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You are here: Home / Breakfast / Small-batch Chocolate Banana Muffins (One-banana, One-bowl)

Small-batch Chocolate Banana Muffins (One-banana, One-bowl)

02/24/18 | Breakfast, Desserts, Recipes, Small-batch Dessert

4.8Kshares

This small-batch recipe makes five of the best Chocolate Banana Muffins you’ll ever eat. You just need one ripe banana and one bowl, and you can be pulling these out of your oven in less than half an hour.

Vertical picture of five Small-batch Chocolate Banana Muffins on a plate.

A little over a year ago, I posted these One-banana One-bowl Small-batch Banana Muffins to the blog. I sold them with the pitch: Hey, have a bowl? Have a banana? Make some Banana Muffins!

And they’ve been incredibly popular. Next to my Small-batch Chocolate Chip Cookies, they’re one of the posts I get the most happy messages about. Clearly, you guys love banana muffins and hate doing dishes and having a lone piece of fruit rotting on your counter. (Same.)

So today, in the hope of giving you another recipe you’ll write me lots of happy emails and comments about, I have another pitch for you:

Hey, have a bowl? Have a banana? AND love chocolate? Make some Chocolate Banana Muffins!

Guys.

Guuuuuuys.

These muffins. I love them so much.

I love how easy they are to make. I love the way banana and chocolate are a perfect pair. And most of all, I love their texture.

That might sound odd, but the thing about banana muffins is that because bananas are so moist, if you’re not careful you can end up with muffins that are very heavy and almost gummy.

Photo of Small-batch Chocolate Banana Muffin with a bite out of it.

These muffins are NOT that. They are moist and decadent to be sure, but with a fantastic tender crumb that’s almost like biting into a cupcake. Get one warm out of the oven, with the chocolate chunks still melty and molten, and you’ll be pretty sure you’ve died and gone to banana muffin heaven.

I shared the first test batch with taste testers and they got a, “Wow, that’s just incredible.” (Mumbled out around a mouthful of muffin).

A “This is the best chocolate muffin I’ve ever had.”

And a “Damn you, I wasn’t eating sugar this week…are there any more?”

So you know it’s not just me who’s a fan of the things.

What I’m saying is that if you feel like your day could use some chocolate (really, what day couldn’t?), and there’s a shabby looking banana sitting on your counter right now or maybe in the office fruit bowl, you should probably do yourself a favor and take half an hour today to make yourself a batch.

Picture of three Small-batch Chocolate Banana Muffins on a plate. in front of a white mug

To make this little batch of five chocolate banana muffins, you’ll just need one bowl (that’s right, these are one-bowl muffins) and a couple minutes to chop some chocolate, mash a banana, and mix some ingredients. If it’s before noon, brew yourself a pot of coffee while your muffins bake. If it’s after noon, maybe opt for some tea.

And once they are done baking, eat one warm out of the oven while you decide how many of these perfect little muffins you feel like sharing and how many you’re going to keep for yourself…

Wide photo of Small-batch Chocolate Banana Muffin with a bite out of it in front of a white mug.

More Small-batch Muffin Recipes

  • Orange Muffins
  • Blueberry Muffins
  • Chocolate Chocolate Muffins
  • Cinnamon Apple Crumb Muffins
  • Pumpkin Muffins

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission if you make a purchase using them. There is absolutely no additional cost to you.

Small-batch Chocolate Banana Muffins Recipe Tips

  • This recipe calls for your dry ingredients to be sifted using a fine-mesh strainer. It helps to aerate the flour and gets rid of any lumps in your cocoa powder. If you don’t own a fine-mesh strainer, they are cheap on Amazon and available in the baking aisle at most stores. You can also combine the dry ingredients in a small bowl and whisk them together, making sure to smash any large cocoa powder lumps. It doesn’t work quite as well but will do in a pinch.
  • The baking temperature for these muffins starts at 425°F before being dropped to 350°F about halfway through cooking. The initial burst of higher heat helps give them bigger, fluffier muffin tops, but if you don’t want to mess with your oven in the middle of cooking, you can just bake them at 350°F for about 19 minutes.
Square photo of Small-batch Chocolate Banana Muffin with a bite out of it.

Small-batch Chocolate Banana Muffins (One-banana, One-bowl)

This small-batch recipe makes five of the best Chocolate Banana Muffins you'll ever eat. You just need one ripe banana and one bowl, and you can be pulling these out of your oven in less than half an hour.
5 from 27 votes
Print
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 16 minutes minutes
Total Time: 26 minutes minutes
Servings (Hover or Click to Change Yield): 5 muffins
Calories: 219kcal
Author: Tracy

Ingredients

Special Tools

  • 5 muffin liners
  • Fine-mesh strainer

Chocolate Banana Muffins

  • 1 medium-to-large over-ripe banana
  • 3 tablespoons (1.5oz) unsalted butter melted
  • 1/4 cup (50g) brown sugar
  • 1 large egg white
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup (40g) all-purpose flour measured by weight or using the spoon and sweep method*
  • 3 tablespoons (15g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 2 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chopped or 1/3 cup chocolate chips, plus more for topping

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a muffin tin with 5 liners.
  • Place peeled banana in a medium bowl and mash it well with a fork or potato masher. Add melted butter and whisk until well combined. Add brown sugar, egg white, and vanilla. Mix well.
  • Place a fine-mesh strainer over the bowl and add flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt to the strainer. Sift dry ingredients into the wet and use a spoon to mix until just combined. Stir in chopped chocolate or chocolate chips. Divide batter between prepared muffin cups, filling about 3/4 of the way full.
  • Bake for 8 minutes at 425°F before turning the oven temperature down to 350°F. Bake for an additional 6 to 9 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the muffins comes out with just a few crumbs.
  • Sprinkle extra chocolate over the top if desired. Cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes, and enjoy.

Notes

*Correct flour measurement is important in this recipe. For best results, measure by weight or the Spoon and Sweep Method (stir the flour in your container to fluff it up and then spoon it into your measuring cup, sweep excess off with the flat of a knife).
Did you make this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag @BakingMischief or hashtag it #BakingMischief.
The BEST Chocolate Banana Muffins you'll ever eat. This easy small-batch recipe makes 5 muffins. You just need one ripe banana and one bowl, and you can be pulling these out of your oven in less than half an hour. | #breakfast | #chocolate | #bananamuffins | #breakfastfortwo |

Recipe Adapted From Smitten Kitchen

Comments | 75 comments

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Comments

  1. Karly says

    February 25, 2018 at 12:45 pm

    Love the small batch thing! If not I would probably eat them all!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      March 16, 2018 at 12:10 pm

      Hehe, a very real danger. 😉

      Reply
  2. Caitlin says

    February 25, 2018 at 7:34 pm

    These look so dreamy! Those melty chocolate chips Totally craving banana bread now.

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      March 16, 2018 at 12:10 pm

      Thanks, Caitlin!!

      Reply
  3. The Better Baker says

    February 26, 2018 at 6:03 am

    Yummmmm! Printing to bake this morning. Thanks for sharing a ‘small batch’ recipe…love it. And I love chocolate and banana together too. Have a wonderful week!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      March 16, 2018 at 12:09 pm

      I hope you enjoyed them!

      Reply
  4. Deepika|TheLoveOfCakes says

    March 1, 2018 at 9:39 pm

    I love moist chocolatey muffins for breakfast! These are perfect..adding banana makes them apt for brekkie :).

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      March 16, 2018 at 12:11 pm

      Exactly! 😉

      Reply
  5. Jessica says

    March 9, 2018 at 11:20 am

    Trying these tonight! Can’t wait 😀

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      March 9, 2018 at 11:55 am

      Yay!! I hope you love them!!!

      Reply
  6. Jeanette says

    March 19, 2018 at 3:58 pm

    Lovely muffins 🙂 They looks so yummy!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      March 20, 2018 at 8:52 am

      Thanks, Jeanette!

      Reply
  7. Allison - Celebrating Sweets says

    March 19, 2018 at 4:06 pm

    5 stars
    I love small batch recipes – automatic portion control! Ha! These look great!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      March 20, 2018 at 8:51 am

      Exactly. Some days you just need that portion control. Especially with recipes involving chocolate. 😉

      Reply
  8. Emily says

    March 19, 2018 at 4:29 pm

    I’m drooling over these chocolate banana muffins! They look so amazing and I’m tempted to make a giant batch and freeze some for my kids lunches!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      March 20, 2018 at 8:50 am

      You should! I bet they’d love them! 😉

      Reply
  9. Kim Beaulieu says

    March 19, 2018 at 5:44 pm

    5 stars
    I love happy emails from readers too. These muffins look seriously delicious. I’m a sucker for a great muffin.

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      March 20, 2018 at 8:50 am

      Thanks, Kim! Agreed, a great muffin = the best!

      Reply
  10. Valentina says

    March 19, 2018 at 5:50 pm

    5 stars
    Oh my gosh, these look so scrumptious! Love the small batch plan — this way I’d only eat five in a row. LOL!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      March 20, 2018 at 8:49 am

      Exactly! 😉 Thanks, Valentina!

      Reply
  11. Jacque Hastert says

    March 19, 2018 at 7:03 pm

    5 stars
    I wouldn’t be able to make a small batch. I would have to double or triple this.

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      March 20, 2018 at 8:49 am

      LOL, I mean, doubling or tripling is always an excellent option. 😉

      Reply
  12. Jean Ferrario says

    April 1, 2018 at 8:55 pm

    5 stars
    Hi Tracy: I make muffins a lot but I always make jumbo muffins, about half cup of batter each, which I take to work for lunch with a piece of fruit. So I doubled your banana chocolate recipe, swapped out the butter for vegetable oil, and used one whole egg instead of the white. They muffins are fabulous, I got four jumbos which I baked for 23 minutes at 350. So thanks for another great recipe. I haven’t yet tried your method of starting the muffins out at a higher temperature, these came out great, nice high domes. Also I always warm the muffins for 20 seconds in the microwave so they taste freshly baked when they are not. Can’t wait for lunch tomorrow!! Thanks again, Jean Ferrario

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      April 4, 2018 at 11:39 am

      I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Jean! And thanks for the detailed comment. That’s so helpful for people who want to make their muffins jumbo!! 🙂

      Reply
  13. Allison says

    April 7, 2018 at 2:17 pm

    5 stars
    These got better on the second day, OMG the decadence. I doubled the batch for my daughter to take back to college with her, her and her roommates are going to devour them. So unbelievably good.

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      April 10, 2018 at 10:22 am

      Honestly, I’ve never eaten these on the second day since they’re always gone on the first. 😉 So that’s good to know! So glad you enjoyed them and hope your daughter and her roommates did too. Thanks, Allison!

      Reply
  14. Rez says

    April 21, 2018 at 11:37 pm

    Hi,

    Making these amazing looking muffins now. Just want to confirm 1/4 cup of usually 32 gms and not 50gms…so the brown sugar is more than the flour?

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      April 22, 2018 at 9:08 am

      Hi, Rez. An American cup of brown sugar weighs a little over 200g (https://www.kingarthurflour.com/learn/ingredient-weight-chart.html#ingredients) so yes, there are 50g brown sugar in the recipe. Hope you enjoy the muffins! 🙂

      Reply
      • Reezelle Dsilva says

        April 22, 2018 at 5:35 pm

        5 stars
        Oh it turned out quite well! Moist and scrumptious…up on Instagram. Thank you! Will be baking more of it since its a bit!!!

        Reply
        • Tracy says

          April 22, 2018 at 8:00 pm

          Yay! So glad you enjoyed them!!

          Reply
  15. Padmini says

    July 19, 2018 at 9:27 am

    5 stars
    Hi Tracy!

    I’ve made these about 4 times the last 3 months and they’ve turned out perfect every single time!

    Thank you for this kickass recipe! It’s a no fail recipe that’s just the perfect amount of sweet!. 🙂

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      July 23, 2018 at 11:29 am

      Yay!! This makes me so happy to hear. Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed them!

      Reply
      • Hemal says

        February 27, 2021 at 12:22 pm

        Hi.. Would like to know what substitute I can use instead of the egg. Please do let me know. The recipe looks super… Can’t wait to try it

        Reply
        • Tracy says

          March 1, 2021 at 10:29 am

          I’ve never made these without eggs, so I can’t recommend one particular egg substitute over another. Banana muffins are pretty forgiving, so your favorite egg substitute should work just fine here.

          Reply
  16. Annie says

    September 1, 2018 at 2:26 pm

    5 stars
    Made these last night, and they were so delicious! My whole family loved them. Can’t wait to make them again!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      September 1, 2018 at 3:12 pm

      So happy to hear that, Annie! Thanks for taking the time to let me know!

      Reply
  17. SF says

    October 28, 2018 at 4:47 pm

    5 stars
    I have made these twice – once for friends about a month ago and once for co-workers last week, and gotten rave reviews both times! I don’t usually like banana bread (I don’t like bananas – only get them to stick in smoothies so I can get the nutrients), but I love these muffins! Very chocolate-y, and there’s a hint of banana flavor, but not overwhelmingly so. Have gotten nothing but positive feedback, and now this is my go-to recipe when I don’t want to waste leftover bananas!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      November 1, 2018 at 2:44 pm

      I’m so glad everyone’s been enjoying them! I’m with you on bananas–they’re not usually my favorite, but I love these muffins, so I’m always so happy when other people feel the same way!

      Reply
  18. Ellen says

    January 18, 2019 at 7:29 pm

    5 stars
    I Love the small batch idea as my husband and I are empty nesters.
    I followed recipe as it reads except I used Hershey’s Special Dark cocoa.
    I ate one muffin and am in love! My husband ate the other 4, guess he liked them too!
    I’m a dark chocoholic and am thrilled with this recipe

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      January 24, 2019 at 8:42 pm

      Thanks, Ellen! So glad you and your husband enjoyed them!

      Reply
  19. Cinara says

    May 15, 2019 at 11:27 pm

    5 stars
    LOVE this recipe! Have made them a couple of times now and they always come out perfect! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      May 16, 2019 at 12:14 pm

      Thanks for reporting back, Cinara! So glad to hear you enjoyed them!!

      Reply
  20. Carolyn says

    June 6, 2019 at 5:40 pm

    5 stars
    Love these. So easy to make and very delicious. I love that it wasn’t a very dense muffin. Will definitely make these again.

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      June 10, 2019 at 12:41 pm

      Thank you! So glad you enjoyed them, Carolyn!

      Reply
  21. Laynie says

    October 27, 2019 at 9:31 am

    5 stars
    Hi Tracy! I’ve been stalking your blog for a while now, and I haven’t tried a recipe yet that hasn’t turned out amazing! I love the smaller batches too (it helps me from overindulging). Haha! I absolutely love these Chocolate Banana Muffins! They rival those I’ve had from the bakery, and I now use the two baking temperatures anytime I make muffins! Plus, they are so quick and easy! Great recipe!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      November 13, 2019 at 6:50 am

      I’m so glad you enjoy them, Laynie!! These are some of my favorite muffins, so I’m always so happy when people make them!! 🙂

      Reply
  22. Jenn says

    December 7, 2019 at 6:39 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious! A nice treat with a bit less guilt.
    I didn’t have chocolate chips so I used chopped pecans instead and the muffins were still glorious.
    Fearing having to fight over the 5th muffin I just split the batter into 4 tins instead.

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      December 9, 2019 at 7:19 am

      Thrilled you enjoyed them, Jenn, and cracking up imagining the averted banana muffin battle. 😉

      Reply
  23. Laura says

    January 12, 2020 at 8:09 am

    5 stars
    I’m so glad this recipe popped up in my email this morning. I had actually gone looking for your banana muffin recipe last night so I could use my lone ugly banana. I decided to go with the chocolate and sprinkled a bit of cinnamon in too. Delicious! Thanks for sending!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      January 13, 2020 at 6:21 pm

      Thanks, Laura! So glad the recipe made it to you at the right time! 🙂

      Reply
  24. Kim says

    April 6, 2020 at 10:05 am

    5 stars
    Dessert for breakfast? Yes, please! These were perfect on a drizzly Sunday. We washed down the fudgy treats with hot tea and tucked the rest away for another morning. I love your small-batch recipes!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      April 7, 2020 at 9:42 am

      LOL Thank you, Kim!! And you just described my perfect Sunday morning! 😉

      Reply
  25. Brittany says

    April 24, 2020 at 4:45 am

    5 stars
    I cannot get over how LIGHT and FLUFFY these muffins were! I followed this recipe to a T and they came out absolutely perfect! This is my new favourite baking recipe and I am going to be making these over and over again! I have never had a muffin this light and fluffy it literally melts in your mouth I love it!

    Thank you Tracy!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      May 11, 2020 at 12:25 pm

      SO happy to hear you enjoyed these, Brittany!!

      Reply
  26. RC says

    April 29, 2020 at 12:58 pm

    5 stars
    Found this recipe when googling what to make with 1 overripe banana, and glad I did. I followed the recipe except used a whole egg instead of just the egg white, and dark choc chips instead semi-sweet. I thought the chocolate would overpower the banana but both flavors came through. Will definitely make this again, thanks!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      May 11, 2020 at 10:45 am

      So happy to hear you enjoyed them!!

      Reply
  27. Alaf says

    September 23, 2020 at 1:25 pm

    5 stars
    Took up baking with a vengeance and these are hands down one of the best things I baked. I may or may not purposely neglect 1 or 2 bananas to have an excuse to make these.

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      November 7, 2020 at 7:46 pm

      Lol so glad you’ve been enjoying the recipe!!

      Reply
  28. Priyanka Gotika says

    December 24, 2020 at 10:01 pm

    Everything you said about going to banana muffin heaven to deciding to keep all to myself to eating one warm fresh out of the oven. OMG!!!! At first I thought you were exaggerating when I read but after eating it.,,… no words. Kudos and thanks for saving that bananas life. This is going to be my Christmas ritual going forward.

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      February 17, 2021 at 9:45 am

      Lol! So thrilled to hear it, Priyanka!!

      Reply
  29. Lori says

    February 14, 2021 at 1:38 pm

    5 stars
    Wonderful muffins. Everyone loved them.

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      February 16, 2021 at 11:54 am

      Thank you! So glad to hear it!!

      Reply
  30. Coleen says

    March 14, 2021 at 7:26 am

    5 stars
    Sooo good! Thought it was even better the second day. 🙂

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      March 14, 2021 at 10:24 am

      So glad you enjoyed them!!

      Reply
  31. Kathleen says

    April 19, 2021 at 8:32 am

    These are delicious with a light airiness I don’t usually end up with in banana baking. So good and will make often. Thank you!

    Reply
  32. Amanda says

    May 2, 2021 at 9:05 pm

    5 stars
    I did these as mini muffins so they’d finish faster. Threw them in the oven at the same time as the chocolate chip cookies from your site (trying to use the full egg haha) and they were done at almost the same time as the cookies. Fluffy and delicious!

    Reply
  33. Gray says

    July 3, 2021 at 4:59 pm

    5 stars
    These muffins are my absolute favorite! The texture is amazing and the rich cocoa flavor works so well with the banana. Thanks for posting so many small batch recipes. My daughter and love them. Your chicken pesto sandwiches are also amazing. We make them on the George Forman.

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      July 6, 2021 at 10:06 am

      Thanks, Gray! So happy to hear it!!

      Reply
    • Ruth Anne says

      January 24, 2022 at 6:17 am

      I made these muffins last night, they are delicious!!! Turned out better than expected..lol I followed the recipe as is and weighed the flour. I baked them for 17 minutes at 350 degrees. Didn’t bother with the 2 different temps for fear I would get distracted and forget to lower it!! Husband loved them too. A keeper recipe for sure!!

      Reply
      • Tracy says

        January 24, 2022 at 3:22 pm

        So glad you both enjoyed them!!

        Reply
  34. Papaya says

    March 5, 2022 at 7:10 pm

    Love these muffins! What do I need to change if I want to make jumbo versions of these?

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      March 8, 2022 at 7:31 am

      So glad you like them! To make them jumbo, you shouldn’t need to change anything except extending the baking time.

      Reply
  35. Iveliz says

    April 18, 2022 at 8:45 am

    I love your small batch recipes. It’s just perfect for 2 people.

    Reply
  36. Breanna G says

    September 29, 2022 at 8:38 am

    Could I use salted sweet cream butter in this recipe?

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      September 29, 2022 at 3:02 pm

      Yes. Just use a smidge less salt in the recipe when you’re using salted butter. Hope you enjoy them!

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Tracy! Welcome to Baking Mischief, where we realize that not everyone is cooking every night for a family of four. We have delicious sweet and savory recipes, mostly scaled for one or two, and we love our pop culture around here, so keep an eye out for film, book, and TV-inspired treats as well! Read more»
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