Tropical Banana Muffins

🕒 Prep: 10 min
🔥 Cook: 25 min
🍽 Serves: 12
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Imagine the warm, sunny flavors of the tropics packed into a delightful little muffin. These Tropical Banana Muffins are a sweet escape, combining bananas, pineapple, and coconut into a bite-sized treat. Perfect for breakfast or a midday pick-me-up!

Ingredients for Tropical Banana Muffins

Bananas are the base of this recipe, providing natural sweetness and moisture. Make sure they're ripe for the best flavor.

Crushed pineapple adds a juicy burst and a touch of tartness. Remember to drain it well to avoid a soggy batter.

Unsweetened shredded coconut gives a subtle, nutty flavor and texture, making the muffins irresistibly tropical.

Granulated sugar and light brown sugar balance the sweetness, while the brown sugar adds a hint of caramel.

Melted coconut oil keeps the muffins moist and enhances the coconut flavor.

Eggs help bind the ingredients together and give structure to the muffins.

Vanilla extract rounds out the flavors with its warm, sweet aroma.

All-purpose flour provides the necessary structure to keep the muffins together.

Baking soda acts as a leavening agent, helping the muffins rise.

Salt enhances the overall flavor, balancing out the sweetness.

Ground cinnamon adds a hint of spice that pairs beautifully with the tropical flavors.

Macadamia nuts (optional) lend a delightful crunch and richness, perfect for texture lovers.

Tips & Tricks

  • For an extra depth of flavor, toast the shredded coconut before adding it to the batter.
  • If you like a bit more texture, use a fork to mash the bananas, leaving some small chunks.
  • Use a cookie scoop to evenly distribute the batter into the muffin cups, minimizing mess.

Serving Suggestions

These muffins are delightful on their own, but try serving them with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a drizzle of honey for a hearty breakfast. They also pair wonderfully with a tropical fruit salad or a refreshing mango smoothie.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen bananas?
Yes, just make sure to thaw and drain any excess liquid before using them in the recipe.
How should I store these muffins?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, freeze them for up to a month.
Can I substitute the coconut oil?
Sure, melted butter or a neutral vegetable oil can work as substitutes, but you'll lose a bit of that coconut flavor.

Tropical Banana Muffins Recipe Walkthrough

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners so nothing sticks and cleanup is a breeze.

In a large bowl, grab your ripe bananas and mash them until they're smooth. You want no big chunks here. Stir in the crushed pineapple and shredded coconut until everything is well mixed. This will be your tropical base.

Next, add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and melted coconut oil to the mix. Stir until everything is nicely combined. The sugars will dissolve a bit, making the mixture glossy.

Crack in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. This helps to emulsify and incorporate everything smoothly. Add the vanilla extract for that lovely aroma.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. This step ensures the dry ingredients are evenly distributed and will be mixed easily into the wet ingredients.

Now, gently fold the dry ingredients into the banana mixture. Be careful not to overmix; you want everything just combined. If you're using macadamia nuts, fold them in at this stage.

Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared muffin cups. Aim for about three-quarters full to allow room for rising.

Bake in your preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. They're done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let them cool in the tin for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • A flavorful blend of tropical ingredients that feels like a mini-vacation.
  • Quick and easy to whip up, even on a busy morning.
  • Moist and tender texture that stays fresh for several days.
  • Customizable with your favorite nuts or add-ins.

Ingredients

2 ripe bananas
1/2 cup crushed pineapple (drained)
1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup melted coconut oil
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped macadamia nuts (optional)

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners.
2. In a large bowl, mash the bananas until smooth. Stir in the crushed pineapple and shredded coconut.
3. Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and melted coconut oil, mixing until well combined.
4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
6. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the banana mixture until just combined. If using, fold in the macadamia nuts.
7. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
9. Allow muffins to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

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