Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe
If you’re anything like me, the smell of fresh banana chocolate chip muffins wafting through the kitchen instantly feels like a warm hug. This Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe is one of those little treasures that strikes the perfect balance between naturally sweet bananas and those melty chocolate chips we all crave. Whether you’re making them for breakfast, a snack, or to brighten up a gloomy afternoon, these muffins bring a cozy comfort that’s simply irresistible.
What I really love about this recipe is how it uses wholesome ingredients like Greek yogurt and coconut oil, which keep the muffins moist without feeling heavy. Plus, you get the added bonus of minimal fuss—the batter comes together quickly, and with a little rest time, the muffins bake up light and fluffy every time. I promise, once you make this Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe, you’ll want to keep it on repeat.
Why This Recipe Works
- Naturally Sweet & Moist: Ripe bananas and Greek yogurt keep these muffins tender and flavorful without added sugar overload.
- Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Flavor: Simple pantry staples come together to create a comforting classic that’s easy to pull off any day of the week.
- Resting the Batter: Letting the batter sit before baking gives the flour time to hydrate, resulting in fluffier, more tender muffins.
- Perfect Portion Size: Using a 1/4 cup scoop makes evenly sized muffins that bake evenly every time.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic of this Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe is in how the ingredients complement each other to create moist, tender muffins with just the right sweetness. Here are some tips so you can pick the best ingredients for your batch.
- Ripe Bananas: The sweeter and softer the bananas, the better—think spots and softness, not green peel. They add natural sweetness and moisture.
- Honey: I use honey as a natural sweetener instead of sugar for a subtle floral note and added moisture.
- Coconut Oil: It melts smoothly into the batter and keeps things tender; plus, it adds a slight tropical scent that pairs wonderfully with banana.
- Almond Milk or Dairy Milk: Either works fine here—I usually grab almond milk for a slight nuttiness, but dairy milk works just as well.
- Egg: Helps bind everything together and gives the muffins structure without drying them out.
- Plain Greek Yogurt: This is my secret weapon—it adds tanginess and richness, plus extra moisture that makes these muffins incredibly soft.
- Vanilla Extract: Just a teaspoon amps up the flavor, giving a warm background note that highlights the bananas and chocolate chips.
- All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the muffins; I stick to plain flour to get the right crumb without making them dense.
- Baking Soda & Baking Powder: Both leavening agents work together to lift the batter and keep it airy.
- Salt: It balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- Mini Chocolate Chips: These little gems melt in just right-sized bursts, scattering gooey chocolate through every bite.
Tweak to Your Taste
I love customizing this Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe depending on the season and my cravings. Maybe you want to sneak in some nuts or swap chocolate chips for dried fruit—both work great and give the muffins a fun twist.
- Add chopped walnuts or pecans: I sometimes toss in toasted nuts for extra crunch and earthiness, which pairs beautifully with the sweetness of bananas.
- Switch up the chips: White chocolate or butterscotch chips make a delightful alternative if you want to mix things up.
- Go gluten-free: Try using a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour batch in place of all-purpose flour for a gluten-free version that still turns out moist and tasty.
- Boost with spices: A pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or even pumpkin pie spice warms the overall flavor and gives a cozy seasonal spin.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe
Step 1: Mash & Mix the Wet Ingredients
Start by mashing up about 2-3 ripe bananas in a large bowl until smooth and slightly chunky—this is where the banana flavor really shines through. Stir in the honey and melted coconut oil right after; the warmth of the oil helps combine everything smoothly. Then, beat the egg into the mix until everything’s nicely incorporated, followed by the milk, Greek yogurt, and vanilla extract. Make sure you stir gently so the batter stays light.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This ensures the leavening agents and salt are evenly distributed, which is key to getting consistent rise and flavor throughout your Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe.
Step 3: Bring It All Together
Gently fold the dry ingredients into your wet mixture just until you don’t see streaks of flour anymore. Over-mixing is the enemy here; it can make the muffins tough, so I stop as soon as everything is combined. Then fold in the mini chocolate chips carefully so they don’t sink to the bottom or get too melted in the batter.
Step 4: Let the Batter Rest
This might be the most underrated step, but it’s critical—give your batter at least 10 minutes to rest. This little pause lets the flour hydrate properly, which improves texture and keeps your muffins moist and fluffy when baked.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your muffin tin with parchment paper liners—trust me, it makes cleanup and muffin removal a breeze. Using a 1/4 cup scoop, fill each muffin cup almost full. This recipe typically makes about 16 muffins. Bake them for 15-17 minutes until they’re a lovely light golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Avoid opening the oven early or the rise can fall.
Pro Tips for Making Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe
- Use Very Ripe Bananas: The riper, the sweeter—the key flavor driver for the best muffins.
- Don’t Overmix: Stir until just combined to keep muffins tender and light.
- Rest Batter Before Baking: Waiting 10+ minutes improves moisture absorption and texture.
- Check Oven Temperature: Use an oven thermometer if you can—baking at the wrong temp can ruin the rise.
How to Serve Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple and let the muffins shine on their own, but sometimes I like to dust a little powdered sugar on top for a touch of sweetness and charm. If I’m feeling indulgent, a pat of softened butter or a drizzle of honey warms things up nicely as well.
Side Dishes
These muffins pair wonderfully with a cup of your favorite coffee or tea for breakfast or snack time. On mornings when I want a fuller meal, I serve them alongside scrambled eggs or a fresh fruit salad to balance the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
For birthdays or brunch gatherings, I’ve topped them with a smear of cream cheese frosting and sprinkled extra mini chocolate chips on top—instant crowd-pleaser! You can even turn them into a muffin sandwich by slicing in half and adding Nutella or peanut butter for a fun treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep them from drying out, I add a folded paper towel inside the container to absorb any moisture, which keeps them nice and soft.
Freezing
Freezing these Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins is a lifesaver for busy weeks. I wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap and then store them in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. They thaw quickly at room temperature and taste fresh when reheated.
Reheating
The best way I’ve found to reheat muffins is in the microwave for about 15 seconds or in a warm oven (around 300°F) for 5-7 minutes. This keeps the muffin soft and gives a slight toasty touch to the edges—much better than just eating them cold.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen bananas for this Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe?
Absolutely! Frozen bananas work perfectly as long as they’re fully thawed and mashed well before mixing. They might add a bit more moisture, so just keep an eye on the texture of your batter—it should be thick but scoopable.
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How ripe should my bananas be?
You want bananas with lots of brown spots or even mostly brown skins. The softer and sweeter they are, the better the flavor and natural sweetness of your muffins will be.
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Can I substitute the coconut oil with butter?
Yes! Melted butter can replace coconut oil 1:1 in this recipe. Just keep in mind you’ll lose that subtle coconut flavor, but the texture stays deliciously moist either way.
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What if I don’t have mini chocolate chips?
Regular-sized chocolate chips work fine, but I love mini chips because they distribute more evenly and melt just right in each bite. You can also roughly chop a chocolate bar if needed.
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How can I make these muffins vegan?
Try swapping the egg with a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water) and use a plant-based yogurt. Just note you might lose some of the fluffy texture, but they’ll still be tasty!
Final Thoughts
There’s something wonderfully comforting about baking a batch of Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe from scratch—it fills your kitchen with incredible smells and gives you a warm treat to enjoy with friends or family. Over time, this recipe has become my go-to for a quick, wholesome snack that never fails to brighten my day. I hope you enjoy baking and sharing these as much as I do; they’re truly a little bit of happiness baked into muffin form.
PrintBanana Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Total Time: 37 minutes
- Yield: 16 muffins
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Deliciously moist Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins made with ripe bananas, Greek yogurt, and melty chocolate chips. These muffins are lightly sweetened with honey and use coconut oil for a tender crumb. Perfect for breakfast or a snack, this easy-to-make recipe yields 16 flavorful muffins with a tender texture.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup mashed banana (2-3 very ripe bananas)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 2 tablespoons almond milk or dairy milk
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare wet mixture: In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth. Stir in the honey followed by the melted coconut oil until fully combined.
- Add eggs and dairy: Beat the egg into the banana mixture until incorporated. Then add the almond or dairy milk, Greek yogurt, and vanilla extract. Mix well.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution.
- Mix dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir in the mini chocolate chips. Gently mix until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can lead to tough muffins.
- Rest the batter: Let the batter rest for at least 10 minutes. This step allows the flour to absorb moisture, improving texture.
- Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and line a muffin tin with parchment paper liners.
- Fill muffin cups: Using a 1/4 cup scoop, fill each muffin cup with batter. This recipe yields about 16 muffins.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 17 minutes or until the tops are lightly browned and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and serve: Remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for maximum sweetness and moisture.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep muffins light and tender.
- You can substitute honey with maple syrup for a different natural sweetness.
- Almond milk can be replaced with any other dairy or plant-based milk.
- If you prefer, use dairy butter melted instead of coconut oil.
- For a nut-free recipe, ensure the milk alternative is safe and avoid any nut-based toppings.
- Muffins store well in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days or freeze for up to 1 month.
- The resting time of the batter is crucial for the best texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg