Healthy Banana Nut Muffins (Gluten Free)

These Healthy Banana Nut Muffins are 100% wholesome, and super delicious! Using ripe bananas keeps them sweet without using much added sweetener. I love using oat bran in muffins to keep them high in protein and fiber, but also light and fluffy.

My son calls these muffins “nana cupcakes.” He adores them. I adore the fact that he eats such healthy muffins.

These start with oat bran, which is my new favorite muffin ingredient – I started using oat bran a while back with these Blueberry Apricot Oat Bran muffins.

By using ripe bananas, only very little added sweetener is necessary. I love relying on fruit for sweetness!

We’ve made these with chocolate chips added (my son’s favorite kind), but since I already have a great Banana Chocolate Chip Muffin recipe, I decided to go with pecans this time — but who am I kidding? We all know that I add chocolate chips to this recipe most of the time! A handful of blueberries would also be a great addition.

These are the perfect make-ahead breakfast. For the past month, I’ve had one of these almost every morning with my coffee. I have a hard time motivating myself to actually cook in the morning when I am trying to start my day, so grab and go is the best option for me!

Tips for Healthy Banana Oat Bran Muffins

• Make it Gluten Free: Be sure to use Certified Gluten Free Oat Bran if necessary. Oats are naturally gluten free, but become contaminated during processing, unless you purchase ones that have been certified. Also purchase a high quality baking powder that states “gluten free” on the label.
• Make it Ahead: These can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or frozen for up to 3 months if wrapped in air tight bags. Simply defrost and eat, or gently warm up to enjoy.
• Make it Your Own: Instead of pecans, try walnuts, chocolate chips, or even 1/2 cup of blueberries. These are a great base to use for many different mix-ins!

Print

Healthy Banana Nut Muffins

These healthy muffins are made with oat bran and almond flour, and kept sweet by using ripe bananas a just a touch of honey. The perfect healthy breakfast or tea time treat!

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 18 minutes

Total Time 33 minutes

Servings 10 muffins

Calories 201kcal

Author Michelle Miller

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups oat bran gluten free, if necessary
• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 2 tablespoons arrowroot flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/3 cup pecans chopped, or sub walnuts

Wet Ingredients

• 3 bananas ripe
• 1/2 cup yogurt plain
• 3 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons honey or sub date syrup
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a medium bowl, mix together all the dry ingredients, leaving out the nuts.
• In a large mixing bowl, add bananas, and mash with a fork. Add the rest of the wet ingredients, and stir to combine, leaving the bananas a bit chunky.
• Add the dry ingredients and the pecans to the wet ingredients, and stir to combine, without over mixing.
• Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners, and then fill each liner with batter. This recipe will make 12 muffins if you fill them 3/4 of the way, or about 9-10 if you slightly overfill them like I do.
• Bake muffins for 18-20 minutes, until the tops are slightly browned and they are fully cooked in the centers.
• Allow to cool. Store at cool room temperature or in the refrigerator.

Notes

Make these healthy banana oat bran muffins your own by adding different mix-ins -- we love chocolate chips or blueberries!

Nutrition

Calories: 201kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 130mg | Potassium: 348mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 60IU | Vitamin C: 3.1mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 1.5mg

Other Healthy Muffin Recipes:

• Favorite Pumpkin Muffins, by Pinch of Yum
• Vegan Carrot Spiced Muffins, by OhSheGlows
• Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Muffins, by Vitamin Sunshine
• Blueberry Apricot Oat Bran Muffins, by Vitamin Sunshine

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Recommended for this Recipe

I love using oat bran in muffins. If you haven’t yet seen them, my Blueberry Apricot Oat Bran muffins is another great recipe using it.

Oat bran is also a great travel snack. I add 1/3 cup to a snack sized ziplock bag, and add some raisins, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, and chia seeds. When I need a healthy snack or meal while I am traveling, I just have to find hot water — which is available in hotel rooms, on flights, and in coffee shops while out and about!

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