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You are here: Home / Breakfast / Muffins / The Best Banana Muffin Recipe

The Best Banana Muffin Recipe

October 17, 2019 By Sam 1,203 Comments

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The very best Banana Muffins

An incredibly soft, moist banana muffin made with tall bakery-style muffin tops, sweet banana flavor, and a simple (optional) streusel crumb topping!  This is the very best banana muffin recipe! You just need three ripe bananas to get started! 

Banana muffin with bite out of it (to show soft fluffy center) on white plate

Your New Favorite Breakfast Muffin

Maybe you’ve tried these banana muffins already? They’re not brand new to the blog, in fact they’ve been around for several years and have garnered well over 150 five star ratings ⭐️. Not that I’m bragging or anything, but they’re all well-deserved, (in my totally and completely unbiased opinion) because I truly don’t know what more you could want in a banana muffin.

Soft, moist, and loaded with flavor. These aren’t bland, boring, or basic banana muffins. They’re made with ripe bananas, brown sugar, a tablespoon of pure vanilla extract, a blend of butter and oil (we talked about why we use both in my vanilla cake recipe) and a heavenly, crumbly, buttery streusel topping.

Or, no streusel…

Banana muffin without streusel on top

While I personally love and recommend the streusel topping, I know not everyone wants the extra sugar. Or maybe just doesn’t want the extra dishes (definitely been there… or more like currently there, actually). As you can see above they bake up beautifully (if not nakedly) with or without streusel and you’ll get tidier, higher muffin tops without it.

For your muffin bases, you’ll need the following:

  • Three ripe bananas. Try to get them much browner, softer, and splotchier than the bananas in the picture below. These were all I had on hand for this photo, but the riper your bananas are the better your banana muffins will taste.
  • Butter and oil. We’re using a blend of both for the best flavor and texture in our banana muffins
  • Flour. All purpose (or “plain” if you’re in the UK)
  • Sugar. A blend of white/granulated and brown gives us a great flavor.
  • Baking powder and baking soda. Helps to lift up those muffin tops!
  • Buttermilk. Or my easy buttermilk substitute.
  • Eggs. Two large.
  • Salt & Vanilla Extract. For flavor!

Ingredients for the best banana muffins recipe

Mixing banana muffin batter

Tips on How to Make Banana Muffins

  • The riper your bananas are, the easier they will be to mash and the better the flavor of your banana muffins will be.  Don’t shy away from brown spots on your banana peels, that’s what you want for this recipe!
  • I recommend mashing your bananas with a fork or with a potato masher — you want them to be well-mashed with very few lumps.
  • I strongly recommend stirring this banana muffin batter completely by hand. Since you’re not creaming any butter it can be easily stirred without a mixer and it helps avoid over-mixing.  Over-mixing this batter can lead to muffins that are too tough and dense — we want light and fluffy muffins!

About that Streusel

Again, it’s a personal preference. Either you like it or you’re wrong.

OK, sorry, my personal preference is showing. I’m obsessed with that buttery/crumbly topping. To make it you’ll need a pastry cutter. Stir together your flour, brown sugar, and salt and then use a pastry cutter to cut in cold butter until you have a crumbly topping.

banana muffin streusel in mixing bowl with pastry cutter

I mean just look how beautiful that is.

How to Freeze Banana Muffins

If you wish to freeze these muffins, allow them to cool completely, then wrap well in plastic wrap and then place in a ziploc bag and freeze.  You can set them out at room temperature to thaw, or you can microwave them (don’t overdo it, just defrost, or the muffins will become hard).

I’ve been baking and freezing these in preparation for Baby Boy’s arrival; it’s nice to know I have a few waiting for me in the freezer since I suspect baking is going to take a backseat in the upcoming months. Right now it’s hard to imagine what that is going to be like!

Two banana muffins: one without streusel (left) and one with streusel (right)

These banana muffins are honestly one of my favorites. It took a lot of tries and tweaks to get the recipe just perfect, but these are finally the ultimate, softest, most flavorful banana muffins I’ve ever tasted (with or without the streusel on top) and I hope you love them just as much as I do!

So, are you team streusel or no streusel?

More Muffins to Try!

  • Ultimate Basic Muffin Recipe
  • Double Chocolate Muffins
  • Bakery-Style Chocolate Chip Muffins
  • Blueberry Muffins
Banana muffin on plate with bite taken out

The Best Banana Muffin Recipe

The BEST Banana Muffin Recipe! The batter comes together in minutes and is baked on two temperatures for the most moist, fluffy banana muffins you've ever had. Can be made with or without streusel topping!
4.95 from 358 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: banana muffins, best banana muffins, breakfast recipe, easy muffins
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 15 muffins
Calories: 275kcal
Author: Sam Merritt

Ingredients

  • 3 ripe bananas
  • ¼ cup canola oil (may substitute vegetable oil) (60ml)
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter melted and cooled at least 5 minutes (60g)
  • ½ cup sugar (100g)
  • ½ cup light brown sugar tightly packed (100g)
  • 2 large eggs room temperature preferred
  • 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (250g)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup buttermilk (60ml) room temperature preferred

Streusel (optional)

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (65g)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar (100g)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold (60g)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425F (220C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners*
  • Place peeled bananas in a large bowl and use a fork or a potato masher to mash them - bananas should be well-mashed.
  • Add canola oil and melted butter and stir well.  
  • Stir in sugars until well-combined.
  • Add eggs and vanilla extract and butermilk and stir well.  Set aside.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients -- flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  • Add dry ingredients to your wet batter and gently fold in until ingredients are just combined (don't over-mix the batter!).
  • Portion batter into prepared muffin tin, filling each liner 3/4 of the way full.  Set aside and prepare your Streusel topping.

Streusel Topping (optional)

  • Combine flour, brown sugar, and salt in a medium-sized bowl and use a fork to stir the ingredients together.
  • Using a pastry cutter, cut in your cold butter until the butter is well-worked in and your mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  • Sprinkle streusel topping evenly over each muffin.
  • Bake muffins on 425F (218C) for 8 minutes and then reduce the oven temperature to 350 (175C) (do not open the oven door or remove the muffins, just leave them in and reduce the temperature) and bake another 7-8 minutes on 350F (177C).  A toothpick inserted in the center of the largest muffin should come out clean or with few moist crumbs (no wet batter) to test for doneness.
  • Allow muffins to cool before enjoying.

Notes

*Please note that this recipe makes about 15 muffins while most muffin tins are only 12-count.
Feel free to add nuts or chocolate chips! Just stir them in at the end.

Nutrition

Serving: 1muffin | Calories: 275kcal
Tried this recipe?Mention @SugarSpun_Sam or tag #sugarspunrun!

This recipe was originally published 01/05/2018. Updated with more information and better photos 10/17/2019.

Soft fluffy interior of banana muffin on muffin liner

Filed Under: Breakfast, Muffins

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Comments

  1. Cindy says

    April 4, 2020 at 7:48 pm

    5 stars
    I made these last year a couple of times and my family loved them. We have had a rough couple of months with my husband having gallbladder surgery & me back surgery. And now housebound due to current situation so I thought I would bake with my 3 & 4 year old granddaughters! And what else would be more appetizing & fun your banana muffins! Thank you for the great receipe!

    Reply
    • Sugar Spun Run says

      April 4, 2020 at 9:17 pm

      Oh Cindy, I am so sorry you have had a rough year. I hope that you and your husband have or are on your way to recovery. Thank you for trying my recipe. I hope that you and your granddaughters had fun making this recipe together. I happy that you all enjoyed the muffins. 🙂

      Reply
  2. David Wooten says

    April 4, 2020 at 5:11 pm

    These are INSANELY good muffins! I too added a 1/2 cup of chocolate chips. They are the best muffins I have ever made. Thank You!

    Reply
    • Sugar Spun Run says

      April 4, 2020 at 9:24 pm

      Thanks for trying my recipe, David! I am so glad that you enjoyed the muffins! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Margaret says

    April 4, 2020 at 11:46 am

    Used half and half because I didn’t have any milk. Added one half cup of chocolate chips. Yummy…

    Reply
    • Sugar Spun Run says

      April 4, 2020 at 2:14 pm

      I am so glad that you enjoyed the muffins, Margaret, and that they turned out well with your substitutions. Thanks for trying my recipe. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Laurie S says

    April 4, 2020 at 10:11 am

    5 stars
    Made these this morning—so good. I did not add the streusel topping and didn’t miss it. Excellent!

    Reply
    • Sugar Spun Run says

      April 4, 2020 at 3:14 pm

      Thanks for trying my recipe, Laurie! I am so glad that you enjoyed the muffins. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Colleen says

    April 3, 2020 at 5:03 pm

    5 stars
    I made a batch of these this morning. They were put together in no time, and came out tasting so moist and good. I did not add the topping, but it really didn’t need it. Will definitely them again. 🍌🍌

    Reply
    • Sugar Spun Run says

      April 3, 2020 at 10:50 pm

      Thanks for trying my recipe, Colleen! I am so glad that you enjoyed the muffins. 🙂

      Reply
    • Wendy says

      April 4, 2020 at 11:21 am

      Good Morning from Fort Lauderdale Florida… I just took a batch out of the oven… they look terrific.. I used yoghurt ILO buttermilk or your subs method.. rose beautifully.

      Reply
      • Sugar Spun Run says

        April 4, 2020 at 2:20 pm

        I am so happy to hear that they turned out well, Wendy! Thanks for commenting. Enjoy your muffins! 🙂

  6. Monica says

    April 3, 2020 at 1:06 pm

    5 stars
    BY FAR this is the best recipe for banana bread/muffins! They are so light and fluffy and delicious and the streusel adds that bit of deliciousness.

    Reply
    • Sugar Spun Run says

      April 3, 2020 at 1:11 pm

      Thank you so much, Monica! I am so glad that you enjoyed them! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Frederick Jackson says

    April 3, 2020 at 11:54 am

    5 stars
    Why did I stop making muffins from scratch..store bought no more.. these were the best.followed your directions to not over beat. Skipped streusel just by choice..i would use less sugar in the batter as well..I think the ripe bananas added enough sweet to cut sugar at least by a third..All in all out of the oven and into my mouth..yum yum yummy.Wife liked than sweet! Home bound and baking

    Reply
    • Sugar Spun Run says

      April 3, 2020 at 1:02 pm

      I am so glad that you enjoyed the muffins, Frederick. Thanks for trying my recipe and for commenting. 🙂

      Reply
  8. Elle Callahan-Mitchell says

    March 31, 2020 at 8:27 pm

    5 stars
    Absolutely amazing! I added dried coconut to the streusel and cinnamon to the batter. Thanks for a great recipe!

    Reply
    • Sugar Spun Run says

      March 31, 2020 at 9:57 pm

      I am so glad that you enjoyed the muffins, Elle! I love the idea of the dried coconut as well. I will be sure to try that next time. Thanks for sharing. 🙂

      Reply
  9. MARISSA REGII says

    March 31, 2020 at 3:26 pm

    Hi!
    I’m planning to make this today, but I only have 2 bananas :/ What can I do?

    Reply
    • Sugar Spun Run says

      March 31, 2020 at 10:25 pm

      Hi, Marissa! Since you only have two bananas, I would add one additional egg white to the mixture. This will act as a replacement for the missing banana. Keep me posted on how it turns out. Fingers crossed it turns out perfectly. 🙂

      Reply
  10. Lisa says

    March 30, 2020 at 8:10 pm

    5 stars
    I made these tonight using 1 1/2 cups of gluten free flour (one to one type) and 1/2 cup almond flour. (Side note: When I bake for my gf family members I find I get the best results using more than one type of gf flour; other favorites are coconut flour and tiger nut flour – all are available on Amazon.) The muffins were light, fluffy and deliciously banana flavored. I can’t wait to try one in the morning after the buttermilk flavor has a chance to meld in. Great recipe!

    Reply
    • Sugar Spun Run says

      March 30, 2020 at 9:44 pm

      Thank you so much for sharing your method using gluten-free flour, Lisa. I am so glad that the muffins turned out well and you enjoyed them. Thanks for commenting. 🙂

      Reply
  11. Rachel Alexis says

    March 30, 2020 at 6:46 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious! Sprinkled them with mini semi sweet chocolate chips! Yummy!

    Reply
    • Sugar Spun Run says

      March 30, 2020 at 9:57 pm

      I am so glad that you enjoyed them, Rachel! Thank you so much for commenting. 🙂

      Reply
  12. Faith says

    March 30, 2020 at 8:56 am

    How long would you bake it for a loaf

    Reply
    • Sugar Spun Run says

      March 30, 2020 at 9:36 am

      Hi, Faith! I actually have a banana bread recipe that uses similar ingredients that you can try or use as a reference. 🙂

      Reply
  13. Emily says

    March 29, 2020 at 5:35 pm

    Hi! I was wondering if you could use whole milk instead?

    Reply
    • Sam says

      March 29, 2020 at 5:58 pm

      Hi Emily, I would recommend using my buttermilk substitute (you just need whole milk and either lemon juice or vinegar).

      Reply
  14. Janice says

    March 28, 2020 at 8:35 pm

    5 stars
    These muffins are the best!

    Reply
    • Sugar Spun Run says

      March 28, 2020 at 10:30 pm

      Thank you so much, Janice! I am so glad that you enjoyed them. 🙂

      Reply
  15. Vikki says

    March 28, 2020 at 3:13 pm

    5 stars
    These are the BEST Banana Muffins recipe EVER! My family just loves theses! They are on the level of a bakery style muffin! Mmm delicioso!
    The only thing I added was walnuts to the batter and streusel topping!
    Thank you for sharing this simple but absolutely scrumptious muffin recipe!

    Reply
    • Sugar Spun Run says

      March 28, 2020 at 3:16 pm

      I am so glad that you enjoyed them, Vikki! Thank you for trying my recipe and for commenting. 🙂

      Reply
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The author (Sam) in blue shirt holding donut Hi, I'm Sam! I'm dedicated to bringing you sweet, simple, and from-scratch dessert recipes. My life may or may not be controlled by my sweet tooth. Send help (or chocolate). Read more about me.

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