Banana Nutella Muffins: 5 Reasons to Love This Treat

Banana Nutella Muffins transform those spotty overripe bananas into a breakfast treat that feels wonderfully indulgent. Each bite delivers fluffy, lightly spiced banana batter with rich chocolate hazelnut swirls running through the middle and crowning the top. The combination creates muffins so moist and sweet you might forget you’re eating breakfast instead of dessert.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• The magical pairing of ripe banana and chocolate hazelnut spread creates flavor harmony in every bite
• These muffins stay incredibly moist and fluffy for days after baking
• The entire recipe comes together in under 30 minutes for a quick morning treat

I first created these muffins after noticing how much my family loves eating fresh bananas dipped in Nutella. The first batch disappeared within hours, with my youngest asking when we could make “those cupcakes for breakfast” again. That’s when I knew this recipe would become a regular weekend tradition in our home.

Essential Ingredients

• Overripe bananas: Choose fruits with mostly brown speckled peels for natural sweetness and easy mashing that creates the perfect moist texture
• Unsalted butter: Provides richness and depth that vegetable oil simply cannot match, giving these muffins their cake-like quality
• Sour cream: Adds tanginess while ensuring the crumb stays tender and moist even days after baking
• Cinnamon: Brings subtle warmth that enhances the banana flavor without overwhelming the delicate chocolate hazelnut notes
• Chocolate hazelnut spread: Select a smooth, quality brand for the best swirling results and most intense chocolate flavor contrast

I personally love using bananas that look almost too far gone because their intense sweetness means I can reduce added sugar while still creating an indulgent-tasting treat.

Baking Instructions

Banana Preparation Peel your overripe bananas and place them in a medium mixing bowl. Mash thoroughly using a fork or potato masher until mostly smooth with just a few small lumps remaining. The riper your bananas, the easier they’ll mash and the more natural sweetness they’ll bring to your muffins.

Wet Mixture Creation Melt butter in a large bowl and allow it to cool slightly before adding sugar. Stir until well combined and slightly fluffy. Incorporate your room temperature egg, stirring until completely integrated. Add vanilla extract and sour cream, blending until smooth. Fold in your mashed bananas until the mixture appears uniform with small banana pieces still visible for texture.

Dry Ingredient Combination Whisk all purpose flour in a separate bowl to remove any lumps. Add baking soda, salt, and cinnamon, whisking thoroughly to ensure even distribution. Proper mixing ensures your leavening agent works uniformly throughout each muffin, creating the perfect rise during baking.

Gentle Incorporation Add dry ingredients to wet mixture carefully, folding with a rubber spatula just until combined. Stop mixing when you no longer see dry flour streaks but before the batter becomes completely smooth. Overmixing develops gluten and creates dense, tough muffins rather than tender, fluffy ones.

Swirl Creation Line your muffin tin with paper liners or coat thoroughly with baking spray. Spoon batter into each cup until half full. Add a generous teaspoon of chocolate hazelnut spread to each cup. Use a toothpick or thin knife to create gentle swirls, being careful not to overmix. Add remaining batter on top, followed by another teaspoon of spread. Create final swirls on top for beautiful presentation and flavor distribution.

Temperature Control Baking Preheat your oven to 400°F and place muffin tin on center rack. Bake for exactly 5 minutes at this higher temperature to create initial lift. Without opening the oven door, reduce temperature to 350°F and continue baking for 15-20 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

You Must Know

• The initial high baking temperature creates that beautiful domed top that makes these muffins look bakery-worthy
• Swirling too much will incorporate the chocolate hazelnut spread completely instead of creating distinct marbling
• These muffins actually taste better the day after baking when flavors have had time to meld

My daughter particularly loves the center of these muffins where the chocolate hazelnut spread creates pockets of intense flavor. She always saves that part for last, working her way around the edges first. Watching her savor each bite reminds me why simple baking projects create such lasting family memories.

The beauty of these muffins lies in their versatility. Morning breakfast on busy weekdays becomes special when these await hungry family members. Weekend brunches feel elevated when these muffins appear alongside fresh fruit and coffee. Afternoon snack cravings meet their match in these perfectly sized treats that satisfy without overwhelming.

Many banana muffin recipes turn out dense or become dry by the second day. The magic combination of butter and sour cream in these muffins ensures they maintain their tender texture throughout their shelf life. The natural moisture from properly ripened bananas further guarantees muffins that remain pleasant to eat without requiring reheating or additional spreads.

The aroma that fills your kitchen while these bake creates anticipation that few other recipes can match. Notes of warm cinnamon, sweet banana, and rich chocolate combine to create an irresistible scent that brings family members wandering into the kitchen wondering what delicious treat awaits them. This sensory experience becomes part of the enjoyment of making these special muffins.

Creating swirls with chocolate hazelnut spread adds visual appeal that elevates these humble muffins to something special. Each one looks slightly different, with unique patterns throughout that make cutting into them a delightful surprise. Children especially love discovering how their particular muffin has been decorated with swirls of chocolatey goodness.

Breakfast Companions

Serve these delightful muffins with complementary breakfast items for a complete morning experience. Fresh fruit like strawberries or sliced bananas create color contrast and nutritional balance. Greek yogurt offers protein and tangy contrast to the sweet muffins. Hot coffee or milk completes the breakfast, cutting through the richness with warmth or creaminess.

Sweet Adaptations

Transform this basic recipe to suit various preferences and dietary needs. Substitute gluten free flour blend for traditional flour for those with gluten sensitivities. Add mini chocolate chips throughout the batter for extra chocolate intensity in every bite. Incorporate chopped toasted hazelnuts into the batter to enhance the nutty undertones of the chocolate hazelnut spread and add pleasant texture contrast.

Freshness Preservation

Keep these muffins tasting wonderful day after day with proper storage techniques. Place completely cooled muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for enjoyment within 3-5 days. Freeze individual muffins wrapped in plastic then placed in freezer bags for up to three months of freshness. Thaw frozen muffins by leaving them on the counter for about 30 minutes or giving them a quick 10-15 second zap in the microwave.

Professional Pointers

• Measure flour by gently spooning it into measuring cups then leveling with a knife to prevent dense, dry muffins from overpacking
• Allow cold ingredients like eggs and sour cream to reach room temperature before mixing for more uniform incorporation
• Cool muffins in the tin for only 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to prevent soggy bottoms from condensation

These swirled banana Nutella muffins have become my signature breakfast treat when hosting weekend guests. Something about the combination of familiar banana bread flavor elevated with swirls of chocolate hazelnut spread makes people feel simultaneously comforted and spoiled. Creating food that brings both nostalgia and excitement to the table represents everything I love about baking for others.

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2-Cinnamon Streusel Muffins