If you’ve ever wanted to make bakery-quality muffins at home, this banana streusel muffins recipe is exactly what you need. Soft, moist, and packed with banana flavor, these muffins are topped with a buttery cinnamon streusel crumble that makes them irresistible. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack, these muffins combine the comfort of banana bread with the sweetness of a crumble-topped muffin.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through step-by-step instructions, tips for perfect muffins, variations to try, and answers to common baking questions.
Why You’ll Love This Banana Streusel Muffins Recipe
- Moist & Flavorful – Ripe bananas make the muffins naturally sweet and soft.
- Cinnamon Streusel Topping – Buttery, crumbly, and crunchy on top.
- Quick & Easy – Ready in under 40 minutes.
- Freezer-Friendly – Make ahead and freeze for quick breakfasts.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For this banana streusel muffins recipe, you’ll need simple pantry staples.
For the Muffins:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 large ripe bananas (mashed)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 large egg
- ⅓ cup melted butter (unsalted)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt (for extra moisture)
For the Streusel Topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup cold butter (cubed)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Muffin Pan
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners or lightly grease with butter.
Step 2: Make the Streusel
In a small bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter using a fork or pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.
Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Step 4: Mash Bananas & Combine Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth. Add sugars, egg, melted butter, vanilla extract, and sour cream. Mix until well combined.
Step 5: Combine Wet & Dry Ingredients
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Gently fold with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix; the batter should be slightly lumpy.
Step 6: Fill Muffin Cups
Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full. Sprinkle a generous amount of streusel topping over each muffin.
Step 7: Bake
Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 8: Cool & Serve
Allow muffins to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Tips for the Best Banana Streusel Muffins
- Use overripe bananas – The darker the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your muffins will be.
- Don’t overmix – Stir just until combined for fluffy, tender muffins.
- Add-ins – Mix in chocolate chips, walnuts, or blueberries for extra flavor.
- Double the streusel – If you love crumble topping, make a bigger batch and pile it high.
Variations of Banana Streusel Muffins
- Banana Nut Muffins with Streusel – Fold chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter.
- Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins – Add ½ cup mini chocolate chips.
- Healthy Banana Muffins – Swap half the flour for whole wheat flour and use coconut sugar.
- Banana Blueberry Muffins – Stir in fresh or frozen blueberries before baking.
Storing & Freezing Muffins
- At Room Temperature – Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- In the Refrigerator – Lasts up to 5 days.
- In the Freezer – Wrap individually and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight or microwave for 20 seconds.
Banana Streusel Muffins Recipe Card
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 12 muffins
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- ⅓ cup melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ½ cup sour cream
Streusel Topping
- ½ cup flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ cup butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line muffin tin.
- Mix streusel topping and set aside.
- In a bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt.
- Mash bananas, add sugars, egg, butter, vanilla, sour cream.
- Fold wet into dry. Do not overmix.
- Fill muffin cups ¾ full, add streusel topping.
- Bake 18–22 minutes.
- Cool slightly, serve warm or store.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I make banana streusel muffins without eggs?
Yes! Substitute ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce or a flax egg for each egg.
2. Can I use frozen bananas?
Absolutely. Thaw and drain any excess liquid before mashing.
3. Why are my muffins dense?
Most likely from overmixing the batter or using under-ripe bananas.
4. Can I make mini banana streusel muffins?
Yes! Bake in a mini muffin pan for 10–12 minutes instead.
Final Thoughts
This banana streusel muffins recipe is one you’ll return to again and again. The combination of sweet, moist banana muffins with a buttery cinnamon crumble topping makes them taste like they came straight from a bakery. Whether you enjoy them for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert, these muffins are guaranteed to please.
Try them once, and they’ll become your go-to recipe whenever you have ripe bananas on hand.