Trail Mix Banana Bread Muffins Recipe

Fluffy Trail Mix Banana Bread Muffins Recipe: Nutty Goodness

Whipping up these delightful trail mix banana bread muffins can turn an ordinary morning into a flavor-packed adventure.

Ripe bananas create a naturally sweet base that welcomes crunchy nuts and chewy dried fruits.

Pantry staples blend effortlessly to craft a portable breakfast treat you’ll crave.

Nutty seeds and chocolate chips add unexpected bursts of texture throughout each tender bite.

Minimal prep work means you can enjoy these muffins without complicated steps or extensive kitchen time.

Quick mixing and simple ingredients make this recipe perfect for busy mornings or spontaneous baking sessions.

The combination of wholesome trail mix elements with classic banana bread creates a satisfying snack that energizes and delights.

Grab your mixing bowl and let’s transform those overripe bananas into something extraordinary!

Why Trail Mix Banana Bread Muffins Are So Satisfying

  • Boost Energy with Trail-Blazing Texture: Packed with crunchy nuts and seeds from trail mix, these muffins deliver an exciting burst of varied textures in every delightful bite.
  • Customize with Creativity: Mix and match different trail mix varieties to personalize the recipe, making each batch unique and tailored to your favorite ingredients.
  • Quick Breakfast Solution: Perfect for grab-and-go mornings, these protein-rich muffins provide a nutritious start to your day with minimal preparation time.
  • Kid-Friendly Nutrition Hack: Sneak wholesome ingredients into a delicious treat that children will love, transforming healthy nuts and bananas into an irresistible morning snack.

What Goes into Trail Mix Muffin Goodness

Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: A key ingredient that provides the basic structure for the muffins.
  • Baking Soda: Helps the muffins rise and creates a light, fluffy texture.
  • Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the muffins.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Ripe Bananas: Adds natural sweetness and moisture to the muffins.
  • Greek Yogurt: Provides moisture and helps create a tender crumb.
  • Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the muffins and adds depth of flavor.
  • Vegetable Oil: Keeps the muffins moist and tender.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, aromatic flavor to the baked goods.
  • Egg: Binds the ingredients together and provides structure.
Mix-In Ingredients:
  • Trail Mix: Brings a delightful crunch and variety of flavors to the banana bread muffins, adding nuts, seeds, and dried fruits for extra texture and taste.

Easy Steps to Bake Trail Mix Banana Muffins

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 350°F and grab a muffin pan. Dress each muffin cavity with a cozy paper liner, creating a perfect home for your soon-to-be delicious treats.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and whisk together:
  • Flour
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

Blend these dry ingredients until they’re perfectly combined and smooth.

Step 3: Create Banana Mixture

In a large bowl, whisk together a delightful blend of:
  • Mashed bananas
  • Yogurt
  • Brown sugar
  • Granulated sugar
  • Oil
  • Vanilla
  • Egg

Stir until the mixture looks creamy and well-incorporated.

Step 4: Combine Mixtures

Slowly pour the dry ingredients into the banana mixture. Whisk gently until everything just comes together.

Don’t overmix! Carefully fold in most of the chopped trail mix, saving some for topping.

Step 5: Fill and Top Muffin Pan

Distribute the batter evenly into the prepared muffin pan. Sprinkle the remaining trail mix on top of each muffin, creating a crunchy, nutty crown.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 16-18 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick.

When it comes out clean, your muffins are ready! Let them rest for 5 minutes before removing from the pan.

Enjoy warm or at room temperature for a delightful banana bread experience.

Smart Tips for Banana Muffins with a Crunch

  • Use overripe bananas for maximum sweetness and deeper flavor in your muffins.
  • Swap yogurt with dairy-free alternatives like almond or coconut yogurt for a vegan version.
  • Prevent trail mix from sinking by lightly coating nuts and seeds with flour before folding into batter.
  • Check muffins at 16 minutes to avoid overbaking, ensuring a moist and tender texture.
  • Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.

Creative Mix-In Ideas for These Muffins

  • Chocolate Chip Trail Mix Muffins: Replace some trail mix with dark chocolate chips for extra sweetness and rich chocolate flavor.
  • Nutty Banana Crunch Muffins: Swap half the trail mix with chopped pecans or almonds for enhanced crunch and nutty undertones.
  • Coconut Trail Mix Banana Muffins: Sprinkle shredded coconut into the batter and mix for tropical notes and added texture.
  • Spiced Autumn Trail Mix Muffins: Incorporate ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger into the dry ingredients for warm, seasonal flavors.

What to Eat with Trail Mix Banana Muffins

  • Elevate Trail Mix Banana Bread Muffins Pairing
  • Brew Bold Coffee Match: Strong, freshly brewed coffee cuts through the sweetness, highlighting the nutty trail mix flavors and enhancing the muffin's rich banana profile.
  • Capture Creamy Yogurt Complement: Serve with Greek yogurt drizzled with honey, creating a smooth contrast to the crunchy trail mix and adding a tangy dimension to the moist muffins.
  • Spark Caramel Chai Delight: Spiced chai latte with a caramel swirl perfectly mirrors the warmth of banana and complements the mixed nuts and seeds in the trail mix, creating a harmonious flavor experience.

Best Way to Store Banana Muffins with Trail Mix

  • Refrigerate: Store muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap to maintain moisture.
  • Freeze: Place cooled muffins in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Reheat Refrigerated: Warm in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes until heated through.
  • Thaw Frozen: Remove muffins from the freezer and let sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes. Alternatively, microwave for 30-45 seconds or warm in the oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes.

Trail Mix Banana Muffin FAQs

  • Can I use different types of trail mix?

Yes, you can use any trail mix you like. Choose one with nuts, seeds, and dried fruits for the best flavor and texture.

  • Is this recipe good for meal prep?

Absolutely! These muffins stay fresh for 3-4 days at room temperature and can be frozen for up to a month, making them perfect for quick breakfasts or snacks.

  • How ripe should the bananas be?

Use very ripe bananas with dark brown or black spots. The riper they are, the sweeter and more flavorful your muffins will be.

  • Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum for the best texture.

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Trail Mix Banana Bread Muffins Recipe

Trail Mix Banana Bread Muffins Recipe


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4.7 from 22 reviews

  • Total Time: 38 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Banana bread muffins packed with trail mix create a delightful breakfast or snack that combines wholesome ingredients and nutty crunch. Moist, hearty, and perfectly balanced, these muffins offer you a nutritious treat that satisfies morning hunger and provides lasting energy.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 large bananas (0.75 cup mashed overripe bananas)
  • 2 cups trail mix, chopped
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

Sweeteners and Binding Agents:

  • 0.25 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 0.25 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.25 cup plain full-fat Greek yogurt
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients and Seasonings:

  • 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
  • 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven to 350°F and arrange paper liners in a muffin pan for easy removal and clean-up.
  2. Combine dry ingredients – flour, baking soda, and salt – in a medium mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution of leavening agents.
  3. In a separate large bowl, thoroughly blend mashed bananas, yogurt, brown sugar, granulated sugar, oil, vanilla extract, and egg until the mixture becomes smooth and homogeneous.
  4. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the banana mixture, whisking gently until just combined to maintain a tender texture.
  5. Delicately fold one cup of chopped trail mix into the batter, distributing the nuts and dried fruits evenly throughout.
  6. Carefully portion the batter into prepared muffin liners, filling each cup approximately two-thirds full for optimal rising.
  7. Sprinkle the remaining trail mix generously on top of each muffin, creating a crunchy and decorative surface.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for 16-18 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick that should emerge clean when the muffins are fully cooked.
  9. Allow muffins to rest in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack, serving either warm or at room temperature for maximum enjoyment.

Notes

  • Select ripe, browning bananas for maximum sweetness and deeper flavor profile in your muffins.
  • Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent tough, dense muffins; stir just until ingredients are combined.
  • Customize trail mix by choosing varieties with nuts, seeds, and dried fruits for added texture and nutrition.
  • Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer preservation.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 18 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 27 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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