Made in just one bowl, these whole wheat banana muffins are loaded with flavor. Spiced up with cinnamon and nutmeg, they’re one of my favorite grab-and-go breakfasts.

While I absolutely love homemade banana bread, I’ve found that muffins are actually more practical for our family. They’re pre-portioned, easier to take on the go, and there’s no need to cut out slices. These whole wheat banana muffins just might be my favorite make-ahead breakfast of all time. They’re packed with mashed bananas and the warm flavors of nutmeg and cinnamon. Every time I make them (which is more often than you know), I fall in love with them all over again.
Why You’ll Love These Whole Wheat Banana Muffins
- One-bowl recipe. Everything comes together in a single bowl, which means less mess and less cleanup. Yes, please.
- Warm and cozy flavor. A touch of cinnamon and nutmeg gives these muffins that bakery-style vibe we all love.
- Naturally sweetened. Maple syrup adds just the right amount of sweetness and keeps the muffins soft and tender.
- Made with white whole wheat flour. You get that hearty texture without sacrificing fluffiness.
Looking for more banana muffin recipes? Try my banana nut muffins, or these strawberry banana muffins.
What You’ll Need
Another great thing about these muffins is their short and sweet ingredient lineup. Let’s go over each item and talk about some simple substitution options. Don’t forget to scroll down to the recipe card for a printable list.
- Bananas: Overripe.
- Egg: If you’re vegan, you could use a flax egg instead of a regular egg.
- Maple Syrup: Any other liquid sweetener like honey or agave nectar will also work.
- Melted Coconut Oil: Feel free to swap this out for canola oil, vegetable oil or melted butter if you’d like.
- Vanilla Extract: Use a high-quality extract for the best results.
- Cinnamon & Nutmeg: These muffins really wouldn’t be the same without these warm and comfy spices.
- White Whole Wheat Flour: You can use all-purpose flour instead if preferred.
- Baking Soda: For a lovely rise.
- Salt: This deepens the flavor of the muffins.
Tips for the Best Banana Muffins
- Use Overripe Bananas: When it comes to baking, you shouldn’t be afraid of brown bananas. The more brown spots you see on the peels, the better your muffins will be. I always purposefully let my bananas “go bad” so I can put them into baked goods!
- Do I Have to Use Cupcake Liners? Feel free to grease your muffin tin with cooking spray instead of using cupcake liners if you’d like. If you do use liners, I suggest going for something with a nonstick coating so you can unwrap the muffins with ease.
- Don’t Leave Cooled Muffins Out in the Open: Once your muffins have cooled to room temperature, transfer them to an airtight container unless you’re serving them right away. Leaving your muffins out for too long will cause them to start drying out.
Add-In Ideas
Want to switch things up? These muffins are super versatile, and you can easily toss in a few extras to make them your own. Here are some fun mix-in ideas to get you started:
- Chopped pecans or walnuts – Add a little crunch and a toasty flavor that pairs perfectly with banana.
- Chocolate chips – Because chocolate makes everything better. Go semi-sweet, dark, or even mini chips!
- Coconut flakes – For a subtle, tropical twist and a bit of texture.
- Protein powder – Add a scoop to bump up the protein. Just reduce the flour slightly to keep the texture right.
- Peanut butter chips – A sweet, nutty surprise in every bite—banana + peanut butter is always a win.
- Dried fruit – Try raisins, chopped dates, or cranberries for little pockets of sweetness.
- Fresh berries – Blueberries and raspberries are great options, but be gentle when folding them in so they don’t break apart.
Mix and match to find your favorite combo!
Storage and Reheating
- Store on the counter: These muffins will stay good for up to 3 days so long as they’re properly stored – be sure to keep them in an airtight container once they’re fully cooled.
- To reheat: You can reheat individual muffins by wrapping them in paper towels and microwaving them for 30-60 seconds.
- Can you freeze them? Yes! Simply place the muffins onto a baking sheet and freeze them for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, transfer them to an airtight container or a freezer-safe storage bag. Frozen muffins will last for up to 3 months. Thaw them out on the counter before reheating and/or enjoying them.
Whole Wheat Banana Muffins
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
Made in just one bowl, these soft and fluffy banana muffins are so easy to make.
Ingredients
- 4 bananas, mashed
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 4 tablespoons melted coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 cup white whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-count muffin tin or two 6-count tins with a cupcake liner in each divot. Alternatively, you can grease the muffin tin(s) with cooking spray.
- Place bananas into a large bowl. Use a fork to mash them until just very small lumps are left.
- Add maple syrup, egg, coconut oil and vanilla extract and use a fork to combine.
- Add flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and baking soda. Use a spatula to mix until wet and dry ingredients are completely combined.
- Fill each divot in the muffin tin(s) 3/4 of the way full.
- Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean or with a couple loose crumbs.
- Remove muffins from the oven and let them rest in the pan for 3-5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack. You can enjoy them warm or cool them to room temperature.
Notes
- To Store & Reheat: Keep cooled muffins in an airtight container for up to 3 days. If desired, reheat individual muffins by wrapping them in paper towels and microwaving for 30-60 seconds.
- To Freeze: Flash-freeze muffins on a baking sheet for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, transfer to an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter before reheating and/or enjoying.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 164
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 66 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 16 mg