If you’re looking for a delightful treat that brings together the rich creaminess of chocolate hazelnut spread and the natural sweetness of ripe bananas, you’ve just found it. This Nutella Banana Muffins Recipe is a warm, comforting favorite that’s perfect for breakfast, snack time, or even a quick dessert. Each bite offers a tender, moist crumb studded with swirls of luscious Nutella that melt into the muffins, creating pockets of indulgence. These muffins are not just easy to make but incredibly satisfying, with simple ingredients that come together to form a flavor combo that’s hard to resist.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the ingredients for this Nutella Banana Muffins Recipe is a joy in itself because each one plays a unique role in contributing to the final masterpiece. From the soft bananas that keep your muffins moist to the spices and leavening agents that give them the perfect rise, these staples work in harmony to create pure muffin magic.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: The base that creates structure and a tender crumb.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps your muffins rise beautifully and become fluffy.
- ½ teaspoon baking powder: Provides a little extra lift ensuring soft texture.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- 6 medium ripe bananas (mashed): Adds natural sweetness, moisture, and superb banana flavor.
- ½ cup butter (melted): Brings richness and keeps the muffins moist.
- ½ cup brown sugar: Gives a deep caramel sweetness and enhances moistness.
- ¼ cup granulated sugar: Adds brightness and balances the brown sugar’s richness.
- 2 large eggs: Binding ingredients that add structure and richness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Infuses a warm aroma and rounds out the flavors.
- â…“ cup Nutella: The star of the show adding creamy, chocolate-hazelnut goodness that turns ordinary into extraordinary.
How to Make Nutella Banana Muffins Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Muffin Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. While your oven is warming up, line a muffin pan with paper liners. This little prep step makes cleanup easier and helps your muffins release effortlessly after baking.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined. Setting these aside keeps your baking process organized and ensures your muffins rise evenly without any lumps.
Step 3: Blend the Wet Ingredients
Grab your stand mixer or a large bowl, and combine those perfectly mashed bananas with melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Beat everything on medium speed until the mixture looks smooth and flavorful – this is where the magic starts to happen!
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Slowly add the dry ingredients to your wet mix, stirring on low speed just until everything is combined. Remember, overmixing can make the muffins tough, so be gentle here; a few lumps are okay and even desirable for tender muffins.
Step 5: Prepare the Nutella Swirls
Microwave the Nutella in a small bowl for about 30 seconds. Warming it up makes it easier to add dollops to your muffin batter and swirl without creating a mess, preserving those beautiful, creamy streaks that everyone will adore.
Step 6: Portion and Swirl Nutella
Fill each muffin cup about three-quarters full with your banana batter. Add a teaspoon of the warmed Nutella on top of each one and use a toothpick to swirl the Nutella gently through the batter, creating lovely marbled patterns that taste as good as they look.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Pop the muffin pan into the oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes. The muffins are ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. The smell filling your kitchen at this point will practically pull you in for a taste!
Step 8: Cool Before Enjoying
Let the muffins cool in the pan for about 15 minutes so they set up nicely, then transfer them to a cooling rack. This cooling step is important for the texture and makes handling them much easier without breaking apart.
How to Serve Nutella Banana Muffins Recipe
Garnishes
For a little extra flair when serving your Nutella Banana Muffins Recipe, consider sprinkling a pinch of powdered sugar on top or adding a few chopped hazelnuts for crunch. A drizzle of extra Nutella or a smear of softened butter can elevate the enjoyment even more.
Side Dishes
These muffins pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or tea, creating an inviting breakfast or afternoon snack. For a more substantial treat, serve alongside fresh fruit or a dollop of whipped cream for balance and contrast in flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Get playful by slicing the muffins in half and turning them into mini Nutella banana sandwich bites. You could also hollow out the center slightly and fill it with a spoonful of Nutella or cream cheese frosting to surprise and delight your guests with each bite.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Nutella Banana Muffins Recipe fresh, store leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They remain moist and flavorful, perfect for quick snacks anytime you crave that chocolate-banana goodness.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these muffins later, wrap them individually in plastic wrap then place them in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen, they can last up to 2 months. When you’re ready, just thaw at room temperature or gently warm them up.
Reheating
For that fresh-baked feeling, reheat your muffins in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or warm them in the oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes. Reheating revives the Nutella swirls and brings back the delicious aroma that makes these muffins irresistible.
FAQs
Can I use less sugar in this Nutella Banana Muffins Recipe?
Absolutely! Since ripe bananas add natural sweetness, you can reduce the granulated sugar or brown sugar slightly to suit your taste without compromising texture too much.
What if I don’t have Nutella? Can I substitute it?
Yes, you can substitute with any chocolate hazelnut spread or even a plain chocolate spread. Alternatively, peanut butter or almond butter swirls also pair delightfully with bananas.
How ripe should the bananas be for this recipe?
The riper, the better! Bananas with brown spots or those that feel very soft work perfectly because they bring more sweetness and moisture to the muffins.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Using a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend can work well. Just be sure the blend includes a binding agent and follow the same quantities to keep the muffin texture tender.
What’s the best way to swirl Nutella without mixing it completely?
Warming Nutella slightly makes it easier to dollop and swirl with a toothpick gently. Swirl just a few times to create pretty marbled patterns instead of fully mixing it in.
Final Thoughts
Making these Nutella Banana Muffins Recipe is such a joyful experience, from mashing those fragrant bananas to seeing the Nutella swirls melt in the oven. Whether you’re baking for your family or friends, these muffins bring smiles and satisfy sweet cravings in the best way possible. Give this recipe a try and watch how quickly they disappear, because once you taste them, they’ll become your new go-to for easy, irresistible baking!
Print
Nutella Banana Muffins Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 18 muffins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Nutella Banana Muffins are a delightful combination of ripe bananas and creamy Nutella swirls baked into moist and flavorful muffins. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert, they bring a sweet, nutty twist to classic banana muffins with a soft, tender crumb and a luscious chocolate-hazelnut center.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 6 medium ripe bananas (mashed)
- ½ cup butter (melted)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping
- â…“ cup Nutella
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Muffin Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin pan with muffin liners to prevent sticking and for easy removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined. Set this mixture aside.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a stand mixer bowl, add the mashed bananas, melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Incorporate Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet banana mixture. Mix on low speed just until the batter comes together; avoid overmixing to keep the muffins tender.
- Prepare Nutella for Swirling: Microwave the Nutella for about 30 seconds to soften it, making it easier to swirl into the batter.
- Fill Muffin Cups and Swirl Nutella: Spoon the batter into the muffin cups filling each about three-quarters full. Add about a teaspoon of warmed Nutella on top of each muffin and use a toothpick to gently swirl it through the batter for a marbled effect.
- Bake Muffins: Place the muffin pan in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
- Cool Muffins: Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps prevent them from breaking apart.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for the best natural sweetness and moisture.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the muffins light and fluffy.
- Warming Nutella slightly makes it easier to swirl and prevents clumping.
- Muffins can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative.
