Tender, banana-rich muffins studded with crunchy walnuts and enhanced by warm spices—perfect for breakfast or a snack.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These muffins are moist, fluffy and bursting with banana flavor, thanks to the combination of baking powder and baking soda. The optional cinnamon highlights the sweetness of ripe bananas, while the walnuts add delightful texture. Quick to mix and bake, they’re an easy crowd-pleaser. reddit.com+15littlesweetbaker.com+15celebratingsweets.com+15

ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
½ cup (100 g) sugar (or brown sugar for deeper flavor)
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
½ tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
½ cup (115 g) melted butter or ⅓ cup (80 ml) vegetable oil
½ cup (120 ml) milk or plain yogurt
1 large egg
2 large ripe bananas (about 1 cup, mashed)
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup (60 g) chopped walnuts
2 Tbsp extra sugar for sprinkling (optional)

directions

Preheat oven to 400 °F (200 °C). Line a 12‑cup tin with liners or grease well.
Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
Combine wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk melted butter (or oil), milk (or yogurt), egg, vanilla, and mashed bananas until blended.
Combine mixtures: Pour wet into dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula—batter should be slightly lumpy; avoid overmixing. handletheheat.com+2reddit.com+2theguardian.com+2littlesweetbaker.comallrecipes.com+1onceuponachef.com+1gimmesomeoven.comtheguardian.com
Add walnuts: Fold in chopped walnuts.
Fill cups: Divide batter evenly—fill about ¾ full. Sprinkle sugar on top if desired. stefangourmet.com+13thekolleekitchen.com+13celebratingsweets.com+13
Bake: For tall domed muffins, start at 425 °F for 5 min, then reduce to 350 °F and bake another 16–18 min until a toothpick comes out clean. Alternatively, bake straight at 350 °F for 20–25 min.
Cool: Let muffins rest in the pan for 5 min, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. celebratingsweets.com+15sallysbakingaddiction.com+15tastefullygrace.com+15

Servings and timing

Yield: 12 standard muffins
Prep time: ~10 minutes
Bake time: 20–25 minutes (with a high-heat start around 5 min)
Total time: ~30–35 minutes theguardian.com+14sugarspunrun.com+14gimmesomeoven.com+14littlesweetbaker.com+2stefangourmet.com+2thekolleekitchen.com+2

storage/reheating

Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Refrigerator: Up to 5 days.
Freezer: Freeze cooled muffins up to 3 months; thaw overnight. littlesweetbaker.com+1sallysbakingaddiction.com+1
Reheat: Warm in oven or microwave until heated, to restore softness.

Variations

Chocolate chips: Fold in ¼ cup of chips for sweetness.
Toasted walnuts: Lightly toast walnuts before adding—for richer nutty flavor.
Whole-wheat swap: Replace up to ⅓ of flour with whole-wheat; adjust milk as needed. tastefullygrace.com
Coarse sugar topping: Sprinkle coarse or brown sugar on top for a bakery-like crust. allrecipes.com+15thekolleekitchen.com+15sallysbakingaddiction.com+15

FAQs

Why bake at high heat initially?

A high-temperature “burst” helps muffins rise quickly and form tall, domed tops, then finishing at a lower temp ensures a fully cooked interior allrecipes.com+2handletheheat.com+2thefirstyearblog.com+2.

Can I substitute yogurt for milk?

Yes—yogurt adds extra moisture and tenderness to the crumb .

Do I need to let batter rest?

Resting isn’t necessary, but some bakers allow 15–20 min for better texture and rise. .

How ripe should bananas be?

Use very ripe, speckled bananas—they provide more sweetness and moisture. thekolleekitchen.com.

How do I know when muffins are done?

A toothpick should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Tops should bounce back when pressed. .

Can I make mini muffins?

Yes—reduce bake time to around 12–15 minutes at 375–400 °F. .

Can I use frozen bananas?

Yes—thaw and drain excess liquid before mashing and mixing. sallysbakingaddiction.com.

Are these muffins suitable for kids?

Absolutely—soft, mildly sweet, and nut-free options possible by omitting walnuts.

Can I make them gluten-free?

Substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend; texture may vary slightly.

What pan size is best?

A standard 12-cup muffin pan yields uniform results and ideal bake times.

Conclusion

These Fluffy Banana Walnut Muffins combine ripe bananas, warm spices, and crunchy walnuts for a nourishing and comforting treat. From the initial high-heat rise to the soft crumb, they’re delicious, versatile, and easy to make. Whether for breakfast, snack time, or a quick dessert, these muffins hit the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and simplicity.