Nutella Swirled Banana Muffins

By Tyla | Last modified on Dec 19, 2025

Featured in: Breakfast

Few kitchen aromas rival the scent of freshly baked banana bread. It’s a fragrance that fills the home with warmth, instantly bringing comfort and nostalgia. Now imagine that classic flavor upgraded with rich, velvety Nutella swirled into every bite—that’s the magic of Nutella swirled banana muffins.

These muffins beautifully combine the familiar sweetness of ripe bananas with the irresistible indulgence of chocolate-hazelnut spread. Whether you’re enjoying them for breakfast, packing them in a lunchbox, or grabbing a quick afternoon treat, they promise a delicious moment every time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The combination of ripe bananas and Nutella creates a perfectly balanced sweet and nutty flavor.
Easy to make with simple pantry ingredients and minimal prep time.
The Nutella swirl adds a beautiful visual appeal and gooey texture inside each muffin.

Ingredients

Mashed ripe bananas: 1 ½ cups, or about 3 medium bananas, mashed to a smooth consistency to add natural sweetness and moisture.
Granulated sugar: ½ cup, for a clean, straightforward sweetness that balances the banana flavor perfectly.
Brown sugar: ½ cup packed, adds a rich, caramel-like depth and moistness to the muffins.
Unsalted butter: ½ cup melted and cooled, providing a tender crumb and buttery richness.
Large eggs: 2, act as a binder and contribute to the structure and moisture.
Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon, enhances the overall flavor with a warm, aromatic touch.
All-purpose flour: 1 ¾ cups, the base providing structure for the muffins to rise.
Baking soda: 1 teaspoon, a leavening agent that helps the muffins rise light and fluffy.
Salt: ½ teaspoon, to balance and enhance the sweetness and flavors.
Cinnamon: ½ teaspoon, adds subtle warmth and complements the banana’s natural flavor.
Nutella: ½ cup slightly warmed, for swirling into the batter to create rich and indulgent pockets of chocolate-hazelnut deliciousness.

Instructions

Prep the Muffin Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease each cup with nonstick spray. This ensures your muffins don’t stick and come out pristine.
Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth using a fork or potato masher. Then whisk in both the granulated and brown sugars, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is uniform. This combination forms the flavorful moist base of your muffins.
Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Sifting or whisking the dry ingredients helps distribute them evenly, preventing any lumps and ensuring consistent texture.
Fold Dry Ingredients into Wet Mix: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet banana mixture, gently folding with a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep your muffins tender and light rather than dense or tough.
Portion Batter and Swirl Nutella: Spoon the batter evenly into the muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full to allow for rising. Drop a teaspoon of slightly warmed Nutella on top of each muffin, then use a toothpick or skewer to swirl the spread lightly into the batter, creating a marbled effect.
Bake Until Golden and Set: Bake the muffins for 18 to 22 minutes. Insert a toothpick into the center to check doneness; it should come out clean or with just a small trace of Nutella. This baking time results in moist interiors with nicely set tops.
Cool and Serve Warm: Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Enjoying them while warm provides the best experience, with gooey Nutella swirls melting in every bite.

You Must Know

Use very ripe bananas with brown spots for maximum flavor and sweetness.
Warming Nutella slightly makes it easier to swirl but avoid overheating to maintain texture.
Don’t overmix the batter to keep the muffins fluffy and tender.

Storage Tips

Store completely cooled muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, individually wrap and freeze them for up to 2 months, then reheat as needed.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these muffins fresh and warm with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee for breakfast or snack time. They also pair beautifully with a dollop of whipped cream or a smear of extra Nutella for a decadent treat.

Professional Tips

Adjust sugar levels slightly depending on how sweet your ripe bananas are for balanced sweetness.
Experiment with adding chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the batter for added texture.
Use room temperature eggs and butter to ensure smooth mixing and even baking.

FAQs

Can I substitute Nutella with another spread?: Yes, you can use any chocolate-hazelnut spread or even peanut butter for a different but delicious swirl.
What if I don’t have brown sugar?: You can replace brown sugar with an equal amount of granulated sugar plus a teaspoon of molasses for a similar flavor profile.
Can I make these muffins gluten-free?: Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that suits baking to keep the texture similar.
How do I know when muffins are done?: The tops should be golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Can I prepare the batter ahead of time?: You can mix the batter and refrigerate it overnight, but allow it to come to room temperature before baking for best results.
Is it better to use fresh or frozen bananas?: Fresh ripe bananas are best, but thawed frozen bananas work well since they’re typically very soft and sweet when thawed.
How can I prevent the Nutella from sinking to the bottom?: Swirling the Nutella into the batter right after portioning prevents it from settling and creates the signature marbled appearance.