Banana Carrot Muffins

Name: Banana Carrot Muffins
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 cup mashed bananas (about 2 bananas); 2 eggs; ⅓ cup light olive oil; 2 tsp vanilla extract; ⅓ cup pure maple syrup; 2 tbsp molasses; 1 ¾ cups gluten free 1 to 1 flour (or all purpose flour); 1 ½ tsp baking soda; 1 tbsp cinnamon; ½ tsp ground ginger; 1 cup grated carrots

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by Addison LaBonte October 2, 2021

These Banana Carrot Muffins are incredibly soft, fluffy and flavorful! They taste like a mix between carrot cake and banana bread. The warm spices make these gluten free muffins extra cozy. These muffins are easy to make and great for quick breakfasts, on the go snacks, and even healthy desserts!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These banana carrot muffins have the perfect fluffy texture.
They are moist and not dry!
These gluten free muffins are freezer friendly.
They are great for both kids and adults.
The warm spices make them so cozy.
Molasses adds such a depth of flavor!
These muffins are gluten free, dairy free, and refined sugar free.
Check out these Banana Muffins with Almond Flour for a similar Paleo option.
These Pumpkin Banana Muffins are another delicious recipe too!

Ingredients & Substitutions

These are the main ingredients and substitutions for banana carrot muffins. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full instructions.

Use ripe bananas for added natural sweetness. The riper the better!

The eggs are vital to this recipe. I do not recommend using flax eggs, chia eggs, or a Vegan egg replacement. For an egg free and Vegan muffin recipe, check out these Vegan Chocolate Chip Muffins!

Light tasting olive oil is the baking fat used. Light olive is much more neutral tasting than its extra virgin counterpart. I use and love Pompeian light olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil can also be used.

The vanilla extract adds a nice flavor to these muffins.

Pure maple syrup adds the best sweetness! I recommend using a high quality maple syrup for best results.

Molasses is the secret ingredient to these muffins! It adds a warm and cozy flavor. If you do not have molasses, feel free to use more maple syrup in its place.

Gluten free 1 to 1 flour is a great alternative to all purpose flour. I regularly use King Arthur Flour. If you are not gluten free, all purpose flour works great too.

Baking soda is the leavening agent. It helps these banana carrot muffins rise while baking.

Cinnamon and ground ginger are the warm and cozy spices! The ginger complements the molasses really nicely.

Finely grate carrots. Once grated, place carrots between two towels or paper towels. Wring out all excess moisture. Then measure out 1 cup.

Shredding the Carrots

Shredding the carrots is very important! Carrots naturally contain a lot of moisture. If not squeezed out, they add too much moisture to the muffin batter.

After shredding, place carrots between towels or paper towels. Wring out all water.

Once wrung out, measure 1 cup of carrots.

Taste & Texture

These banana carrot muffins have the taste of a carrot cake and banana bread. They are warm, sweet, and have a nice cinnamon flavor.

Their texture is soft, fluffy and moist. These muffins are not dry at all!

How to Make

Step 1

First, preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Heavily spray a muffin pan with nonstick spray.

Step 2

Grate carrots. Squeeze out all excess moisture from carrots. Then measure 1 cup. Set aside.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, combine mashed banana, eggs, light olive oil, vanilla extract, maple syrup and molasses. Stir to combine.

Step 4

Once combined, stir in all remaining ingredients except grated carrots.

Step 5

Then, fold in carrots.

Step 6

Scoop batter into sprayed muffin pan. Fill each cavity about ¾ of the way full.

Step 7

Bake for 15 to 16 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Step 8

Finally, remove from oven. Cool in pan for 10 minutes then transfer muffins to a cooling rack.

Expert Tips & Tricks

Heavily spray muffin pan with nonstick spray. This really helps to prevent sticking.

Use light olive oil instead of virgin olive oil.

Squeeze out all excess moisture from grated carrots. This step is very important.

Bake until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Do not over bake! Mine took only 15 minutes.

Allow banana carrot muffins to cool in pan for 10 minutes before removing. This gives them time to slightly cool and maintain their shape.

How to Serve & Store

Serve banana carrot muffins once they have cooled. They are delicious with butter, peanut butter, almond butter, and jelly!

Serve with a mug of coffee, milk or hot chocolate.

Store muffins covered at room temperature for up to 3 days. Store in fridge for up to 7 days.

These muffins freeze well! Freeze for up to 2 months and thaw as needed.

Variations & Add Ins

Here are some fun add ins! Fold these ingredients into the banana carrot muffin batter before baking if desired.

Dark chocolate chips

White chocolate chips

Mini chocolate chips

Dried cranberries

Walnuts

Pecans

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze these muffins?

Yes! Freeze for up to 2 months.

What do they taste like?

These muffins taste like a mix between carrot cake and banana bread. Try this Gluten Free Carrot Cake too!

Can I add in nuts?

Sure!

Can I make these without eggs?

No, these muffins will not work without eggs.