These Vegan Banana Muffins are made with simple ingredients that pack a big nutrient punch, but they’re also easy to bake up even when your toddlers are underfoot. Plus, you can make them ahead. Win, win, win!
Vegan Banana Muffins
Banana muffins are a staple in many houses—and they can be in yours, too, even if your toddler is egg-free, gluten-free, and/or nut-free. The littles may even love helping to mash the bananas!
These mini Vegan Banana Muffins use chia seeds in place of eggs, which add a moist texture as well as a dose of healthy fats and fiber. I love this recipe because it’s easy to make and it packs all of the flavor you expect in classic banana muffins. Plus, kids with allergies or intolerances can enjoy them.
We don’t have any food allergies in our house, but I make these regularly, especially when I’ve run out of eggs.
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Ingredients You Need
To make this recipe, you’ll need to have the following ingredients on hand.
- Chia seeds: We use chia seeds here to add nutrition and to help the batter hold together without the need for eggs.
- Milk: You can use dairy or nondairy milk in this recipe according to what you prefer or have.
- Very ripe bananas: Using bananas with some black or brown spots indicates sweetness, so this ensures the muffins are plenty sweet and flavorful.
- Buckwheat flour: This type of flour is naturally gluten-free and packed with nutrition, and it’s a great option here. I prefer buckwheat flour in this recipe since it’s allergy-friendly, gluten-free, and contains more nutrients than standard flour. Look for it near the cornmeal or flours in your grocery store, as it’s widely available even in regular stores.
- Baking powder and baking soda: We use a mix of these two to ensure the muffins rise properly.
- Cinnamon and vanilla extract: I love to add cinnamon and pure vanilla extract to this muffin recipe for flavor.
- Maple syrup or honey: Either of these add a little sweetness and extra moisture in the recipe. Remember to avoid honey for kids under age 1.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a peek at the process involved in making this healthy muffin recipe. Scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full information.
- Stir the chia seeds into the milk. Mash the banana. (I like to mash the bananas with a potato masher, which is perfectly sized for a toddler’s hand so they can help, too.)
- Mix together all ingredients for the batter.
- Fill a mini muffin tin, evenly dividing the batter.
- Bake until just lightly golden brown.
Banana Muffins with Oil
I like using either melted coconut oil or a neutral oil like canola in these muffins since it helps create moisture. There’s not very much oil in these, but the little bit goes a long way toward creating a delicious end result.
Gluten-Free Banana Muffins
I make these vegan banana muffins with buckwheat flour, which is naturally gluten-free and rich in fiber and protein. It’s a little nutty in flavor and has a darker color than all-purpose flour. It’s a great option since the final texture is similar to whole wheat but with a lot more nutrients.
Muffins for Baby Led Weaning
These little muffins are perfectly sized for small hands, and since they are super moist, they are a great option for babies eating baby-led weaning foods or just learning to eat finger foods. Offer a whole one, BLW style, or cube a muffin into small pieces and offer once piece at a time to make sure your baby can handle the texture, and offer a drink regularly.
How to Store
Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge. Warm slightly before serving. Or, store in a zip-top freezer bag with as much air removed as possible for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or for 15-30 seconds in the microwave.
Best Tips for Success
- Use very ripe bananas with brown spots for the best flavor and sweetness.
- Avoid honey for babies under 1.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
- Try them for breakfast or as a snack or packed in a toddler lunch box.
- Find my Sugar-Free Banana Muffins here for an option that’s free from all added sugars. And my Oatmeal Banana Muffins are an easy blender option.
Related Recipes
I’d love to hear your feedback on this recipe, so please chime in below!
Easy Vegan Banana Muffins
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 cup milk (dairy or nondairy)
- 1 cup mashed very-ripe-with-black-spots banana (about 2 medium or 1½ cups sliced)
- 1 cup buckwheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoon neutral oil (canola or melted and cooled coconut oil)
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and grease a mini muffin tin.
- Stir the chia seeds into the milk in a medium bowl.
- Add the rest of the ingredients, including the mashed banana, to the bowl with the milk.
- Fill the prepared mini muffin tin to just under the edge of each cup, about 1 ½ tablespoons of batter each.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge. Warm slightly before serving. Or, store in a zip-top freezer bag with as much air removed as possible for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or for 15-30 seconds in the microwave.
Equipment
- Mini Muffin Tin
- Mixing Spoon
Notes
- Make 9 full-size muffins by using a standard muffin tin and baking for 20-22 minutes.
- Add ⅓ cup mini chocolate chips or raisins to the batter if desired.
- Use melted and cooled butter in place of the oil if desired.
- Use dairy or nondairy milk.
- Use very ripe bananas with brown spots for the best flavor and sweetness.
- Avoid honey for kids under age 1.
Would you happen to know why the muffins collapsed after I took them out of the oven? They were nice and full when they were in and now they’re flat! I did sub whole wheat flour instead of buckwheat because I couldn’t find it.
Followed to a tee, just whacked a blueberry in the middle of each prior to baking – PERFECT 👌🏻
These are a staple for my toddler. I make them without the maple syrup so they can even be eaten with savoury meals as they are very subtlety sweet. Only thing I would suggest to make things easier is go ahead and mash the bananas first in the large bowl and then add the chia seeds and milk. Less cleanup and cuts out a step!
Hi, what other flour can be used instead of buckwheat flour?
That works best in this recipe but my Sugar-Free Banana Muffins has a vegan option with whole wheat flour.