These Chocolate Banana Muffins are one of our all-time favorite. They are a delicious chocolate muffin, with a big dose of nutrition, and are a perfect breakfast or snack option for the whole family.

close up shot of chocolate banana muffins with chocolate chips on a wire cooling rack.

Chocolate Banana Muffins

These moist little muffins are really a wonder of a recipe. With basic pantry staples and ripe bananas, the result is tender, fluffy muffins that taste like chocolate cake. They aren’t overtly banana-flavor, but rather have a subtle undertone. And the banana adds moisture and the rich texture that makes these seriously delicious.

We like these muffins warm out of the oven for breakfast or chilled for a snack or a cold packed lunch. You can serve them on their own or paired with fruit, a smoothie, or some peanut butter or almond butter spread on top.

I usually make these as mini muffins, but they work just as well as standard size muffins. The recipe is flexible, too, so know you can adjust it to work for food allergies as well.

(You may also like my Fluffy Chocolate Muffins and my Chocolate Protein Muffins.)

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Ingredients You Need

To make this recipe you’ll need to have the following ingredients on hand and ready to go. The most important one is to have and use very ripe bananas.

ingredients to make chocolate banana muffins.
  • Very ripe bananas: The more brown spots the better, as that will ensure that the banana flavor comes through and that the muffins have a lot of natural sweetness.
  • Eggs: I use large eggs in my baking and in this recipe, and here they provide structure and lend a nutritious base to the muffins.
  • Unsalted butter: Melted and slightly cooled butter OR almond butter works here to add moisture and tenderness.
  • Maple syrup: Use either of these to enhance the sweetness of the banana. You can also use honey, for kids over age 1, if you prefer.
  •  Pure vanilla extract: A little vanilla rounds out the flavor profile of the muffins nicely.
  • All-purpose flour: This type of flour ensures that the muffins are super fluffy and tender.
  • Cocoa powder: I add a little unsweetened cocoa powder for chocolate flavor here. You can also use cacao powder if that’s what you have on hand.
  • Baking powder and baking soda: The combination of these two ensure that the muffins rise and cook through properly.
  • Chocolate chips, optional

TIP: You can add a handful of baby spinach when blending the wet ingredients to add a veggie into the mix if you use a blender.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a look at the process of making these healthy mini muffins. Scroll down to get the full recipe with the amounts and timing.

how to make chocolate banana muffins in grid.
  1. Add the wet ingredients to a bowl.
  2. Add the dry ingredients to the bowl and stir bowl.
  3. Divide among a muffin tin. Top with chocolate chips if desired.
  4. Bake through, then let cool on a wire rack.
chocolate banana muffins on wire rack.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can these muffins be made ahead?

You can store these at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 24 hours or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Heat briefly to serve from warm to make them nice and moist!

Can I use gluten-free flour?

To make these gluten-free, use cup-for-cup gluten free flour blend.

How can I add veggies?

To add spinach, you can blend the bananas, baby spinach, and the rest of the wet ingredients in a blender. Then stir in the dry ingredients and proceed with the recipe.

How to Store

Store in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container or in a zip-top freezer bag for up to 3 months. Find more info about How to Freeze Muffins.

chocolate banana muffins cooling on a wire rack.

Best Tips for Success

  • Mini muffin tins sometimes have a tendency to stick, so be sure to grease them well with nonstick spray. I do not recommend using paper liners as they are likely to stick.
  • I like this mini muffin tin from Wilton.
  • Very ripe bananas with brown spots have the most natural sweetness and will make these muffins taste best.
  • Stir in 1/4-⅓ cup mini chocolate chips for added deliciousness!
  • Top with nut butter, cream cheese, or a drizzle of honey if you’d like.

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Favorite Chocolate Banana Muffins

With the delicious flavor combination of banana and chocolate, these muffins are both delicious and nutritious. Be sure to use very ripe bananas since they taste the sweetest. Warm the muffins slightly after storing in the fridge if desired.
4.94 from 74 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Cuisine American
Course Muffins
Calories 157kcal
Servings 12 (Makes 24 mini muffins)

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and grease a mini muffin tin with nonstick spray.
  • Mash the banana very smooth and measure out 1 cup.
  • Add the banana to a medium bowl with the rest of the wet ingredients. Whisk to combine well.
  • Add the remaining ingredients and whisk to combine. (I add the cocoa powder through a small sieve to remove any lumps.)
  • Add batter to the prepared muffin pan, using about 2 tablespoons batter in each.
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out cleanly. Use a paring knife to remove from the pan and cool on a wire rack.
  • (To make as standard size muffins, bake for 14-16 minutes.)

Notes

  • Store in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container or in a zip-top freezer bag for up to 3 months.
  • Gluten-free: Use cup-for-cup gluten-free flour.
  • Dairy-free: Use melted coconut oil for the butter.
  • Egg-free: Omit the eggs. Increase the baking soda to 1 teaspoon and add ¼ cup milk.
  • Blend the wet ingredients in a blender and add a handful of spinach if desired.
  • Some mini muffin tins have a tendency to stick, so be sure to grease them well. (I like this mini muffin tin from Wilton.)
  • Very ripe bananas with brown spots have the most natural sweetness and will make these muffins taste best.
  • Top with a few mini chocolate chips if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 2muffins, Calories: 157kcal, Carbohydrates: 22g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 37mg, Sodium: 172mg, Potassium: 91mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 158IU, Calcium: 43mg, Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Rate in the comments and tag @yummytoddlerfood on IG!

(Recipe updated to ensure tenderness, March 2024. This post was first published March 2018.)

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Comments

  1. Hi,
    can I make these without maple syrup/a sweetener? would just like to have the natural fruit sweetness in them… what would you substitute with for the texture? applesauce? milk?

    TiA Linda

  2. 5 stars
    I’ve been trying a different recipe of yours every week so I have yummy healthy snacks to feed my 16 month old (and myself!) and these are my favourite so far! Within 10 minutes of taking them out of the oven my husband and I already finished 5 minis. Such healthy wholesome ingredients and totally delicious!

  3. 5 stars
    Just made a batch of these this afternoon. They are amazing! Parent and toddler approved. Super moist!

  4. 5 stars
    These are FANTASTIC! Super chocolatey with subtle banana flavor, fluffy and delicious. One of my favorite muffin recipes for the kids. They barely last a few days…thank you!

  5. 5 stars
    My toddler and I made these today and they’re a huge hit! I blended the wet ingredients and added spinach as suggested and they turned out beautifully.

    Thank you for the recipe!

  6. 5 stars
    Thank you for all the wonderful recipes. I made this chocolate muffin with rolled oats but my oats in the muffin is not fully cooked. I made these mainly for my 2 yo who wouldn’t eat/ touch it now because it has seeds… is there any way to salvage the mufffins at this stage? It is a bit hard even for adults to eat. TIA.

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