Healthy Oats Banana Muffins Recipe
Banana-based baked goods gained popularity during the Great Depression in the 1930s, as resourceful bakers looked for ways to use overripe bananas rather than discarding them.
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Fork or potato masher
- Muffin tin
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Oven
- Spatula or spoon for mixing
- Paper liners or non-stick spray
Ingredients
Muffin Base:
- 2 cups rolled oats (or oat flour)
- 2 large ripe bananas (mashed)
- 2 large eggs (or flax eggs for a vegan option)
- ½ cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional, for added flavor)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt or unsweetened applesauce (for moisture)
Optional Add-ins:
- ¼ cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds)
- ¼ cup dark chocolate chips
- ¼ cup dried fruits (raisins, cranberries, or chopped dates)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease with non-stick spray.
- Prepare the Oats:If using rolled oats, blend them in a food processor or blender to make oat flour. Skip this step if you’re using pre-made oat flour.
- Mash the Bananas:In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas using a fork or potato masher until smooth.
- Mix Wet Ingredients:Add eggs, honey (or maple syrup), vanilla extract, and Greek yogurt (or applesauce) to the mashed bananas. Stir until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients:In a separate bowl, mix the oat flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- Blend Wet and Dry Ingredients:Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a spatula. Be careful not to overmix. The batter should be thick and slightly lumpy.
- Add Optional Ingredients:If you’re using nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruits, gently fold them into the batter.
- Scoop and Fill:Divide the batter evenly into the prepared muffin tin, filling each liner about three-quarters full.
- Bake:Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve:Remove the muffins from the oven and allow them to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.