Based off my fan-favorite banana bread recipe, this is an easy small batch banana muffin recipe that only needs one banana, one bowl, and 30 minutes!
Ever found yourself with one lone, sad overripe banana, and wondered what in the world you could make with it?
Sure, you could just eat it, or slice it and plop it on some oatmeal. But what’s the fun in that?
Am I asking too many hypothetical questions? Yes, I am. So let’s focus on the fact that I have a solution for you: a small batch of banana muffins.
How many muffins can 1 banana make?
This recipe makes 4 regular sized muffins, or around 10-12 mini muffins.
If you have a particularly large banana or you add nuts to the batter, you may end up with more than that! The nuts adds a little bulk, so you get a little more bang for your batter buck.
Tips for making banana muffins
All you need is a bowl and a whisk – no mixer required.
You want an overripe banana. I’m talking brown, black, super spotted, just really terrible looking. Those are the best for bread and muffins and add the best flavor. I talk about why more in the post for my banana bread.
They can be easily customized to your preferences – add chocolate chips, walnuts (my personal favorite), berries, or whatever else floats your boat.
Use muffin liners, or not. If you don’t have any on hand, you can make your own or you can spray the muffin tin (aff link) cups with nonstick spray (aff link).
Fill the muffin liners almost to the top. Under-filled muffins make me sad – I’d recommend they be 90% filled. If you wanted to add a little streusel topping or chopped nuts, just sprinkle it right on top – no need to adjust the amount of batter in the cup.
Start by baking them at 425°F, then lower it to 350°F – but leave the door closed! This helps give them little puffed up tops instead of sad, flat ones.
What if I want more than 4 muffins?
Then you came to the wrong place because this is a small batch recipe, crazypants.
I’M KIDDING. You can make twice as many muffins by just doubling all the ingredients except for the egg white – instead, just use one egg (white and yolk).
How to store banana muffins
You’ll want to store the muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days (if they last that long), or in the fridge for a week.
I like to eat mine warmed up with a little tab of butter…. mmm.
To do the same, just pop them in the microwave for 10 seconds, slice and slather.
Yep, that’s the stuff.
These are great for so many reasons:
- They make such a good grab–and-go breakfast (even if the only go-ing your doing it to your home office)
- If you live alone, you don’t have to worry about having made entirely too many muffins that you can’t get through yourself
- Since they’re best the same day (still good after that, just best that same day), it’s the perfect amount to add to a quick family breakfast.
After you’ve made this recipe, please leave a comment below with a rating – and if you came from Pinterest, add a photo to the Pin of what you make to the pin to share your experience!
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One Banana, One Bowl Banana Muffins
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 21 minutes
- Total Time: 31 minutes
- Yield: 4 muffins 1x
Description
Based off my fan-favorite banana bread recipe, this is an easy small batch banana muffin recipe that only needs one banana, one bowl, and 30 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 overripe banana
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 3 Tablespoons butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 egg white (no yolk!)
- 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- pinch of salt
- pinch of cinnamon (optional)
- 1/3 cup add ins like berries, chocolate chips, walnuts, etc. (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F and spray muffin tin (aff link) with nonstick spray (aff link) or line with cupcake liners. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mash banana to remove as many of the lumps as possible. If desired, run through a food processor or blender (aff link) for a couple seconds.
- Add brown sugar and whisk together until well combined.
- Add melted butter, egg white and vanilla extract and beat with whisk until well combined.
- Add flour, baking soda and salt (and cinnamon, if using) and whisk again until just combined.
- Pour batter into prepared pan (it’s best to use the center cups for most even baking), filling cups 3/4 of the way.
- Bake for 5 minutes at 425°F, then turn the oven temperature down to 350°F. Bake for another 16-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and tops are set and golden.
- Let muffins cool in tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack (aff link) to finish cooling.
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: small batch banana muffins, one banana banana muffins, one banana muffins, one banana small batch muffins, one bowl banana muffins, banana bread muffins
Navy says
I made it with too ripe banana it came out so good that my kiddo liked it a lot… he ate 3 out of 6 muffins… thanks a lot
★★★★★
EvelynU says
I made 6 muffins–they were “petite,” but not mini. They were delicious. I lightly toasted some pecans in a dry frying pan to mix in: yum!
★★★★★
Leslie Kiszka says
Sounds delicious! Thanks so much for coming back to share your experience and a rating.
Michelle says
I had one sad banana that I didn’t know what to do with. This recipe ended up making 14 tiny muffins that I planned to save for the kids breakfast or snacks during the week. We all ended up eating all but 2 as soon as they cooled lol! They were so good. Will definitely be making more!!
★★★★★
Leslie Kiszka says
Haha, sounds like the same problem I have when I make them – I don’t MEAN to eat them all at once! lol
Mandy says
This was so helpful. Thank you for posting! I didn’t have brown sugar but cane sugar worked out well. I also used 1/4 c bread flour, 1/8 all purpose and 1/8 whole wheat. It came out incredibly moist and delicious. Definitely going to use this again. I love how you can multiply it in case I have more than one banana.
★★★★★
Leslie Kiszka says
I’m so glad you liked it! Thanks so much for coming back to share your experience and leave a rating.
Adriana Campbell says
Mandy, Thank you for your comment, I was wondering if it was ok to use other type of sugar. I did and it turned out great! thanks
★★★★★
Brittany says
Used this recipe to bake a small loaf of banana bread, instead, and it turned out amazing!!
★★★★★
Leslie Kiszka says
Yum! I’m so glad you liked it – thanks so much for coming back to leave a comment and rating.
Liz says
I LOVED THIS RECIPE! So easy and I did not let my very very ripe banana go to waste! I added walnuts to the batter and then one walnut on top and it was perfect. It made the start of my Wednesday perfect.
★★★★★
Leslie Kiszka says
That’s so good to hear! Thank you so much for sharing your experience and rating <3
Susan says
Please change “now’ to “know” in my comment.
Thanks.
Susan says
Very disappointed. Would not make again. I now ovens vary but these get done faster than you state. Also, not impressed with the flavor at all. I make delicious banana pancakes, a William Sonoma recipe, from one leftover banana. Will do that next time with my leftover banana.
★
Chloe says
These were delicious and easy enough for my toddler to get involved making them! We added m&ms to ours as we ran out of choc chips and they were great.
★★★★★
Leslie Kiszka says
I’m so happy to hear that – thanks for coming back to leave a comment and rating!
Alexandra Seijas says
I made these muffins and they turned out great. The only thing I changed was instead of brown sugar I used honey and they still came out so delicious!
★★★★★
Alexandra Seijas says
It was 2 tbsp and 2 tsp of honey with 1/8 tsp of baking soda just in case anyone wants to try it out!
Leslie Kiszka says
I’m so happy to hear that – thanks for coming back to leave a comment and rating!
Crystal W says
So yummy!! Doubled the recipe and added frozen blueberries to it!
★★★★★
Leslie Kiszka says
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for coming back to share your experience and a rating!