Any time we have ripe bananas on our counter, these gluten free banana muffins are on the menu. These are our favorite gluten free muffins, because they are quick and easy to make and they turn out perfect every time (trust me, I have made them at least 50 times) - plus they only require one banana.
These muffins make a great easy breakfast on busy mornings or a perfect lunchbox snack. They are endlessly customizable by adding fruit or even chocolate chips, like in my banana chocolate chip muffins. Your whole family will love these gluten free dairy free muffins!
If you have more overripe bananas, you simply must make my gluten-free banana bread. It's my family's most often made recipe!
Jump to:
Why You'll Love These Gluten Free Banana Muffins
- EASY - This recipe is so easy to make. It doesn't require a mixer and only takes a few minutes to throw together.
- SMALL BATCH - this recipe makes only six moist gluten free banana muffins. It's the perfect amount for a small family or just meal prep for a grab and go snack.
- ALLERGEN FRIENDLY - This muffin recipe is written to be both gluten free and dairy free. It can easily be made nut free as well.
Ingredient Notes
These delicious banana muffins use only a handful of basic ingredients and only requires one ripe banana.
- Gluten-Free Flour Blend - For almost all of my recipes, I use Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten Free Flour Blend. I have found it to be the most versatile gluten free flour. You can use your own favorite flour blend but keep in mind this recipe was developed with BRM, so your final product may be slightly different. If you choose another blend, ensure it contains xanthan gum or a similar binder.
- Baking Powder - This leavening agents helps the air bubbles grow to create a light fluffy muffin.
- Cinnamon & Nutmeg - This combination of warm spices create that classic banana bread flavor
- Salt - A little bit of salt helps to balance the sweet flavors. Don't be tempted to skip it.
- Oil - I use extra virgin olive oil for all of my cooking and baking. If you prefer another oil, just make sure it has a neutral flavor. You can also use melted butter (vegan butter or dairy butter) or coconut oil if you prefer.
- Sugar - This recipe calls for white sugar, but not too much because bananas are already naturally sweet. Feel free to substitute coconut sugar if you prefer.
- Egg - In this recipe, the rise comes from the air beaten into the egg.
- Vanilla Extract - Just a hint of vanilla to sweeten the flavor.
- Milk - I use oat milk or unsweetened coconut milk in this recipe, depending on what I have on hand. Any plant based milk should work fine and if you're not dairy free, use regular milk in the same measure.
- Walnuts - I used walnuts here, but pecans would also be delicious. If you're nut free, you can leave them out entirely (I do this frequently) there are no changes need to the recipe when eliminating nuts.
- Banana - the most important ingredient of all! You'll need one really ripe banana.
See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full recipe with measurements.
Substitutions & Variations
- Not Dairy Free - use dairy milk in the same measure.
- No Oil - Replace the oil with melted butter for a richer flavor. It will also change the texture slightly, but not in an unpleasant way.
- Make it Vegan - I haven't tried to make these muffins with an egg replacement, but I would try it with a chia egg or a flax egg in place of the egg.
- Nut Free - Omit the nuts entirely. There is no need to adjust any other ingredients in the recipe.
- Make Mini Muffins - Follow the directions as indicated, dividing the muffin batter into 18 mini muffins. Baking temperature is the same, but bake time will be reduced to around 13 minutes.
How to make gluten free banana muffins
All of my muffins use the muffin method for mixing and baking. No mixer is needed. Before you begin, line a muffin tin with paper liners.
STEP 1: Place your ripe banana on a plate and mash it with a fork until it is very wet in appearance with only small lumps remaining.
STEP 2: Add the gluten free flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg to a large mixing bowl. Whisk together until well mixed.
STEP 3: Crack your egg in a separate bowl. Whisk it until it's frothy like soap bubbles. Then add the milk, oil, and vanilla to the beaten egg and whisk until smooth.
STEP 4: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Fold together about 10 strokes with a spatula.
STEP 5: Add the mashed bananas and chopped walnuts to the muffin batter. Fold together about 5 more strokes until evenly mixed.
STEP 6: Use an ice cream scoop to portion the muffin batter in 6 lined muffin cups. Fill the muffin tin to the top and bake.
How long to bake gluten free muffins?
When using the muffin method, you want a higher temperature in your oven. I bake these at 375 degrees F, no fan. The high temperature helps the tops cook before the inside is done. When the inside continues to cook, it pushes the tops up creating a nice dome. In my oven, this takes about 27-28 minutes.
Baking Tip
To check for done: gently poke the top center of one muffin gently with your finger. If it springs right back it is baked through. If it leaves an indentation, bake another 2-3 minutes and recheck.
Storage
If you will consume the banana muffins within a day or two, you can store them at room temperature in an airtight container. If your home is especially warm, store in the refrigerator as the bananas will continue to ripen and get a fermented flavor otherwise.
If you store these muffins in the refrigerator, they should last for 3-4 days.
These muffins also freeze well. Once they are completely cooled, individually wrap each muffin with plastic wrap and place the wrapped muffins into a freezer bag or freezer-safe container. Store for up to 2 months. Bring to room temperature or reheat in the microwave before serving.
Recipe FAQs
The best bananas are going to be covered with dark spots, even up to entirely black on the peel. The darker the banana peel, the sweeter the banana will be as well as adding more banana flavor.
If your banana smells fermented or is leaking from the peel, it needs to be discarded.
Resist the urge to add extra bananas here. This muffin recipe is perfectly formulated to turn out great every time. Extra banana cause your muffins to come out dense and gummy in the center.
More gluten-free muffins to consider:
If you try this recipe, please leave a 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 star rating and let me know how you liked it in the comments below.
Recipe
Gluten Free Banana Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Gluten Free 1-to-1 Flour Blend I use Bob's Red Mill
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon Nutmeg
- ½ Cup Sugar
- 1 Egg
- 3 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla
- ¼ Cup Non-Dairy Milk Dairy free or regular
- 1 Ripe Banana mashed, about ½ cup
- ¾ Cup Walnuts roughly chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a 6 cup muffin pan with paper cups.
- Add the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and sugar to a large bowl. Whisk together.1 Cup Gluten Free 1-to-1 Flour Blend, 1 teaspoon Baking Powder, ¼ teaspoon Salt, ½ teaspoon Cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon Nutmeg, ½ Cup Sugar
- In a small bowl, crack the egg and whisk it until it’s frothy. Add the oil, milk, and vanilla. Whisk until well combined.1 Egg, 3 Tablespoon Olive Oil, ½ teaspoon Vanilla, ¼ Cup Non-Dairy Milk
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry. Fold together about 10 strokes until most of the flour is incorporated
- Add the banana and ½ cup of the walnuts. Fold about 5 more times.1 Ripe Banana, ¾ Cup Walnuts
- Fill muffin cups nearly to the top. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ c walnuts on top of the batter.
- Bake in preheated oven for 28 minutes.
- Serve immediately or cool and store in airtight container.
Notes
Tiffany is the recipe developer, stylist and food photographer behind Well Fed Baker. As a lifelong baker who had to go gluten free and dairy free in 2016, Tiffany strives to share allergen friendly recipes that never feel like they are free from anything.
Chris says
Can the amount of sugar needed be adjusted?
I haven't tried making them with less sugar. If you do reduce it, I would only reduce by 25% or so.
Hannah says
Great recipe! My new favorite muffin recipe. Loved the flavor, texture and the portions were perfect!
Also loved that I could use my normal GF Bobs Red Mill baking flour for this and it turned out perfect.
I'm so glad to hear they turned out perfect for you! This is one of our favorite muffins to make. 🙂