Nutella Banana Muffins With Gooey Chocolate Centers
Nutella banana muffins are the easiest way to turn ripe bananas into soft, sweet muffins with a warm chocolate hazelnut center.
This recipe makes 12 muffins, which serves 4 people generously with 3 muffins each. The batter comes together in one bowl after you sift the dry ingredients, and the Nutella hides inside each muffin like a little bakery surprise.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Soft banana crumb: Mashed ripe bananas keep the muffins tender and moist.
- Gooey center: A small spoon of Nutella melts inside each muffin as it bakes.
- Simple pantry ingredients: You only need flour, sugar, oil, baking powder, egg, bananas, and Nutella.
- Great for sharing: The recipe makes 12 muffins, so it works well for dessert, lunch boxes, or coffee time.
Fabian’s Budget Tip: Use very ripe bananas with brown spots. They taste sweeter, mash faster, and often cost less at the store. If Nutella feels pricey, use any chocolate hazelnut spread you already like.
Ingredients (Serves 4)
For 12 muffins:
- 2 medium ripe bananas, mashed with a fork, about 1 cup (240 g peeled)
- 1 half cup granulated sugar (100 g)
- 1 and 1 quarter cups all purpose flour (150 g)
- 2 and 1 half teaspoons baking powder (12 g)
- 1 packet vanilla sugar, or 2 teaspoons vanilla sugar (10 g)
- 1 large egg (1 large egg)
- 1 third cup neutral oil, such as sunflower or canola oil (80 ml)
- 12 small teaspoons Nutella, about 1 teaspoon per muffin (120 g)
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar for topping (15 g)
- 1 small banana, sliced, for topping if desired (100 g)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Oven and Pan
Heat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a 12 cup muffin pan with paper liners. This helps the soft muffins lift out cleanly after baking.
2. Mash the Bananas
Peel the ripe bananas and mash them in a mixing bowl with a fork. Stop when they look creamy with a few tiny banana pieces left. The mixture should smell sweet and fruity.
3. Sift the Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, sift the flour and baking powder together. Add the granulated sugar and vanilla sugar. Stir until the dry mixture looks even and light.
4. Mix the Batter
Add the egg, oil, and mashed banana to the dry ingredients. Stir gently until you get a smooth batter. Do not beat it for too long. Stop when you no longer see dry flour, so the muffins stay soft instead of dense.
5. Fill the Muffin Cups
Spoon batter into each liner until it is about halfway full. Add 1 small teaspoon of Nutella to the center of each cup. Cover the Nutella with a little more batter, so the chocolate hazelnut spread sits fully inside the muffin.
6. Bake Until Golden
Bake for about 25 minutes. The tops should look golden, rounded, and set. Your kitchen will smell like warm banana cake and toasted sugar. If you gently touch the top of a muffin, it should spring back.
7. Cool and Decorate
Let the muffins cool in the pan. They are delicate when hot, and the Nutella center needs a few minutes to settle. Once cool, dust the tops with powdered sugar and add fresh banana slices right before serving.
Expert Troubleshooting and FAQs
Can I use overripe bananas?
Yes. Overripe bananas are best here. Brown spotted bananas taste sweeter and make the muffins softer. Avoid bananas that smell fermented or look watery.
Why did my Nutella sink to the bottom?
The bottom layer of batter may have been too thin. Fill each liner halfway before adding Nutella, then cover it fully with more batter. This keeps the filling in the center.
How do I know the muffins are baked if the center has Nutella?
Check the muffin top, not the Nutella center. The tops should be golden and spring back when touched. A toothpick inserted near the edge should come out with moist crumbs, not raw batter.
Can I make these muffins without paper liners?
Yes, but grease the muffin pan well with oil or butter. Paper liners make cleanup easier and help protect the soft muffins when you lift them out.
Can I store Nutella banana muffins?
Store cooled muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to 4 days. Warm them briefly before eating if you want the center softer.
Estimated Nutritional Facts
Per serving, about 3 muffins:
- Calories: about 660
- Protein: about 8 g
- Carbs: about 92 g
- Fats: about 30 g
Nutella Banana Muffins With Gooey Chocolate Centers
Ingredients
- 2 medium ripe bananas, mashed with a fork, about 1 cup (240 g peeled)
- 1 half cup granulated sugar (100 g)
- 1 and 1 quarter cups all purpose flour (150 g)
- 2 and 1 half teaspoons baking powder (12 g)
- 1 packet vanilla sugar, or 2 teaspoons vanilla sugar (10 g)
- 1 large egg (1 large egg)
- 1 third cup neutral oil, such as sunflower or canola oil (80 ml)
- 12 small teaspoons Nutella, about 1 teaspoon per muffin (120 g)
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar for topping (15 g)
- 1 small banana, sliced, for topping if desired (100 g)
Instructions
- 1. Prepare the Oven and Pan. Heat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a 12 cup muffin pan with paper liners. This helps the soft muffins lift out cleanly after baking.
- 2. Mash the Bananas. Peel the ripe bananas and mash them in a mixing bowl with a fork. Stop when they look creamy with a few tiny banana pieces left. The mixture should smell sweet and fruity.
- 3. Sift the Dry Ingredients. In another bowl, sift the flour and baking powder together. Add the granulated sugar and vanilla sugar. Stir until the dry mixture looks even and light.
- 4. Mix the Batter. Add the egg, oil, and mashed banana to the dry ingredients. Stir gently until you get a smooth batter. Do not beat it for too long. Stop when you no longer see dry flour, so the muffins stay soft instead of dense.
- 5. Fill the Muffin Cups. Spoon batter into each liner until it is about halfway full. Add 1 small teaspoon of Nutella to the center of each cup. Cover the Nutella with a little more batter, so the chocolate hazelnut spread sits fully inside the muffin.
- 6. Bake Until Golden. Bake for about 25 minutes. The tops should look golden, rounded, and set. Your kitchen will smell like warm banana cake and toasted sugar. If you gently touch the top of a muffin, it should spring back.
- 7. Cool and Decorate. Let the muffins cool in the pan. They are delicate when hot, and the Nutella center needs a few minutes to settle. Once cool, dust the tops with powdered sugar and add fresh banana slices right before serving.
