Enjoy these incredibly moist and healthy banana crumb muffins topped with a buttery, dairy-free cinnamon streusel. They’re made with both oat and almond flour, sweetened with maple syrup, and have the softest crumb ever. The perfect gluten-free, refined sugar-free meal prep!
The best healthy banana muffins with streusel
Buckle up because these are the best banana muffins I have ever eaten! And get this—they’re secretly healthy, like gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free kind of healthy. But here’s the crazy part: you can’t even tell! They’re crazy moist, fluffy, and light, plus they’ve got this melt-in-your-mouth streusel on top that’s heaven.
Now, I’m all about almond flour banana muffins and this blueberry banana bread, but when I feel a bit extra, I whip up this cinnamon crumb banana muffin recipe. Unlike every other healthy banana muffin recipe out there, this one is topped with a simple oat crumble made with coconut oil, oat flour, cinnamon, and coconut sugar. It melts in your mouth!
I love that these muffins are made with simple, basic ingredients like oat flour, almond flour, bananas, and eggs and are naturally sweetened with maple syrup. All these ingredients make these banana muffins gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free.
These muffins are easy to whip up, and let me tell you, they’re sweeter, moister, and softer than your regular banana muffins. It is perfect for a healthy meal prep, too. I cannot wait to hear what you think!
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Soft & Fluffy: These muffins are exceptionally moist with a soft crumb.
- Gluten-Free Flour Mix: Crafted with oat and almond flour for a gluten-free option.
- Customizable: Personalize with blueberries, walnuts, pecans, or chocolate chips.
- Naturally Sweetened: Sweetened with pure maple syrup for a naturally delicious taste.
- Anytime Snack: Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert in your meal prep routine.
- Quick Prep: Ready in under 25 minutes for a convenient treat.
- No Butter: Neither the streusel nor the muffins contain butter.
- Healthy: Packed with ingredients that are good for you.
- Try these #1 ranked almond flour banana muffins or oat flour banana bread next!
Ingredients needed
These moist, fluffy, gluten-free banana muffins call for simple and healthy ingredients. You need spotty bananas, maple syrup, cinnamon, rolled oats or oat flour, and almond flour. Here is a list of ingredients so you are prepared:
- Eggs: Essential for binding and providing a protein boost to the banana muffins.
- Bananas: Use 1 cup of mashed banana, approximately 2 large, super spotty, brown bananas, for the best banana flavor and natural sweetness.
- Maple Syrup: Naturally sweetens these healthy banana muffins without any refined sugars.
- Coconut Oil: Just 1 tablespoon adds extra moisture to the muffins.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor of the muffins.
- Almond Flour: 1 cup for a nutty richness; avoid Trader Joe’s brand for a better texture.
- Oat Flour: The best gluten-free flour option; use homemade or store-bought oat flour.
- Cinnamon: Adds a warm and cozy flavor to the muffins.
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda: Both help the banana muffins rise during baking.
- Salt: A dash for the perfect sweet and salty flavor balance.
- Cinnamon Streusel: Combine oat flour, cinnamon, coconut sugar, and coconut oil to create a delightful, dairy-free streusel topping.
Kitchen tools needed
You only need a few kitchen utensils to make these healthy banana muffins. Here is a list:
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Small Mixing Bowl
- Muffin Tin
- Muffin Liners
- Measuring Tools: 1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, 1 Tablespoon, 1/4 cup, and 1 cup.
How to make healthy crumb banana muffins
These are simply the best healthy banana muffins I have ever eaten. The crumble on top melts in your mouth and is so easy to make. Any level baker can make these muffins. Here are step-by-step instructions with pictures for reference:
Step 1:
First, preheat the oven to 350°F and line a muffin tin with liners.
Step 2:
Skip this step if you’re using store-bought oat flour. Add about 1.5 cups of rolled oats to your blender and blend until the oats turn into fine flour, about 20 seconds to 1 minute. Then measure 1 cup of flour and save ¼ cup for the crumble topping.
Step 3:
Next, in a small mixing bowl, whisk together almond flour, oat flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Please set it to the side.
Step 4:
After that, in a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, eggs, maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla extract.
Step 5:
Add in the dry ingredients and mix until thoroughly combined and there are no lumps of flour.
Step 6:
Then, divide the batter evenly between the muffin cups and sprinkle the crumb topping on each muffin.
Step 7:
Finally, bake the muffins for 20 – 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Let your healthy banana crumb muffins cool before enjoying them!
Expert baking tips:
- Opt for Extra Ripe (Brown) Bananas: Choose extra brown or at least very spotty bananas for optimal sweetness and flavor. Unripe, yellow bananas can be hard to mash, resulting in lumpy muffins with less sweetness.
- Don’t use Coconut Flour: Resist the urge to substitute almond flour with coconut flour, as it can make the gluten-free banana muffins dry and mealy.
- Spoon and Level Your Flour: When measuring flour, use a spoon to add it to the measuring cup. Avoid packing or scooping directly from the bag to prevent dryness in the gluten-free muffins.
- Homemade or Store-Bought Oat Flour: Create your oat flour by blending rolled oats in a blender or use store-bought bagged oat flour for added convenience.
- Don’t Overbake the Muffins: Keep a close eye on them, as baking times may vary depending on your oven. Overbaked banana muffins will be dry.
Why these banana muffins are healthy:
These banana muffins are healthy for many reasons; here are a few:
- No Butter: Made with coconut oil (packed with healthy fats), they’re 100% dairy-free.
- Whole Grain Flours: These muffins are made with both oat flour and almond flour, making them gluten-free and packed with fiber.
- No Refined Sugars: These banana muffins are sweetened with maple syrup, not refined cane sugar!
- Simple Ingredients: Every single ingredient is good for you.
Variations and ingredient substitutions
Customize these healthy banana crumb muffins to suit your taste. Here are some delicious ways to switch things up:
- Add Walnuts or Pecans: Enhance the texture by incorporating 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter.
- Add Blueberries: Introduce a burst of fruity flavor with 2/3 cups of fresh or frozen blueberries.
- Add Chocolate Chips: For an extra touch of sweetness, include 1/2 cup of your favorite chocolate chips.
- Use Butter Instead of Coconut Oil: Opt for the rich flavor of butter as a substitute for coconut oil in both the muffins and crumb topping. You can also use vegan butter.
- Use Honey Instead of Maple Syrup: Achieve a slightly different sweetness by using 1/4 cup of honey instead of maple syrup.
- Use Light Brown Sugar Instead of Coconut Sugar: If coconut sugar is unavailable, seamlessly swap it with light brown sugar for a similar sweetness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add chocolate chips or nuts?
Absolutely! Feel free to add walnuts, chocolate chips, pecans, and chopped almonds. I recommend using 1/3 to 1/2 cups total.
Is there a difference between homemade and store-bought oat flour?
No significant difference. You can make oat flour at home by blending rolled oats or purchase pre-made oat flour from the store. Both options work well in this recipe.
Can I use regular flour instead of almond and oat flour for this recipe?
Unfortunately, substituting regular flour directly for almond and oat flour may alter the texture and nutritional profile of the muffins. These flours are chosen for their unique properties in creating a moist and gluten-free result. Try this classic banana bread recipe if you want to bake with all-purpose flour.
What is the difference between homemade and store-bought oat flour?
Homemade oat flour is lighter and airier since it is made by blending up rolled oats. Store-bought oat flour can be over-processed and dense since it was made at a mill. I always bake with homemade oat flour.
Can I freeze these muffins for later?
Yes, these muffins freeze well. Allow them to cool completely, then store them in an airtight container or zip-top bag for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature or reheat gently in the microwave.
How do you thaw frozen banana muffins?
You can thaw frozen banana muffins in three ways: (1) by refrigerating overnight, (2) oven-defrosting for 10 minutes at 350°F wrapped in foil, or (3) microwaving for 30 seconds to 1 minute with a damp paper towel.
How to store banana crumb muffins:
Store these muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator to extend freshness for longer storage, freeze, and thaw as needed.
If you love this recipe, try these next!
- Blueberry Banana Oat Muffins
- Almond Flour Banana Muffins
- Peanut Butter & Jelly Banana Muffins
- Almond Flour Banana Pancakes
- Healthy Blueberry Banana Bread
- Chocolate Banana Bread
- Oat Flour Banana Bread
- Single Serve Banana Bread
Did you make this recipe?
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don’t forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!
Healthy Banana Crumb Muffins
Ingredients
Banana Muffins:
- 2 eggs
- 2 large spotty ripe bananas, (1 cup mashed)
- ¼ cup real maple syrup
- 1 tbsp melted coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup almond flour, spooned & leveled
- 1 cup homemade oat flour*, spooned & leveled
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt, optional
Crumb topping:
- ¼ cup homemade oat flour*
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp coconut sugar
- 2 tbsp melted coconut oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a muffin tin with liners.
- SKIP this step IF you are using store-bought oat flour. In a blender, add about 1.5 cups of rolled oats. Blend until the oats turn into a fine flour, about 20 seconds to 1 minute. Then measure 1 cup of flour and save ¼ cup for the crumble topping.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together almond flour, oat flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set it to the side.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, eggs, maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla extract.
- Add in the dry ingredients and mix until completely combined and there are no lumps of flour.
- Divide the batter evenly between the muffin cups and evenly sprinkle the crumb topping on top of each muffin.
- Bake for 20 – 25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let the muffins cool before enjoying!
Notes
Nutrition
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Grace says
Such an incredible recipe!! The crumble on top is the perfect touch, and the muffins themselves are delicious (of course)
Tati Chermayeff says
Hi Grace! I am so happy to hear that you love these muffins 🙂 They are one of my favorite recipes too!
Steph Gilet says
THE BEST. So yummy and easy to make, the perfect pre-workout snack
Tati Chermayeff says
Yay! So happy you like this recipe Steph. It is one of my favorites too!
kenny ng says
Hi Tati! Thanks for this recipe! Are there any alternatives for the coconut oil, coconut sugar and almond flour? It’s abit tricky to get them here for me
Tati Chermayeff says
Hi! I would use light brown sugar for coconut sugar, butter for the coconut oil, and regular all-purpose or gluten-free flour for almond flour!
julia stringer says
These were hands down the best banana muffins I’ve made. Super easy to follow with healthy ingredients. They turned out incredibly moist and fluffy! The cinnamon crumble adds that extra level of flavour. Will definitely be making these again!
Tati Chermayeff says
Hi Julia! YAY, I am so happy you loved these muffins. They are truly one of my favorites too 🙂
Agi says
I made these banana muffins this morning. Super easy to make and they are so scrumptious. I love to bake, and I love to share. I took the muffins to work and everyone who tried them loved them. Thank you for the recipe!
Alyssa says
Super delicious!!! i loved these muffins
Emily says
Hello! I have Barney Bakery ‘blanched’ almond flour. Is that ok in this recipe?
Tati Chermayeff says
Hi Emily! Yes, that will work great.