Healthy Honey Cinnamon Banana Bread Muffins

These Healthy Banana Bread Muffins are moist, fluffy, and loaded with ripe bananas, honey, and cinnamon.  This tender and flavorful muffin can be made in just 30 minutes in just one bowl.  These also have some healthy swaps with white wheat flour and coconut oil, making them a guilt-free breakfast or snack for kids or adults.

Love healthy banana bread? Also, try my Cottage Cheese Banana Bread, Healthy Blueberry Banana Bread, Healthy Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Bars & No Bake Banana Bread Bites. 

Healthy Banana Bread Muffins

These Healthy Banana Bread Muffins are a totally delicious addition to your baking rotation.  If you like banana bread, you are going to love this soft, moist, and oh-so-sweet twist on the classic bread.  Instead of taking close to an hour to bake your banana bread in a loaf pan, you can turn it into perfectly portioned muffins.  This entire recipe can be enjoyed in just 30 minutes!

Banana bread is one of those things that seem healthy for you... But in most cases, it's not.  It can be loaded with white flour and plain old white sugar.  Luckily, I decided to makeover a classic banana bread recipe, turning it into something you can eat and enjoy regularly without that sugar spike.  My version has healthy swaps like honey for white sugar, white wheat flour for regular flour, and coconut oil for butter.

But my Healthy Banana Muffins recipe uses whole grains and is refined sugar-free!

But don't worry I didn't cross the too-healthy ledge... these babies still taste GOOOD!  My Honey & Cinnamon Healthy Banana Bread Muffins are sure to win you over with their natural sweetness and cinnamony goodness!  My twins just LOVE these, and this is a classic family-favorite recipe we come back to again and again.  My twins love these in their lunchboxes.

Did you know that banana bread was invented around the Great Depression?  Food was so precious that families were not willing to throw out old bananas.  So instead, they came up with the first banana bread recipe.

Luckily, the idea stuck, and banana bread has stood the test of time.  Because can you imagine a world without it?  It would be so sad!  And a world without these muffins would be sad, too!

Why You'll Love these Healthy Banana Bread Muffins...

• These Healthy Banana Bread Muffins have all the taste of yummy banana bread, but I portioned it into muffins.  That way, you have good portion control, and they are easy to serve for breakfast or a snack.
• They are healthier without being over-the-top healthy and do not taste good.  These taste delish!
• You can feel good serving these to the kiddos or yourself!
• It's the perfect way to use up those brown bananas on your counter.
• To shake up the original, I also added more cinnamon... because in my world, you can never have too much cinnamon!  The cinnamon also adds extra flavor, replacing the fat and sugar I took out.
• It's quick and easy- takes much less time than baking an entire loaf.  Plus, you just use one bowl.

Are Banana Muffins healthy?

Most Banana Bread Muffins are loaded with white sugar and probably aren't as healthy as you might think.  This recipe is healthy because it uses a healthier flour, just a little oil -no butter- and is sweetened with honey. This recipe also offers extra health benefits by adding Greek yogurt, which provides protein and probiotics.

Regular banana bread muffins can have between 300-400 calories, but my banana muffin recipe version has around 120 calories per muffin and 4 grams of protein, making them a perfectly proportioned breakfast snack!  This is a fabulous, healthy banana bread muffin recipe with healthy swaps that still tastes good.

Ingredients:

Here's an overview of what you'll need to make Healthy Banana Bread Muffins, but keep scrolling for the full ingredient list below.

• Bananas: You'll want 3 super ripe bananas, nice and spotted, and even approaching brown.  The more spots, the sweeter the banana, and the sweeter your muffins. Yellow bananas will not work.  To prepare them, peel them and mash them well with a fork.  The secret to really delicious banana bread is using bananas with brown spots, since they are sweeter.
• Honey: Instead of white sugar or brown sugar, I sweeten my muffin recipe with honey!  It has a gentle, sweet flavor and keeps the muffins moist.  You can also use pure maple syrup or coconut sugar.
• Vanilla Extract: Vanilla Extract really brings out the flavor.
• Coconut Oil: Instead of butter, I use melted coconut oil. It has a nice flavor and is a bit healthier than other options. I also use a small amount, just a tablespoon.  If you like butter in your muffins, just swap it out for melted butter.
• Egg: One large egg helps keep everything together.
• Plain Greek Yogurt: Plain Greek yogurt can be used as a substitute for more oil or butter.  It also adds moisture to the muffins and has some health benefits.
• White Wheat Flour:  I'm a big fan of White Whole Wheat Flour in baking, which is a nice substitute for using whole wheat flour, which doesn't taste as light, and white flour, which doesn't have as many nutrients.  If you can't find it, feel free to substitute all-purpose white flour or wheat flour.  If you can't find it in a store, buy it here.
• Baking Soda: Just a touch of baking soda helps the muffins rise.
• Cinnamon: Cinnamon brings out the flavor without adding a lot of fat.
• Salt: Just a touch balances it all out.

Pro Tip: If you want to make these muffins and don't have any super-ripe bananas, put them in a brown paper bag to speed up the ripening, then close it loosely.  You can also get brown bananas quickly by putting them on a baking sheet and baking them in the oven.  Cook at 300 degrees for 40 minutes.  When the skins turn brown, they are ready to use.

Instructions:

Here's an overview of how to make the Healthy Banana Bread Muffins. The full printable recipe card is below.

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray 12 muffin pan tins with nonstick spray.  You can also use muffin paper liners.
2. Peel the bananas and put them in the bottom of a large bowl. Mash bananas with a fork.
3. In the same bowl with the banana mixture, add the honey, vanilla, coconut oil, egg, and plain Greek yogurt. Whisk together all of these wet ingredients.
4. In another mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
5. While still mixing, slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet. Mix until well combined.  The batter is thick.  Don't overmix it.
6. Using a large ice cream scoop, portion the dough evenly between the 12 muffin holes.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Allow to cool on a wire rack and enjoy!

Variations

I love this Healthy Banana Bread Muffins recipe as written, but here are some fun variations.

• Add Chocolate Chips: To make Chocolate Chip Muffins, add ½ cup of your favorite chocolate chips.
• Add Dried Fruit: Add dried cranberries or raisins.
• Add Fruit: Blueberries, raspberry or chopped strawberries would be great in these!
• Add Nuts: Nuts are also a tasty addition and option for mix-ins.  You can use chopped walnuts or chopped pecans.
• Use Butter: Don't have coconut oil?  Use the same amount of melted butter.  Use unsalted butter.
• Add Spices: You can also add some ground ginger or nutmeg.
• Gluten Free: Make these Gluten Free Banana Bread Muffins by using your favorite gluten-free flour.
• Make Mini Banana Muffins: Use 24 mini muffin cups and bake for 10-15 minutes.

FAQ

Storage & Leftovers

Store any leftover muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.  If you like them warm, heat them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.

Can I freeze the muffins?

Yes! Freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months.  They go really well in the freezer.

How can I make my muffins more moist?

A few things can help you keep your banana muffins moist.  First, mix the wet and dry ingredients separately.  Also, don't overcook them or overfill your muffin cups, which will require a longer baking time and dry them out.  This recipe is moist with coconut oil, bananas, and Greek yogurt!  Also, be sure to use super-ripe bananas.

Can I use frozen bananas?

Yes! When you have ripe bananas for banana bread but don't have time to bake, cut them in half and freeze them.  Thaw the bananas at room temperature before cooking, and be sure to drain off any excess liquid before adding them to the recipe.

What is the most common mistake when making muffins?

Muffins are pretty easy to bake, but a few mistakes you can make include overmixing the batter, which can make your muffins tough and dense.  Another mistake is not pre-heating the oven.  A preheated oven allows the muffins to cook evenly.  You can also have a problem with the muffins spilling out if you fill the cups too much.

Healthy Banana Bread Muffins Are the Perfect Breakfast or Snack!

These Healthy Banana Bread Muffins are the perfect snack or breakfast.  These banana muffins are healthy enough for breakfast!  They aren't as sugar-filled and less sweet than many of the sugary banana bread you might be used to... but they are still tender and taste amazing.  The bananas add plenty of natural sweetness, and the honey brings it out.  It's subtle sweetness but still oh-so-good.  Plus, you can't go wrong with a baked good that is a fraction of the calories of a traditional muffin. Look no further for your new favorite healthy muffin recipes!

No, they aren't exactly what our grandmothers made... but they are pretty darn good.  I hope you enjoy my Healthy Banana Bread Muffins Recipe as much as I did!  Happy baking.

More Healthy Banana Bread Recipes to Try:

• Cottage Cheese Banana Bread
• Healthy Blueberry Banana Bread
•  Healthy Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Bars
•  No-Bake Banana Bread Bites

More Healthy Muffins to Try:

• Healthy Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
• Healthy Carrot Cake Muffins
• Easy Sweet Potato Muffins with Chocolate Chips
• Healthy Whole Wheat Strawberry Muffins
• 3 Ingredient Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

If you make this Healthy Banana Bread Muffins recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating ★ below. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook, too!

Healthy Banana Bread Muffins

Julie Wunder

This Healthy Banana Bread Muffins recipe is moist, fluffy, and loaded with ripe bananas, honey, and cinnamon.  This tender and flavorful muffin can be made in just 30 minutes.  These also have some healthy swaps with white wheat flour and coconut oil, making them a guilt-free breakfast or snack for kids or adults.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Breakfast, Breakfast Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 12 muffins

Calories 122 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 3 overripe bananas, about 1 ½ cups
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted
• 1 egg
• ½ cup plain greek yogurt
• 1 ½ cup white wheat flour or wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• cooking spray

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray 12 muffin tins with cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, mash your bananas with a fork.
• In the same bowl, add the honey, vanilla, coconut oil, egg and plain greek yogurt. Whisk together.
• In another bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
• While still mixing, slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet. Mix until well combined.
• Using a large ice cream scoop evenly portion the dough between the 12 muffin holes.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
• Allow to cool and enjoy!

Notes

Storage

Store any leftover muffins in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.

Can I freeze the muffins?

Yes! Freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 122kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 4gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 149mgPotassium: 146mgFiber: 2gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 40IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 27mgIron: 1mg

Keyword Banana Bread Muffins, Healthy Banana Bread Muffins

Tried this recipe?Mention @Julie_Wunder or tag #RunninginaSkirt!

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