Turn your overripe bananas into a mini tropical getaway with these decadent yet simple Banana Macadamia Muffins. They capture the perfect balance of sweet banana, rich, buttery macadamia nuts, and a subtle hint of coconut in a moist, tender crumb that stays fresh for days.
Easy enough for a weekday breakfast but special enough for a weekend brunch, these muffins are a delicious way to add a little sunshine to your morning routine. One bite will transport you straight to the islands.
The Science of Ultimate Moistness & Flavor Fusion
The exceptional moistness of these muffins comes from two key sources: overripe bananas and oil. As bananas ripen, their starches convert to sugars, making them sweeter and easier to mash into a puree that distributes moisture evenly throughout the batter. The natural sugars and pectin in the bananas also help retain water during baking.
Using oil instead of butter coats the flour proteins more thoroughly, inhibiting gluten formation and resulting in a supremely tender crumb that doesn’t dry out. The macadamia nuts contribute more than crunch; their high fat content (one of the highest of any nut) adds a luxurious, buttery richness that complements the banana perfectly.
Toasting the nuts beforehand intensifies their flavor through the Maillard reaction, ensuring they stand out even when baked inside the muffin.
Ingredients
For the Muffins (Makes 12):
- 1 ¾ cups (219g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- 3 large overripe bananas (about 1 ½ cups mashed)
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (110g) packed light brown sugar
- ⅓ cup (80ml) vegetable or coconut oil, melted
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon coconut extract (optional, for enhanced tropical flavor)
- ¾ cup (100g) raw macadamia nuts, roughly chopped, divided*
- ½ cup (40g) sweetened shredded coconut, plus extra for topping
*Reserve 2-3 tablespoons of chopped nuts for sprinkling on top.
Instructions
1. Prep: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease well. Roughly chop the macadamia nuts.
2. Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon (if using). Set aside.
3. Mash Bananas & Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, mash the bananas with a fork until mostly smooth with some small lumps. Whisk in both sugars, oil, eggs, vanilla, and coconut extract (if using) until well combined.
4. Combine Dry & Wet: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Gently fold with a spatula until just combined and no dry flour remains—do not overmix. The batter will be thick.
5. Fold in Mix-Ins: Gently fold in ½ cup of the shredded coconut and all but the reserved 2-3 tablespoons of chopped macadamia nuts.
6. Portion & Top: Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each nearly to the top. Sprinkle the tops with the reserved chopped nuts and a little extra shredded coconut.
7. Bake: Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
8. Cool & Serve: Let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Pro-Tips for Muffin Mastery
- Use Very Ripe Bananas: The blacker the peel, the sweeter and more flavorful your muffins will be.
- Room Temperature Eggs: They incorporate more easily into the batter, creating a smoother, more uniform mixture.
- The No-Overmix Rule: Overmixing muffin batter develops gluten, leading to tough, dense muffins with tunnels. Fold gently just until combined.
- Toasting the Nuts (Optional but Recommended): For deeper flavor, toast the chopped macadamia nuts on a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden. Let cool before adding.
- Fill Muffin Cups Generously: For that perfect bakery-style domed top, fill the liners almost to the brim.
- Storage: Store cooled muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Customization: Add ½ cup of white or dark chocolate chips along with the nuts, or replace the coconut with ½ cup of chopped dried pineapple for a true tropical punch.
These Tropical Banana Macadamia Muffins are your ticket to a delicious, everyday escape.
