These Banana Oatmeal Muffins are easy to make and full of flavor and texture. They are perfect for breakfast or snacking.
With over 2 million page views, hundreds of five-star reviews, and almost 100,000 social shares, this is my most popular muffin recipe that readers keep coming back to make again and again.
Oatmeal banana muffins
These tasty banana muffins have plenty of banana flavor and get a chewy texture from the old-fashioned oats. And to take these muffins a step further, I’ve added a delicious oat topping.
No special equipment needed when making these muffins. You need a bowl, a heavy-duty spoon for mixing, and a muffin tin for baking. Whether you’re a novice in the kitchen or an experienced baker, these banana oatmeal muffins will get you rave reviews in your kitchen!
My top tips for making these muffins include
- Use Very Ripe Bananas: Overripe bananas with dark spots or fully brown skins work best, as they provide natural sweetness and a moist texture.
- Don’t Skip the Oats: Use old-fashioned oats for a chewy texture that complements the banana flavor. Quick oats can alter the texture and may not absorb liquid as well.
- Perfect Crumb Topping: Ensure the crumb topping is mixed until it resembles coarse crumbs. This adds a sweet, crunchy layer to the muffins.
- Even Muffin Sizes: Fill the muffin cups evenly using an ice cream scoop.
If you are looking for a little variety, here is another tasty banana muffin recipe to try!
Excellent muffin recipe! I made them a few weeks ago and I'm making them again right now. My three and a half year old granddaughter loves them! This recipe is a keeper for sure! Thank you!
Banana Oat Muffin Ingredients
- Oats - Use old-fashioned oats or rolled oats. They have a thicker texture than quick oats and are perfect in this recipe.
- Flour - Regular all-purpose flour is used. Be certain to measure your flour using the fluff and scoop method.
- Bananas - The riper the bananas, the better. Choose very brown bananas. You’ll need 1½ cups of mashed bananas which is about 3 bananas.
- Sugar - Two types of sugar are used in this recipe. Granulated sugar is used in the muffin batter and brown sugar is used for the topping.
- Oil - The oil adds moisture and helps create a perfect crumb. Use a light-flavored oil like canola or vegetable oil.
- Spices - Ground cinnamon and nutmeg add the perfect amount of spice.
- Vanilla - Use pure vanilla for the best flavor.
- Leavening - One egg, baking powder, and baking soda are all used in this recipe.
How to make Banana Oatmeal Muffins
- Mix the oatmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar in a large bowl.
- In a smaller bowl mix egg, oil, and vanilla. Add to dry ingredients and stir.
- Stir in mashed bananas.
- Fold together until well combined.
- Divide into 12 sprayed or lined muffin tins.
- Mix the remaining oats, melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
- Sprinkle topping over unbaked muffins.
- Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 15-20 minutes.
You might also enjoy these muffins baked into a loaf of oatmeal banana bread.
How to store Banana Oat Muffins
Once the muffins are fully cool, store them in a single layer in an airtight container. Store at room temperature for 3-4 days.
To freeze the muffins, place fully cool muffins in a freezer-safe container or bag in a single layer. Muffins are best used within 1-2 months.
Tips for making Banana Oatmeal Muffins
- Use fresh baking powder - baking powder can lose its effectiveness and if old, your muffins might not rise properly.
- Fully preheat your oven - I use a separate oven thermometer in my oven to make certain my oven has reached the proper temperature. My preheat light often turns off before the oven has reached full temperature so I always give it extra time.
- Do not overmix batter. Just stir until everything is mixed in. Over-stirring can cause tough muffins.
- Use an ice cream scoop for even-sized muffins. Plus it makes putting the batter in the tins easy peasy!
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Check out all my muffin recipes!
Oatmeal Banana Muffins Recipe
Equipment
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
- 1 ½ Cups oats (old fashioned oats or rolled oats)
- 1 ¼ Cups flour
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch ground nutmeg
- 1 whole egg
- ¼ cup oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ½ cups ripe bananas, mashed (about 3-4 bananas)
Topping
- ½ cup oats (old fashioned oats)
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- In a large bowl mix oatmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and sugar together.1 ½ Cups oats, 1 ¼ Cups flour, ½ cup sugar, 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, pinch ground nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon salt
- In a smaller bowl mix egg, oil and vanilla. Add to dry ingredients and stir. The mixture will be very dry at this time.1 whole egg, ¼ cup oil, 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Fold in bananas. Keep folding until all the dry ingredients are mixed in.1 ½ cups ripe bananas, mashed
- Divide into muffin tin that has been either lightly sprayed with a nonstick spray or lined with paper liners.
- In another bowl combine topping ingredients. Sprinkle over muffin batter.½ cup oats, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, 2 Tablespoons brown sugar, 2 Tablespoons melted butter
- Bake at 375°F for 18-20 minutes.
Video
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas. The peel should have lots of brown spots and the bananas should mash easily.
- When measuring flour, don't overpack the measuring cup. Fluff up flour with a spoon or scoop, and then gently scoop it into the measuring cup and then level the cup.
- The batter may be a bit dry if bananas are not fully ripe.
- If batter is too dry add 1-2 tablespoons of milk.
- Use old fashioned oats or quick oatmeal. Steel cut oats do not work for this recipe.
- The old fashioned oats will add texture to the muffins.
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Nutrition
Recipe adapted from Mad about Muffins
Liz says
My 19 month old son loves these. I make them frequently. Thank you for the fabulous recipe!
Kathy says
Thanks, Liz! I love hearing how much your son loves these muffins!
Mandy V says
These were easy and absolutely delicious. My husband has eaten 4 of them in the last hour...
Kathy says
I guess he must love them! They are one of our favorites! Thanks for dropping me a quick note! 🙂
Leigh says
So do I use instant or the rolled oats oatmeal?
Kathy says
Hi Leigh,
I don't typically use instant oats when baking. It tends to break down too much.
Thanks!
Kathy
Erika C says
Hey there! Just made these. They turned out well but I would say to add salt to the recipe! After tasting them I thought I forgot it, but I see it isn't included. If this is how you prefer your muffins then disregard my comment 🙂
Kathy says
Thanks, Erika. I typically don't add salt to my muffins. I will add it to the recipe as an optional ingredient. I appreciate your feedback.
Lauren says
I made these vegan by using a flax egg and not putting the topping on. They taste great!
Kathy says
So glad you made them work for you! Nice job 🙂
Noelle says
This is one of the only times EVER that a recipe actually made the amount of muffins that it said it would . I was pleasantly surprise. And they were delicious, too, even using whole wheat flour. 🙂
Kathy says
Thanks, Noelle! I'm so glad you loved the muffins and that they worked out for you. Thanks for letting me know 🙂 There's nothing better than hearing that someone else loved your recipes (besides my kids :))
Rachael says
These muffins are so good! I added some walnuts and chocolate chips to mine. Definitely will make them again!
Kathy says
Thanks, Rachael! I'm so glad you loved them. The addition of walnuts and chocolate chips sound yummy!
Jen says
Delicious! I added dates & omitted the topping. Made 24 mini muffins - baked for 12 minutes.
Kathy says
I love how you made a few adjustments! Adding dates is such a great idea. Mini muffins are always a hit!
Adina says
Happy New Year! Great recipe for using ripe bananas, I always have at least one around...
Kathy says
Bananas seem to have a way of turning ripe too quickly.
Mary says
Don’t keep them close to apples if you don’t want them to ripen too quickly. In this case I will because I need to make more! I added some milk because they looked too dry but I think they were a bit too wet after all because the were falling apart and crumbly. They tasted amazing though .
Kathy says
Thanks for the tip about apples and bananas - good to know! 🙂
Samuel says
WOW!Lovely recipe for NYE!!I hope kids will enjoy the party with this gorgeous Muffins!!!!
Kathy says
Thanks!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
Happy New Year, Kathy! It sure sounds like your NYE was super fun and festive! Granny sounds like a blast and who wouldn't love sledding with headlamps at midnight! Those banana muffins look pretty dang delicious too!
Kathy says
The sledding was a lot of fun...even as a spectator!
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says
Dear Kathy, I cannot even tell you HOW MUCH I enjoyed this story of your kids and their cousins ringing in the New Year on sleds at midnight with the headlamps. And Grandma was right there in the mix! Wahoo!!! I grew up in RI on 100 acres out in the boonies. My parents still live there. We had a big, steep toboggan run that was maybe 1/8 mile long. It was great going down. It was the hiking back up that was the downer. No chair lifts, if you catch my drift! (Pun intended) The oatmeal crumb topping looks scrumptious on these muffins. I'd love to have one (or 5) for breakfast tomorrow. With coffee. And, I'll just watch the kids sledding from the window. 🙂
Kathy says
Thanks, Allie! It was so much fun...and hopefully the kids will remember this like your remember your childhood experiences.
Meghan | Fox and Briar says
Yum, these muffins look like the perfect way to start the New Year! And the sledding party sounds so fun, that sounds just like something I would have loved to do as a kid. I'm glad you had a happy holiday season, Kathy!
Kathy says
Thanks, Meghan! Happy New Year to you too!
Melanie @ Melanie Cooks says
I love banana muffins, and these muffins look fantastic! What a beautiful crumb topping!
Kathy says
The crumb topping is the best!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Happy New Year, Kathy! Sounds like yours was fabulous, even though you stayed up past your bed time! 😉 LOVE these muffins, my dear! Banana and oatmeal is a delicious combination! And that extra oat topping just sounds perfect! I could eat these all day long! Cheers, mi-lady - to a wonderful year!
Kathy says
I am such an early bird...early to bed, early to rise. Late nights are such a stretch! The hardest part, even after staying up so late, I was still up at the crack of dawn!
Marilyn says
Can you freeze the muffins?
Kathy says
Yes, you can freeze these muffins. Freeze in a single layer in a plastic bag or freezer safe container. Allow to thaw at room temperature.
Enjoy!
Laura ~ Raise Your Garden says
Happy New Year Kathy! I just laughed at this post...staying up till midnight. Nope. We go to bed at 9 p.m. sharp (big losers here) and unlike everyone else, my New Year's resolution is too be less strict with my diet and allow things like yummy muffins once in awhile. Especially ones loaded with fiber and are overall pretty good for you. Can't wait to try!
Kathy says
I like your way of thinking!
David @ Spiced says
What a fun way to start off 2016! I probably would have been right out on that hill with the kids, too. Haha! And props to Grandma for signaling in the new year with an airhorn. 🙂 Also, these muffins look incredible! Banana muffins are one of my favorites, and this oat topping is a great addition! Happy 2016 to you and your family!
Kathy says
Luckily we were out in the middle of nowhere so we didn't bother anyone with that air horn! 🙂
Jess @ Sweetest Menu says
Oh i will take a muffin for breakfast any day! Especially one of these gorgeous ones with an oatmeal topping! And I love bananas in baked goods. Delish!
Kathy says
Banana is a great addition to baked goods!
Amanda says
Sledding down the hill at midnight sounds great! I would totally do that. These muffins look great! I love muffins at breakfast just to mix it up a little.
Kate @ Framed Cooks says
These look like such a delicious way to start the new year!
Kathy says
Thanks, Kate!