Banana-Oatmeal Muffins

Nutrition Notes

Are Bananas Good for You?

They’re known for their potassium content, but this isn’t the only thing bananas are good for. Bananas are a good source of energy from carbohydrates, especially when combined with protein or a healthy fat like peanut butter. Bananas are also a good source of fiber and contain a special type of fiber called resistant starch. This special starch provides food for your beneficial gut bacteria—and a healthy gut can improve overall health.

Are There Health Benefits of Using Whole-Wheat Flour?

Whole-wheat flour is made with the whole seed of the wheat kernel. This means that most of the wheat’s natural nutrition is preserved—as opposed to refined white flour that has had the nutritious outer layers removed. Whole-wheat flour offers fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Including whole grains in your diet is linked with a healthier gut and reduced disease risk.

Are Oats Healthy?

Like other whole grains, oats can help calm chronic inflammation, which is known to negatively influence chronic disease. Oats provide energy from carbohydrates, as well as plant-based protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Regularly eating oats is associated with lower cholesterol levels and a healthier heart.

Tips from the Test Kitchen

What Type of Oats Work Best for Muffins?

When baking with a recipe that calls for a specific type of oats, it’s important not to substitute it with another kind. Various oats absorb liquid differently, which affects cooking time. Our recipe calls for old-fashioned oats (aka rolled oats), which cook faster and absorb liquid better. If you were to substitute the old-fashioned oats in this recipe with, say, steel-cut, you could end up with grainy, chewy muffins—and we wouldn’t want that.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can I Ripen Bananas Quickly?

We have methods to help you quickly ripen bananas to the perfect soft, mushy state you need for this recipe. Bake unpeeled bananas on parchment paper in a 300°F oven for 15 to 30 minutes (depending on how ripe your bananas are). Take them out of the oven when they look soft enough and let them cool before using. Or, ripen bananas in the microwave: Rinse unpeeled bananas with water, pierce them with a fork, place them on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high for 30-second intervals until they’re nice and soft.

Additional reporting by Carrie Myers, M.S. and Linda Frahm