These are the best Banana Walnut Muffins you will ever make! Perfectly moist, loaded with crunchy walnuts, and topped with a sweet maple icing drizzle. Whether you're looking for a quick breakfast or a way to use up overripe bananas, this easy banana nut muffin recipe delivers bakery style results in just 35 minutes.
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Why You'll Love Banana Walnut Muffins
Classic flavor: bananas, walnuts, and warm spices make a combination that never gets old.
Quick and easy prep: everything comes together in one bowl without any complicated steps.
Sweet maple finish: the optional maple icing drizzle adds an extra layer of sweetness and a distinct maple flavor.
Key Ingredients for Banana Muffins
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and instructions.
- Ripe bananas: very ripe bananas bring natural sweetness and full banana flavor.
- Chopped walnuts: add texture and a mild nutty bite throughout the muffins.
- Warm spices: cinnamon and nutmeg give the muffins a familiar, cozy flavor.
- Butter: gives the muffins a rich crumb and balanced flavor.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Change the flavor: you can use vanilla or banana extract instead of maple extract.
- Make it sugar-free: swap the sugar for your favorite sugar-free sweetener, but check the bag to make sure you use the right amount.
- Nut swap: use pecans in place of walnuts.
Variations on Banana Walnut Muffins
- Skip the icing and sprinkle coarse sugar on top before baking for a lightly crisp finish.
- Add a handful of chocolate chips to the batter for a sweeter muffin.
- Bake the batter in mini muffin tins for a smaller, snack-size option.
Tips for Baking Muffins
- Mash the bananas well: so they blend evenly into the batter.
- Don't overmix: stir the batter just until combined to keep the muffins soft and tender.
- Catch the drips: when adding the icing, place a piece of parchment paper under your cooling rack to make cleanup much easier.
How to Store
Store Banana Walnut Muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.
Serve With...
Serve these Banana Walnut Muffins with Whipped Cinnamon Honey Butter or Salted Maple Butter for an extra special touch along with a hot cup of coffee or tea
More Breakfast Recipes You'll Love
If you enjoy these muffins, you will want to try my recipe for Invisible Banana French Toast! It's an easy banana recipe to make and the kids will love it! You also may enjoy this Maple Walnut Banana Bread, Baked Banana Doughnuts with Browned Butter Rum Glaze, or this low carb Chunky Monkey Noatmeal recipe!
When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating
📖 Recipe
Banana Walnut Muffins with Maple Icing
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Ingredients
FOR THE MUFFINS
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup butter softened
- 2 large eggs
- 2 very ripe bananas mashed
- ½ teaspoon maple flavored extract
- ⅓ cup milk
FOR THE ICING (OPTIONAL)
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon half and half
- ¼ teaspoon maple extract
Instructions
For the muffins
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12 cup muffin pan with parchment paper liners. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and walnuts. Set aside.
- In another large bowl using an electric mixer on medium speed, mix together the the butter and sugar until creamy.
- Add eggs, one at a time, mixing until well blended. Mix in the mashed bananas, extract and milk and mix until well blended.
- Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a wooden spoon, folding until just mixed. Be sure you don't over mix the muffin batter.
- Scoop batter with a large cookie scoop into prepared muffin pan. Bake for 25 minutes or use the toothpick test and if the toothpick comes out of the muffin clean its ready.
- Remove muffins from oven and cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove muffins from pan and place on cooling rack with a sheet of parchment paper beneath the rack (to catch icing drips)
To make the icing
- In a medium bowl, mix the powdered sugar, maple syrup and half and half together. Drizzle over top of the slightly warm muffins. Cool completely before storing.
Cursuri Engleza says
I love muffins so much, especially banana muffins. I haven’t ate maple icing muffins since I was a kid. So this recipe reminds of my childhood.
Lauren's Latest says
Oh my word. These look so good! Bet these are incredible fresh out of the oven!
Tupper Cooks! says
The weather outside is frightful- and those muffins look amazing- maple & banana are a great combo- the North Country misses you!
Flourchild says
Yes you do love muffins too..and...I can see why! These look so good! I could eat one right now for breakfast!
Have a great Tuesday!
Mateja ^_^ says
There is an award waiting for you! You can pick it up on “My Awards” page (http://indulginglife.blogspot.com/p/my-awards.html)
Mateja @ Indulging Life
Ann On and On... says
Those look so good!!! I am going to do some baking today...because of you.
Pamela says
Oh, how I would enjoy one of those. With extra drizzle, please!
Amanda says
Oh that maple icing totally puts these over the top Shelby! They look wonderful!
Christy says
Shelby-these look wonderful! I just happen to have some bananas that are nice and brown, I think this recipe is going to be used right away. 🙂
Thanks for your sweet words welcoming me back to blogging! It helps knowing that others can completely empathize with the emotions of this past year. {{hugs}}
Aggie says
Awww, I felt nostalgic for you!!! They look delicious!
teresa says
i've been on a total maple kick lately, so i know i would love these!
Leslie says
Nothing like a good muffin to bring back a memory!
Kim - Liv Life says
MM!! My daughter is a big banana fan and last year we made a Maple Bread that she drooled over. The two together will be perfect!!
briarrose says
Wonderful muffins. I adore the maple frosting...really kicks it over the top. 😉
Fallon says
Like the touch of maple icing with the banana muffin!
Hey Shelby, I noticed going through my in box I had saved emails of recipes from your newsletter. You stopped producing that huh?
bellini valli says
These remind me that maple syrup season is coming up fast!!!!!!
Pegasuslegend says
what an awesome muffin the tops are heavenly and mouth watering!