BANANA, PECAN & CHOCOLATE CHIP MUFFINS
30 MIN PREP TIME
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20 MIN BAKE TIME
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50 MIN TOTAL
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30 MIN PREP TIME 〰️ 20 MIN BAKE TIME 〰️ 50 MIN TOTAL 〰️
There’s something irresistibly cosy about a warm muffin fresh from the oven, especially when it’s packed with ripe bananas, crunchy pecans, and gooey chocolate chips. These Banana, Pecan & Chocolate Chip Muffins are soft, tender, and full of flavour, perfect for morning snacks or an afternoon treat.
For extra indulgence, serve them with a caramel drizzle and you can check out my Homemade Caramel Sauce recipe that pairs perfectly with these muffins.
This recipe is part of my One Bowl Fall Favourites series, a cosy baking series that celebrates simple, seasonal recipes mixed in just one bowl. No mixers, no fuss, just easy autumn comfort. Keep an eye out for next weeks recipe: Brown Butter Brownies, a soft, chewy cookie with gooey pecan filling, a bite-sized spin on the holiday classic.
Why you will love this recipe:
Banana sweetness and natural moisture | The riper the bananas the better as these keep the muffins tender and full of sweet flavourful.
Chocolate and pecans | Gooey chocolate chips with crunchy pecans make every bite texturally satisfying.
Soft, tall, bakery-style rise | These muffins bake up tall, fluffy, and perfectly domed thanks to a few simple tricks - see below
Easy to make | One bowl bake so all the ingredients come together in one. It’s a minimal fuss, maximum taste kinda bake.
Ingredients:
This is a simple recipe so uses lots of ingredients that you are likely to already have in your cupboards at home, but there may be a couple of specific seasonal extras you need.
Plain flour | Provides structure and body, creating a tender crumb while supporting the weight of bananas, nuts, and chocolate chips.
Baking powder + ½ tsp baking soda | Together they give lift and help the muffins rise tall and fluffy. The baking soda also reacts with the natural acidity of the bananas for extra lightness.
Salt | Enhances and balances the sweetness while deepening the flavours of chocolate and nuts.
Cinnamon (optional) | Adds warmth and subtle spice that complements bananas and pecans beautifully.
2 ripe bananas | Overripe brown bananas are perfect: extra sweet, very soft, and full of moisture, which keeps the muffins tender while naturally sweetening the batter. They also create that classic banana flavour everyone loves.
Tip: For the best results, use bananas that are heavily spotted or fully brown the riper the banana, the sweeter and moister the muffins. This also helps the muffins rise nicely without extra sugar.
Olive Oil | Adds richness and keeps the muffins moist without weighing them down.
Light brown sugar | Adds a caramel-like sweetness and extra moisture. Works perfectly with the bananas and chocolate chips.
2 large eggs | Bind the batter together, provide structure, and contribute to a tender crumb.
Vanilla extract | Enhances the banana flavour and rounds out the sweetness in the muffins.
Pecans, chopped | Add crunch and a nutty depth that contrasts beautifully with the soft, moist muffin. Tip: Toasting the pecans before adding intensifies their flavour.
Chocolate chips | Create pockets of gooey chocolate in every bite, adding richness and sweetness.
How to Get the Best Muffin Rise
Getting tall, domed muffins is easier than you think, it mostly comes down to a few simple tricks.
1. Use overripe bananas | Brown, spotty bananas are sweeter, softer, and more acidic, which reacts with baking soda to give extra lift. They also add natural moisture that keeps muffins tender.
2. Don’t over mix the batter | Over mixing develops gluten in the flour, which can make muffins dense and flat. Gently fold wet and dry ingredients until just combined — it’s okay if a few lumps remain.
3. Room-temperature wet ingredients | Eggs that are at room temperature mix more evenly, helping the muffins rise evenly and preventing pockets of heavy batter that can weigh down the dome.
4. Proper raising agents | Baking powder and baking soda work together: baking powder gives general lift, while baking soda reacts with the bananas’ acidity for a boost. Measure carefully to avoid too much rise and collapse.
5. Fill the muffin tin correctly | Fill each liner to the very top. This ensures a full, domed muffin. Overfilling slightly may cause a spill, but it produces bakery-style muffins with a high peak.
6. Let the batter rest | Allow the batter to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes to 2 hours before baking. This gives the flour time to hydrate and the leavening agents a chance to start reacting, resulting in taller, lighter muffins.
7. Hot oven | Preheat the oven fully to 220°C (425°F). A hot oven creates steam quickly, which puffs up the muffins before the structure sets, producing that classic bakery dome. Bake at this temp for 5 minutes then reduce quickly to 180°C (350°F) for the rest of the baking time
Expert baking tips!
Toast the pecans | Toasting them before mixing into the batter gives off an extra aroma and crunch.
Bakery finish | Sprinkle extra chocolate chips or brown sugar on top for a bakery finish.
Make Ahead | Freeze individually for up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature or warm slightly in the oven.
Recipe Card:
Banana, Pecan & Chocolate Chip Muffins
There’s something irresistibly cosy about a warm muffin fresh from the oven, especially when it’s packed with ripe bananas, crunchy pecans, and gooey chocolate chips. These Banana, Pecan & Chocolate Chip Muffins are soft, tender, and full of flavour, perfect for morning snacks or an afternoon treat.
This is a small batch recipe for 6 large muffins so if you need more please double or triple the recipe accordingly.
Ingredients
Instructions
Nutrition Facts
Calories
642Fat
43 gCarbs
63 gSugar
54 gProtein
4 gDisclaimer: The information is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or diagnosis. The nutritional information may vary based on the ingredients used, their freshness, and how they are prepared.
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I would love it if you tagged me @mykitchendrawer on Instagram if you make this recipe. It’s the biggest honour to see my recipes come to life in your kitchen and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to drop me a message or let’s chat in the comments. Happy baking!