If you’re a fan of banana bread, chocolate, and nuts, you’re going to love Jumbo Chunky Monkey Muffins. This delightful recipe combines the best of all three worlds, creating muffins that are moist, sweet, and packed with flavor. These muffins are ideal for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or even dessert. The combination of ripe bananas, crunchy nuts, and rich chocolate chips makes every bite a satisfying experience.
In this article, we’ll guide you through a detailed step-by-step recipe to make Jumbo Chunky Monkey Muffins, provide tips for achieving the perfect texture, and suggest ways to customize the recipe based on your preferences. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced baker, this recipe is straightforward and guarantees delicious results. For more breakfast baking ideas, you can also check out our recipe for breakfast pizza.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make these indulgent muffins, you’ll need the following ingredients. This recipe makes six jumbo-sized muffins or 12 regular-sized muffins.
For the Muffin Batter:
- 2 large ripe bananas (mashed) – The riper the bananas, the sweeter the muffins.
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or unsweetened almond milk – Adds moisture and tenderness to the muffins.
- 2 large eggs – Provides structure and helps the muffins rise.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – Enhances the flavor.
- 1/4 cup natural sweetener (or sugar of choice) – You can adjust the amount of sweetener depending on your taste.
- 1/4 cup peanut butter (or almond butter) – Adds richness and a slight nutty flavor.
- 1 1/2 cups spelt flour (or all-purpose flour) – Spelt flour gives a slightly nutty flavor, but you can use regular flour if preferred.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder – Helps the muffins rise.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda – Provides additional leavening.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips – Adds bursts of chocolate in every bite.
- 1/4 cup walnuts or pecans (chopped) – For a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
For the Topping:
-
For the Topping:
- 1 tablespoon crushed pecans (optional) – Adds extra crunch to the muffin tops.
- A few banana slices – A beautiful and flavorful garnish for each muffin.
These ingredients are easy to find and likely to be staples in your pantry. The combination of bananas, peanut butter, and chocolate creates the ultimate chunky monkey flavor profile. You can also make substitutions depending on dietary preferences, which we’ll discuss later. If you’re interested in more creative muffin variations, take a look at our blueberry breakfast muffin recipe.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Muffin Tin
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a jumbo muffin tin or line it with paper liners. If you’re using regular-sized muffin tins, you’ll need to adjust the baking time slightly.
2. Mix the Wet Ingredients
The key to perfect muffins is getting the wet and dry ingredients mixed just right.
- Mash the Bananas: In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas until smooth. If your bananas are very ripe, this should be easy, and you’ll notice a sweet, almost caramel-like aroma. Using overripe bananas is essential because they add natural sweetness and moisture to the muffins.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Next, stir in the Greek yogurt, eggs, vanilla extract, and natural sweetener (or sugar). These ingredients not only add moisture but also help create a tender crumb. Stir until everything is well combined.
- Incorporate the Peanut Butter: Stir in the peanut butter. This step adds a rich nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the bananas and chocolate. Peanut butter also contributes to the moist texture of the muffins. If you prefer, you can substitute almond butter or any other nut butter of your choice.
3. Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: spelt flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. The dry ingredients should be thoroughly combined to ensure that the muffins rise evenly.
- Fold into the Wet Mixture: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Be careful not to overmix the batter, as this can lead to dense muffins. The batter should be thick but smooth, with small lumps of banana and peanut butter visible.
4. Add the Chocolate Chips and Nuts
Once the batter is mixed, gently fold in the chocolate chips and chopped walnuts (or pecans). The chocolate chips will melt into the muffins as they bake, creating pockets of rich, gooey chocolate. The nuts add a delightful crunch, balancing the sweetness of the muffins with a bit of texture.
5. Fill the Muffin Tin
Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about 3/4 full. If you’re making jumbo muffins, you’ll likely get six large muffins. If you’re using a regular muffin tin, you’ll get 12 smaller muffins.
- Add Toppings: For an extra touch, sprinkle a few crushed pecans on top of each muffin. You can also add a couple of banana slices as a garnish. These toppings not only look beautiful but also enhance the flavors of the muffins.
6. Bake the Muffins
Bake the muffins in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes. Jumbo muffins may take closer to 25 minutes, while regular-sized muffins will be done around 18–20 minutes.
- Check for Doneness: Insert a toothpick into the center of a muffin. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, the muffins are done. If the toothpick has wet batter on it, bake for another 2–3 minutes and check again.
7. Cool and Serve
Once the muffins are baked to perfection, remove them from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then, transfer the muffins to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for Making the Perfect Jumbo Chunky Monkey Muffins
- Use Overripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your muffins will be. If your bananas have brown spots, they’re perfect for this recipe.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: Overmixing can lead to dense muffins. Once you’ve combined the dry and wet ingredients, mix just until no dry streaks remain. Small lumps in the batter are okay.
- Adjust the Sweetness: If you prefer sweeter muffins, you can increase the amount of sugar or natural sweetener slightly. However, the natural sweetness from the bananas and chocolate chips usually provides enough sweetness for most people.
- Use Paper Liners: If you want easy cleanup and hassle-free removal of the muffins, use paper liners in your muffin tin. This also makes it easy to store the muffins.
Storing and Freezing Jumbo Chunky Monkey Muffins
One of the best things about Jumbo Chunky Monkey Muffins is that they store well, making them perfect for meal prep or for enjoying over several days.
Storing the Muffins:
- At Room Temperature: Store the muffins in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make sure they are fully cooled before storing to avoid condensation and sogginess.
- In the Refrigerator: If you want the muffins to last longer, store them in the fridge. They will stay fresh for up to a week.
Freezing the Muffins:
- To freeze, wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. The muffins will last up to 3 months in the freezer.
- When you’re ready to enjoy a frozen muffin, thaw it at room temperature or reheat it in the microwave for 20–30 seconds.
Variations of Jumbo Chunky Monkey Muffins
While the classic recipe is delicious on its own, there are several ways you can customize these muffins to suit your taste preferences:
1. Vegan Chunky Monkey Muffins
To make these muffins vegan, replace the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water per egg) and use dairy-free yogurt or almond milk. Make sure to use dairy-free chocolate chips as well.
2. Gluten-Free Chunky Monkey Muffins
If you’re following a gluten-free diet, swap the spelt flour for a gluten-free flour blend. Many gluten-free blends work well in muffin recipes and will still give you a tender, moist result.
3. Double Chocolate Chunky Monkey Muffins
For a more indulgent treat, increase the amount of chocolate chips to 3/4 cup and add 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder to the batter. This variation is perfect for serious chocolate lovers.
4. Nut-Free Option
If you’re allergic to nuts or simply don’t enjoy them, you can omit the peanut butter and replace it with more yogurt or almond milk. Skip the chopped walnuts and pecans as well. You’ll still have delicious, banana-flavored muffins with chocolate chips.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I make mini muffins instead of jumbo muffins?
Yes, you can! To make mini Chunky Monkey Muffins, use a mini muffin tin and reduce the baking time to 10–12 minutes. Keep an eye on the muffins, as smaller muffins bake much faster.
2. Can I use almond flour instead of spelt or all-purpose flour?
You can try using almond flour, but the texture will be different. Almond flour is denser and won’t provide the same fluffy texture as regular flour. You may also need to add an extra egg for structure.
3. Can I add other fruits or mix-ins to the recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to add dried fruits like raisins or cranberries. You can also experiment with different nuts, such as almonds or hazelnuts, to suit your taste.
For more tips on making muffins, check out helpful discussions on Quora or read more about the history of muffins on Wikipedia.
Conclusion
Jumbo Chunky Monkey Muffins are a delightful, easy-to-make treat that combines the natural sweetness of bananas, the richness of chocolate, and the crunch of nuts. Whether you’re enjoying them for breakfast, as a snack, or for dessert, these muffins are sure to become a favorite in your household. The recipe is versatile, allowing you to make substitutions to suit dietary needs or preferences, and the muffins store and freeze well, making them perfect for meal prep.