Banana Bran Muffins

About This Recipe

Moist, healthy banana bran muffins made with yogurt, honey and ripe bananas. Good for you and super yummy for filling breakfasts and snacks!

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup walnut halves
• 1 cup whole wheat flour*
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup mashed ripe banana (about 3 medium bananas)
• ½ cup honey
• 1/3 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt (at room temperature)
• 1/4 cup canola oil (or light olive oil)
• 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2½ cups wheat bran
• 1/2 cup additional mix-ins of choice:

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat a muffin pan with nonstick spray or fit with paper liners.
2. Spread the walnuts in a single layer on an ungreased rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, tossing once halfway through, until they are fragrant and toasted. Watch carefully to makes sure they do not burn. Transfer to a cutting board and roughly chop.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon.
4. In a large bowl, combine the mashed bananas (if mashing them directly in the bowl, double-check to make sure you have 1 full cup, not more or less), honey, yogurt, oil, eggs, and vanilla.
5. Add the flour mixture to the bowl with the wet ingredients. By hand with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, stir gently just until the flour disappears.
6. Gently stir in the wheat bran, walnuts, and any additional mix-ins, just until combined. The batter will be very thick.
7. Portion the batter into the muffin cups, dividing it evenly (I recommend using a batter scoop like this or try a 1/3 cup dry measuring cup).
8. Bake for 24 to 28 minutes, until the tops are golden brown, a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean, and the tops spring back lightly when touched. Allow to cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then gently unmold and transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.