chocolate chip pecan banana muffins on a platter

Easy Healthy Banana Muffin Recipe with Pecans

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Busy mornings and after-school hunger pangs call for quick and healthy solutions. Enter this easy healthy banana muffin recipe with chocolate chips and pecans. Searching for the best healthy muffin recipes can be overwhelming. But sometimes, simple is best. This recipe uses readily available ingredients and requires minimal prep, making it a perfect choice for busy weekdays. So ditch the sugary store-bought treats and whip up a batch of these muffins for a satisfying and nutritious on-the-go option.

Packed with fresh banana flavor and wholesome ingredients like almond flour, they’re a delicious way to start your day or satisfy a sweet tooth. Plus, they’re dotted with dark chocolate chips for a decadent touch that keeps them kid-approved.

gluten free healthy almond flour Easy Healthy Banana Muffin Recipe with cacao chips and pecans

Gluten-free and dairy-free, these healthy muffins are ideal for everyone, not just those with dietary restrictions. They’re a perfect grab-and-go option for a healthy breakfast on the run or a satisfying afternoon snack time treat – everyone will love them.

Easy Healthy Banana Muffin Ingredients List

To whip up these almond flour banana muffins, we’ll need a blend of nutritious ingredients that come together quickly and easily. We’ll separate them into dry and wet ingredients, so prep work is a breeze.

  • 3 large banana
  • 3 eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla powder, or 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 3 cup almond flour
  • 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips, plus extra for the tops
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans, plus extra for the tops
  • ​avocado oil cooking spray
Easy Healthy Banana Muffin Recipe ingredients

Recipe Ingredient Tips and Swaps

Not all bananas are created equal when it comes to baking. For the most flavorful and moist muffins, look beyond the bright yellow bunch and seek out overripe bananas or those speckled with brown spots. These superstars may not be ideal for slicing raw, but their concentrated sugars and soft texture are magic in baked goods. While you can certainly use bananas before they reach this peak ripeness, the flavor won’t be quite as intense. So grab those brown bananas – they’re the secret weapon to baking muffins bursting with natural sweetness. 

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Almond flour is a nutrient-rich alternative to all-purpose flour. It adds a delightful nutty depth to your muffins while boasting a gluten-free and dairy-free friendly profile. Almond flour is also naturally lower in carbs than traditional flour, making this recipe a perfect option for those following a healthy lifestyle.  But don’t worry, you won’t sacrifice any deliciousness! The moist texture of almond flour blends beautifully with the banana flavor, creating a tender and satisfying muffin that everyone will love.

This recipe includes decadent dark chocolate chips, but not just any kind. I’m using 85% cacao chips, boasting a rich, intense chocolate flavor with a lower sugar content. This way, you can indulge in the deliciousness of chocolate without sacrificing the healthy benefits of this recipe. For those who prefer a sweeter muffin, feel free to swap in regular semi-sweet chocolate chips or opt for a lower cacao percentage. No matter your preference, these muffins are sure to satisfy your chocolate cravings.

How to Make Healthy Banana Muffins

First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Next, in a large bowl, combine the bananas, eggs, cinnamon, vanilla, baking soda, and powder. 

combine wet ingredients in a bowl

Then use an electric hand mixer to mix until smooth and well combined. 

mashed banana and egg mixed with electric hand mixer

Next, add the almond flour to the bowl and mix until combined.

almond flour muffin recipe

Then gently fold in the choc chips and chopped pecans. 

add cacao chips and chopped pecans to bowl

Stir to incorporate.

stir banana muffin batter

Prepare a Muffin Pan for the Easy Healthy Banana Muffin Recipe

First, line a muffin tin with paper liners. These parchment paper muffin liners are the best. Then spray the muffin cups as a precaution to prevent sticking. 

avocado oil cooking spray

Spoon the muffin batter into the pan, and add a few choc chips and pecans to the tops of the muffins. 

muffin batter in pan

How Long to Bake the Best Banana Muffins

Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, until slightly golden brown. Remove the muffins when they pass the toothpick test, and place them on a wire rack to cool.

chocolate chip pecan muffins in pan on cooling rack

When cool enough to handle, remove the muffins from the pan and allow them to cool further on the wire rack. 

healthy banana muffins on wire rack

Healthy Banana Muffin Recipe with Chocolate and Pecans

Skip the sugary store-bought processed treats and use this easy healthy banana muffin recipe for a batch of delicious muffins. Packed with fresh banana flavor and wholesome ingredients like almond flour, they’re a delicious and nutritious way to start your day or curb afternoon cravings. Enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea in the morning. Or as an afternoon snack. 

These muffins are perfect for everyone –  gluten-free, dairy-free, and boasting a delightful balance of textures and flavors. They’re not overly sweet, but bursting with fresh banana and a touch of nutty depth from the almond flour. The 85% cacao chocolate chips add a decadent touch with a deeper chocolate flavor, while chopped pecans provide a delightful crunch.

banana muffins with chocolate chips and pecans

So ditch the complicated recipes and limited ingredient choices. This easy recipe uses readily available ingredients and requires minimal prep work, making it a perfect choice for busy mornings or a healthy snack for after-school hunger pangs.

Store leftovers in an airtight container, or place them in a Ziploc freezer-safe bag and freeze them for longer storage. 

Easy Healthy Banana Muffin Recipe

More healthy muffin recipes:

chocolate chip pecan banana muffins on a platter

Easy Healthy Banana Muffin Recipe with Pecans

Yield: 12
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Whip up this Easy Healthy Banana Muffin recipe with almond flour, fresh banana, pecans & dark chocolate chips. Gluten-free & dairy-free

Ingredients

  • 3 large banana
  • 3 eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla powder, or 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 3 cup almond flour
  • 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips, plus extra for the tops
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans, plus extra for the tops
  • ​avocado oil cooking spray

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the bananas, eggs, cinnamon, vanilla, baking soda and powder
  3. Use an electric handheld mixer to mix until smooth
  4. Then add the almond flour to the bowl and mix again.
  5. Fold in the choc chips and pecans.
  6. Line a muffin pan with paper muffin liners
  7. Spoon equal portions of batter into the muffin cups and top with a few choc chips and pecans
  8. Bake for 12-15 minutes until slightly golden brown and they pass the toothpick test
  9. Remove the place on a wire rack to cool
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 258Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 47mgSodium: 144mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 5gSugar: 7gProtein: 8g

nutritional values are estimates and may vary depending on products/ingredients used.

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