This is how to make homemade mini banana muffins with 3 bananas. You can add chocolate chips or nuts for more fun too. Yes regular sizes are fine but this is how long to bake mini muffins so they turn out as moist as possible.
These are so cute, and the perfect size for toddlers to enjoy in the morning, as a quick snack or even a dessert. They’re just one of the best muffin recipes even my teenagers love to make with bananas that have turned too dark to eat.
Mini Banana Muffins with Cake Mix
Below is a homemade recipe but you could use cake mix for our 4 ingredient banana bread too and just use this temperature and bake time. Leave plain or add mini semi sweet chocolate chips for added sweetness baked for 11 minutes. I would say that this is the most popular overripe bananas recipe my family asks for on a regular basis.
Banana Muffins with 3 Bananas
You are going to want a few mashed bananas that are really brown on the outside but not quite black are the ideal color to bake with. If they are watery inside you have waited too long.
Make sure you know how to measure flour properly so they aren’t too dense. You could add more protein with a boxed mix like we did with our Kodiak banana muffins. In that case you want to make with no baking soda.
We used this technique to make mini pumpkin muffins the other morning too. It was so easy we went on to try other flavors we love. I know the flavor doesn’t change just because they are different sizes but with kids fun means more delicious right? 😉
How to Make Crumb Topping
We added crumb topping for muffins too but that is up to you. You could just sprinkle a bit of brown sugar on top to caramelize a bit instead. If you use nuts, crushed walnuts work pretty well. I am a NO crunchy things in my soft breakfast baked goods so I don’t add them myself.
Can you add chocolate chips?
Totally, I stick to about 1/2 of a cup and my preference is mini semi-sweet for a bolder kick of yum in every bite. Wait until the very end if you want to integrate any add ins, then gently fold in so they don’t break apart. (dried cranberries are yummy too)
How Long to Bake Mini Banana Muffins
It really doesn’t matter what type of batter or flavor you want to bake in this size pan they take generally the same amount of time. Of course there is a range but 11 minutes is pretty typical, or until the tops are lightly golden brown and have puffed up nicely.
How do you know when mini muffins are done?
I prefer to not use a toothpick when it comes to baking moist muffins. Instead I use my fingertip on the very top very lightly. Touch and if it doesn’t spring back they need another minute. When done remove from the pan immediately to keep as moist as possible.
Tips for Success
Best way to start this off is to add the bananas and mash with the backside of a fork. Don’t mash them to a pulp so it is completely smooth, small chunks will bring them moisture. The ideal color on the skin is a lot of brown but before it turns black and the inside is mushy.
Another tip on how to keep banana muffins moist is to make sure you do not over-bake them. It is important to watch them the last minute or two and remove immediately once the middle springs back when touched gently.
Remove them from the pan and transfer to a cooling wire rack so they don’t continue baking in the hot pan. Enjoy warmed if you like or cool, but just not in the pan it was baked in. Use the same timing for others like mini chocolate cupcakes and more.
Homemade below, or cake mix banana muffins, will make 24 mini muffins, the kids loved this recipe and it is a great recipe for your family or a brunch. If we are having people over for a holiday it is fun to have a bunch of these in different flavors to choose from. Little hands get a real kick out of them.
Paired with some protein like eggs or bacon and you’ve got all your basis covered. A little variety is key when you have both adults and kids over for the holidays or just on the weekends having breakfast for dinner.
Mini Banana Muffins Recipe
Equipment
- 1 mini muffin tin and muffin liners
- 1 Bowl
Ingredients
Crumble Topping
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 3 tbsp butter, cold
- 1/4 cup pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl mash 3 ripe bananas. Add egg, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. Fold together well. Stir in the melted butter.
- Add flour, baking soda and salt. Stir well. Add paper muffin papers into holes and spoon approximately 1 ½ tsp of the batter into prepared mini muffin tins.
- In a separate bowl, combine ingredients for the pecan topping until you have a crumbly texture. Spoon a small amount of mixture onto each muffin.
- Bake for approximately 10 -12 minutes, do not over bake. Remove when tops spring back when gently touched.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to save leftovers
If you do have leftovers they save quite well for a few days. I recommend you eat the rest the next day but if stored properly they will stay for up to 3 on the countertop. Make sure you remove as much air from around them as possible so freezer bags are best if you ask me.
Suck the air out each and every time you remove one and you can warm for 20 seconds in the microwave if you like. That sometimes makes it feel more fresh even though it may be a day or two old. Squeeze some frosting on top in a swirl for added sweetness if you like.
Can these be frozen with the topping?
I would not do that
These Homemade Mini Banana Muffins are pure bliss in bite-sized form! Moist, perfectly sweet, and bursting with banana flavor, they are an absolute delight. A go-to recipe in my kitchen now – thanks for sharing this tasty treat
These banana muffins are perfect! I wanted to make a muffin recipe for my toddler, and he loved this! Thanks so much!
The muffins are moist, perfectly sweet, and packed with banana flavor. They are the perfect bite-sized treat!
Oh I love a mini muffin recipe! The crumble topping is amazing too!
Best mini banana muffin recipe ever and I’ve made quite a few!
Oh yay!