Craving a rich and indulgent twist on classic banana muffins? These Nutella Banana Muffins are the perfect combination of ripe bananas, creamy Nutella, and a hint of cinnamon. The best part? They have a beautiful Nutella swirl that melts into the muffins, creating a dessert that’s both visually appealing and incredibly delicious.
In this recipe, I’ll guide you through making these fluffy, moist muffins that are ideal for breakfast, snack time, or even dessert. The natural sweetness of bananas is complemented by the luxurious chocolate hazelnut flavor of Nutella, without being overly sweet.
Muffins are notoriously simple to make, and this recipe is no exception. Grab those ripe bananas sitting on your counter and let’s get started!
Before we jump into the baking process, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients and tools on hand. This will save you time and make the process much more seamless.
Ingredients
Here’s a list of what you’ll need to make these delicious Nutella Banana Muffins:
- 2 cups All-purpose flour – The base for your muffin batter.
- 1 teaspoon Baking soda – To help the muffins rise beautifully.
- ½ teaspoon Salt – Enhances the flavors.
- 1 ½ teaspoon Ground cinnamon – Adds a warm, cozy flavor that complements the bananas and Nutella.
- ½ cup Unsalted butter (melted and cooled) – Provides moisture and richness.
- ¾ cup Brown sugar (light or dark, packed) – Adds sweetness and a touch of molasses flavor to the muffins.
- 2 Large eggs (room temperature) – For structure and fluffiness.
- ¼ cup Sour cream (room temperature) – Ensures a moist, tender crumb.
- 3 Ripe bananas – The star ingredient, bringing natural sweetness and flavor.
- 1 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract – Everything tastes better with a touch of vanilla!
- ⅔ cup Nutella – For that rich Nutella swirl, both inside and on top of the muffins.
Required Tools:
- A muffin tin with 12 cups.
- Muffin liners to keep the muffins from sticking.
- A large mixing bowl .
- A small bowl for melting Nutella.
- A whisk and a spatula for mixing ingredients.
- A cookie scoop for portioning out the batter.
- A butter knife for swirling the Nutella in the batter.
Now that we’ve got all the essentials covered, let’s move on to preparing the muffin batter!
Making the Nutella Banana Muffin Batter
With ingredients prepped and tools ready, it’s time to start bringing these delicious muffins to life! The steps are straightforward, and before you know it, your kitchen will be smelling divine.
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) . This initial high heat will help your muffins rise beautifully, giving them a nice domed top. Line your 12-cup muffin pan with liners , using 6 liners spread out evenly across all the holes. This trick allows the muffins to expand better, resulting in a taller rise.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl , sift together the dry ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
Sifting ensures even distribution of all the powdered ingredients and removes any lumps, giving you a smoother batter. Set this dry mixture aside.
Step 3: Prepare the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl , mash the 3 ripe bananas using a fork or potato masher until smooth and creamy. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your muffins will be!
Add the following to the mashed bananas:
- ½ cup melted butter (cooled to room temperature)
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
- ¼ cup sour cream (room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Using a whisk, combine all these ingredients until the mixture is smooth and well-incorporated. This step creates the base of flavor for your muffins, blending the sweetness of the bananas with the richness of butter, eggs, and vanilla.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Add the dry ingredients (from Step 2) into the wet mixture. Using a spatula, gently fold everything together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage! Overmixing can result in dense muffins, and we want these to be light and fluffy.
Adding the Nutella Swirl: The Best Part!
Here’s where the magic happens — adding the rich, chocolatey swirls of Nutella! This step takes your banana muffins from delicious to absolutely irresistible.
Step 5: Melt Your Nutella
Scoop out ⅔ cup of Nutella into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat it in the microwave for about 30 seconds , or until it’s slightly melted and easier to swirl. You don’t want it too runny, just soft enough to smoothly mix into the muffin batter.
Step 6: Layer the Batter and Nutella
Using a cookie scoop or a spoon, scoop about one tablespoon of the muffin batter into each of the 6 lined muffin cups. This forms the bottom layer of your muffins.
- Add 1 teaspoon of Nutella on top of the batter in each muffin cup.
Now, take a butter knife or skewer and lightly swirl the Nutella into the batter. Don’t over-mix it — you want visible streaks of Nutella for that perfect marble effect.
Step 7: Repeat for the Top
Once the initial swirl is complete, add another scoop of batter on top of the Nutella layer so that each muffin liner is filled nearly to the top.
- Add another teaspoon of Nutella on top of the second layer and gently swirl again with the butter knife. Make sure you’re creating a pretty marble effect without completely blending the Nutella into the batter.
By now, your muffin cups should be filled and swirled to perfection, giving you that luscious Nutella touch inside and on top.
Baking and Cooling the Muffins: Perfecting the Texture
Now that your muffin batter and Nutella layers are set, it’s time to bake these beauties to golden, fluffy perfection.
Step 8: Baking the Muffins
Place your muffin pan into the preheated oven.
- Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 5 minutes . This high temperature helps the muffins to rise quickly, giving them a bakery-style dome shape.
- After 5 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) without opening the oven door. Continue baking for an additional 10-12 minutes , or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (well, aside from a bit of Nutella that may stick!).
Total baking time should be around 15-17 minutes , depending on your oven. Keep an eye on them, and once they’re golden on top and firm to the touch, they’re ready to be removed from the oven.
Step 9: Cooling the Muffins
Once the muffins are baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the muffins cool in the pan for 10 minutes . This helps them set completely before you move them.
After 10 minutes, transfer the muffins to a cooling rack to cool further. It’s important to let them cool down so the flavors can meld, and the muffins firm up. But fair warning: the Nutella swirl might tempt you to sneak one early!
Once cooled, your Nutella Banana Muffins are ready to be enjoyed. Pair them with a hot cup of coffee or tea, or enjoy one as a sweet snack on its own.
Pro Tip:
If you love a gooey Nutella experience, serve the muffins slightly warm. The Nutella inside will be melty and truly irresistible!
Storing and Enjoying Your Nutella Banana Muffins
Congrats! Your Nutella Banana Muffins are baked, swirled to perfection, and ready to eat. But what if you want to save some for later or make a larger batch for the week ahead? Here’s how to properly store them to keep them fresh and tasty.
Storing Your Muffins:
- At Room Temperature : Store the muffins in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days . To prevent them from becoming soggy, line the container with a paper towel and place another one on top of the muffins before sealing the container.
- In the Fridge : If you live in a warmer climate or want them to last a little longer, you can keep the muffins in the fridge for up to 5 days . Just make sure to store them in an airtight container to prevent them from drying out.
Freezing for Later:
- To Freeze : Nutella Banana Muffins freeze well, making them a great make-ahead snack or breakfast option. Once your muffins have cooled completely, place them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months .
- To Reheat : When you’re ready to enjoy a muffin, simply take it out of the freezer and let it thaw at room temperature. To enjoy them warm, pop them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds , and they’ll feel like they just came fresh out of the oven!
Serving Suggestions:
- With a Hot Drink : These muffins are perfect with a warm cup of coffee, latte, or tea. The Nutella and banana flavors pair beautifully with rich coffee!
- For Breakfast : Add a muffin to your morning breakfast spread with yogurt, fruit, and granola for a more filling meal.
- On-the-Go Snack : These muffins make a quick and satisfying on-the-go snack, especially when you’re in a rush but craving something sweet and flavorful.
And that’s it! Your Nutella Banana Muffins are deliciously versatile and easy to store, providing a satisfying treat any time of the day.
Conclusion
With this recipe, you’ve just created moist banana muffins with irresistible swirls of Nutella — perfect for any time of the day. The combination of banana, cinnamon, and chocolate hazelnut offers a delicious balance of flavors. Whether you’re serving them warm from the oven or enjoying them as a quick snack, these muffins are sure to please everyone’s taste buds.
Remember, baking is all about fun and experimenting, so feel free to add different toppings like crushed nuts or even a sprinkle of coarse sugar if you’re feeling extra fancy. Enjoy your baking journey and, most importantly, have fun eating these Nutella-filled delights!
