If you’re craving a cozy, comforting treat that combines natural sweetness with a touch of spice, these Maple Banana Muffins are exactly what you need. Bursting with the fruity richness of overripe bananas and the deep, caramel notes of pure maple syrup, these muffins offer a moist and tender crumb with a hint of warming spices and crunchy walnuts that make every bite pure bliss. Whether you’re gearing up for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon pick-me-up, Maple Banana Muffins will quickly become your go-to favorite baked good.

Maple Banana Muffins Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together in a beautifully simple way, perfectly balancing flavor, moisture, and texture. Each item contributes something special, from the fluffy rise to the gentle sweetness and the aromatic spices that elevate every bite.

Unbleached all-purpose flour: Provides the structure and body for the muffins to hold their shape while staying soft.
Baking soda and baking powder: Work together to give the muffins a light, airy lift so they aren’t dense.
Ground cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg: These spices add warmth and complexity that perfectly complement the natural banana flavor.
Sea salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavor notes, making everything pop.
Vegetable, canola, or melted coconut oil: Keeps the muffins moist and tender, while adding a subtle richness.
Eggs: Bind the ingredients and contribute to the fluffy, soft texture.
Pure maple syrup: The star sweetener that delivers natural sweetness with a rich, caramel-like depth.
Vanilla extract: Boosts the overall flavor and rounds out the sweetness beautifully.
Overripe bananas: Mashed to infuse the batter with natural, fruity sweetness and moisture.
Walnuts: Add a delightful crunch and a hint of nuttiness that perfectly contrasts the soft muffin crumb.

How to Make Maple Banana Muffins

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Muffin Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F to ensure it’s hot and ready when your batter is mixed. Grease a 12-cup muffin pan thoroughly to prevent sticking and help your muffins come out perfectly shaped and intact.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and sea salt. Combining these dry ingredients evenly ensures your muffins will have a balanced flavor and a beautiful rise.

Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a larger bowl or using a stand mixer, combine the beaten eggs, oil, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and mashed bananas. Whisk until the mixture is fully combined and smooth, which makes a luscious base for your muffins.

Step 4: Bring Wet and Dry Ingredients Together

Slowly add the dry ingredient mix to the wet mixture, whisking gently just until everything is incorporated. Avoid overmixing to keep your muffins tender and light instead of tough.

Step 5: Fold in the Walnuts

Gently fold in the chopped walnuts for that perfect crunchy texture and nutty flavor that pairs so wonderfully with banana and maple.

Step 6: Fill the Muffin Cups

Evenly divide the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full. This gives them room to rise without overflowing.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Place the muffin pan on the center rack of your oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the tops turn golden brown and spring back slightly when gently pressed.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Let the muffins cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. They’re best enjoyed warm straight from the oven, but also delicious at room temperature.

How to Serve Maple Banana Muffins

Garnishes

A light spread of butter, a drizzle of extra maple syrup, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar makes a lovely finishing touch and enhances the natural sweetness of the muffins. Fresh fruit or a dollop of Greek yogurt on the side can elevate the experience even more.

Side Dishes

Maple Banana Muffins pair beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or tea for a cozy breakfast or snack. They also work wonderfully alongside scrambled eggs or a fresh green salad if you’re serving them as part of a brunch spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For a charming brunch table, arrange the muffins on a tiered cake stand with a small bowl of chopped walnuts and a tiny pitcher of maple syrup nearby for guests to customize their own. You could also slice them open and add a spread of cream cheese or nut butter for an indulgent twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Maple Banana Muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This helps retain their moisture while preventing them from drying out.

Freezing

If you want to save these muffins for longer, wrap each one individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Maple Banana Muffins freeze beautifully for up to three months without losing flavor or texture.

Reheating

To enjoy a muffin fresh again, thaw it overnight at room temperature, then warm it up in a 350°F oven for about 5 to 7 minutes. Microwaving for 20 seconds also works in a pinch but might affect the texture slightly.

FAQs

Can I substitute the oil with butter?

Absolutely! Melted butter can be used in place of the oil to add a richer flavor. Just be aware that it might make the muffins a bit denser and give a more buttery taste.

What if I don’t have maple syrup? Can I use honey or sugar instead?

Maple syrup is key to the signature flavor of these muffins, but you can substitute honey if needed. Granulated sugar is less ideal because it won’t add the same depth of flavor or moisture.

Can I omit the walnuts?

Yes, you can leave out the walnuts if you prefer a nut-free muffin or have allergies. The muffins will still be deliciously moist and flavorful.

How ripe should the bananas be?

For the best natural sweetness and moisture, use bananas that are very ripe, with brown spots or even mostly brown skin. This enhances the flavor and texture of your Maple Banana Muffins.

Can I make these muffins gluten-free?

To make gluten-free Maple Banana Muffins, try using a gluten-free baking flour blend designed for baking. Adjustments might be necessary, but many blends work well as a 1:1 substitute for all-purpose flour.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about biting into a warm, tender Maple Banana Muffin that feels like a little hug in food form. They’re simple to make, packed with wholesome ingredients, and full of that comforting combination of banana and warm spices sweetened with real maple syrup. I can’t wait for you to try these and make them a staple in your kitchen as much as I have in mine.

Maple Banana Muffins Recipe

★★★★★

5.3 from 16 reviews

Author: Ethan
Total Time: 37 minutes
Yield: 12 muffins 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These Maple Banana Muffins offer a deliciously moist and flavorful treat, combining the natural sweetness of overripe bananas with rich maple syrup and a hint of warm spices. Perfect for breakfast or a snack, they feature a tender crumb with crunchy walnuts for added texture.

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 12 cup muffin pan to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of muffins.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and sea salt until fully combined, ensuring even distribution of spices and leavening agents.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, whisk the beaten eggs, oil, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and mashed bananas until the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
Incorporate Dry Into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, whisking gently until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can lead to tough muffins.
Fold in Walnuts: Gently fold the roughly chopped walnuts into the batter to evenly distribute without breaking them down.
Fill Muffin Cups: Divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full to allow room for rising.
Bake: Bake on the center rack for 20-25 minutes, or until the muffin tops are golden brown and spring back to the touch, indicating they are fully cooked.
Cool and Serve: Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool further or serve warm.

Notes

Use overripe bananas for the best natural sweetness and moisture.
You can substitute walnuts with pecans or omit nuts for a nut-free version.
Maple syrup adds both sweetness and a unique flavor; pure maple syrup is recommended.
Do not overmix the batter to keep muffins tender and fluffy.
Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 22 minutes
Category: Breakfast, Snack, Baked Goods
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 muffin (approx. 80g)
Calories: 220 kcal
Sugar: 12 g
Sodium: 150 mg
Fat: 12 g
Saturated Fat: 2 g
Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 27 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 4 g
Cholesterol: 40 mg

Keywords: maple banana muffins, banana muffin recipe, maple syrup muffins, easy breakfast muffins, nutty banana muffins