The best ever banana nut muffin recipe! This easy recipe makes perfect moist bakery style muffins that are sure to become a family favorite.

Banana Nut Muffins

There’s nothing quite like a warm, freshly baked muffin, and these banana nut muffins are no exception. They’re moist, fluffy, and packed with that classic banana flavor we all love. Plus, they’re easy to make and perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert.

To achieve bakery style muffins, we’re starting off with a higher baking temperature, which gives these muffins a beautifully rounded dome. Then we’re lowering the heat to finish baking to make sure they turn out moist and crumbly on the inside.

The delicious banana flavor is perfectly sweet and loaded with walnuts that add that amazing crunch. An extra sprinkle of sugar and walnuts on top not only makes them look pretty, but also adds an extra layer of flavor. I’m sure you’ll love them as much as my family does – they were all saying “These are SO good!” as they ate them!

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Ingredients

Flour: All-purpose flour is the best choice for these muffins. It provides the right structure and balance, ensuring your muffins will be perfectly fluffy and moist.

Baking Powder and Baking Soda: These two ingredients work together to make your muffins rise nicely and be light and tender. Make sure your baking powder and soda are fresh for the best results.

Salt: A touch of salt is important in sweet baked goods. It helps to balance out the sweetness and enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.

Ground Cinnamon: This spice adds a hint of warmth and depth to the muffins.

Ripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your muffins will be. Look for bananas that are heavily speckled. If your bananas are yellow but not ripe enough to use, you can ripen them quickly by baking them in the oven until their skins turn black. Just make sure to let them cool before using them.

Granulated Sugar: This sweetens the muffins and helps them brown. Regular white granulated sugar works best in this recipe. If you want a deeper flavor, you can use a mix of white and brown sugar.

Unsalted Butter: Butter adds richness and moisture to the muffins. I recommend using unsalted butter because it allows you to control the amount of salt in the recipe.

Eggs: They help bind the ingredients together, add moisture, and contribute to the rise and structure of the muffins.

Buttermilk: This ingredient makes the muffins exceptionally soft and tender. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make your own by adding a Tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to a cup of milk and letting it sit for a few minutes to curdle.

Vanilla Extract: A dash of pure vanilla extract enhances the flavors of the other ingredients. Since this is a baked recipe, you can substitute it with imitation vanilla if you like, but it won’t taste quite as good.

Chopped Walnuts or Pecans: These add a lovely crunch and a nutty flavor to the muffins. You can use either, depending on personal preference.

Alternative Ingredients:

If buttermilk isn’t available, you can easily swap it out with whole milk. You can also make your own by adding 1 Tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to a liquid measuring cup and then fill with milk to reach the 1 cup marker, and stir to combine. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes, then stir again just before using. Both options will give your muffins a tender, moist crumb.

The chopped walnuts or pecans can be omitted completely or replaced with an alternative like chocolate chips or dried fruit. Try dried papaya, currents, raisins, or dried apricots for a different take.

How To Make Banana Nut Muffins

Prepare the Muffin Tin: Begin by greasing a 12-cup muffin tin, or lining it with paper muffin cups. (See the recipe card below for the full printable instructions.)

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon (if using). Set aside.

Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, use a rubber spatula to mix the mashed bananas, granulated sugar, melted and cooled butter, eggs, whole milk or buttermilk, and vanilla extract until well combined.

Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the wet banana mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough muffins.

Add Nuts: Fold in the chopped walnuts or pecans, just until evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Spoon Batter into Muffin Tin: Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about 2/3 full.

Prepare Topping (Optional): In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar, chopped walnuts or pecans, and ground cinnamon. Mix well to create a nutty cinnamon-sugar topping. Sprinkle this topping evenly over each muffin, gently pressing it into the batter. You can also try using a coarse ground sugar like Turbinado. It will create a caramelized sweet topping. 

Bake the Muffins: Bake the muffins in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.

Cool the Muffins: Remove the muffins from the oven and allow them to cool in the tin for a few minutes. Then, transfer the muffins to a wire rack to cool completely. See the recipe card below for the full written instructions, including ingredient amounts, and helpful tips, etc.

Pro Tips

• Don’t Overmix the Batter: When combining your wet and dry ingredients, stir gently until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough, dense muffins. It’s okay if you see a few streaks of flour!
• Use Ripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your muffins will be.
• Add a Topping: For an extra touch of sweetness and crunch, sprinkle the tops of your muffins with a mixture of sugar and chopped nuts before baking. This gives them a deliciously sweet and crunchy topping.
• Test for Doneness: To check if your muffins are done, insert a toothpick into the center. It should come out clean, or with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it. If you see wet batter, bake for a few more minutes and check again.
• Store Properly: To keep your muffins fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay moist and delicious for about 2-3 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. Just thaw and reheat in the microwave when you’re ready to enjoy!

How Long Do You Bake Banana Nut Muffins?

The baking time for these muffins can vary based on your oven, but generally, they should be done in about 20-25 minutes. They’re done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

What Nuts Are in Banana Nut Muffins?

Banana nut muffins are traditionally made with walnuts because their flavor pairs perfectly with bananas. You could also use pecans, which have a sweeter, more buttery flavor. Experiment and find out which one you prefer!

How Do You Keep Banana Nut Bread Moist?

To keep it moist, it’s important to not over-bake it, which can dry it out. Keep an eye on it towards the end of the baking time. Once it’s done, let it cool completely before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. The trapped moisture will help keep the bread moist. If you’re storing it for longer than a day, it’s best to store it in the refrigerator.

What Are the Black Bits in Banana Muffins?

If you’re seeing black bits in your banana muffins, don’t worry! Those are just pieces of the ripe bananas that you’ve mashed into your batter. The riper the bananas, the darker they can become when mashed, which can lead to these black bits. Plus, these bits add extra bursts of banana flavor in your muffins.

Why Is Banana Bread Better the Next Day?

Banana bread, like many baked goods, tends to develop deeper flavors the day after it’s baked. This is because the flavors have more time to meld together, resulting in more flavor. So, if you can resist the temptation, try saving some for the next day. Trust me, it’s worth the wait!

Keep In Touch

I’d love to hear what you thought of this recipe in the comments or on Instagram! @KeyToMyLime #KeyToMyLime

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Banana Recipes

If you like this recipe, be sure to check out all of our other breakfast recipes. Some reader favorites are:

• Bisquick Banana Muffins
• Banana Nut Bread
• Bisquick Banana Bread

This easy banana nut muffins recipe is flavorful, moist, and super simple to make! Try making a batch this weekend, I’m sure your whole family will love them as much as mine does.