I’ve always loved muffins but it wasn’t until I had children that I began to fully appreciate muffins for a myriad of reasons beyond their flavor. I now see muffins in a new light because of everything they bring to the table for a busy mom:
- Muffins are portable and perfect for on-the-go breakfasts or snacking
- Muffins are often freezer-friendly and ideal for prepping multiple batches at a time
- Muffins are easy to “fancy up” for kids with various colorful muffin wrappers, sprinkles, chocolate chips, etc.
- There is no shortage of muffin recipes out there so muffin boredom doesn’t exist
I now consider myself a muffin-making machine because I have two boys who inhale muffins on a daily basis. My whole wheat pumpkin muffins and sweet potato muffins are in constant rotation in our house! (This post contains links to more of our boys’ favorite muffin recipes in case you’re interested.)
When it comes to making muffins from scratch, I have a few loose requirements for the recipes I generally make for our family. I prefer a whole wheat flour or oat flour base. I love recipes that are naturally sweetened with maple syrup, dates, bananas or honey. And I want the muffins to be made with healthy ingredients but still taste great. An added bonus: When the muffins contain some kind of fruit or vegetable and a dose of healthy fats from nuts, seeds or good-for-you oils.
The Whole Wheat Pecan Banana Muffins recipe I’m sharing with you guys today checks all of these boxes!
The base of the recipe is whole wheat flour and old fashioned oats and they’re naturally sweet thanks to bananas and maple syrup. The muffins also include pecans, which offer 3 grams of plant-based protein and are a good source of dietary fiber. Heck yes!
Though I snack on pecans because I love their flavor (especially when they’re candied — can’t stop, won’t stop) I love incorporating them into the recipes I feed my family because they’re nutritional rockstars. A handful of pecans (approximately 19 halves) is a good source of fiber (compared to other nuts, they’re among the highest in dietary fiber!), thiamin, and zinc, and an excellent source of copper and manganese, a mineral that’s essential for metabolism and bone health. Plus, a one-ounce serving offers a nice boost of plant-based protein to keep our family feeling satisfied for longer. Since my boys would happily survive on all the carbs, incorporating sources of healthy fat and protein into their diets is very important to me and when I can do that in muffin-form, I’m all about it!
From start to finish it should take you less than 30 minutes to make a batch of these pecan banana muffins — and that includes baking time! They come together quickly and if you have a child who loves helping you in the kitchen like I do, let them be the one to chop up the pecans because they will think that’s the coolest part of this recipe! (For a kid-friendly chopping method, pour whole pecans into a zip-top bag and let them smack the nuts with the back of a spoon until they’re “chopped.”) Pour the batter into a muffin tin lined with muffin liners or a silicone muffin pan sprayed with cooking spray and enjoy the smell of freshly baked pecan banana muffins as it takes over your home!
These muffins taste wonderful still warm from the oven and topped with a smear of butter. So good! If you want to add a little more sweetness, a drizzle of honey is also fantastic. Oh and like nearly every muffin recipe I share on the blog, these pecan banana banana muffins are also freezer-friendly so feel free to make a double or triple batch so you can freeze some to have on hand for easy breakfast or snack options on busy days!
I hope these muffins quickly become a new favorite in your house. Please let me know if you decide to give them a try!
Whole Wheat Pecan Banana Muffins
PrintWhole Wheat Pecan Banana Muffins
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 6 muffins 1x
- Category: muffins, breakfast
Description
A fluffy and wholesome muffin recipe, these Whole Wheat Pecan Banana Muffins are naturally sweetened with banana and maple syrup and every bite includes a delicious crunch thanks to nutrient-dense pecans.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup whole wheat flour
- ½ cup old fashioned oats
- 2 tablespoon ground flax seeds
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 ½ tablespoons MCT oil or melted coconut oil
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 small very-ripe banana, mashed
- ½ cup light coconut milk (or regular milk)
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line muffin pan with six paper muffin liners
- Combine whole wheat flour, oats, flax seeds, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder and salt
- In a separate bowl, mix together egg, maple syrup, MCT oil, vanilla, banana and coconut milk
- Gradually pour egg mixture into the flour mixture and stir until batter is combined
- Fold in pecans
- Divide the batter into six muffin cups and bake for 15 – 18 minutes
- Allow to cool and enjoy
Recipe inspired by my Oatmeal Banana Flax Muffins
Tracy says
Ohh I can’t wait to try these! We love muffins and have been making all of yours for years and my boys love them. You really can’t beat a homemade muffin for breakfast or snacks!
Julie says
agreed! we’re all muffin maniacs!
Kerri says
Hi Julie! I have two energetic boys myself. My older son is 4 and my little guy just turned 2. They both love muffins and I can’t wait to try the recipe! Thanks for sharing! Have you noticed any taste issues when you double or triple the recipe? Six muffins wouldn’t last a day in my house.
Julie says
haha! not at all! it doubles very well!!
Abigail says
These sound so delicious and hearty! I am one of those strange people who have always loved a good hearty muffin such as bran or buckwheat so I definitely need to try these!
Julie says
I’m the same way! I want something with staying power!
Mary Peterson says
Where on earth could I find ground flaxseed? I’ve never seen it in any grocery store! Thanks.
Julie says
I’ve seen it at ALDI & Whole Foods bear me!
Katy says
Made these this morning and must say that you knocked if out of the park with this recipe! Love love love them. Refreshing taste and texture (feel like so many banana based muffins taste the same, not necessarily a bad thing). Substituted salted roast pepitas for pecans and recommend! Thank you!
Julie says
I’m so happy to hear this! Thanks for taking the time to let me know, Katy!
Nicole says
Do you think I could use peanut butter in place of the coconut oil? I don’t generally keep that on hand, and I try to sub oils. Or applesauce, maybe?
Julie says
I’m honestly not sure that would work very well but you could swap in another kind of oil and that should be okay!!