Soft Baked Mini Banana Oat Muffins
Moist and tender mini muffins made with ripe bananas and wholesome oats, ideal for little hands and nutritious snacking. This kid friendly-inspired kid friendly ready in about 30 minutes pairs medium, mashed ripe bananas, rolled oats, whole wheat flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 70 calories and feeds 18, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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.
Ingredients
- 2 medium, mashed ripe bananas
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup milk
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a mini muffin pan or line with mini paper liners.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup whole wheat flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, stirring well.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 mashed medium ripe bananas, 1 large egg, 1/3 cup milk, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth.
- Step 4: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix gently until just combined—do not overmix.
- Step 5: Spoon the batter evenly into 18 mini muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full.
- Step 6: Bake for 12-15 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the tops are lightly golden.
- Step 7: Allow muffins to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Soft Baked Mini Banana Oat Muffins take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Soft Baked Mini 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 covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep medium, mashed ripe bananas from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Soft Baked Mini 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 Soft Baked Mini Banana Oat Muffins for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 18 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 18). 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 Soft Baked Mini Banana Oat Muffins?
Kid Friendly kid friendly 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.
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