So here is part 2 of our fab new series the A-Z of cooking with kids. You can find A is for Apple Muffins here. Today is B is for Banana Muffins. My kids have been know to allow bananas to turn so that they can make these as they are their favorite muffins in the whole wild world.
These are simple to make, delicious, moreish and perfect for freezing.
How to make Banana Muffins

Banana Muffins
Ingredients
- 75 g /3oz melted butter
- 250 g /9oz self-raising flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
- pinch of salt
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- 115 g /4oz caster sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 large ripe bananas
- 2 medium eggs
- 125 ml /4fl oz milk
- a handful of chocolate chips optional
Instructions
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Heat the oven to 190C/375F/Gas 5.
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Melt the butter and allow to cool.
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Mash the bananas well.
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Sift flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg together in a large bowl, add caster sugar and stir through.
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With a fork, beat together the eggs, vanilla extract, melted butter and milk in a second bowl.
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Add the mashed banana and stir through.
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Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and add the egg mixture, stirring roughly with a fork (don't over mix) until it is a lumpy paste.
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Add the chocolate chips (optional).
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Set paper cases into a muffin tin and spoon in the mixture until almost full.
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Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the muffins come away from the side of the pan when touched.
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Rest the muffin tray on a wire rack for five minutes then remove the muffins and leave on the rack.
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These can be eaten hot or cold.
We have been making these banana muffins for years, so much so that the boys can pretty much make these from start to finish on their own. They are delicious warm out of the oven and NEVER last long, which is why I know that this recipe doubles well. We now always make double and freeze some or like today, we made double and the kids friends ate them.
This recipe is great for kids for a number of reasons. Ripe bananas are best for it, so they mash really easily giving your child a real sense of accomplishment at being able to do it unaided.
Tip – place a damp cloth under the bowl so it doesn’t slip when your child is mixing and also being it to their level (we do this at the kitchen table.
If you would rather not use butter for this then vegetable oil or coconut oil are great replacements.
Tip – always get your kids to break eggs into a separate container, that way if the shell goes in it is easy to remove. Also if is easier to remove shell with shell rather than a spoon.
Science in Baking
Muffins with baking powder and bicarb are a great way of talking and introducing science into the equation when baking. Both are raising agents.
Bicarbonate of Soda is an alkali that not only needs to stay dry until just before baking but needs an liquid acid to activate it such as yoghurt, buttermilk or milk.
Whereas Baking Powder contains baking powder and acidifying agent already (cream of tartar), and also a drying agent (usually starch).
You can make your own baking powder if you have bicarbonate of soda and cream of tartar. Simply mix two parts cream of tartar with one part baking soda.
Banana Chicken Curry from Witty Hoots
Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins from Mum in the Madhouse
Spelt Banana Bread from Thrifty Mom
Banana Cheesecake Bites from Sugar Aunts
Banana Coconut Smoothies from Peakle Pie
Banana Pudding Cookie Cups from Still Playing School
5 Minute Banana Ice Cream from Smiling like Sunshine
Rainbow Banana Pops from Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dogs Tails
Fried Green Banana Patacones by Rainy Day Mum
Banana Pancakes from Thinly Spread
Love these! Who doesn’t like a banana muffin? My son loves baking and both my husband and I came home with a bunch of bananas yesterday, so looks like we’ll be making these on the weekend!
I love it when I have brown bananas and can make some banana bread! Will have to try it as muffins next time as I am sure the kids would love them!
Ohh it seems like forever since I’ve had a nice muffin these sound absolutely scrumptious 🙂 x
We love banana muffins! My little boy helps out with all the banana mashing and loves it.
These look delicious, I have just found a love of baking so as its half term I might have to try making these with the tiny 3
Love the sound of these – looks like it wouldn’t be a bad way to use up bananas a little past there best.
I am going to make these for my children, That way they are getting the goodness of the banana but in a fun yummy treat
These are making my mouth water! We love to make Jack Monroe’s banana and raisin pancakes – really cheap, quick to cook and the children absolutely love them.
I’ll be making these muffins at the weekend 😀
Ricky
Mmmmm, they sound lovely! I used to love making banana cake, loads of ‘extras’ you can chuck in too!
These look and sound delicious – bookmarked to bake later this week!
These look lovely. You know until now I thought that baking powder and bicarb of soda were the same thing.
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I really don’t like bananas but strangely I love them cooked – so banana bread is one of my favourite things! These look delicious and perfect for having a go at with the children. Yum!
These sound really delicious, and perfect for making with my kids. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I only read the title and you had me. I am a huge fan of anything bananas and chocolate related. I think you should bake some and bring them to any conference you might possibly see me at. They look too good to keep to yourself!
Jen these look fantastic and sound super tasty, we are looking for things to bake so we may have a go at these.
I am also loving the fact you can freeze some!
Oh now these would make a perfect mid morning snack at work x
Wow.. my favorite combination, chocolate with banana. Maybe similar cupcake with banana frosting ?
I love banana muffins because a) they are tasty and b) I can convince myself they are healthy and therefore justify a second one!
We live Banana Muffins, a great way to use up old bananas, and sneak fruit to my hubby lol.
I love love love muffins ! great way to use up bananas
A million times yassssssss – these look sooo good! I love the banana and chocolate combo so will be adding these muffins to my list of things I must cook!
They look perfect.
Yesterday I bought some spare bananas to bake a bread but I might just bake your muffins instead.
For me baking might be the best parent-child activity going. Its something you can both genuinely enjoy doing, the results as well as it being educational.
My step daughter made banana muffins for the kids last week and they devoured them! We now have to make our own so this recipe came at just the right time 🙂
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Lucas says – Banana is my favourite flavour EVER and these look so yummy. Nanny is awesome at baking so I’m gonna show her this recipe. She’s a bit better at baking than the Mother (don’t worry, the Mother accepted this ages ago!) and I think we’ll have a go at making them together 🙂 Thanks for linking to #minicreations
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These muffins sound yummy! Thanks for linking to #familyfrugallinky
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Now they look yummy – and not too hard to make as well – always a bonus where my cooking comes in…! Thanks so much for taking part in the Parenting Pin it Party.
must invest in an ice cream scoop!
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I love a good banana muffin. Bananas are one of my favourite baking ingredients, despite hating them fresh/raw.
Thanks for linking up with #LittleChefs