• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Sweet Cayenne
  • ABOUT
    • Work With Me
  • RECIPES
    • All Recipes
    • RECIPES BY CATEGORY
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Condiments
    • Desserts
    • Main Entree
    • Sides
    • Snacks
    • How-To Guides
  • NEWSLETTER
  • CONTACT
  • PHOTOGRAPHY
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • ABOUT
  • RECIPES
  • NEWSLETTER
  • CONTACT
  • PHOTOGRAPHY
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • ABOUT
    • RECIPES
    • NEWSLETTER
    • CONTACT
    • PHOTOGRAPHY
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home > Recipes > Recipes

    Banana Bran Muffins

    Published: Apr 13, 2015 · Modified: Apr 24, 2020 by Whitney Reist · This post may contain affiliate links |

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Banana Bran Muffins are the answer to what may look like a banana that is past it's prime.

    Banana Bran Muffins have the flavor of bananas foster and are so good you'll want to be sure and make a double batch! www.sweetcayenne.com

    I have this "thing" with super ripe bananas. You know, the brown, speckled, mushy kind that are a few days past being edible by themselves. In my kitchen, it's a sad day when these types of bananas are thrown away. It's almost devastatingly sad, to be honest. I chide myself for all the yummy treats that could be made with said bananas if I had only planned ahead to use them before they were past the point of no return. I guess freezing bananas is an option; if you're good about remembering they are there before frostbite gets the best of them. That's not usually the case with me....

    Banana Bran Muffins are kissed with the flavor of bananas foster and loaded with good-for-you ingredients like oat bran and chia seeds! www.sweetcayenne.com

    Last week I managed to use my {almost} rotten bananas. High fives all around! I made sure of this in a strict effort to clean out my fridge, freezer and pantry before April 30th - you see, April 30th marks the day Ryan and I will begin 3 consecutive weeks of travel, and I want a fresh start with my kitchen ingredients when we get back! So I made you muffins. Banana Bran Muffins, to be exact.

    I really wanted to name this "Bananas Foster Bran Muffins," but then I thought that title would scare away all the health nuts. The flavor of these muffins strongly resembles bananas foster; thanks to a little banana-flavor-enhancing trick I learned from Cooking Light a few years ago. The "trick" involves sauteeing your semi-chunky ripe banana mash in a little mixture of melted butter and brown sugar before you add the banana to your batter. This, my friends, is a total game changer when it comes to banana batters {be it cakes, cupcakes, breads, or muffins). It enhances the sweet flavor of the bananas so much that you can reduce the sugar your recipe calls for by half to two-thirds - whoop!

    The flavor of these muffins just gets better with time once they are baked - although it wouldn't be difficult to eat them all the day they are fresh from the oven. They are a divine, fiber-filled way to start your day or great for pairing with your afternoon coffee or tea. Please plan to make a double batch and freeze half for later - or share with a friend - you'll be glad you did!

    Banana Bran Muffins - health, lightened up muffins that's full of deep banana flavor - make extra for the freezer! www.sweetcayenne.com

    Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram! And don't forget to sign up for the weekly newsletter.

    Recipe

    Banana Bran Muffins

    Bananas Bran Muffins

    Banana bran muffins are a hearty way to start your day and are filled with good-for-you ingredients like wheat bran, chia seeds, and dried fruit. The bananas in the batter are cooked "bananas foster style," which imparts a deep, complex flavor to the batter that is sweet and satisfying.
    Tried this recipe?Mention @sweetcayenne5 or tag #sweetcayenne!
    Print Pin
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Servings: 16 muffins

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup unprocessed wheat or oat bran
    • 1 cup low-fat buttermilk well shaken
    • 1 ½ cups whole wheat pastry flour or all-purpose flour
    • ¾ teaspoon baking powder
    • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 2 tablespoons chia seeds
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
    • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
    • 3 medium-size ripe bananas diced {about 1 ½ cups)
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 large eggs plus 1 egg white
    • 6 tablespoons unsulphured molasses
    • ¾ cup golden raisins

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350. Grease two 12-cup muffin tins and set aside.
    • In a medium bowl, combine the bran and buttermilk. Set aside.
    • In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, chia seeds, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Make a well in the center of the mixture and set aside.
    • Heat a skillet over medium-low heat. Melt the butter and brown sugar in the skillet, then add the diced bananas. Saute the bananas for about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Once the mixture has cooled slightly, whisk the eggs, egg white, and molasses into this mixture until well incorporated.
    • Add the banana mixture and bran/buttermilk mixture to the well in the center of the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined, being sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl. Do not overmix! Carefully fold the raisins into the batter.
    • Scoop the batter into wells of your muffin tin, filling the wells about ¾ full. Bake for 19-22 minutes until set and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Remove from oven and transfer the muffins to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
    • Serve warm or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.

    Notes

    Nutrition Information per serving: Calories 160, Total Fat 2.9g, Saturated Fat 1.4g, Cholesterol 30mg, Sodium 144mg, Potassium 391mg, Total Carbohydrates 32.0g, Dietary Fiber 3.5g, Sugars 13.7g, Protein 4.1g
    Serving: 1muffin | Calories: 160kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 4.1g | Fat: 2.9g | Saturated Fat: 1.4g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 144mg | Potassium: 391mg | Fiber: 3.5g | Sugar: 13.7g

    Don't miss these recipes!

    • A wire rack with a sheet of parchment paper on top and cinnamon biscuits.
      Bojangles Copycat Cinnamon Biscuits with Vanilla Icing
    • A white bowl filled with pizza pasta salad garnished with fresh basil leaves.
      Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Salad
    • A pink bowl on a cutting board filled with sweet potato lentil curry and rice.
      Sweet Potato Lentil Curry with Coconut and Spinach
    • A St. Patrick's day themed snack board with corned beef, sauerkraut, soda bread, and other charcuterie items.
      St. Patrick's Day Grazing Board

    Want more?

    Sign up for my weekly newsletter and get exclusive content (like menus, cooking downloads, and more!), blog recaps, and a chance to connect or be featured!

    Affiliate Disclosure

    Many of the links in my posts are affiliate links, which means I can get a small commission for any click or purchases made through the links. I am also an Amazon Associate and I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jenn says

      April 15, 2015 at 7:15 pm

      Hey! I am curious if I could substitute the oat bran for gluten free oat flour and the whole wheat pastry flour for gluten free all purpose flour. Thanks!

      • Whitney Reist says

        April 21, 2015 at 8:05 am

        Hi Jenn - you could definitely sub a gluten-free AP flour for the whole wheat pastry flour. I'm not sure how subbing oat flour for oat bran would affect the texture of the muffin...however, Bob's Red Mill sells a certified gluten-free oat bran if you'd like to try using that - it will have much more fiber than the oat flour! http://www.bobsredmill.com/gluten-free-oat-bran.html

    Primary Sidebar

    Hello there!

    I'm Whitney, the chef, photographer, dietitian, and blogger-extraordinaire behind Sweet Cayenne. Welcome to my online kitchen!

    About Whitney & Sweet Cayenne

    What's In Season

    • A pink bowl on a cutting board filled with sweet potato lentil curry and rice.
      Sweet Potato Lentil Curry with Coconut and Spinach
    • A cinnamon roll on a white rimmed plate.
      Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls
    • A cinnamon apple cake with two slices cut out on a piece of parchment paper with a navy blue background.
      15+ Healthy Apple Recipes
    • Bell Pepper Nachos
    • An up-close shot of a white bowl of Southern-style pasta e Fagioli.
      Southern-Style Pasta e Fagioli
    • Two Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders on a blue ceramic plate with a baking dish of sliders and blue napkin in the background.
      Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders

    Free cookbook and menu planners!

    Subscribe to my weekly newsletter & receive a free e-cookbook of my 25 best recipes along with menu planning sheets!

    Cozy Cooking:

    A pink bowl on a cutting board filled with sweet potato lentil curry and rice.

    Sweet Potato Lentil Curry with Coconut and Spinach

    An overhead shot of a white soup ramekin filled with ribolita soup and topped with crusty bread on black background.

    Instant Pot + Slow Cooker Ribolita (Italian Bread Soup)

    A gray plate of red beans and rice with a gingham dish towel and a glass of water on the side.

    Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice

    An overhead shot of a white bowl filled with turkey and drop biscuit dumplings.

    Turkey and Drop Biscuit Dumplings (Instant Pot or Stovetop)

    A white bowl of soup filled with posole verde and garnished with avocado and cilantro.

    Instant Pot Chicken Posole Verde

    An overhead shot of a wicker charger with parchment paper and Mango Mojo Chicken Tacos with a side of mojo sauce and avocado ranch on the side.

    Mango Mojo Chicken Tacos

    Travel Here Next:

    • The product wall of skincare items at Lemon Laine Oil Bar in Nashville, TN.
      Nashville Finds: Lemon Laine Oil Bar
    • A girl standing on a beach in Positano, Italy.
      Positano, Italy: Budget-Friendly Travel Guide
    • A photo of Civita di Bagnoregio in Italy
      The Best Tuscan Road Trip Itinerary + Tips on Driving in Italy
    • A traveling foodie's guide to the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy - including what to taste in Parma, Modena, and Bologna! European travel guide and itinerary.
      A Foodie's Guide to Emilia-Romagna, Italy

    Cooking Guides

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Photography Services

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 SweetCayenne

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required