Easy Banana Bran Muffins without sugar

A banana bran muffin on a blue plate with more muffins in the background

Easy Banana Bran Muffins without sugar

No Sugar Banana Bran Muffins! These refined sugar free banana muffins are sweetened with nothing but bananas and dates. Made with whole wheat flour, oats, lots of bran, and studded with walnuts and banana chunks, this healthy bran muffin recipe makes a great breakfast, snack, or lunchbox treat.

Course Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine American

Diet Vegetarian

Keyword bran muffins, healthy muffins

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 25

Total Time 55

Servings muffins

Calories 295kcal

Author Katie Trant

Ingredients

1 ½ cups chopped pitted dates about 200g dates
1 cup water
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 large very ripe bananas mashed
3 Tablespoons of soft butter OR neutral-flavoured oil I've used both with the same results
2 large eggs
1 cup milk regular milk or plant-based milk both work fine
1 ½ cups wheat bran
½ cup rolled oats
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 banana diced
1 cup walnuts chopped

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Grease your muffin tins (I use butter), and preheat your oven to 200°C/ 400°F.
In a small (but not too small!) pot, combine the dates and water and heat to boiling on high heat. As soon as the water boils, add the baking soda, and stir to combine. Marvel at the foamy science that is happening and do not be alarmed, just make sure your pot is large enough that it won't foam over. Set mixture aside to cool.
1 ½ cups chopped pitted dates, 1 cup water, 1 teaspoon baking soda
In a stand mixer, mix together mashed bananas and butter or olive oil until it is light and frothy.
2 large very ripe bananas, 3 Tablespoons of soft butter OR neutral-flavoured oil
Add the eggs and mix to combine them.
2 large eggs
Stir in milk, bran, and oats, and set aside.
1 cup milk, 1 ½ cups wheat bran, ½ cup rolled oats
Add the dates to the wet mixture, and stir to combine.
Add the flour, baking powder and salt. Mix until just combined.
2 cups whole wheat flour, 1 Tablespoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt
Mix in diced banana and walnuts.
1 banana, 1 cup walnuts
Spoon the mixture into prepared muffin tins.
Bake for 20 - 25 min, until tops are golden and a knife inserted into the middle of one of the muffins comes out clean.

Notes

Nutrition values are an estimate only
I prefer using white whole wheat flour or whole grain spelt flour for this recipe, however, you can also use all-purpose or a mixture of all-purpose and whole wheat flour with good results.
Spotty or brown bananas are best for this recipe. The riper the better!
Muffins can be frozen once completely cooled. Pop them into a freezer bag and they'll be good for up to three months in the freezer.

Nutrition