bake for 20-30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cook's Tips:
- In a hurry and strapped for time? Mini muffins bake in just around 12 minutes. Check it around 10 minutes, and it its clean when the toothpick inserted you are good to go.
- Add fun mix-ins for variety. Various nuts and seeds, mini chocolate chips, and raisins all work nicely
- Love nuts? Add ½ cups of chopped walnuts instead.
- You may use whole wheat flour, but in my opinion the texture does change.
FAQ:
- Can you freeze these?
- They will keep in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
- How long will it keep in the fridge?
- It's best fresh, but can keep for one or two days in room temp. Remember, there are no preservatives in this recipe, so it may start to lose its freshness.
BIG TIP: Cook time will vary depending on what kind of pan you use. My mini muffins took about 10-12 minutes and mini loaf pans about 15. PLEASE check it often and poke with a toothpick until it comes out clean.
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Check out these other healthy muffin ideas!
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Banana Bread Muffins
Ingredients
- 3 ripe bananas
- 1 tbs butter softened or slightly melted
- ½ tsp vanilla
- ¾ cup coconut sugar ½ c. is sufficient if using white sugar
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 ½ c. flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- ¼ c. crushed walnuts
Instructions
- In a bowl, cream together butter and sugar
- In large bowl, lightly beat egg, add mashed bananas, add vanilla and combine. Add the creamed sugar.
- In a third bowl, mix flour, baking soda, baking power, and salt. Add to the creamed mixture. Add applesauce and combine well, but do not overmix. Add crushed walnuts if desired
- Grease muffin tin by lightly spraying with cooking spray or use silicone cupcake liners
- Bake at 350F for 20-30 minutes (depends on size of muffin tin used, so use a toothpick to check if it comes out clean) Check frequently! Tip: If using mini muffins, this will only take about 12 minutes.
