
Banana oatmeal muffins are the ultimate feel-good treat โ warm, fluffy, and naturally sweetened with ripe bananas.
These muffins are soft, moist, and just sweet enough. Plus, they come together in one bowl for easy cleanup.
Whether you’re meal prepping for busy mornings or looking for a kid-friendly snack that satisfies, these muffins check all the boxes.
Letโs get baking.
Why Youโll Love These Banana Oatmeal Muffins
- Wholesome ingredients: No refined flour, just oats and naturally sweet bananas.
- One-bowl recipe: Easy cleanup with minimal mess.
- Quick and simple: Ready in about 30 minutes from start to finish.
- Freezer-friendly: Perfect for meal prep or storing leftovers.
- Family-friendly: Loved by kids and adults alike.
Tips for Perfect Muffins Every Time
- Use overripe bananas with plenty of brown spots for the best flavor and texture.
- Don’t overmix the batter; mix just until combined to avoid dense muffins.
- Let the batter rest for 5โ10 minutes before baking if using whole oats to help soften them.
- Use paper liners or nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
- Cool completely before storing to prevent moisture buildup.
Variations and Add-Ins to Try
Customize your muffins based on what you have on hand or what your family loves:
- Chocolate chip banana oatmeal muffins โ Add ยฝ cup of mini or dark chocolate chips.
- Blueberry banana muffins โ Fold in fresh or frozen blueberries for a fruity twist.
- Vegan version โ Use flax eggs and plant-based yogurt or milk.
- Peanut butter swirl โ Swirl 1โ2 tablespoons of peanut butter into each muffin before baking.
- Nutty crunch โ Add chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds for texture.
- Tropical twist โ Mix in shredded coconut and pineapple bits.
Storage, Freezing & Meal Prep Tips
- Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerator: Keep for up to 5 days in a sealed container.
- Freezer: Freeze in a single layer, then transfer to a zip-top bag for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave for 30 seconds or warm in the oven at 300ยฐF.
- Meal prep: Double the recipe and freeze half for easy grab-and-go breakfasts or snacks.
Banana Oatmeal Muffins FAQs
Can I use instant oats instead of rolled oats?
Yes, instant oats will work but create a softer texture. Rolled oats provide a heartier bite.
Whatโs the best egg substitute?
Flax eggs or chia eggs work well. Combine 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons water for each egg.
Why are my muffins dry or dense?
Overmixing or not using enough banana can cause dryness. Measure ingredients carefully and avoid overbaking.
Healthy Banana Oatmeal Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 ยฝ Cups oats old fashioned oats or rolled oats
- 1 ยผ Cups flour
- ยฝ cup sugar
- 1 ยฝ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ยผ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch ground nutmeg
- 1 whole egg
- ยผ cup oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ยฝ cups ripe bananas mashed (about 3-4 bananas)
Topping:
- ยฝ cup oats old fashioned oats
- ยผ teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375ยฐF.
- In a large bowl, mix together the oats, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt.
- In a separate smaller bowl, whisk the egg, oil, and vanilla until well combined.
- Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. The mixture will be quite dry at this point.
- Add the mashed bananas and fold them into the batter. Continue folding until all the dry ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Divide the batter evenly into a muffin tin that has been lightly sprayed with nonstick spray or lined with paper liners.
- In another bowl, mix the oats, cinnamon, brown sugar, and melted butter to make the topping. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the muffin batter.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
No flour in this recipe?? Batter was a very liquid consistency and when cooked they were flat and mushy. Did I miss something?
I have the same question! Thanks for your review as I was just about to make these and wondered where is the flour? The photo definitely looks like thereโs flour in the recipe.
The muffins donโt use flour, just oats for a healthier, gluten-free base! If the batter felt too runny, letting it rest 5โ10 minutes before baking should help thicken it up. Just make sure you’re using rolled oats!
I also had concerns regarding the lack of flour, but gave it a try. I followed the recipe exactly and end up with flat mushy muffins.
Donโt follow this recipe. Similar to other comments, these muffins come out flat and mushy. Not good and a waste of ingredients. ๐
Hey Megan, really appreciate the feedback โ and so sorry about the trouble! The recipeโs been updated now to fix those issues.
Mine came out really good!!!!!!
Thanks!
So glad to hear yours came out great!๐ Thanks for the feedback โ the recipe has been updated recently, so happy itโs working well!
made this morning using 3 over ripe bananas and the recipe did call for four (I assume it has been updated) and myself and my 2 kids (5&3) were LOVING it! we all went back in for seconds. the topping was soooo tasty and my oldest was asking if I could make this again so I’ll be adding this to the hand-me-down recipe book!
Thank you so much for sharing this! I’m so glad everyone loved it, and yes, the recipe has been updated๐
Itโs great that the recipe has been updated with flour, but it doesnโt indicate what kind of flour. Is it all purpose, whole wheat, almond? Can this recipe be made gf?
Thanks for pointing that out! You can use all-purpose flour, but whole wheat or a gluten-free blend should work well too if you prefer!