These moist banana chocolate chip muffins are incredibly light, delicious, and a great way to use overripe bananas. These good-looking and easy banana chocolate chip muffins are a fresh spin on classic banana bread muffins.
Chocolate chips make everything seamless by adding great moisture. They are quicker, easily portable, and the taste is just perfect. You only need a few ingredients to get started.
Only 25 minutes are required for baking these mouth-watering muffins, so if you need to be in and out of the kitchen fast, this chocolate chip banana muffins healthy recipe is your savior.
Table of Contents
ToggleMoist Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 large ripe bananas (mashed)
- ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil or melted butter
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (50g) light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup (120ml) milk
- 1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional, enhances flavor)
- ¾ cup (130g) chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark, plus extra for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease the wells lightly with oil.
- In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas until smooth with a fork or potato masher. A few small lumps are fine.
- Add oil (or melted butter), granulated sugar, and brown sugar to the mashed bananas. Whisk until combined. Add eggs one at a time, whisking after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract and milk.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if using).
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently with a spatula or wooden spoon. Do not overmix—stop once there are no visible streaks of flour.
- Gently fold in the chocolate chips using a spatula, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
- Spoon the batter into the muffin liners, filling each about ¾ full. Sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips on top of each for a bakery-style look.
- Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (a few moist crumbs are fine, but no wet batter).
- Let the muffins sit in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips For Making Moist Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
Achieving soft and moist muffins is easy with these simple tips:
- Use Very Ripe Bananas: Choose bananas with lots of brown spots; they’re sweeter and mash easily, adding natural moisture.
- Measure Ingredients Accurately: Too much flour can make muffins dry. Use a kitchen scale or spoon flour into your measuring cup and level it off.
- Avoid Overmixing: Gently stir the batter until ingredients are just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough muffins.
- Don’t Overbake: Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Overbaking can dry out the muffins.
How To Store Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins?
Keeping your muffins fresh is simple with proper storage:
- At Room Temperature: Once cooled, place muffins in an airtight container. They stay fresh for 2-4 days.
- In the Refrigerator: For longer storage, refrigerate muffins in a sealed container for up to a week.
- Freezing Muffins: To enjoy muffins later, freeze them. Let them cool completely, then place in a freezer-safe bag or container, removing as much air as possible. They can be frozen for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature or warm briefly in the microwave before eating.
What Is The Secret To Moist Muffins?
The key to moist muffins lies in balancing ingredients and careful mixing:
- Proper Fat Content: Ingredients like vegetable oil or butter add necessary moisture.
- Fresh, Ripe Bananas: They provide natural sweetness and moisture.
- Gentle Mixing: Overmixing can create dense muffins. Stir until ingredients are just combined.
- Correct Baking Time: Bake until a toothpick comes out clean to avoid drying them out.
How Do You Know When Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins Are Done?
To ensure your muffins are perfectly baked:
- Visual Check: Muffins should be golden brown on top.
- Toothpick Test: Insert a toothpick into the center of a muffin. If it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, they’re done.
- Touch Test: Lightly press the top of a muffin; it should spring back gently.
Why Did My Muffins Sink In The Middle?
Muffins can sink in the middle due to several reasons:
- Underbaking: If muffins are taken out of the oven too soon, the center may not be fully set, causing it to sink.
- Overmixing the Batter: Mixing too much can add extra air to the batter, which can cause muffins to rise too quickly and then collapse.
- Incorrect Oven Temperature: Baking at a temperature that’s too low can prevent muffins from setting properly, leading to sinking centers.
To avoid this, ensure you bake muffins for the recommended time, mix the batter gently until ingredients are just combined, and verify your oven is set to the correct temperature.
Why Did My Muffins Turn Out Dry & Dense?
Dry or dense muffins can result from:
- Overbaking: Leaving muffins in the oven too long removes too much moisture, making them dry.
- Too Much Flour: Adding extra flour can make the batter thick and the muffins heavy.
- Overmixing: Mixing the batter too much can develop too much gluten, leading to dense muffins.
To prevent this, bake muffins just until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, measure flour accurately, and mix the batter gently.
How Do I Prevent Chocolate Chips From Sinking To The Bottom?
To keep chocolate chips evenly spread in your muffins:
- Coat Chips with Flour: Before adding them to the batter, toss the chocolate chips with a small amount of flour. This helps them stay suspended during baking.
- Use Mini Chocolate Chips: Smaller chips are lighter and less likely to sink.
- Thicker Batter: A thicker batter can support the chips better, keeping them from sinking.
Can I Replace White Flour With Whole Wheat Flour?
Yes, you can use whole wheat flour instead of white flour, but it may change the muffins’ texture and taste:
- Flavor: Whole wheat flour has a nuttier taste.
- Texture: It can make muffins denser.
To balance this, consider using half whole wheat and half white flour. This mix keeps the muffins light while adding the benefits of whole grains.
What’s The Best Way To Serve Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins?
Serving these muffins can be a delightful experience:
- Warm: Enjoy them fresh from the oven or reheat them slightly to melt the chocolate chips.
- With Spreads: Add a bit of butter, cream cheese, or your favorite jam for extra flavor.
- As a Dessert: Pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a sweet treat.