I just HAD to reinvent my mom’s classic recipe to make these Healthy Banana Bread Muffins with Walnuts.
My mama bakes the best banana bread muffins… they are perfectly moist with LOTS of banana flavor and made with walnuts. Wanna know her secret to the best banana bread muffins? Keep reading to find out!
What are Healthy Banana Bread Muffins with Walnuts made with?
-
less sugar
-
whole wheat flour
-
and yes, that extra banana! (mama’s secret weapon).
Also subbed in maple syrup instead of white sugar into this recipe. Oh, yes!
How to make healthy banana bread muffins?
I’ve worked on making the best ever healthy banana bread muffins with walnuts for a while! This recipe has been tested over and over and over and over to perfect it. These Healthy Banana Bread Muffins with Walnuts are perfectly moist with LOTS of banana flavor. You’re going to LOVE these!
These banana bread muffins have the right balance of walnuts: not too many walnuts, but enough to give that yummy crunchy texture and warm nutty flavor.
How to make banana bread more moist?
That extra banana! It’s mama’s secret weapon for making banana bread more flavorful and moist. Another tip for making banana bread more moist is using the extra ripe bananas that are practically black because they are even sweeter.
Also, don’t overwork the batter by over-mixing. When you mix the batter too much (especially when working with whole wheat wheat or all purpose flour), it over develops the gluten network in the bread and makes a tougher muffin.
So you want to make chocolate banana bread muffins?
Ummm, that sounds amazing. I do have these chocolate almond butter banana oat muffins you could make or you could totally just add 1/3 to 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips to this recipe.
Looking for more muffin recipes?
Almond Butter Banana Bread Muffins
Lemon Berry Breakfast Muffins
Blueberry Cheesecake Muffins with Oatmeal Streusel
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Healthy Banana Bread Muffins with Walnuts
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 14 mins
- Total Time: 24 mins
- Yield: 24 mini muffins 1x
Description
These Healthy Banana Bread Muffins with Walnuts are made with less sugar, whole wheat flour, and yes, that extra banana! We even subbed in maple syrup instead of white sugar into this recipe.
Ingredients
- 4 bananas, pureed (1 1/2 cups pureed bananas)
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup walnut oil
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare 24 count mini muffin tin with cooking spray or butter.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together bananas, egg, walnut oil, maple syrup and vanilla extract until combined.
- Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon to bowl and mix together just until combined taking care not to over mix.
- Fold in walnuts.
- Spoon batter into muffin tins and bake in 350 degree F oven for 14-15 minutes, or until muffins spring back on the top and toothpick inserted into the muffins is done.
- Category: Bakery
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini muffin
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 59mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 8mg
Keywords: banana bread, walnuts, banana
If you tried this recipe or any of our recipes, please leave a comment and rate the recipe. I love hearing from you! You can also tag #loveandzest on social media. To stay up-to-date, FOLLOW US on Instagram @LoveandZest, Pinterest, and Facebook.
Hi I’m Kristina LaRue, RD (registered dietitian nutritionist), Peloton addict and mama to two active and hungry boys. On Love & Zest, you’ll find healthy-ish recipes that fuel the whole family. I’m all about veggie-filled breakfast, meal prep recipes, healthier sweets, and easy weeknight dinners made in the Instant Pot or sheet pan.
Did you make one of my recipes?? Leave a review in the comments and tag @loveandzest #loveandzest on Instagram!
If you’re a modern mama– I’d love for you to join my Facebook group A Modern Motherhood Collective!
Bev says
Can these be baked in a regular muffin tin? If so, how long should they bake?
Kristina LaRue, RDN says
I’m not sure, but it may take a few more minutes in a larger muffin tin.
Jale Breidenstein says
What if you don’t have walnut oil what do you use in place of it? Thanks.
Kristina LaRue, RD, CSSD says
You could use any neutral tasting oil. I would suggest avocado oil or canola or vegetable oil. I’m sure coconut oil would work too but would likely leave a residual flavor of coconut if you like that. The walnut oil has some flavor which is why it works well here in the walnut muffins.
Jacqueline Debono says
I just wanna go into the kitchen and make these banana nut muffins now! They look and sound fantastic!
★★★★★
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
These look like the perfect way to start the day! I actually have some bananas which have seen better days, so I might treat myself and make these!
Marie says
Love this healthy version of banana bread muffins! They look so fluffy and delicious – full of banana flavour and crunchy nutty walnuts. Yum!
★★★★★
Deanne Frieders says
Wanna hear something funny? I don’t love bananas but I love banana bread, especially the way you recommended – with walnuts. Yum! Our family adores this!!
★★★★★
Kristina LaRue, RD, CSSD says
ahhh I’m so glad!! 🙂 Thanks for sharing with your fam too. Walnuts are a must in my book.
Shashi at SavorySpin says
I love banana nut muffins – especially when they have less sugar and a healthier kick! Yours sound and look delicious!