Chocolate Banana Muffins
Chocolate Banana Muffins are like a warm cuddle, chock full of chocolate chips! Make a batch of these muffins to share with loved ones. These Chocolate Banana Muffins are the perfect breakfast or brunch treat!
Chocolate Banana Muffins are like a warm cuddle, chock full of chocolate chips! If you have ripe bananas, you’ll love this simple recipe — it’s a perfect treat for breakfast or brunch!
Note: This post for Chocolate Banana Muffins was originally published on July 22, 2012. The recipe has been updated from the archives with updated content and photographs, as well as improved kitchen notes and recipe annotation. I hope you enjoy this favorite from my kitchen.
Each weekday morning, I carve out time for myself. I love rising before the children, sipping my coffee while the house is still quiet. As the children dream in their beds, this is my most productive time. Emails are sent, posts are written, photographs edited. I fuel my body for the morning workout and the busy day that will follow.
But as much as I focus on me, me, me, I have to make time for my son when he drowsily pads into the office, his hair standing on end and hands rubbing his eyes. Cuddling time? he’ll ask.
And I nod. For him, his morning starts with a snuggle, and my little guy remains my baby. He’ll warm my heart by saying, “I love you so much, I can’t even tell.” And I hug him tighter because I can’t help but wonder how much longer we will have cuddling time. One day, that will surely change.
I love these sweet moments and need to hold on to them. I make treats like these Chocolate Banana Muffins for them – warm from the oven, it’s like a comforting cuddle. It’s homey, it’s rich, and they’re made with love.
How to Make Chocolate Banana Muffins
When you have a handful of ripe bananas, this chocolate banana muffin recipe is just the remedy! It whips together quite quickly and the scent of chocolate and banana will fill your kitchen, it will be so hard to resist letting them cool!
To make the muffins, whisk the dry ingredients together well. Sift in the cocoa powder to remove any lumps and stir into the flour mixture.
Cream the sugar and softened butter, then mix in the egg, followed by the bananas. Remember, use very ripe bananas — you want them to be brown and spotted on the outside, and very ripe and soft.
Melt half of the chocolate chips. I usually use a microwave to melt them in about 3 quick, 20-second bursts, mixing in between. If you prefer a double boiler, you can use that method, as well.
Mix in the dry ingredients and the buttermilk, followed by the melted chocolate. Stir in about half of the chocolate chips, then it’s time to drop them into the muffin pan! Top with the remaining chocolate chips and bake away!
More Easy Breakfast Recipes
Buttermilk Banana Bread
Chocolate Banana Fig Bread
Chocolate Zucchini Belgian Waffles
Chocolate Banana Quinoa Muffins
Chocolate Coconut Oat Porridge
Chocolate Banana Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cups granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter softened at room temperature
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 cup mashed banana about 3 very ripe, small bananas
- 2/3 cup chocolate chips divided
- 1/2 cup buttermilk room temperature
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F with a rack placed in the middle or upper third of the oven. Prepare a muffin pan by lining it with cupcake liners.
- Whisk the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a small bowl. Sift in the cocoa powder and mix well. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, cream the sugar and butter. This can be done with a handheld mixer or stand mixer. Mix in the eggs, blend thoroughly, then mix in the mashed banana.
- Melt 1/3 cup chocolate chips in a microwave or double boiler. If using a microwave, melt the chocolate in 20-second bursts, stirring between. It usually takes about 3 bursts in my microwave.
- Add dry ingredients and buttermilk to the batter in alternating batches until just incorporated. Try to end with the dry ingredient addition, and be sure not to over mix. Slowly stir in melted chocolate. Fold in half of the remaining chocolate chips.
- Distribute the batter into the muffin tin, filling nearly to the top. Top with remaining chocolate chips.
- Bake the muffins for 9 minutes, then lower the oven temperature to 350°F (do not open the oven door) and continue baking for another 7 to 8 minutes, or until the muffins are domed and the tops are firm when gently pressed. A toothpick inserted into the center of the muffins should come out clean.
Notes
- How ripe should the bananas be? VERY ripe — dark and spotted, soft and fragrant bananas are what you are looking for and will make these muffins sweet and moist.
- Why do you bake it at two temperatures? I start the baking process at high heat to encourage as much lift and to get nice domes on the muffins. If looks aren’t important to you and you don’t feel like watching the clock, you can bake the muffins at 350°F for 18-20 minutes. The tops might be a little flatter, but they will still taste wonderful!
- How should I store the muffins? First, cool the muffins completely. Place the muffins in an airtight container lined with a paper towel. Keeping the muffins airtight will help prevent them from drying out, and the paper towel will absorb any excess moisture.
Nutrition
Comments
COOKBOOK
Love this recipe I am the chocaholic in my house!!
Do you think these would work without the cocoa powder and melted chips? Just using the chocolate chips to make it less chocolate for my husband
I totally get it, I am a chocoholic, too! You can make the muffins without the cocoa powder and melted chips, it should be just fine, it’s a pretty forgiving recipe!
My family declared these the BEST muffins ever! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe x
Aw, this is so nice to hear! Thank you SO much – I’m glad they loved the muffins!
Have to put 5 stars ..6 , thanks for this another yummylicious recipe, made a few batches now for to 2 boys at home and for friends…….It’t on our list of “to make again, again, again” family faves..
I love those combination from banana and chocolate, it looks very delicious.
hi liren, i made these muffins today & they came out really well :D thanks !
A sunday morning classic – perfect for just lounging around! For my birthday (in Sept), my only wish is one day of doing nothing…perhaps a spa day, where I can read, write, blog, and have a massage and facial. Hehehe.
Your son is so cute! I guess, we should just take what we can get today :) Lots of hugs and kisses :)
Your son is too sweet! My baby is 7, cuddling time is fading, but sometimes he still needs it. I take full advantage!
Love the muffins as well, we are big fans of muffins around here!
How precious…those are the best moments :)
And as for the muffins…wow! Love this combination!
Those moments are so precious, Liren. I would hang cherish them, too, while they last. Your little man is so sweet. :)
I smile at this post because I like those quiet mornings, too. They are rare, though. Hubs always manages to get up before I do. I would love to wake up to these gorgeous muffins any morning!
Oh this is such a fantastic combination, Liren! These muffins so absolutely delicious. Soft and tender. Just perfect with a cup of coffee this morning. :)
This recipe is just what I was looking for. Did you happen to measure the bananas by any chance (cause the size always varies and you can end up with too much sometimes)?
I must admit that I never really measure the bananas – I have found that if my fruit is on the larger size, the muffins/breads often turn out a little moister. But I would estimate about 3 cups of sliced. Hope that helps!
now that would make any day interesting. banana is one of my fav fruit and with chocolate chips .. oh my SO yum!
Just made these with my kids and they are delicious. Thank you for such a brilliant recipe.
Hi Bec, I am so glad you and your kids enjoyed the muffins! Thanks so much for stopping by and letting me know :)
I just love your photos! And yes, linger in those cuddle moments for they slip away quickly! But then again, the tight embrace of a tween & teenager is a most delicious feeling as well! :)
Thank you! And you’re right, I am looking forward to embraces for many years to come (that is, if they still want to hug me, sob!). I’m glad to know they still do give out hugs :)
What beautiful photos. I love the way you’ve scattered choc chips around the muffins. So creative!
Thank you so much, Amy! As for the extra chocolate chips, well that was for nibbling between takes ;)
Great combo here, I just might have to make some in the morning since I have some ripe bananas waiting for me. These looked great on instagram and even better here. Hope your week is fabulous :).
These look so good, banana & chocolate is a perfect muffin combination. And that story about your son and cuddling time is simply heart melting! How adorable!!
These muffins are absolutely heavenly. Combining chocolate and banana is the absolute best!
Those cuddling moments are so precious:))
I love banana muffins and chocolate muffins. A combination is just perfect! Your photos are so beautiful:)
We are on a similar page with muffins this week. These look perfect and I’m sure your children are collecting a lot of good food memories. No one can ever replace that.
omygoodness Liren! This is my first time to your blog and i am already loving your pics and posts! I loove that banana muffin<3
btw, isnt buttermilk supposed to be made with 1 cup milk and 1 tbsp lemon juice? :D
Welcome! So glad to meet you. Buttermilk can be purchased, and I admit to always buying a quart, as I do have my favorites out there. But in a pinch, indeed, I do make my own :)
Happy Sunday, Liren! These muffins do look like a warm hug. Sometimes chocolate for breakfast is just a necessity! :)