How much mashed banana comes from 6 medium bananas?

This recipe specifically calls for 6 medium sized ripe bananas. Once you mash them up, this quantity usually gives you about 2 full cups of mashed banana. Using this exact amount helps ensure you get the perfect moist texture and incredible banana flavor in every single muffin. Do not try to use fewer bananas just because you do not have enough ripe ones, the flavor will not be as strong.

What is the best way to store any leftover muffins?

If you somehow end up with leftovers (it is a challenge in my house!), the best way to keep these muffins fresh is to store them at room temperature in a container with a lid. They will stay good like this for about 3 to 4 days. You might notice that the Nutella swirl part on top softens up a bit over time when stored. That is perfectly normal. Just be aware it could get a little messy when you grab one to eat. I find using a deeper container with a proper lid works better than plastic wrap or a plastic bag. That way, nothing sticks to the tops of the muffins and messes up those pretty Nutella swirls. I learned this the hard way the first time I made them and used a plastic bag, it did not end well for the Nutella tops.

Can I put these banana muffins with Nutella in the freezer?

Absolutely yes, you can freeze these muffins. They freeze beautifully and can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months. Make sure you store them in a bag or container specifically designed for freezing to prevent freezer burn. For easy grabbing later, I like to wrap each individual muffin in a layer of foil before putting them all together in a larger freezer bag. This makes it super simple to pull out just one or two at a time. You can let them thaw out at room temperature, which usually does not take too long, or you can place them in the refrigerator to thaw more slowly. They are great to grab straight from the freezer for lunchboxes too, they will thaw by snack or lunch time.

Why did my muffins turn out dense and tough?

If your muffins end up with a tough or dense texture, it is usually related to how you mixed the batter. There are two common reasons. First, it might be that you did not beat the wet banana mixture for the full 3 minutes mentioned in the recipe steps. That beating time is essential for incorporating air into the batter and getting the ingredients really well combined. It helps create a lighter, fluffier muffin texture. The second reason is overmixing once you add the dry ingredients to the wet. You only want to mix just until the dry flour streaks disappear. Mixing for too long after the dry ingredients are added can overdevelop the gluten in the flour, and that results in tough muffins. Stick to the mixing times and methods described, and yours should turn out wonderfully moist and tender.

The BEST Nutella Swirl Banana Muffins (Easy Recipe)

Description

These Nutella Swirl Banana Muffins are incredibly moist, packed with ripe banana flavor, and feature irresistible swirls of rich Nutella throughout each bite! One batch will disappear in no time, I guarantee it!

Ingredients

For the Muffins

2 cups (250 grams) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon (5 grams) baking soda
½ teaspoon (2 grams) baking powder
½ teaspoon (3 grams) fine sea salt
2 cups (450 grams) mashed very ripe bananas (about 6 medium bananas)
½ cup (120 grams) melted unsalted butter
½ cup (100 grams) packed light brown sugar
¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon (5 ml) pure vanilla extract

For the Swirl

⅓ cup (80 grams) Nutella hazelnut spread

Instructions

Get the oven ready by preheating it to 350°F (175°C). Place 18 paper liners into your muffin pan cups. Put the pan aside for now.
In a smaller bowl, use a wire whisk to blend together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set this bowl of dry ingredients aside.
In the large bowl of your stand mixer, add the mashed bananas, melted butter, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract.
Turn the mixer on to medium speed and beat this mixture for 3 full minutes. This helps everything combine well.
Add the dry ingredients from the small bowl into the wet ingredients in the mixer.
Mix on low speed just until all the dry ingredients are mixed in. Be careful not to overmix. You should not see any dry flour patches left.
You can also use a rubber spatula to scrape the bottom and sides of the mixing bowl. This ensures everything is evenly mixed.
Place the Nutella into a small bowl that is safe for the microwave. Heat it for about 30 seconds until it becomes thinner and easier to handle.
Fill each prepared muffin cup about three-quarters full with the muffin batter.
Spoon a small amount, around 1 teaspoon, of the warmed Nutella onto the top of the batter in each cup.
Use a toothpick or a small knife to gently swirl the Nutella into the muffin batter on top.
Put the muffin pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes. To check if they are done, insert a toothpick into the center of a muffin. It should come out clean.
Let the baked muffins cool in the hot muffin pan for about 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes, carefully move the muffins from the pan to a wire cooling rack. Let them cool completely before storing. You can enjoy one warm too!

Notes

Swirling Technique: To get beautiful Nutella swirls, using a toothpick works great. The more you swirl and the deeper you go into the batter, the more the Nutella will spread inside the muffin. A lighter, more shallow swirl keeps the Nutella mostly on top. Remember to warm the Nutella first to make swirling much easier.

Mixing Time: Don’t skip the 3-minute mixing step for the wet ingredients. This beating time helps combine everything thoroughly and adds air, which contributes to a light texture.

Checking for Doneness: Always use the toothpick test to know when your muffins are perfectly baked. Insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, they are done. If it has wet batter on it, they need more time. Underbaked muffins tend to sink in the middle after cooling.

Choosing Bananas: For the best flavor and sweetness, use bananas that are very ripe with lots of brown spots or even black skin. Yellow or slightly soft bananas will not give you the same delicious result.

Storage: Keep leftover muffins in a closed container at room temperature for 3 to 4 days. The Nutella swirl might soften slightly over time, which is normal. Using a container with a lid helps protect the tops.

Freezing: Yes, you can freeze these muffins for up to 3 months. Store them in a bag or container that is safe for the freezer. You can wrap individual muffins in foil before putting them in a freezer bag for easy thawing. Let them thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

Avoiding Tough Muffins: Tough muffins are often caused by mixing issues. Ensure you beat the wet ingredients for the full 3 minutes to get them well combined and airy. Also, avoid overmixing once you add the dry ingredients. Mix only until just combined. Following the recipe steps carefully will help prevent this.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 muffin
Calories: 203kcal
Sugar: 17g
Sodium: 179mg
Fat: 8g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 34mg