Banana Nut Muffins

Making homemade banana nut muffins is easier than you think. Made from scratch and filled with sweet, ripe bananas and walnuts - perfect for breakfast, snacking, or a light dessert.

Have a few ripe bananas on hand and not sure what to do with them? Make a batch of banana bread, or banana nut muffins!

Muffins are a great beginner baker recipe - they're made with simple ingredients and are easy to prepare. No complicated kitchen appliances needed - two bowls and a spoon are all you need!

These banana nut muffins turn out moist and tender, and they're perfect for breakfast, snacking, or as a light dessert. Crunchy walnuts add texture and a dash of cinnamon adds a warm, cozy flavor.

Ingredients and substitutions

Since baking is an exact science, I do not have many substitutions to offer. Each ingredient serves a purpose in the recipe and should not be omitted or substituted.

• Bananas - For this recipe, you'll need about two large bananas. This equals one cup of mashed banana (if you'd like to measure it out for total accuracy). Try to use bananas with no green on the skin. Overripe bananas will have a moderate amount of brown spots on the outside.
• Sugars - You'll need granulated sugar and brown sugar for this recipe. Sugar not only adds sweetness, but helps keep your bread moist.
• Oil - Vegetable oil or any other neutral flavored oil works in this recipe. Oil adds moisture to your banana bread and will help keep it moist for days after baking.
• Eggs - Two large eggs add stability, structure, and moisture to your banana bread.
• Milk - I recommend using whole milk because it contains the most fat, which keeps your bread moist. Whole milk can be substituted with any milk you have on hand (skim, 1%, almond milk) if needed.
• Vanilla extract - Just a hint of vanilla adds depth of flavor to your bread.
• Flour - I have only tested this recipe using all-purpose flour. If you need to bake using a different type of flour, I recommend searching for a recipe that is written for the type of flour you have on hand.
• Leavening agents - You'll need both baking soda and baking powder for this recipe. One cannot be substituted with the other - you'll need both to get the perfect rise.
• Seasoning - Just a hint of cinnamon and salt enhance the flavor of your banana bread.
• Nuts - Walnuts or pecans are great options for this recipe. Chopped almonds or peanuts would also work well. Nuts can also be omitted if desired.

Using ripe bananas

Ever wondered why banana bread recipes call for ripe bananas? There are a few reasons.

First, ripe bananas are softer and easier to mash and incorporate into your muffin batter.

Second, as bananas ripen, they naturally become sweeter. Sweeter bananas equal sweeter muffins!

Freezing and reheating muffins

Muffins can be frozen safely for up to 3 months. Store in a freezer safe container, or alternate rows of muffins with wax paper in a freezer-safe bag.

Thaw them by placing your muffins on the counter and allowing to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes.

Or, place your frozen muffin on a microwave safe plate and cover lightly with a paper towel. Microwave in 30 second increments until warmed through.

How to prevent dry muffins

If your muffins are dry straight from the oven, this is caused by over-baking. When baked just the right amount of time, your muffins will turn out soft, moist, and tender.

• Do not substitute any ingredients, especially the sugars, eggs, oil, and milk. These ingredients in particular help keep your bread moist.
• Ovens can run hotter or colder than the next oven. The times that worked for me may not work for you. If your oven runs hot, your baked goods may be done a few minutes before what is written in the recipe.
• Use an instant-read thermometer inside your oven to make sure your oven is set to the proper temperature for any given recipe. Here's what I use: Rubbermaid Instant Read Oven Thermometer.
• If your oven regularly runs hot, try testing your muffins about 2 minutes early. Stick a toothpick in the center of a muffin. If the toothpick comes out dry, or with crumbs, your muffins are done. If your toothpick comes out with wet batter, give them another 2 minutes and check again.

Can this recipe make a bread loaf?

Yes - this recipe can also be made into a loaf of banana nut bread. I've actually written an entire post that uses the same ingredients and measurements - check it out here: Banana Nut Bread.

To make a bread loaf, pour batter into a greased (or parchment lined) 9x5 loaf pan and bake in a 350 degree Fahrenheit preheated oven for about 55 to 65 minutes, covering with foil for half of the baking time (to prevent burning on top).

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