Easy Small Batch Banana Muffins Recipe

Name: Easy Small Batch Banana Muffins Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup sugar; 2 overripe bananas (, divided); 6 tablespoons salted butter (, melted); 1 large egg; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup all purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt

Jump to Recipe

This quick and easy Banana Muffins recipe uses only 2 bananas to make a small batch of muffins. This is a perfect muffin recipe if you're cooking for one or two people. Step by step recipe video included with the printable recipe. These tender, sweet muffins are perfect for breakfast, snacking or dessert.

Four banana muffins in a muffin tin and a muffin split in half on a cooling rack

Banana muffins have been a favorite breakfast treat at my house for years. This small batch banana muffin recipe is a scaled down version of the muffins I've been making for the last 20+ years. It's the perfect recipe to use when you have 2 bananas.

If you're cooking for one or two, this small batch muffin recipe should definitely be in your recipe files. It's the perfect overripe banana recipe and will yield 5 to 6 muffins.

a close up of four banana muffins in a muffin tin

Why This Recipe Works

Everyone loves a good banana muffin recipe, right? Well, this easy ripe banana recipe definitely delivers. It's time tested - I've been using this recipe for years.
The banana recipe calls for ingredients most commonly found in our pantries.
With just 10 minutes of prep time and about 20 minutes of baking time, you can enjoy the best tasting muffins that are perfect for breakfast or for an afternoon snack.

Ingredients

See recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.

Ingredient Notes

Sugar: I use granulated sugar.
2 overripe bananas, vanilla, and salt: These add flavor. Remember, the riper the bananas the sweeter the bananas. The ones shown in this picture could be even riper and more speckled.
Butter: Use melted butter.
Egg: One large egg gives the banana muffins structure.
Flour: I use all-purpose flour or plain flour.
Baking soda: Helps the muffins rise.

How To Make Banana Muffins

Mash one of the bananas with a fork on a small plate so it still has a bit of texture. Set the plate aside, you will use this banana later. With a hand mixer, whip the remaining banana and sugar together for 35-40 seconds; you want a light and smooth banana cream.
Add the melted butter, egg, and vanilla; beat well. Mix in the dry ingredients just until incorporated and fold in the mashed banana.
Pour the batter into lightly greased or lined muffin tin.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the tip of a sharp knife or a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean.

Expert Tips

Extra ripe bananas are perfect to use in this banana muffins recipe - the riper the banana, the sweeter the muffins.
If you like banana nut muffins, feel free to add in about a quarter cup of chopped nuts.
Do not overmix the batter or your banana muffins will turn out dense and gummy.

Butter melting on a muffin half and dripping onto the plate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Should I Store Banana Muffins?

Cover the muffins well with plastic wrap or foil to prevent them from drying out. When properly stored, banana muffins should last 1 to 2 days at room temperature.

Can I Freeze Muffins?

If you would like to freeze banana muffins, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them in a ziptop bag and place in the freezer. They will last for up to 2 months.

What Size Muffin Tin Do You Use?

For this small batch banana muffin recipe, I use a muffin tin with a 2-inch diameter base and is 1 ¼-inches tall.
For more information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.

Variations

Banana Nut Muffins: Add ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter.
Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins: Add ¼ cup chocolate chips to the batter.

Other Muffin Recipes

Ripe Banana Recipes

If you like this banana recipe, you might also like these single serving and small batch ripe banana recipes.

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