Cranberry Banana Oat Muffins are healthy and so delicious. If you are reaching for a little treat with zero guilt, this muffin recipe is for you. Bonus, they are the perfect make-ahead dessert.
These Cranberry Banana Oat Muffins come out so fluffy. Creamy banana, wholesome oats and tart cranberries make for the ultimate trifecta.
Eat one for breakfast with a frothy latte or slather one with butter for a sweet treat in the middle of the day. Whatever way you enjoy them, you can be rest assured that they are guilt-free.
How to Make Cranberry Banana Oat Muffins
Mix and mash your way to the most dreamy muffins on the planet. Follow the simple steps below to nail this recipe each and every time.
- Mash bananas. Whisk egg with buttermilk and vanilla extract. Incorporate mashed bananas into the mixture.
- Combine dry ingredients. In small portions, mix your dry ingredients into your wet ingredients.
- Stir in dry cranberries.
- Pop liners into a muffin tin. Fill each hole with batter.
- Make the crumble topping by mixing oats with brown sugar. Sprinkle on top of each muffin.
- Bake at 350°F for 20-30 minutes. With a toothpick inserted, check the doneness of each muffin. If it comes out clean, the muffins are ready!
- Let cool to room temperature.
Hot Tip: If you prefer, swap the brown sugar crumble for coarse white sugar. It will add a nice crunch.
FAQ
What ingredient makes muffins fluffy?
Allow your buttermilk and eggs to reach room temperature before you incorporate them into the batter for the fluffiest muffins possible. This will create a smooth batter that traps heat and causes the muffins to expand and pop up.
Can you use fresh cranberries instead of dry for muffins?
Opt for dried cranberries over fresh for muffins. When fresh cranberries bake in the oven, they can turn to mush and make your muffins turn soggy. With dried cranberries, you are sure to get a sweet and tart burst of flavor without any potential for mush.
Can you bake with frozen cranberries?
You can definitely bake with frozen cranberries. However, allow them to defrost completely on the counter before using them. Strain out any excess liquid to prevent diluting your batter.
What berries are great for muffins?
Blueberries, raspberries, cranberries, and blackberries all work great for muffins. As long as the berry is seasonal and fresh, you should feel free to add it to your muffin rotation.
Storing Cranberry Muffins
- Room Temperature – Store cranberry muffins in an airtight container on the counter for a couple of days. If you’re planning on eating them quickly, there’s no need to take up space in your fridge.
- Refrigerator – If you plan on eating your muffins a bit more slowly, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They should stay fresh for up to a week.
- Freezing – If you prepped a couple of batches and want to have muffins on hand for quick breakfasts or the occasional sweet tooth, allow muffins to cool completely and place them on a baking sheet. Pop the entire baking sheet in the freezer and allow muffins to freeze in a single layer. Transfer to a freezer safe plastic bag.
Reheating Muffins: Reheat your muffins by zapping them in the microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute. Or, pop a handful in the oven at 350°F and heat through (about 5 minutes).
Other Tasty Treats
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins – Slightly sweet pumpkin muffins
- Whole Wheat Banana Bread – Spread with some peanut butter for a quick breakfast on the go.
- Fruit & Prune Lumberjack Cake – A slice of this cake will keep you full for hours.
- Healthy Chocolate Coconut Bars – Say goodbye to processed treats and pop these into your kids’ lunches.
More Ways to Use Bananas
Have a gaggle of bananas going brown on your counter? Don’t throw them away! Here are a couple of recipes that call for ripe bananas:
- Banana Walnut Apple Bread – Nutty, sweet and oh so satisfying.
- Banana Bread Recipe – Classic banana bread never gets old.
- Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins – Banana muffins loaded with semi sweet chocolate chips.
- Banana Almond Whoopie Pies – Classic East Coast style whoopie pies with a tropical twist.
Recipe
Ingredients
Muffins
- 3 ripe bananas
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
- 2 cup instant oats
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cup dry cranberries
Muffin Topping
- 1/2 cup oats
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
Instructions
Muffins
- Gather all your ingredients. Mash the ripe bananas. Whisk eggs with buttermilk and vanilla extract. Fold mashed bananas into the mixture.
- Combine the dry ingredients (flour, oats, sugar, baking powder and baking soda) together. In small parts, mix the dry ingredients into the wet batter.
- Stir in dry cranberries.
- Line muffin pan with paper liners and fill each one about 3/4 of the way to the top.
Muffin Topping
- In a separate bowl, combine oats with brown sugar. Sprinkle equal parts of the mixture on top of each muffin.
- Bake muffins at 350°F for about 20-30 minutes. Insert a skewer into the center of a muffin to test for doneness. If it comes out clean, the muffins are ready.
- Let muffins cool to a room temperature.
Hi Natalya, Could I use less unbleached all purpose flour instead of whole wheat and increase the oats?
PS I’ve made many of your recipes and they’ve all turned out fantastic :))
Hi Marie, I have not tested using other flour. I am not sure what about proportions and how they would try out. If you do try them, please let me know. Thank you
Could I use frozen cranberries instead of dried? If so, should I alter the recipe at all?
Thank you in advance for your thoughts!
Hi Janet- You can definitely bake with frozen cranberries. However, allow them to defrost completely on the counter before using them. Strain out any excess liquid to prevent diluting your batter. Hope this helps!
What can you use in place of buttermilk? Can I use regular milk?
Hey Kelly, if you google for buttermilk substitutes, there are so many options.
These are the perfect way to wake up in the morning! So delicious!
Exactly!! Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe.
These look so delicious and tasty! My daughter and husband are going to love this recipe! I'm so excited to give this a try!
Enjoy the recipe, Beth!
These sound absolutely delicious! Can't wait to try it with the family.
I hope you and your family love the muffins, Katie!