These carrot banana muffins are perfectly moist, healthy, and flavorful! Made with all natural ingredients, they are a great breakfast that you can enjoy with your toddler or kids!
Carrot Muffins with Banana
If you are looking for a satisfying breakfast muffin recipe for the whole family that is easy to make and freezes well, you've come to the right place!
Loaded with banana, carrots, applesauce, and whole grains, these muffins are sure to become one of your new favorites!
Just imagine carrot cake meets banana bread.
You can also add grated carrots to these oh so incredibly moist yogurt muffins too!
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Ingredients
I am highlighting just the ones that need further explanation. The complete list is in the recipe card below.
- Eggs - use room temperature
- Flour- you can also use all purpose flour or 1:1 gluten free flour mix
- Applesauce - Can use homemade applesauce or store-bought
- Maple syrup - can also use honey
Step-by-Step Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together dry ingredients.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients.
- Combine the dry and wet ingredients.
- Be careful not to over mix! Super important.
5. Scoop batter evenly into a 12-cup muffin tin. I like to use a silicone muffin pan because there's no need to grease and the muffins just pop right out!
6. Bake until golden and inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Tips for Success (be sure to read!)
- Use over ripe bananas - Your muffins will turn out sweeter and moister.
- Use room temperature eggs - This will help the muffins rise more.
- Pre-shredded carrots are convenient but I don't recommend using them for this recipe as they tend to be thicker and drier.
- Grate carrots using the large holes of a box grater or shred in a food processor. You can finely grate if you want to add even more moisture to your muffins.
- DO NOT over mix the batter! Prepare the wet and dry ingredients separately. Once added together, use a spatula (instead of a whisk) to gently combine until all the flour is wet. The less you stir the mixture, the lighter and fluffier your muffins will be.
- Allow the muffins to cool for 3-5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Just leave out the maple syrup and slice in half or bite sized pieces depending on their age.
Here are some more baby muffins to try!
These are an easy and delicious way to incorporate more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into your child's diet, especially if they're going through a picky eating phase. They are not overly sweet, and the fiber will help keep them fuller for longer.
While I say breakfast, these are great for snack time and lunchboxes as well!
These muffins are not overly sweet and that is intentional. I always rely on fruits to limit the use of refined sugars, especially since it is best to avoid added sugars until the age of 2.
These muffins are plenty sweet for babies and toddlers (and perhaps even you!). If after trying the recipe as is, you feel they need more sweetness, you can add more maple syrup or honey.
You can use egg replacer like this one or flax eggs. In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of flaxseed meal (ground flaxseed) and 6 tablespoons of water. Allow the mixture to sit for 8-10 minutes until thickened like gel-like consistency.
You should also try these eggless banana muffins!
Place in an airtight container for up to 2 days on the counter or up to 4 days in the fridge. Enjoy at room temperature or microwave briefly.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to best store muffins!
Absolutely! These freeze beautifully. I recommend flash freezing. Will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Other Muffins to try!
Did you make this recipe? Leave a rating below and let me know how you liked the recipe! Your feedback means so much to me!
Healthy Carrot Banana Muffins
Equipment
Ingredients
Dry
- 1 cup whole wheat flour (150g)
- ½ cup rolled oats (50g)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Wet
- 1 cup mashed overripe banana (240g), 2 medium
- 1 cup grated carrots (120g), 2-3 medium carrots
- â…“ cup unsweetened applesauce (70g)
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 3-4 tablespoons maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit.
- In a large bowl, stir together dry ingredients.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients.
- Combine the dry and wet ingredients. Be careful not to over mix. Use a spatula (instead of a whisk) to gently stir together until all the flour is wet. The less you stir the mixture, the lighter and fluffier your muffins will be.
- Scoop batter evenly into a greased, lined or silicone 12-cup muffin pan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the inserted toothpick comes out clean. Allow the muffins to cool for 3-5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- If after trying the recipe as is, you feel they need more sweetness, you can add more maple syrup or honey
- Egg-free? Use an egg replacer or flax eggs.
- To store, place in an airtight container for up to 2 days on the counter or up to 4 days in the fridge. Enjoy at room temperature or microwave briefly.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
Priscilla says
Made these today, they were delicious! My 17 month old and adult friends loved them. Will definitely be making these again!
Min says
So happy to hear that everyone loved these muffins! Thanks for sharing!!
Alexandra says
My family and I love these! Thank you for another wonderful recipe!
Min says
I'm so glad! Thanks for sharing!
Nancy says
This is a staple we have in the freezer. Sometimes we will jazz it up by adding flaxseed meal & blueberries- always a hit! (4.5 & 1.5 year olds)
Min says
Aww I love that!! Thank you for sharing!
Jennifer Z says
Yummy recipe and great use of the extra bananas for something other than banana bread. 14 month old and parents enjoyed!
Nedra says
My one year old loved them and I think they’re very tasty too!
Min says
I'm so glad!
Diana says
I make these almost weekly for my family! My toddler loves them (so does dad 😆) the ingredients/nutrition are great. Perfect option for breakfast/snacks.
Min says
These are one of our favs too! Thank you for sharing!
Jessica says
Can I substitute the wheat flour for almond flour?
Min says
I'm afraid almond flour won't work for this recipe. But if looking for a gluten free option, I recommend using oat flour!
Anna says
These were fantastic!!
For the flour I mixed 1/2 cup of iron fortified baby oatmeal and 1/2 cup of all purpose flour to give a boost of iron for my 11 month old. They came out moist and fluffy. I did not use maple syrup and they were still very from the over ripe bananas.
Min says
Yay! So happy to hear that!
Sarah says
Hello, I’m unsure about the amount of flour as I didn’t get 170g for 1 cup. Mine was around 110g.
The muffins are still baking in the oven so I’m not sure how it’d turn out.
Should I use 170g in future?
Min says
Hi! Sorry I remeasured and it's actually 150g. Are you using whole wheat flour? It will weigh more than regular. Also, be sure to use a spoon to scoop the flour into the measuring cup rather than scooping the flour out of the container or bag with your measuring cup.