If you’re on the hunt for a wholesome, tasty treat that’s also sneaky healthy, you’ve got to try this Avocado Banana Muffins Recipe. I absolutely love how these muffins are moist, naturally sweet, and so easy to whip up. When I first made them, I was amazed at how the avocado adds this subtle creaminess without overpowering the banana’s sweetness. Stick with me, and I promise you’ll want to make them again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Naturally Moist and Creamy: The avocado keeps the muffins tender without any oily aftertaste.
- Simple, Wholesome Ingredients: You probably have everything already – no fancy stuff needed.
- Kid-Friendly and Versatile: I’ve swapped honey for maple syrup for my little ones, and everyone loved them.
- Quick and Easy to Make: From start to finish, you can bake a batch in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Avocado Banana Muffins Recipe works together to create a perfectly balanced flavor and texture. You’ll find that the natural sweetness of banana and honey pairs so well with the creamy avocado, while the baking powder gives the muffins a lovely rise without heaviness.
- Ripe avocado: Make sure it’s nice and soft for easy blending and that creamy texture.
- Ripe banana: The riper the better—brown spots mean natural sweetness and flavor.
- Eggs: These bind everything together and add a bit of protein.
- Honey: Adds natural sweetness; you can swap for maple syrup if needed.
- Vanilla extract: A splash to brighten the flavors and add warmth.
- Plain flour: You can experiment with gluten-free mixes if preferred.
- Baking powder: The secret to a light, fluffy crumb when mixed in well.
- Dark chocolate chips (optional): Adds a touch of indulgence that my family always asks for.
Variations
I love how forgiving this Avocado Banana Muffins Recipe is, so I often tweak it depending on what’s in the pantry or what my family prefers. Feel free to play around—you’ll find some versions you love even more depending on the add-ins!
- Nutty Twist: Add chopped walnuts or pecans for a crunchy surprise; my husband swears this is the best way.
- Spiced Up: A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg makes these muffins feel like fall in every bite.
- Extra Sweetness: Toss in raisins or dried cranberries if you want a fruity pop.
- Dairy-Free Option: Stick with dark chocolate chips that are dairy-free, and you’ve got yourself allergy-friendly muffins.
- Gluten-Free Version: I’ve tried a potato flour-based gluten-free baking mix that works beautifully without changing the texture.
How to Make Avocado Banana Muffins Recipe
Step 1: Blend the Wet Ingredients to Perfection
Start by scooping the ripe avocado and peeling your bananas—then toss these into a food processor or blender along with the eggs, honey, and vanilla. Blitz everything until you get a smooth, luscious mixture. This is key because you want the avocado completely pureed so the muffins bake evenly, and you won’t get any pesky lumps. I like to scrape down the bowl once or twice so every bit blends together.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients Carefully
Next, sift your flour and baking powder into a large bowl. If you’re short on time or don’t have a sifter, don’t worry—just fork through the baking powder to distribute it evenly through the flour. This helps the muffins rise nicely without any bitter baking powder pockets.
Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry with a Gentle Hand
Pour your avocado-banana mix into the bowl with dry ingredients and add the chocolate chips if using. Now, here’s a trick I learned: mix just until combined. It can be tempting to keep stirring when you see a few flour streaks, but overmixing develops gluten and makes muffins tough rather than soft. Gently folding the batter preserves that tender crumb everyone loves.
Step 4: Bake and Cool Like a Pro
Spread the batter evenly into a greased or lined 12-hole muffin tin. Pop it into your oven preheated to 180°C (350°F) and bake for 20-25 minutes. I find that ovens vary, so start checking at 20 minutes by inserting a skewer—it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Once baked, resist the urge to peel them out immediately; let them cool in the tray for at least 10 minutes. This helps them set so they don’t fall apart when you remove them.
Pro Tips for Making Avocado Banana Muffins Recipe
- Choose Ripe Fruit: The riper your bananas and avocados, the sweeter and creamier the muffins turn out.
- Don’t Overmix Batter: I’ve found that a light hand when combining ingredients keeps muffins tender, so pause at a few streaks of flour.
- Adjust Oven Temp If Needed: If your muffins are browning too fast, lower the oven to 160°C (fan bake) to avoid burnt tops.
- Cool Before Removing: Letting muffins cool in the pan prevents them from crumbling and helps maintain their shape.
How to Serve Avocado Banana Muffins Recipe
Garnishes
I like to keep it simple with these muffins—sometimes a light dusting of powdered sugar works wonders for presentation. When I want to get fancy, I’ll drizzle a little honey or spread some almond butter on top. The sweetness complements the banana-avocado flavor beautifully without overpowering it.
Side Dishes
These muffins pair perfectly with a cup of coffee or herbal tea for breakfast or snack time. For a fuller meal, try them alongside a fresh fruit salad or a smoothie bowl to keep things light and nutritious.
Creative Ways to Present
For birthday parties or special occasions, I love displaying these muffins in a colorful cupcake stand decorated with fresh berries and mint leaves. You could also add edible flowers for a whimsical touch—your guests will definitely be impressed!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store any leftover muffins in an airtight container on the counter for up to 2 days. If it’s a warmer day, I pop them in the fridge to keep fresh longer; just note that refrigeration can change the texture slightly, but they’re still delicious.
Freezing
Freezing works like a charm—once completely cool, wrap each muffin tightly in plastic wrap and place them all in a freezer bag. They keep great for up to 3 months. When I’m ready, I thaw them in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for a few hours.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop muffins in the microwave for about 15 seconds or warm them in a 160°C oven for 5-7 minutes. This refreshes their softness without drying them out. If you like melted chocolate chips, microwave heating is your best bet!
FAQs
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Can I make this Avocado Banana Muffins Recipe vegan?
Great question! To make these muffins vegan, you’d need to replace the eggs with a vegan substitute like flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg) and ensure the sweetener is vegan-friendly (maple syrup works). The texture might be slightly different but still tasty!
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What if I don’t have a blender or food processor?
No worries at all! You can mash the avocado and bananas thoroughly with a fork until smooth, then whisk the eggs, honey, and vanilla in a separate bowl before combining everything. It may take a little more elbow grease but totally doable.
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Can I use regular sugar instead of honey?
Yes, you can substitute honey with an equal amount of regular sugar if you prefer. Just keep in mind that honey adds moisture and a slight floral note, so sugar might change the flavor slightly but still yield good results.
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How do I know when the muffins are baked through?
Insert a toothpick or skewer into the center of a muffin around 20 minutes in. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, they’re ready! If batter sticks to the skewer, give them a few more minutes and test again.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Avocado Banana Muffins Recipe has become one of my go-to snacks because it’s just so easy and reliable. I love sneaking avocado into baked goods—it’s a little secret ingredient that ups the nutrition without compromising taste. I hope you find as much joy in baking and eating these muffins as I do! Next time you want a quick, healthy treat, give this recipe a shot—you’ll be glad you did.
PrintAvocado Banana Muffins Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
- Yield: 9 muffins
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Avocado Banana Muffins are a moist, naturally sweetened treat perfect for a healthy snack or breakfast. Made with ripe avocado and bananas, they offer a creamy texture and subtle sweetness enhanced by honey and vanilla. The addition of dark chocolate chips adds a delightful touch of indulgence while keeping the recipe dairy-free and easily adaptable to gluten-free diets. Ideal for families and suitable for kids with substitutions, these muffins bake up fluffy with a tender crumb and a wholesome flavor.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 ripe avocado
- 150 g ripe banana (approx 1-2 small bananas, weighed with skin on)
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons honey (can substitute maple syrup)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1.5 cups plain flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
Optional
- ¼ cup dark chocolate chips (optional, ensure dairy-free if needed)
Instructions
- Prepare Wet Ingredients: Add the avocado, banana, eggs, honey, and vanilla extract to a food processor or blender.
- Blend Until Smooth: Blitz the mixture until completely smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift the plain flour and baking powder. If you prefer, fork through the baking powder to combine evenly without sifting.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the avocado and banana mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients, including the chocolate chips if using. Mix gently until just combined to avoid overworking the batter, which helps achieve a tender muffin texture.
- Fill Muffin Tin: Spoon the batter evenly into a greased or lined 12-hole muffin tin, filling each cup nearly full.
- Bake the Muffins: Place the muffin tin in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius (160 degrees Celsius fan bake) and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Before Removing: Allow the muffins to cool in the tray before carefully removing them to avoid breaking.
- Serve: Enjoy these muffins fresh or store in an airtight container for up to a few days.
Notes
- If serving to children under 1 year, substitute honey with maple syrup, regular sugar, or omit sweetener completely.
- This recipe is dairy-free provided the chocolate chips used are dark chocolate and dairy-free.
- The recipe works well with gluten-free baking mix, particularly those based on potato flour with other ingredients.
- Muffins can brown quickly if the oven is too hot; 180 degrees Celsius bake, or 160 degrees Celsius fan bake/thermowave is recommended for optimal results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 140 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg