Vegan Banana Olive Oil Muffins

By Carolina Gelen

Updated October 22, 2025

Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Yossy Arefi.
Ready In
40 min
Rating
5(93)
Comments
Read comments

It’s hard to beat the convenience of a grab-and-go treat, and these banana olive oil muffins check all the boxes: They can be a quick breakfast, a midday snack, or a simple dessert. They’re accidentally vegan, relying solely on overripe bananas and bright, citrusy extra-virgin olive oil for a moist, tender crumb. Warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla are added to enhance the sweet banana flavor, alongside molasses-packed dark brown sugar. A sprinkle of turbinado sugar and flaky salt sprinkled over the muffins before baking ensures an irresistible sweet-and-salty crunch in each bite. For the perfect level of sweetness, using very ripe, soft and spotty bananas is a must, as they come with a significantly higher sugar content. 

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Ingredients

Yield:12 muffins

  • ⅔ cup/132 grams extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for the pan

  • 1 ½ cups/425 grams mashed ripe, spotty bananas (about 4 medium bananas) 

  • 1 packed cup/220 grams dark brown sugar 

  • 2 tablespoons vanilla extract

  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon 

  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg  

  • 2 teaspoons flaky salt

  • 2 cups/270 grams all-purpose flour 

  • ½ teaspoon baking soda

  • ½ teaspoon baking powder 

  • ¼ cup/50 grams turbinado sugar

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (12 servings)

48 grams carbs; 305 calories; 8 grams monosaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 11 grams fat; 2 grams fiber; 219 milligrams sodium; 3 grams protein; 27 grams sugar

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat the oven to 425 degrees. 

  2. Step 2

    Lightly brush a standard 12-muffin pan with olive oil and line with muffin cups. 

  3. Step 3

    In a large bowl, combine the mashed bananas, olive oil, dark brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg and 1 teaspoon flaky salt. Stir until combined. 

  4. Step 4

    Add the flour, sprinkle with the baking soda and baking powder and lightly stir just the dry ingredients to evenly distribute the leavening agents through the flour. Stir the wet ingredients and flour mixture together until there are no visible dry flour spots. 

  5. Step 5

    Using a ⅓-cup measure or ice cream scoop, divide the batter among the 12  muffin cups. Sprinkle the turbinado sugar on top of the muffins. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon of flaky salt to your palm and sprinkle it over the muffins. 

  6. Step 6

    Place in the oven and immediately reduce the heat to 350 degrees. Bake for 20 minutes, until a knife comes out clean when inserted in the center of a muffin. Cool the muffins for a few minutes before serving. Muffins will keep, covered at room temperature, up to 3 days.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
93 user ratings
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Comments

Genevieve

half the amount of sugar is definitely sufficient here. used half almond flour to make them more substantial.

Anne T

@Cassie I made these using Bob’s Red Mill 1-for1 gluten free flour and it was successful. I would expect same from KA. Not sure if it had a significant impact, but I did accidentally tweak the recipe (grabbed the wrong measuring spoon, so I added 2/3 tsp each of baking powder and baking soda instead of the 1/2tsp specified in the recipe). I also added about 1/2 tsp psyllium husk out of habit from my usual GF vegan bakes. I also made a point of mashing the bananas extra smooth (almost a purée) to try to mitigate the gumminess tendency of GF bakes. Was very happy with the muffins and will bake again.

Cassie

How about subbing in King Arthur's gluten free one to one flour to make this gluten free. Anyone try it? Thanks

Anthony

Add 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder to mashed bananas and try.

RB

80 grams sugar in .5 recipe

Michèle

I added about a cup of raw shredded pumpkin, and 1/2 cup of sultanas for texture. I also doubled all the spices. Delicious.

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