Moist Coffee Cake Banana Bread Muffins in 25 Minutes

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and easy: No mixer required, just one bowl and a few basic tools.

• Moist and flavorful: Ripe bananas keep the muffins soft and sweet for days.

• Crunchy topping: The cinnamon-sugar crumb adds texture and a coffee cake twist.

• Freezer-friendly: Make a batch now and enjoy them any time with a quick reheat.

• Crowd-approved: Loved by kids, adults, picky eaters, and foodies alike.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup melted unsalted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the topping:

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tbsp cold butter, cubed

Directions

1. Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners or grease the cups using butter or a non-stick spray.

2. Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until mostly smooth. Stir in sugar, egg, melted butter, and vanilla until fully combined.

3. Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gently fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix.

4. Make the Crumb Topping
In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work the cold butter into the mixture until you get coarse crumbs.

5. Assemble
Fill each muffin cup halfway with batter. Sprinkle the crumb topping generously over each one, pressing lightly to adhere.

6. Bake
Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Servings and timing

Yields: 12 muffins
Prep time: 10 minutes
Bake time: 20–25 minutes
Total time: 30–35 minutes

Variations

• Add nuts: Fold in 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch.

• Chocolate twist: Stir in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips for a sweeter take.

• Mini muffins: Use a mini muffin tin and reduce bake time to 12–14 minutes.

• Gluten-free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

• Dairy-free: Substitute butter with melted coconut oil or a plant-based butter.

Storage/Reheating

Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze them in a zip-top bag for up to 2 months.

To reheat, microwave a muffin for 15–20 seconds or warm in a 300°F oven for 5–7 minutes to restore that fresh-baked texture.

FAQs

1. How ripe should the bananas be?

The riper, the better. Look for bananas with lots of brown spots. They’ll be sweeter and more flavorful.

2. Can I use frozen bananas?

Yes. Thaw them completely and drain excess liquid before using in the batter.

3. Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely. Use two muffin tins and rotate them halfway through baking for even results.

4. What if I don’t have muffin liners?

You can grease the muffin tin well with butter or non-stick spray. The muffins should release easily once slightly cooled.

5. Can I make this as a loaf instead?

Yes, bake in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan at 350°F for 50–60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

6. Why did my topping sink?

The crumb topping can sink slightly into the batter—that’s normal. For extra crunch, press it on gently and chill the topping briefly before adding it.

7. How do I keep the topping from melting too much?

Use very cold butter and handle the topping minimally to keep the crumbs coarse.

8. Can I use whole wheat flour?

You can replace up to half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier texture.

9. Are these muffins very sweet?

They’re moderately sweet. If you prefer less sugar, reduce it by 1/4 cup without affecting texture too much.

10. Can I add spices to the batter?

Yes, cinnamon or nutmeg in the batter can enhance the banana flavor and tie into the topping.

Conclusion

These Moist Coffee Cake Banana Bread Muffins bring together everything you love about classic banana bread and crumbly coffee cake in a convenient, portable package. They’re quick to whip up, versatile enough for breakfast or dessert, and packed with cozy flavor. Whether you’re baking for your family or treating yourself, these muffins are sure to become a go-to favorite.