These apple banana muffins are made with nourishing whole wheat flour and rolled oats. The natural sweetness from the fruit keeps the kids and mom happy!
I’ll be honest, getting my. kids in the kitchen is stressful. While my three year old loves to “help” mommy make meals and snacks, I would much rather do it quickly myself and serve the final product. Maybe it’s the lack of “clean” a toddler brings to the table, or maybe it’s… nope it’s definitely the food safety and clean factor.
Cue.. “we don’t throw eggs on the floor inside!” and “Don’t let your brother walk through it!” Which were both yelled out during our last mommy and me cooking experiment.
That being said, these muffins were a great way to get her involved without me pulling too many of my hairs out.
How to involve your kids to make apple banana muffins
Their jobs will depend on how old they are, but for a three year old, I found the least amount of stress and craziness with having her help with these things:
- Pour the dry ingredients from measuring cups and spoons into bowl.
- Mixing dry ingredients.
- Mixing the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
- Adding the cinnamon streusel on top.
She was happy with these jobs, and I was happy with a floor free from broken eggs.
If you’re wondering how to make it easier for your kids to help you in the kitchen, Lindsay at the Lean Green Bean has an awesome round up of some kid-friendly gadgets that will make letting your kids help cook and bake a ton easier!
How to make apple banana muffins
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F
- Combine flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a large mixing bowl.
- In a small bowl combine the wet ingredients: mashed banana, shredded apple, egg, milk, honey, and oil.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Fill each muffin cup with the muffin mixture, about 1/4 cup each.
- If using the cinnamon streusel topping (I HIGHLY recommend btw) add a teaspoon full to the top of each muffin.
- Bake at 375 for 15-17 minutes of until a toothpick or knife comes out clean. Let sit in pan for 3-5 minutes then remove to cool on a cooling rack.
How to make the Cinnamon streusel topping
- Combine the brown sugar, flour, oats, and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Slice the tablespoon of butter into pieces and place into the bowl.
- “Cut in” the butter using a pastry blender or two knives. Use your fingers at the end to rub in any chunks so that the end result resembles coarse pebbly sand.
Banana Apple muffins and added sugar
I am not demonizing sugar in any way, but most of us get a lot of it in our diets in intentional and unintentional ways. That being said, I am happy to say that these muffins have very little added sugar, even with the cinnamon streusel topping.
If you are debating whether or not to use the cinnamon streusel topping, I have to add my two cents and say- “do it!” It really adds something special. The actual muffins are low in added sugar, with only 1/3 cup of honey as a sweetener, since the apple and banana add a fabulous natural sweetness to the muffins.
The simplicity of the streusel topping (only 1/4 cup brown sugar for the whole recipe) doesn’t add too much extra sugar but creates a really fun flavor and texture that kids (of all ages) love!
Easy make ahead tips for apple banana muffins
Due to the freshness of the ingredients, prepping things ahead is not an option, but this recipes is easily doubled or tripled.
I recommend making a double batch and storing the extras that you won’t be eating that week in the freezer.
To freeze– Place cooled muffins in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
To reheat- Wrap the frozen muffin loosley in a paper towel. Microwave for 30 seconds. Turn over and microwave for another 20 seconds until warmed through.
Did you make this recipe? Be sure to rate it below and tell me what you think!
Apple Banana Muffins with Cinnamon Struesel
Equipment
- Muffin Tin
Ingredients
For Muffins
- 1 1/2 cup white whole wheat flour
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed approx 1 cup mashed
- 1 medium apple, shredded approx 3/4 cup shredded.
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup milk + 2 tbsp
- 1/3 cup honey
- 3 tbsp oil avocado or light olive oil recommended
For Cinnamon Streusel
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tbsp white whole wheat flour
- 1 tbsp old fashioned oats
- 1 tbsp cold butter
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
For Muffins
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a muffin tin with cooking spray.
- Combine all dry ingredients (flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt) in a large mixing bowl.
- In a small bowl stir the wet ingredients (banana, apple, egg, milk, honey, and oil) together until the egg is well incorporated.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir gently until just combined. Avoid over- stirring as this can make the muffins tough.
- With a large spoon, fill each muffin cup to the top (about 1/4 cup).
- Add the streusel if using (see instructions below) with a small spoon, sprinkle approx 1/2 tsp of streusel on top of each muffin.
- Bake for 14-16 minutes or until a toothpick or knife comes out clean. Let sit in muffin tin for 2-3 minutes then remove and let cool on cooling rack.
For Cinnamon Streusel
- Combine the brown sugar, flour, oats, and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Add the pat of cold butter and cut into the mixture.
- To cut in the butter: Use a pastry cutter or use two knives to cut the butter into small pieces. The end result will be a course, pebbly sand mixture. Use your fingers to gently blend the last little bit if some larger clumps of butter still remain.
Notes
Not ready to make it just yet? Add this recipe to your favorite Pinterest board to save for later!
This post may contain affiliate links. This means that if you click on the link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. All opinions, thoughts, and recommendations are my own.
Amazing!
I knew you would love them!
these were so good and my husband even liked them which says a lot bc he pretty much makes only likes sweets like chocolate chip cookies and brownies
I’m so happy you and your family loved them! Thank you for the comment, I love hearing how my recipes turn out for others and their families!
In the article you say 375 and in the recipe you say 350. Can you please clarify?
Thank you for pointing that out! I fixed the error. The correct temperature is 350.
Can I use maple syrup instead of honey?
Absolutely- maple syrup and honey can be subbed in equal amounts.