Date and banana muffins, no added sugar came about because, after a cooking class, I had excessive dates and um...excessive squidgy bananas. So I baked. That was 2016. They are still a lunchbox favourite around here!
Great flavours
Dates and banana mini muffins, those two ingredients, they are like a match made in mini muffin heaven! If you haven't tried the combo before, trust me, you are missing out. These mini muffins contain no added sugar and are perfect for the lunchbox. They are sweet enough to feel indulgent, despite the lack of added sugar.
No cake liners
I used a silicone mini muffin pan for these because I really prefer my muffins to not need cupcake wrappers, especially for the lunchbox as that basically means rubbish that needs to be thrown out. And for the larger ones I used my RACO Aerolift muffin pan because it always works!
How to blend
You need a food processor or a high powered blender to blend the dates. You can try a stick blender too if you have one.
Kid approved
Now the kid test, Miss 10 loved these, they are her favourites at the moment. I've been making these date and banana muffins over and over again for lunchboxes ever since I made this recipe.
Ingredients:
- 2 bananas brown and ready to throw out!
- 1 egg
- ½ cup dates, soaked in ½ cup of hot water
- 2 cups self raising flour
- ½ cup coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla paste
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Combine the dates and hot water.
- Pour the dates and the water into a food processor and blitz until the consistency you want. We like some chunks in ours.
- Mash the bananas, egg, coconut oil and vanilla paste together in a large bowl.
- Add the flour and date mix to the bowl and mix well.
- Spoon into mini muffin pans (makes 24) or normal muffin pans (makes 12).
- Bake for 15-18 minutes (mini) or 20-25 minutes (normal size.
Top tips:
- make sure you use brown bananas
- soak the dates until the water turns cloudy and brown, usually about 5-10 minutes
- if the mix is too dry add a tablespoon of water
- the recipe makes 12 large muffins or 24 mini
Freezer friendly
They are freezer friendly and hold up really well on defrosting, which is so important if they are going to be a lunchbox item, because otherwise what are you going to do with 24 mini muffins?
Looking for other no added sugar lunchbox treats?
- strawberry oat bars are my kids favourite
- these mini blender muffins are awesome
- apple oat muffin have no added sugar
- these banana and cinnamon vegan cookies are delicious
or more ways to use brown bananas?
Date and banana muffins, no added sugar!
Ingredients
- ½ cup dates soaked in ½ cup hot water
- 2 brown bananas mashed
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla paste
- ½ cup coconut oil melted
- 2 cups self raising flour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180 degrees.
- Pop the dates and the water into a food processor and blitz until chopped up well, It takes about 1 minute. Stop when they are a consistency that you like, we don't mind some chunks.
- In a large bowl, mix the mashed banana, melted coconut oil, vanilla paste and egg together.
- Add the flour and the dates mixture.
- Pour into mini muffin trays.
- Bake at 180 degrees for 15-18 minutes.
Notes
Recipe video
Nutrition
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Kristina says
These were so delicious! I had some date paste (left over from a bday party prep) and exactly 2 spotted and past their prime bananas. After a quick search, I stumbled upon this recipe that had few ingredients. I was reluctant, as my batter was very thick and resembled cookie batter. I proceeded with the recipe, as is, and there were fantastic! I’ve only made them an hour ago and they’re half gone! Thanks for this simple and delicious recipe. For us American folks, heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Dan says
Can you freeze and microwave these?
Kylie says
Yes! You can, or leave them to defrost in the fridge overnight.
Aya says
Hi I am very excited and sure they're very yummy
Aya says
Because we didn't make them yet
Aya says
I'm sure there really yammy
Janice says
Just made these muffins for my grandson, great recipe and really delicious muffins.
Kylie says
Hi Janice,
I'm so glad you like them!
Wendy says
Do you think we can substitute with coconut flour ?
Kylie says
You'd need to change the liquid rations as well, it will take a little experimenting!
Lindsay says
Are these fresh or dried dates?
Kylie says
I tend to use medjool dates for everything, but dried will also work in this recipe.
gemma says
Is this temp C° or F°? And can you substitute liquid vanilla for the paste?
Kylie says
This temp is in Celsius and yes, you can sub the vanilla. 🙂
Severien says
I have two lovely brown bananas waiting for this recipe, they look really great! Because half term is starting tomorrow and this looks a very easy recipe to make, I think I should leave it for the kids to make! Tomorrow!
VICTORIA CRUMPTON says
I dont have any coconut oil what could i use instead?
Kylie says
Hi Victoria,
Thanks for your question, you could use the same amount of melted butter, or another oil.
Thanks for stopping by.