Healthy Banana Ricotta Muffins | Recipe (2024)

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Healthy Banana Ricotta Muffins | Recipe (1)

There are not many instances where I have shared a recipe on this blog of mine. In fact, I can count on one finger how many food posts I have done. (See my other recipe, HERE).

Healthy Banana Ricotta Muffins | Recipe (2)

It is not that I don’t cook. Actually, it is quite the opposite. With 4 kids and a husband, I feel like all I do is cook – and my blog is kind of a break from that.

Healthy Banana Ricotta Muffins | Recipe (3)

However, I was just so excited with my recipe invention, that actually turned out amazingly well – I had to share!

Healthy Banana Ricotta Muffins | Recipe (4)

The moment these “Healthy Banana Ricotta Muffins”were born, was totallyaccidental. I was missing a few ingredients from a standard banana muffin recipe I was trying, so I started substituting for what I did have. Ricotta cheese was thrown in there for good measure, and we love how moist and chewy it makes these muffins. It seems the cheese takes the weight out from the whole wheat somehow.

Healthy Banana Ricotta Muffins | Recipe (5)

That is my theory, any way.

Healthy Banana Ricotta Muffins | Recipe (6)

Before I jump into the recipe, let’s talk about all these good-for-you ingredients and some tips for a moment.

Healthy Banana Ricotta Muffins | Recipe (7)

Rather then sugar, I threw in agave nectar and a bit of honey to sweeten the muffin. I love how I was able to add 3 almost-too-old banana’s – as I usually have that many sitting around wasting away. I have tried using plain yogurt in place of the ricotta cheese, but hands down – the ricotta makes a better muffin. I love the 60% cacao bittersweet chocolate chips. My kids usually complain when I use them, but they don’t seem to mind one bit in these muffins. When they melt, they are absolutely dee-lish! Finally, I might add that I really prefer to use white whole wheat in my whole wheat baking. It seems to not be as heavy as red whole wheat, but still just as good for you.

Healthy Banana Ricotta Muffins | Recipe (8)

There is really nothing horrible for you in these muffins, and you can feel great about eating them by the handfuls! At least we do 😉

Every single one of my picky children will down 3 or 4 of these muffins. To me, that is cooking success!

I also can’t start to make these muffins without a child (or 2 or 3) wanting to help me.

Healthy Banana Ricotta Muffins | Recipe (10)

It’s easy enough, any age can be of some help.

Healthy Banana Ricotta Muffins | Recipe (11)

We like to use the mini cupcake tins as they cook quickly and are more proportionate for children. Make sure you fill the hole to the tippy top, plus some!

Healthy Banana Ricotta Muffins | Recipe (12)
Healthy Banana Ricotta Muffins | Recipe (13)

These healthy banana ricotta muffins are wonderful right out of the oven, or a couple of days after. I’ve also had great success freezing them for later use. I wouldn’t save for more than 2 months in the freezer.

Healthy Banana Ricotta Muffins | Recipe (14)

I do hope you will give them a try, and let me know how you like them.

Healthy Banana Ricotta Muffins | Recipe (15)

And if they put any smiles on some cute little dirty faces!

Here is your printable recipe!

Created by TIDBITS & COMPANY

Servings 12 or 24 mini’s

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe

These healthy banana ricotta muffins are moist, yummy and great for kids or adults. Make it a healthy breakfast, snack or lunch. They are made with 100% whole wheat and mixed with ricotta cheese, to make a chewy muffin that is even good the next day. No oil or sugar to be found in this recipe – but trust me – you won't even miss them!

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons honey
  • 1/4 cup agave nectar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 large bananas mashed
  • 2 cups white whole wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup low fat ricotta cheese
  • 1/2-1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

  • In a large mixing bowl, mash your banana’s.

  • Add the honey, agave nectar, egg, and vanilla. Mix until blended.

  • Then add to the mixing bowl the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix again until blended.

  • Fold in the ricotta cheese until blended.

  • Fold in the chocolate chips until mixed throughout.

  • Grease a cupcake tin with nonstick spray.

  • Spoon batter into each tin until full to the top.

  • For mini muffins, bake 10-12 minutes, until cooked all the way through. For regular size muffin tins, bake about 15-18 minutes until baked through. Do not over cook or they will be dry.

  • Remove and cool on a wire rack.

  • Can be stored in a airtight container for a few days, or in the freezer up to 2 months.

Notes

Recipe found on tidbits-cami.com

Healthy Banana Ricotta Muffins | Recipe (17)

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Healthy Banana Ricotta Muffins | Recipe (18)
Healthy Banana Ricotta Muffins | Recipe (19)

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Healthy Banana Ricotta Muffins | Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why are banana muffins good for you? ›

Since bananas are packed with fiber and antioxidants and the other ingredients in the recipe are more nutritious, these healthy banana muffins are good for you.

How to add real bananas to muffin mix? ›

If you are going to add bananas, we recommend adding no more than 2 mashed bananas and omitting the water, since the banana will add moisture. To prepare: Whisk eggs, then add in oil and mashed banana. Mix well.

Can you use not too ripe banana on muffin? ›

Yes, unripe bananas can be used in baking as long as they are not too soft or too firm. You can either use them in your pancakes or waffles, or you can bake them into muffins and cookies. but they will not taste as sweet as ripe bananas. The riper the banana, the more sugar it contains.

Can you eat a muffin everyday and lose weight? ›

Muffins aren't inherently bad, but if you consume them daily in place of a balanced breakfast, they won't help you reach your weight loss goal.

Are muffins better for you than bread? ›

English muffins tend to be a little healthier than bread since English muffins have less carbohydrates, fats, and sugar than bread. While bread does contain slightly more fat when compared to English muffins, both options have 1 gram or less of total fat.

What happens if you add an extra egg to muffin mix? ›

If there isn't enough egg, your batter or dough may not be able to hold its structure or could end up overly dry or dense. On the other hand, if there is too much egg, your baked goods could lose their shape due to excess liquid, or have a rubbery (or even overly cakey) texture depending on the recipe.

Why are my banana muffins rubbery? ›

If you over mix muffin batter then you will likely end up with dense rubbery muffins. When baking muffins you want to mix the dry ingredients and the wet ingredients and stir only until they are just combined. This step should literally take a few seconds.

Why are my banana muffins wet inside? ›

Using too many bananas

It may be difficult, but you must fight the urge to use more bananas than your recipe requires. Using too many bananas can make your bread heavy and damp in the center, causing it to appear undercooked and unappealing.

Why are my banana muffins bitter? ›

Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) is the raising agent and this can sometimes taste bitter or soapy if the wrong quantity is used. Make sure that you measure the bicarbonate of soda with a proper 1 teaspoon/5ml measuring spoon and the spoon measurement should be level.

Are overripe bananas bad for you? ›

According to a spokesperson for the FDA, "Generally, as long as it is not visibly moldy, it is safe." Rogers concurs, saying he hasn't seen any studies linking foodborne illness to eating extremely ripe bananas.

Can dogs eat bananas? ›

Yes, dogs can eat bananas. In moderation, bananas are a great low-calorie treat for dogs. They're high in potassium, vitamins, biotin, fiber, and copper. They are low in cholesterol and sodium, but because of their high sugar content, bananas should be given as a treat, not part of your dog's main diet.

What do muffins do for your body? ›

Support gut health

Thanks to their fiber content, whole wheat English muffins may help your digestive health. In fact, some research shows that consuming enough fiber could be beneficial for people who are dealing with chronic constipation. This may also help prevent hemorrhoids (8).

Are there any health benefits to banana bread? ›

Even though some banana breads are high in sugar, fat, and overall calories, most banana breads serve as a good source of key vitamins and minerals. For example, bananas are rich in potassium and vitamin B6. Banana bread made with these fruits contains a good amount of these nutrients.

What nutrients are in banana muffins? ›

Muffins, banana (1 medium - approx 2 3/4" to 3" diameter) contains 53.5g total carbs, 51.4g net carbs, 12.4g fat, 6.6g protein, and 348 calories.

Are muffins considered healthy? ›

Most store-bought muffins are like glorified cupcakes—they're full of sugar and simple carbs. "They can be packed with added sugar and low in fiber, sending your blood sugar levels on a roller coaster before you even get to work," says Charlotte Martin, MS, RDN, CSOWM, CPT.

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