Healthy Cinnamon Banana Muffins with Gooey Peanut Butter Centers

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There’s something deeply satisfying about peeling open a warm muffin and discovering a gooey, melty peanut butter center hidden inside. These Healthy Cinnamon Banana Muffins with Gooey Peanut Butter Centers deliver exactly that kind of joy.

They’re soft, naturally sweet, spiced with cinnamon, and made entirely with real ingredients you can feel great about. Whether you’re baking for your kids, your guests, or your future self (hello, meal prep!), these muffins are an easy, nourishing win. Best of all? You only need one bowl and 10 minutes of prep.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with These Muffins

These aren’t your average banana muffins. The gooey peanut butter core makes each bite feel like a treat, while the base is light, moist, and packed with feel-good flavor.

✅ Gooey Peanut Butter Core

Each muffin hides a creamy peanut butter surprise in the center that melts just enough while baking. It’s soft, rich, and comforting.

✅ Naturally Sweetened

Thanks to ripe bananas and a touch of honey or maple syrup, there’s no need for refined sugar. The sweetness is subtle, warm, and natural.

✅ Soft and Moist

Greek yogurt adds moisture without extra fat, while oat flour keeps the muffins tender and hearty.

✅ Perfectly Spiced

Cinnamon enhances the banana flavor and brings that cozy, just-baked smell we all love.

✅ Great for Meal Prep

They store well, freeze even better, and can be enjoyed at any time of the day.

The Power of the Ingredients

Let’s take a look at what makes these muffins not just delicious, but nourishing as well:

🍌 Bananas

The riper the bananas, the sweeter the muffin. Bananas add natural sugar, fiber, and moisture, plus a hefty dose of potassium and antioxidants.

🧁 Greek Yogurt

High in protein and probiotics, Greek yogurt helps make the texture rich and tender without needing butter or oil.

🥜 Peanut Butter

Used as the filling, peanut butter delivers healthy fats, protein, and satisfying creaminess. It adds depth to the muffin without overwhelming the other flavors.

🍯 Honey or Maple Syrup

These natural sweeteners add a gentle caramel-like flavor and blend beautifully with the banana and cinnamon.

🌾 Oat Flour

Oat flour gives these muffins a wholesome base with fiber and complex carbs for lasting energy. It also makes the recipe naturally gluten-free if certified oats are used.

🌿 Cinnamon

Cinnamon ties it all together, complementing the banana while adding anti-inflammatory benefits and blood sugar-balancing properties.

Healthy Cinnamon Banana Muffins with Gooey Peanut Butter Centers – Full Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 2 ripe bananas (mashed)

  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt

  • 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup

  • 1 large egg

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1 cup oat flour

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 cup peanut butter (natural, unsweetened – for filling)

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven
Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease them.

2. Mix wet ingredients
In a large bowl, mash the bananas with a fork until smooth. Add the Greek yogurt, honey or maple syrup, egg, and vanilla. Stir until completely combined and creamy.

3. Add dry ingredients
To the wet mixture, add the oat flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Stir until just combined. The batter should be thick but spoonable.

4. Fill muffin cups
Spoon about 1 tablespoon of batter into the bottom of each muffin cup. Add 1 teaspoon of peanut butter directly into the center of each cup, then top with more batter until the cups are about 3/4 full and the peanut butter is fully covered.

5. Bake
Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the tops are golden and a toothpick inserted near the edge (not the center!) comes out clean.

6. Cool before serving
Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5–10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Serve warm to enjoy that gooey center—or store for later snacking.

Variations and Customizations

These muffins are flexible and easy to adapt to your taste or dietary needs:

  • Vegan: Replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 2.5 tablespoons water), and use plant-based yogurt.

  • Nut-Free: Substitute the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter.

  • Chocolate Kick: Fold mini chocolate chips into the batter for a chocolate-peanut butter twist.

  • Crunchy Texture: Add crushed walnuts or pecans on top before baking.

  • Extra Spice: Boost the flavor with a pinch of nutmeg or ginger alongside the cinnamon.

Storage & Freezing Tips

These muffins are perfect for batch baking and storing:

  • Room Temperature: Keep in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

  • Refrigerator: Store for up to 5 days. Reheat briefly to bring back the gooey texture.

  • Freezer: Freeze individually for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight or warm in the microwave for 20–30 seconds.

Nutrition Information (Per Muffin – Approximate)

  • Calories: 175

  • Protein: 5g

  • Carbohydrates: 18g

  • Sugar: 7g

  • Fiber: 3g

  • Fat: 9g

  • Saturated Fat: 2g

These muffins offer a balanced snack that satisfies without weighing you down. Perfect for a light breakfast, a midday pick-me-up, or a healthy dessert.

When to Serve These Muffins

These cinnamon banana muffins are incredibly versatile and suitable for:

  • ☕ Morning coffee companion

  • 🧃 Post-workout snack

  • 🎒 Lunchbox addition

  • 🧁 Guilt-free dessert

  • 🌞 Afternoon treat with tea

And because they’re naturally sweetened, they’re also a great choice for kids or anyone trying to reduce refined sugar intake.

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for a healthy muffin that feels indulgent and cozy—but still fits into your wellness goals—Healthy Cinnamon Banana Muffins with Gooey Peanut Butter Centers are the perfect answer. They’re soft, warm, satisfying, and just the right amount of sweet.

The combination of cinnamon-spiced banana bread and molten peanut butter in the middle is pure magic. Bake once, enjoy all week—and feel good about every bite.

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