These Banana Oatmeal Muffins are SO moist, made with soaked oats baked right in! They are made with low fat Greek yogurt, unsweetened applesauce and whole wheat flour, making them a healthy breakfast option with fiber and protein. Easy to make and freezer friendly.
Table of Contents
It took me a few tries, friends, but I think I’ve traded in my favourite banana muffins for these Banana Oatmeal Muffins.
They are so moist, and packed with extra goodness from oatmeal. Yes — actual oatmeal.
I know it sounds a little crazy, but trust me on this one.
What makes these Banana Oatmeal Muffins so good?
If you’ve ever had a classic oatmeal cake, you know they’re all sorts of amazing. Well, they’re made with oats soaked in boiling water — essentially, really thick oatmeal.
They are so ridiculously moist and delicious (especially if you add the toasted coconut topping on it!), and I got to thinking, “what if I put oatmeal into a banana muffin?”
So I tried it, and I tried it again, and I tried it again. And it took me a while to strike just the right balance between “moist” and “fluffy” (my first rounds were very moist but so flat!), but the result is so worth it. I don’t know if I’ll ever go back!
Plus, you get all the extra goodness of oats right in these healthy banana oatmeal muffins, that they really are perfect for breakfast.
The kids love these, especially if I add in chocolate chips. I wanted to start you off with a plain Jane version (you know, one that is actually healthy!), but feel free to get a little crazy and raid your stash of chocolate chips, nuts or dried fruits if you like.
And if you’re here accidentally because you though these were actually Banana Baked Oatmeal Cups, then head over there <– to check out that recipe, which is equally as delicious but a totally different thing 😉
How to bake these Banana Oatmeal Muffins:
I tried baking these muffins in all kinds of cups and pans — silicone, paper liners, non stick muffin pans, etc., etc.
I recommend using silicone or paper liners, and not just spraying a pan. All ways will work just fine, but the non stick spray makes the muffins a little browner (i.e., tougher) around the edges and we like our muffins soft. If you like them another way then go for it!
Here are the differences in muffin texture you can expect:
Silicone pans or muffin cups: they will be soft and not brown significantly around the edges or bottom. Remove within 10 minutes of them coming out of the oven so they don’t get soggy from sitting.
Dark non-stick pans with non-stick spray: this is absolutely an option too, if you prefer a golden brown exterior and don’t want to wait for them to cool so you can remove paper liners. This is what I did in these photos!
Paper liners: paper liners work just fine, and the texture will fall somewhere between silicone and non-stick. However, the one big downside is you have to wait for them to cool completely before you’ll be able to remove them and taste test 😉
Tips and Tricks for Making these healthy Banana Oatmeal Muffins:
- You can absolutely jazz these up if you like: chocolate chips, peanuts, pecans, or raisins would all be great in here! Even just sprinkling 3 or 4 chocolate chips on top before baking goes a long way with my kiddos 😉
- You will want to use instant or quick cooking oats for this recipe only, because you want them to get soft in the boiling water. I have made them with regular rolled oats before, and it works just fine but they have a bit of a chunkier texture. If that’s what you like, go for it.
- These store perfectly in the freezer, so make a big batch! I like to keep a big container in the freezer, and then keep half a dozen or so in the fridge for easy snacking for the kids. Grab and go snacks are always a good idea here!
More banana recipes for those brown bananas!
- Banana Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal Cups
- Strawberry Banana Smoothie
- Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins (healthier!)
- Healther Classic Banana Bread Recipe + VIDEO
Banana Oatmeal Muffins
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 1 cup quick cooking oats or instant
- ¾ cup boiling water
- 4 overripe bananas
- 1 cup brown sugar packed (about 160g)
- ½ cup 0% plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups whole wheat flour fluffed and levelled (about 260g)
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- chocolate chips, nuts or raisins optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line 2-3 muffin pans with paper liners, spray with non stick spray or use silicone muffin cups — if you use paper liners you will get more, smaller muffins. (see notes in post above)
- Add oats to a small bowl and cover with boiling water. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mash bananas with a fork or whisk. Add sugar, applesauce, yogurt, eggs, and vanilla, and whisk until combined.
- Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt, and stir until just combined. Gently stir in the soaked oats.
- Fill muffin cups (I fill them to the top for nice, high muffins) and bake for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean or with moist crumbs.
- Let cool in pans for 5-10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container on the counter for 2 days, in the fridge for 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Information
Want to save this recipe?
Create an account easily save your favorite content, so you never forget a recipe again.
Tried this recipe?
Tag @thereciperebel or hashtag #thereciperebel — I love to see what you’re making!
Tag @thereciperebel
Miranda says
This is a go-to recipe for me. I love anything with oatmeal. I have 4 kids and find it hard to make time for baking (and the extra dishes) so I multiply the recipe by 1.5 which is the perfect size for 2 loaves. I’d rather wash loaf pans than muffin tins!
Ashley Fehr says
I’m glad to hear it works well as a loaf!
Elspeth says
I’m really excited to try this recipe! I was wondering if fresh or frozen blueberries would work as an add in?
Ashley Fehr says
Definitely! I often swap the chocolate for blueberries 🙂
Leanne says
Used half all-purpose flour and half whole wheat flour and they were super delicious. Another winner!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Leanne! I’m so happy to hear that!
Amy C says
How many muffins does this make? It says “3 muffin pans” but I have muffin pans for 6 and 12.
Thanks
Ashley Fehr says
At the top of the recipe it lists servings: it makes about 28 muffins
Tara says
Could i make the apple sauce using freshing apples & blitzing them in my nutra ninja please
Ashley Fehr says
I think you would want to cook them down and then puree. If you don’t have applesauce, you can substitute extra yogurt, sour cream, or even canola oil and they should be just as good!
Brandie says
What could you use if you don’t have yogurt?
Ashley Fehr says
Sour cream or additional applesauce would work!
sam says
just made these muffins they are delicious, i had to tweak the recipe a little i didn’t have apple sauce so used unsweetened peach puree in its place and added 3/4 cup unpacked brown sugar and they were still sweet enough (they were for the little ones in my life so wanted to cut down on the sugar)
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so glad to hear you guys enjoyed them Sam!
Michelle says
What can I use in place of the applesauce if I don’t have any?
Ashley Fehr says
You could use plain yogurt or oil
Susan K says
I’m making them now and just finished mixing the wet ingredients together. So…when do you add the oats? I see you soak them and then put them aside…but they’re never mentioned in the recipe again. The video helps – but the oats aren’t labeled in the video either (it’s funny because all of the other ingredients are labeled). ?
Ashley Fehr says
I will fix that right away! Sorry about that — let me know how they turn out!
Sarah says
This banana oatmeal muffins are so awesome! I am in love with it.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Sarah!
Pansy says
Banana oatmeal muffins great food really awesome taste to eat Thank you ” ASHLEY FEHR” for this great food post
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Pansy!