Are you craving a sweet treat that's both healthy and incredibly easy to make? Look no further! These Strawberry Banana Muffins are the perfect solution for a quick breakfast, a delightful afternoon snack, or even a simple dessert. Bursting with fresh strawberry flavor and the natural sweetness of ripe bananas, these muffins are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. They're also a fantastic way to use up those overripe bananas before they go bad! This recipe is perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike, offering a quick and satisfying homemade cooking experience.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- ¼ cup melted unsalted butter (or oil)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
Instructions:
-
Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease it well. This step ensures your muffins bake evenly and are easy to remove.
-
Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Thoroughly combining the dry ingredients prevents lumps in your batter.
-
Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the mashed bananas, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
-
Combine: Gently pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay. Overmixing can result in tough muffins.
-
Add Strawberries: Fold in the sliced strawberries. This is the fun part! Gently incorporate the strawberries to maintain their shape and prevent them from breaking down completely.
-
Fill Muffin Cups: Fill each muffin cup about ¾ full. This leaves room for the muffins to rise during baking.
-
Bake: Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Baking time may vary depending on your oven.
-
Cool: Let the muffins cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for the Best Strawberry Banana Muffins:
- Banana Ripeness: Use very ripe bananas for maximum sweetness and flavor. The riper, the better!
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in tough muffins. Mix until just combined.
- Fresh Strawberries: Fresh strawberries are best for this recipe, but frozen strawberries (thawed) can also be used.
- Variations: Add chocolate chips, nuts, or other berries for extra flavor and texture.
Nutritional Information (per muffin, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 200-250
- Fat: 6-8g
- Carbohydrates: 30-35g
- Sugar: 15-20g
- Protein: 3-4g
These values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients used.
Serving Suggestions:
Enjoy these delicious muffins warm or at room temperature. They're perfect on their own, with a dollop of yogurt, or paired with a cup of coffee or tea. These muffins make a great addition to any breakfast, brunch, or snack time. This easy recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or weekend baking fun, delivering a healthy and delicious treat the whole family will love. They're also great for packing in lunchboxes for a healthy and delicious snack.