Moist Banana Bread Muffins with Brown Sugar Crumble

Classic banana bread muffins are a wonderful way to use up overripe bananas. Tender and moist with a hint of warming cinnamon, these muffins make a comforting snack or breakfast that’s easy to prepare.

A group of banana bread muffins on a parchment paper-lined cutting board.

Banana Bread Muffin Recipe

These muffins are fluffy and moist, offering the right amount of sweetness with a subtle cinnamon note. This straightforward banana muffin recipe yields bakery-quality results with minimal effort.

Pair these muffins with coffee for a lovely breakfast or mid-morning treat. The combination of banana and cinnamon complements coffee especially well.

Dry muffins are disappointing, so this recipe focuses on producing a soft, moist crumb. Using mashed ripe bananas and coconut oil (or a neutral oil) keeps the muffins tender without drying out.

If you enjoy baking muffins, this recipe will become a favorite. It’s reliable, family-friendly, and perfect for sharing or grabbing on the go.

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

There are several great reasons to make these banana bread muffins:

  • You can make a dozen muffins in about 30 minutes – quick enough for busy mornings.
  • Muffins are easily shared: bring them to gatherings, give them to friends, or enjoy them through the week.
  • They work as breakfast, a snack, or a simple dessert.
The ingredients for a recipe for grilled pork tenderloin.

Ingredients

You need just a handful of common ingredients to make these muffins:

  • ripe bananas
  • coconut oil (melted)
  • brown sugar
  • large egg
  • vanilla extract
  • all-purpose flour
  • baking powder
  • ground cinnamon
  • salt

Substitutions and Variations

Customize these muffins easily:

  • Add chopped walnuts or pecans for banana nut muffins.
  • Stir in chocolate chips for banana chocolate chip muffins.
  • Use a gluten-free 1:1 flour substitute to make them gluten-free.
  • Swap coconut oil for melted butter or another neutral oil if preferred.
  • Add extra warm spices like nutmeg, clove, or allspice for more depth.
  • Top with streusel (brown sugar, flour, butter, and chopped nuts) for a crunchy, sweet topping.
A close up of a banana bread muffin.

How to Make Banana Bread Muffins

Follow these clear steps to bake moist, tender banana muffins:

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease the pan well.

The ingredients for banana bread muffins are shown on a blue countertop.
A bowl of bananas, eggs, flour and other ingredients on a table.

Mash 2–3 ripe bananas in a large bowl until mostly smooth (about 1 cup mashed). Stir in 1/3 cup melted coconut oil, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 large egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until combined.

A bowl of bananas, flour, and sugar.
A bowl of flour hollowed out in the middle.

In a separate bowl whisk together 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

Mashed bananas and flour in a glass bowl.
Banana bread muffin batter mixed together with a wooden spatula.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Do not overmix; a few lumps are fine.

Banana bread muffins in a muffin tin.

Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake for 18–22 minutes, until the tops are golden and spring back when touched or a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

A group of banana bread muffins on parchment paper.

Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before storing.

muffins in a sealed tupperware with paper towels

How to Store Banana Bread Muffins

These muffins are best fresh but can keep well with proper storage:

  • Let muffins cool completely before storing to avoid condensation.
  • Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Line the container with paper towels to absorb residual moisture.
  • For longer storage, refrigerate for a few days or freeze for up to 3 months. Wrap or place in an airtight container or freezer bag with paper towels to protect texture.
Unwrapped banana bread muffin on a blue countertop.

Tips for Success

Use these practical tips to ensure consistently great results:

  • Do not overmix the batter; overmixing leads to dense, chewy muffins.
  • Choose refined coconut oil if you want a neutral flavor; unrefined oil will lend a mild coconut note.
  • To make extra-tall muffins, fill the cups to the rim; this will reduce the yield to about nine muffins instead of twelve.
  • If your bananas aren’t very ripe, microwave them for 30 seconds to soften and sweeten them before mashing.
Banana bread muffins on a wooden cutting board.

FAQ

Can bananas be too ripe for banana bread?

Very brown bananas are ideal as long as they haven’t started to rot or attracted pests. Bananas with large brown spots are typically sweetest and work best for banana muffins.

Can you open the oven when baking muffins?

It’s best to keep the oven closed while muffins bake. Opening the door can affect rise and result in flatter tops. Keep heat stable for even baking.

One banana bread muffin on it's side.

More Muffin Recipes

  • Chocolate Muffins
  • Healthy Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
  • Lemon Blueberry Muffins
  • Basic Muffin Recipe

Did you make this recipe?

If you try this recipe, please leave a review and let me know how it turned out. Feedback helps improve recipes and is always appreciated.

Four banana muffins on a white sheet of paper.

Banana Bread Muffins

Prep Time: 5
Cook Time: 22
Total Time: 27
5 from 51 votes
The best banana bread muffins, and they’re quick and easy to make.
Makes: 12 muffins

Ingredients

  • 2-3 ripe bananas about 1 cup mashed
  • cup coconut oil melted
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease it lightly.
  • Mash ripe bananas in a mixing bowl until mostly smooth. If bananas aren’t ripe, microwave for 30 seconds before mashing.
  • Stir melted coconut oil, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla into the mashed bananas until combined.
  • Whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a separate bowl.
  • Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
  • Divide batter among muffin cups, filling about ⅔ full. For taller muffins, fill to the rim (yield will be about 9 muffins).
  • Bake 18–22 minutes, until tops spring back when touched or a toothpick comes out clean.
  • Cool in the pan briefly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutrition

Calories: 159kcal
| Carbohydrates: 23g
| Protein: 2g
| Fat: 7g