Name: Healthy Banana Oatmeal Muffins Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ½ cups oats (old fashioned oats or rolled oats); 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour; ½ cup sugar; 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ¼ teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; pinch ground nutmeg; 1 whole egg; ¼ cup vegetable oil; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 ½ cups ripe bananas (mashed, about 3-4 bananas); ½ cup oats (old fashioned oats); ¼ teaspoon cinnamon; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 2 tablespoons melted butter

Jump to Recipe

If you’re on the lookout for a breakfast treat that tastes indulgent but is packed with wholesome ingredients, these Healthy Banana Oatmeal Muffins are going to become your new best friend. With the rich sweetness of ripe bananas and the hearty texture of oats, these muffins deliver not just incredible flavor but also a boost of fiber and natural energy to start your day right. They’re easy to whip up, lightly sweetened, and perfect for a grab-and-go breakfast or an afternoon snack that feels like a little hug in muffin form.

Healthy Banana Oatmeal Muffins Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this recipe plays a vital role, coming together to create muffins that are moist, flavorful, and just perfectly textured. From the oats that give a delightful chewiness to the bananas that add natural sweetness and moisture, these staples transform everyday pantry items into a wholesome treat.

1 ½ Cups oats (old fashioned oats or rolled oats): Adds fiber and a hearty texture to the muffins.
1 ¼ Cups flour: Provides the structure to hold everything together.
½ cup sugar: Sweetens the batter just enough without overpowering the natural banana flavor.
1 ½ teaspoon baking powder: Helps the muffins rise and become fluffy.
1 teaspoon baking soda: Works alongside baking powder for the perfect lift.
¼ teaspoon salt: Enhances the overall flavor by balancing sweetness.
1 teaspoon cinnamon: Adds warmth and a hint of spice that complements the bananas beautifully.
Pinch ground nutmeg: Provides an extra cozy depth to the flavor profile.
1 whole egg: Binds ingredients and adds richness.
¼ cup oil: Keeps the muffins moist and tender.
1 teaspoon vanilla: Infuses a subtle sweetness and aroma.
1 ½ cups ripe bananas (mashed, about 3-4 bananas): The star ingredient, bringing natural sweetness and moistness.
½ cup oats (old fashioned oats): For a crunchy topping that adds texture contrast.
¼ teaspoon cinnamon: Added to the topping to echo the spice inside.
2 Tablespoons brown sugar: Provides caramel notes to the muffin topping.
2 Tablespoons melted butter: Helps the topping crisp up beautifully as it bakes.

How to Make Healthy Banana Oatmeal Muffins

Step 1: Preheat and Mix Dry Ingredients

Start by heating your oven to 375°F to make sure it’s ready when your batter is done. In a large bowl, combine the oats, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mixing these dry ingredients first helps evenly distribute the leaveners and spices for a consistent bite in every muffin.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Wet Ingredients

In a smaller bowl, beat the egg with the oil and vanilla extract until it’s smooth and well combined. This mixture adds moisture and flavor, prepping the perfect base for your mashed bananas.

Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry

Pour your wet ingredients into the dry mix and gently stir until just combined. The batter will feel a bit dry at this point, which is perfectly normal. Resist the urge to overmix here; you want to keep those muffins light and tender.

Step 4: Fold in the Mashed Bananas

Add the ripe mashed bananas to the batter and fold them in carefully. The bananas will bring everything together, adding moisture and that irresistible sweetness that makes these muffins so special.

Step 5: Prepare the Muffin Tin

Divide the batter evenly into a muffin tin that’s been lightly sprayed with nonstick spray or lined with paper liners. This ensures easy removal and no worries about sticking.

Step 6: Make and Sprinkle the Topping

In a separate bowl, mix the oats, cinnamon, brown sugar, and melted butter to create a delicious, crunchy topping. Sprinkle this evenly over each muffin before popping them into the oven. This topping bakes into a golden, slightly crisp layer that’s just delightful.

Step 7: Bake Until Perfect

Bake the muffins for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The kitchen will instantly smell like a cozy bakery, and the muffins will turn a beautiful golden brown on top.

How to Serve Healthy Banana Oatmeal Muffins

Garnishes

These muffins are lovely on their own, but a little extra flair goes a long way. Try topping them with a light smear of almond butter or a drizzle of honey for an added touch of natural sweetness and richness. A sprinkle of chopped nuts or a few fresh berries on top can also brighten things up visually and add a bit of texture.

Side Dishes

Serve these muffins alongside a refreshing fruit salad or a dollop of Greek yogurt to balance the carbs with some protein. A cup of freshly brewed coffee or herbal tea makes the perfect companion for a relaxed morning or afternoon snack moment.

Creative Ways to Present

For a charming brunch spread, arrange the muffins on a rustic wooden board surrounded by small bowls of nut butters, jam, and fresh fruit. You can also slice them horizontally and create mini banana oatmeal muffin sandwiches with your favorite nut butter and sliced bananas inside—fun and irresistible!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once completely cooled, store leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This keeps them soft and ready to snack on anytime without drying out.

Freezing

If you want to make a bigger batch for later, these muffins freeze beautifully. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep well for up to three months, making your busy mornings easier.

Reheating

To enjoy frozen muffins, simply thaw overnight in the fridge or warm them in the microwave for about 20 seconds. For an extra touch, pop them into a toaster oven to bring back that fresh-baked crispness on top.

FAQs

Are Healthy Banana Oatmeal Muffins gluten-free?

These muffins use regular flour and oats, which are not gluten-free by default. However, you can easily substitute the flour with a gluten-free blend and use certified gluten-free oats to make them suitable for gluten-free diets.

Can I use ripe bananas that are frozen?

Absolutely! Frozen bananas work perfectly once thawed and mashed. In fact, freezing can help with mashing and often makes the bananas sweeter and more flavorful in your muffins.

Is it possible to make these muffins dairy-free?

Yes! The only dairy in this recipe is in the melted butter topping. You can swap the butter for coconut oil or a dairy-free margarine to keep the muffins completely dairy-free without sacrificing flavor.

How can I make these muffins less sweet?

Feel free to reduce the amount of sugar and brown sugar in the recipe if you prefer a milder sweetness. The ripe bananas add plenty of natural sweetness, so you might find the muffins just perfect with less sugar.

Can I add nuts or chocolate chips to Healthy Banana Oatmeal Muffins?

Definitely! Chopped walnuts, pecans, or even dark chocolate chips are fantastic additions that complement the flavors and add a bit of crunch or melty sweetness. Stir them in after adding the mashed bananas for best results.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something so comforting and satisfying about a batch of Healthy Banana Oatmeal Muffins fresh from the oven. They’re wholesome, delicious, and simple enough to whip up any day of the week. I encourage you to give this recipe a try—not only will they brighten your snack time, but they might just become your go-to breakfast that brings a little joy with every bite.

Healthy Banana Oatmeal Muffins Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 5 reviews

Author: Ella
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 12 muffins 1x
Diet: Low Fat

Print Recipe

Description

These Healthy Banana Oatmeal Muffins are a delicious and nutritious treat, perfect for breakfast or a snack. Made with ripe bananas, oats, and wholesome ingredients, they offer a naturally sweet, moist texture with a crunchy cinnamon oat topping. This recipe is easy to make, low in fat, and packed with fiber, providing a healthy option for muffin lovers.

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s at the right temperature for baking the muffins.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the oats, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Stir well to evenly distribute all the dry components.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate smaller bowl, whisk together the egg, oil, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir just until combined; the mixture will be quite dry at this stage, which is normal.
Add Bananas: Fold in the mashed ripe bananas gently until all the dry ingredients are fully incorporated and the batter is evenly moistened.
Prepare Muffin Tin: Lightly spray a muffin tin with nonstick spray or line it with paper muffin liners. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups.
Make Topping: In another bowl, mix the oats, cinnamon, brown sugar, and melted butter to create a crumbly topping. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the batter in each muffin cup.
Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.

Notes

Use ripe bananas with brown spots for the best natural sweetness and flavor.
Old fashioned oats or rolled oats work best for texture; quick oats can be used but may alter the crumb.
You can substitute vegetable oil with melted coconut oil or light olive oil for a different flavor profile.
For a gluten-free version, replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
Adding chopped nuts or chocolate chips can enhance texture and flavor, if desired.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Breakfast, Snack
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American