Name: Nutella Banana Muffins
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ripe bananas, mashed; 1/2 cup Nutella; 1/4 cup melted butter; 1/2 cup sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup milk; 1/4 cup chocolate chips (optional)

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These Nutella Banana Muffins are the perfect blend of rich Nutella and ripe bananas, creating a moist and fluffy treat. Ideal for breakfast or a sweet snack, they offer a delicious twist on traditional banana muffins.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

These Nutella Banana Muffins combine two beloved flavors into one irresistible treat. The natural sweetness of ripe bananas perfectly complements the rich, chocolate-hazelnut notes of Nutella. The recipe is straightforward and quick to prepare, making it perfect for busy mornings or when you need to satisfy a sweet craving. These muffins have a tender crumb and stay moist for days, thanks to the banana. Whether you're looking for a special breakfast option, an after-school snack, or something to pack in lunchboxes, these muffins deliver both flavor and convenience.

Ingredients

(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Ripe bananas are the star of this recipe, providing natural sweetness, moisture, and that classic banana flavor that pairs wonderfully with chocolate. The riper your bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your muffins will be.

Nutella brings its signature chocolate-hazelnut richness to these muffins, creating pockets of creamy sweetness throughout. This ingredient transforms ordinary banana muffins into an extraordinary treat.

Butter adds richness and helps create a tender crumb in the muffins. The melted form ensures it blends seamlessly with the other ingredients.

Sugar enhances the sweetness of the bananas and balances the flavors. It also contributes to the muffins' soft texture and slight crispness on top.

Eggs provide structure and stability to the muffins while also adding moisture and richness. They help bind all the ingredients together.

Vanilla extract adds a warm, aromatic note that complements both the banana and chocolate flavors.

All-purpose flour forms the foundation of the muffins, providing structure while still allowing for a light, tender crumb.

Baking powder and baking soda work together as leavening agents, helping the muffins rise and become fluffy rather than dense.

Salt enhances all the flavors in the recipe and balances the sweetness.

Milk adds moisture and helps create a light texture in the finished muffins.

Chocolate chips are optional but highly recommended for an extra chocolate boost and delightful texture contrast. They create melty pockets of chocolate throughout the muffins.

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease the cups.
In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth. Stir in the Nutella, melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about ⅔ full. If desired, sprinkle chocolate chips on top.
Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Servings and Timing

This recipe yields 12 standard-sized muffins. The prep time is approximately 10 minutes, and the baking time is 20 minutes, for a total of 30 minutes from start to finish. Each muffin contains approximately 220 calories, making them a reasonable treat for breakfast or a midday snack.

Variations

Nutella Swirl: Instead of fully incorporating the Nutella into the batter, swirl it through for a marbled effect. Add half the batter to the muffin cups, top with a small dollop of Nutella, then cover with remaining batter and use a toothpick to create swirls.
Banana Nutella Chocolate Chip Muffins: For true chocolate lovers, fold ½ cup chocolate chips into the batter in addition to sprinkling some on top.
Nutty Banana Nutella Muffins: Add ½ cup of chopped walnuts or hazelnuts to the batter for extra texture and complementary flavors.
Whole Wheat Nutella Banana Muffins: Substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added nutrition and a slightly nuttier flavor.
Spiced Nutella Banana Muffins: Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg to the dry ingredients for a warm, spiced variation.

Storage/Reheating

Counter Storage: Store cooled muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. A paper towel placed at the bottom of the container will help absorb excess moisture and keep the muffins fresh.

Refrigerator Storage: For longer storage, place muffins in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week. Let them come to room temperature before eating, or reheat them for the best flavor and texture.

Freezer Storage: These muffins freeze exceptionally well. Wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag or container. They'll keep for up to 3 months in the freezer.

Reheating: To reheat refrigerated or frozen muffins, microwave individual muffins for 20-30 seconds (from refrigerated) or 45-60 seconds (from frozen). Alternatively, wrap them in foil and warm in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes from refrigerated or 15-20 minutes from frozen.

FAQs

Can I use overripe bananas for this recipe?

Absolutely! In fact, overripe bananas with lots of brown spots are perfect for baking as they're sweeter and easier to mash. They'll give your muffins more banana flavor and natural sweetness.

Can I make these muffins without Nutella?

Yes, you can substitute Nutella with another chocolate spread, peanut butter, or even cookie butter. However, the flavor profile will change significantly. If you simply want banana muffins, omit the Nutella and consider adding an extra ¼ cup of sugar.

How can I tell when the muffins are done baking?

Insert a toothpick into the center of a muffin. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs (but no wet batter), they're done. Also, the tops should spring back when lightly touched.

Can I make these muffins ahead of time?

Absolutely! These muffins are perfect for meal prep. Bake them over the weekend and enjoy them throughout the week, or freeze them for longer storage.

Why did my muffins turn out dense?

Overmixing the batter can develop too much gluten, resulting in dense muffins. Mix just until the ingredients are combined. Also, make sure your baking powder and baking soda are fresh.

Can I make mini muffins instead?

Yes! Fill mini muffin tins about ⅔ full and reduce the baking time to 12-14 minutes. This recipe should yield approximately 24-30 mini muffins.

Is there a dairy-free version of this recipe?

You can substitute the butter with coconut oil or a dairy-free butter alternative, and use almond milk, soy milk, or another plant-based milk instead of dairy milk. Check that your chocolate chips are dairy-free if you're adding those.

Can I reduce the sugar in this recipe?

Yes, you can reduce the sugar by up to half since the bananas and Nutella already provide sweetness. The texture might be slightly different, but the muffins will still be delicious.

How ripe should the bananas be?

The bananas should be quite ripe – yellow with plenty of brown spots or even mostly brown. This ensures they're sweet enough and will mash easily.

Can I add other fruits to this recipe?

Certainly! Blueberries, raspberries, or chopped strawberries make wonderful additions. Fold in about ½ cup of fresh fruit just before baking. Keep in mind that berries might slightly alter the baking time.

Conclusion

These Nutella Banana Muffins are a delightful fusion of two beloved flavors that create something truly special. They're perfect for using up those overripe bananas while treating yourself to something indulgent yet simple to make. The combination of moist banana bread texture with rich chocolate-hazelnut Nutella creates a breakfast or snack option that will please both kids and adults alike. Whether you're enjoying them with your morning coffee, packing them in lunchboxes, or serving them as an afternoon treat, these muffins are sure to become a regular in your baking rotation. Their ease of preparation and ability to be made ahead make them as practical as they are delicious.