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Moist, fluffy, with a hint of crunch from extra coconut on top, these coconut muffins are perfect for breakfast or whenever you crave a bit of sunshine on your plate!
Banana Coconut Muffins
These coconut muffins with banana are a delightful treat that brings together the best of both worlds – the comforting sweetness of ripe bananas and the tropical twist of shredded coconut.
As with all my baby-friendly muffins, these muffins have just the right amount of sweetness without all the added sugars. The bananas bring a natural sweetness, the Greek yogurt adds a creamy richness, and the butter and maple syrup provide that perfect touch of indulgence.
And the star of these muffins is the shredded coconut, which not only contributes to the texture but also infuses every bite with a tropical vibe.
Enjoy for breakfast, snack, or whenever you fancy a sunny treat!
Table of Contents
Ingredients
I am highlighting just the ones that need further explanation. The complete list is in the recipe card below.
- Flour – I usually go for white whole wheat flour, but I’ve noticed some of you have trouble finding it in stores. So, I decided to mix things up and use a combination of all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour for that extra fiber and nutrition boost. Of course, you can totally stick to all-purpose flour if that’s what you prefer.
- Banana – use overripe bananas with many brown spots as they will be sweeter and easier to mash.
- Greek yogurt -use plain or vanilla yogurt and preferably full fat for best results.
- Eggs – use room temperature.
- Maple syrup – can also use honey or date syrup. Be sure to read the “tips for success” section.
- Coconut – shredded, unsweetened coconut is what I use but you can use sweetened if you prefer extra sweetness. You can also add toasted coconut for added flavor.
- Lemon zest – Do NOT leave this out! Because these muffins aren’t overly sweet, it really helps add brightness and that extra yum factor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, stir together the dry ingredients.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients minus the coconut
Step 3: 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
Step 4: Stir in the coconut. Divide batter evenly into prepared muffin pan. Sprinkle the tops with more coconut, if desired.
Step 5: Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the inserted toothpick comes out clean
Step 6: Allow the muffins to cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for Success
- 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. Using the latter method, you could end up with a lot more than what you need.
- Take the eggs and yogurt out of the fridge at least 15 minutes before you start baking. This little step will really make a difference, helping your muffins rise more and giving them that delightful, fluffy texture
- Use over ripe bananas – Your muffins will turn out sweeter and moister.
- After combining the dry and wet ingredients, do NOT over-mix the muffin batter. Mix lightly with a spatula until just combined. Otherwise, you will end up with dense muffins.
Substitutions and Variations
- Gluten-free? Use a 1:1 gluten free flour like this one. Almond flour will not work.
- Dairy-free? Any plant-based Greek style yogurt will work. As for butter, use vegan butter or coconut oil. You can also use olive oil, if you prefer.
- Egg-free? 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.
- Additional add-ins – try stirring in some chocolate chips or pineapple for that tropical twist.
Equipment
If you’re looking for a nonstick pan, this silicone muffin tin is absolutely amazing! No need for greasing or muffin liners, and the muffins just pop out effortlessly.
And here’s my favorite nonstick muffin pan (pictured). You will need to grease it but your muffins will bake up nice and even.
Storage
Transfer leftover muffins to an airtight container and keep on the counter for up to 2 days. You can also refrigerate or up to 4 days. Enjoy at room temperature or microwave briefly.
To freeze, I recommend flash freezing. Will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to store and freeze muffins.
More Easy Muffin Recipes
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!
Coconut Muffins with Banana
Ingredients
Dry
- 1 cup all purpose flour (130g)
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour (75g)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet
- 1 cup mashed bananas (240g), about 2 medium bananas
- 3/4 cup Greek yogurt (180g)
- 2 eggs, at room temperature
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 3-4 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut (40g) plus more for topping
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375° Fahrenheit. Grease, line, or use a 12 cup silicone muffin pan. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, stir together the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients, minus the coconut.
- 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.
- Stir in the coconut. Divide batter evenly into prepared muffin pan. Sprinkle the tops with more coconut, if desired. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the inserted toothpick comes out clean. Allow the muffins to cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- 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 so you don’t end up with more flour than you need.
- Take the eggs and yogurt out of the fridge at least 15 minutes before you start baking. This little step will really help your muffins rise more and give them that delightful, fluffy texture.
- Use over ripe bananas – Your muffins will turn out sweeter and moister.
- After combining the dry and wet ingredients, do NOT over-mix the muffin batter. Mix lightly with a spatula until just combined. Otherwise, you will end up with dense muffins.
This would be delicious as a birthday cake! These were light, fluffy, sweet, and light! The whole family loved them. Thank you for sharing!
So happy that you guys enjoyed these muffins! And ooh it would make for a great cake. I will have to try!
Made these today and they’re absolutely delicious!
Just in case anyone was wondering or is also forgetful, I realized while they were baking that I accidentally left it the butter, but they still turned out great 😅
This is so yummy!! My kids are getting used to them, but I love them!! Every recipe I try, I’m excited about! Thank you for all that you do to share this with us
Oh I’m so glad!! Thank you so much for sharing! I hope your kids will really enjoy these too!
These were great. Leave to cool completely before removing from muffin tray because they fall apart if you get them out too soon because they’re so moist
Delicious 🙂 I needed to restock my freezer with muffins for my little one. Your blueberry muffin recipe is usually my go-to, but I wanted to try something new. This turned out to be the perfect alternative. Went with just the pineapple and banana to sweeten them, because I don’t like added sugars when my guy is still so young, and they really didn’t need more anyway. My 14 mo old was all in from the first bite!
So happy that your toddler loved this one too!!
So yummy! Praised by my pre-schooler who don’t like coconut. Thank you for the recipe! ♡
Woohoo!! I was surprised that my son liked these too even though he doesn’t like coconut!
Wow, delicious – thanks for another wonderful and nutritious muffin! My 17 month old hasn’t had a lot of pineapple exposure, but I handed her one of these for breakfast this morning and she gobbled it up! I only had a half of a banana on hand when making these, but they are nice and sweet from the pineapple without needing any additional sweetener. Mine only yielded 9 muffins, but I may have been generous in scooping. Any tips for pouring evenly? Do you use a measurement or just eye it? Appreciate you, Min!
I’m so glad these were a hit! I usually use a large ice cream scooper or just eyeball it
These look great! Saw the mention of pineapple too. Did I miss it in the recipe or was at an addition (by Ashley. It sounds like a great combo)!
Lovely flavors!