This Healthy Banana Bread Muffins recipe is moist, fluffy, and loaded with ripe bananas, honey, and cinnamon. This tender and flavorful muffin can be made in just 30 minutes. These also have some healthy swaps with white wheat flour and coconut oil, making them a guilt-free breakfast or snack for kids or adults.
Love healthy banana bread? Also try my Healthy Blueberry Banana Bread, Healthy Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Bars & No Bake Banana Bread Bites.
Healthy Banana Bread Muffins
These Healthy Banana Bread Muffins are a totally delicious addition to your baking rotation. If you like banana bread, you are going to love this soft, moist, and oh-so-sweet twist on the classic bread. Instead of taking close to an hour to bake your banana bread in a loaf pan, you can turn them into perfectly portioned muffins. This entire recipe can be enjoyed in just 30 minutes!
Banana bread is one of those things that seems like it might be healthy for you... but in most cases, it's not. It can be loaded with white flour and plain ole white sugar. Luckily, I decided to makeover a classic banana bread recipe and turn it into something you can eat and enjoy on a regular basis without that sugar spike. My version has healthy swaps like honey for white sugar, white wheat flour for regular flour, and coconut oil for butter.
This recipe uses whole grains and is refined sugar-free!
But don't worry I didn't cross the too-healthy ledge... these babies still taste GOOOD! My Honey & Cinnamon Healthy Banana Bread Muffins are sure to win you over with their natural sweetness and cinnamony goodness!
Did you know that banana bread was invented around the Great Depression? Food was so precious that families were not willing to throw out old bananas. So instead they came up with the first banana bread recipe.
Luckily the idea stuck and banana bread has stood the test of time. Because can you imagine a world without it? It would be so sad! And a world without these muffins would be sad too!
Healthy Banana Bread Muffins Share on XWhy You'll Love these Healthy Banana Bread Muffins...
- These Healthy Banana Bread Muffins have all the taste of yummy banana bread, but I portioned my banana bread out into muffins. That way you have good portion control and they are easy to serve for breakfast or snack.
- They are healthier without being over-the-top healthy and do not taste good. These taste delish!
- You can feel good serving these to the kiddos or yourself!
- It's the perfect way to use up those brown bananas on your counter.
- As a way to shake up the original, I also added more cinnamon... because in my world you can never have too much cinnamon! The cinnamon also adds extra flavor to replace the fat and sugar I took out.
- It's quick and easy- takes much less time than baking an entire loaf.
Are Banana Muffins healthy?
Most Banana Bread Muffins are loaded with white sugar and probably aren't as healthy as you might think. This recipe is healthy because it uses a healthier flour, just a little oil -no butter- and is sweetened with honey. This recipe also has some extra health benefits by adding some greek yogurt which has protein and probiotics.
Regular banana bread muffins can have between 300-400 calories but my version has around 120 calories a muffin and 4 grams of protein, making them a perfectly proportioned breakfast snack! This is a fabulous healthy banana bread muffin recipe that has healthy swaps but still tastes good.
Ingredients:
Here's an overview of what you'll need to make Healthy Banana Bread Muffins, but keep scrolling for the full recipe amounts.
- Bananas: You'll want 3 super ripe bananas that are nice and spotted and even approaching brown. The more spots the sweeter the banana and the sweeter your muffins. Ripe bananas will not work. To prepare them, peel them and mash them well with a fork.
- Honey: Instead of white sugar or brown sugar, I sweeten my muffin recipe with honey! It has a gently sweet flavor and keeps the muffins moist. You can also use pure maple syrup.
- Vanilla Extract: Vanilla Extract really brings out the flavor.
- Coconut Oil: Instead of butter, I use melted coconut oil. It has a nice flavor and is a bit of a healthier swap. I also use a small amount, just a tablespoon. If you like butter in your muffins, just swap it out for melted butter.
- Egg: One large egg helps keep everything together.
- Plain Greek Yogurt: Plain greek yogurt acts as a substitute for using more oil or butter. It also adds moisture to the muffins and has some health benefits.
- White Wheat Flour: I'm a big fan of White Whole Wheat Flour in baking which is a nice substitute for using whole wheat flour, which doesn't taste as light, and white flour, which doesn't have as many nutrients. If you can't find it, feel free to sub-all-purpose white flour or wheat flour. If you can't find it in a store, buy it here.
- Baking Soda: Just a touch of baking soda helps lift the muffins.
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon brings out the flavor without adding a lot of fat.
- Salt: Just a touch balances it all out.
Pro Tips: If you want to make these muffins and don't have any super-ripe bananas, you can put them in a brown paper bag to speed up the process and close it loosely. You can also get brown bananas quickly by putting them on a baking sheet in the oven. Cook at 300 degrees for 40 minutes. When the skins turn brown, they are ready to use.
Instructions:
Here's an overview of how to make the Healthy Banana Bread Muffins, the full printable recipe is below.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray 12 muffin pan tins with cooking spray. You can also use muffin paper liners.
- Peel the bananas and put them in the bottom of a large bowl. Mash bananas with a fork.
- In the same bowl with the banana mixture, add the honey, vanilla, coconut oil, egg, and plain greek yogurt. Whisk together all of these wet ingredients.
- In another bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- While still mixing, slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet. Mix until well combined. The batter is thick.
- Using a large ice cream scoop evenly portion the dough between the 12 muffin holes.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow to cool on a wire rack and enjoy!
Variations
I love this Healthy Banana Bread Muffins recipe as written, but here are some fun variations.
- Add Chocolate Chips: To make Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Muffins add ½ cup of your favorite chocolate chips.
- Add Dried Fruit: Add dried fruit like dried cranberries or raisins.
- Add Fruit: Blueberry or chopped strawberries would be great in these!
- Add Nuts: Nuts are also a tasty addition. You can use chopped walnuts or chopped pecans.
- Use Butter: Don't have coconut oil? Use the same amount of melted butter. Use unsalted butter.
- Add Spices: You can also add some ground ginger or nutmeg.
- Gluten Free: Make these Gluten Free Banana Bread Muffins by using your favorite gluten-free flour.
- Make Mini Muffins: Use 24 mini muffins and cook them for 10-15 minutes.
FAQ
Storage & Shelllife
Store any leftover muffins in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
Can I freeze the muffins?
Yes! Freeze them wrapped up in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months.
How can I make my muffins more moist?
A few things can help you keep your banana muffins moist. First, mix the wet and dry ingredients separately. Also, don't overcook them, and don't overfill your muffin cups which will require a longer baking time, and dry them out. This recipe is moist with coconut oil, bananas, and greek yogurt! Also, be sure to use super-ripe bananas.
Can I use frozen bananas?
Yes! When you have ripe bananas for banana bread but don't have time to bake, cut them in half and freeze them. Thaw the bananas at room temperature before cooking and be sure to drain off any excess liquid before adding them to the recipe.
Healthy Banana Bread Muffins Are the Perfect Breakfast or Snack!
These Healthy Banana Bread Muffins are the perfect snack or breakfast. These muffins are healthy enough for breakfast! They aren't as sugar-filled and less sweet than many of the sugary banana bread you might be used to... but they are still tender and taste amazing. The bananas add plenty of natural sweetness and the honey brings it out. It's subtle sweetness but still oh-so-good. Plus you can't go wrong with a baked good that is a fraction of the calories of a traditional muffin. Look no further for your new favorite healthy muffin recipes!
No, they aren't exactly what our grandmothers made... but they are pretty darn good.
I hope you enjoy my Clean Eating Healthy Banana Bread Muffins Recipe as much as I did! Happy baking.
Healthy Banana Bread Muffins Share on X
More Healthy Banana Bread Recipes to Try:
More Healthy Muffins to Try:
- Healthy Lemon Poppy Sweed Muffins
- Healthy Carrot Cake Muffins
- Easy Sweet Potato Muffins with Chocolate Chips
- Healthy Whole Wheat Strawberry Muffins
- 3 Ingredient Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
If you make this Healthy Banana Bread Muffins recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating ★ below. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook too!
Healthy Banana Bread Muffins
Ingredients
- 3 overripe bananas, about 1 ½ cups
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted
- 1 egg
- ½ cup plain greek yogurt
- 1 ½ cup white wheat flour or wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray 12 muffin tins with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, mash your bananas with a fork.
- In the same bowl, add the honey, vanilla, coconut oil, egg and plain greek yogurt. Whisk together.
- In another bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
- While still mixing, slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet. Mix until well combined.
- Using a large ice cream scoop evenly portion the dough between the 12 muffin holes.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow to cool and enjoy!
Notes
Storage & Shelllife
Store any leftover muffins in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.Can I freeze the muffins?
Yes! Freeze them wrapped up in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months.Nutrition
Pin for later:
Mackenzie says
The ingredients say baking soda, but the instructions say baking powder. Please let us know which it is! My guess is baking powder but that’s at least confusing for the next person 🙂
JulieWunder says
Hi! So sorry! I pulled out my recipe notes and it's soda! Fixed the recipe. Thank you!
Megan says
Anyone know if this can be substituted with almond flour?
Bethany says
I want to try all of these!
Katy says
Recipe calls for baking soda....directions call for baking powder. Which is correct?
JulieWunder says
Soda! Thanks for catching that for me!
kimmythevegan says
Oooh yogurt? That's a healthy swap too! These sound totally delicious and the perfect way to use up some old bananas.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Kimmy! They are really tasty.
Miz Helen says
Your Banana Bread Muffins look delicious! Thanks so much for sharing your awesome recipe with us at Full Plate Thursday. Hope you are having a great week and come back to see us real soon!
Miz Helen
JulieWunder says
Thanks Miz Helen!
Barrie says
I love muffins- great healthy versions especially!
JulieWunder says
Me too! thanks Barrie!
Sarah says
These look so delicious and fluffy and who doesn't love bananas and banana bread muffins!? Thank you for linking up with us for Meatless Monday!
JulieWunder says
Thanks for hosting!
dixya @food, pleasure, and health says
its been a while since i baked with bananas, i may have over done it 😛
JulieWunder says
haha! I feel ya! it's easy to do.
Annmarie says
Wanna know something weird? I HATE the taste of bananas but I really love banana bread 😛 This looks delish!
JulieWunder says
That is weird! lol! BUT also really cool because a life without banana bread is really sad!
Kristy from Southern In Law says
These look so perfect! Everyone needs a go to banana muffin recipe! ❤
JulieWunder says
Totally! Thanks Kristy.
Carrie thisfitchick says
I love banana bread!!! I love adding walnuts and chocolate chips to add a sweet and nutty taste!
JulieWunder says
Such a great idea!
Heather @ Polyglot Jot says
I'm like obsessed with all things banana right now! I think its been one of my most intense pregnancy cravings so far! I'm definitely making this. I'll have to use coconut yogurt and GF flour though...I wonder what type of GF flour would work best?
JulieWunder says
That's a good craving! So much goodness. I'm honestly not too familiar with GF flour, so I'm not sure... but I used all-purpose if that helps???? Let me know if you do, so I can make a note in the recipe!
Emily says
I LOVE banana bread so much; it's my favorite sweet bread.
JulieWunder says
Me too!!!!
heather @Lunging Through Life says
My problem is getting the overripe bananas. I literally want grocery stores to sell bananas that are overripe because I NEVER HAVE ANY and then can't make this deliciousness.
JulieWunder says
I know! I'll put some aside with a post it not to eat! lol!
Blane Sherer says
I agree with the : you can never have
too much cinnamon ( smile ) !
JulieWunder says
Never! Thanks Blane!
Susie @ Suzlyfe says
Definitely going to make these. I'm in the mood for a muffin. And being created during the Great Depression? Genius born from Necessity!
JulieWunder says
So true! Hope you enjoy them.