Half-Baked Chocolate Banana Oat Muffins

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Moist and wholesome muffins that use half the sugar and oil, relying on ripe bananas and oats for natural sweetness and texture. This american-inspired breakfast ready in about 30 minutes combines rolled oats, all-purpose flour, baking powder into a breakfast that fuels the morning without the midday crash — make-ahead-friendly and balanced enough to anchor the first meal of the day. Each serving lands at about 140 calories and feeds 12, so it sits comfortably in a weekly breakfast rotation alongside fruit, yogurt, or coffee. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 12 American cuisine 140 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, combine 1 cup rolled oats, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Stir to mix evenly.
  2. Step 2: In a separate bowl, mash 2 medium ripe bananas to yield about 1 cup. Add 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/3 cup milk. Whisk until smooth and well combined.
  3. Step 3: Pour the wet banana mixture into the dry oat-flour mixture and fold gently until just combined. Fold in 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips carefully.
  4. Step 4: Spoon the batter into a greased or lined 12-cup muffin tin, filling each about 3/4 full. Bake for 18-20 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and muffins are lightly golden on top. Cool 5 minutes in tin before transferring to a rack.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Half-Baked Chocolate Banana Oat Muffins take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a busy morning; prep components the night before to save active time.

How do I store leftover Half-Baked Chocolate Banana Oat Muffins?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven; egg- or grain-based items may need a splash of milk or water to refresh texture. Cold-served items (overnight oats, smoothies) keep 2–3 days in the fridge.

Can I substitute ingredients in Half-Baked Chocolate Banana Oat Muffins?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Half-Baked Chocolate Banana Oat Muffins for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Half-Baked Chocolate Banana Oat Muffins?

American breakfast like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.