These Espresso Chocolate Chip Banana Nut Muffins are your breakfast and coffee combined in a single bite! Yup, you can have your morning coffee and eat it, too!
If there’s anything that can motivate me to work a little harder, pull me off my couch, plant me in front of a computer, and write a recipe in HTML, it’s Instagram.
Yup, strange, isn’t it?
Because I’m not even that much into instagramming. I think I’ve always been afraid of getting sucked into the depth of the “I” addiction. The name alone can tempt the very strong. Who doesn’t like anything Insta?!
But, here’s what happened.
I made muffins. Espresso-flavored muffins. Espresso Chocolate Chip Banana Nut Muffins, to be exact.
They were good muffins. So I took pictures and posted on Instagram. Because they were good! And you’re supposed to instagram good things, are you not?
In my Instagram post, I mentioned #recipesoonontheblog.
And with that, the damage is done. If you promise, you must deliver.
Also, I brought some of the muffins to work, and carelessly spilled that there was espresso…and chocolate…
I didn’t even get to say the banana and nut parts before someone started hyperventilating. Apparently, some people get very excited over espresso and chocolate. No sooner had the words espresso and chocolate come out of my mouth than I heard…GASP! RECIPE!
And that’s why I really, really need to post this recipe. Darn you, Instagram! And darn you, espresso and chocolate!
I’m saying that without anger, of course. I’m not resentful or anything like that. I will never, ever darn espresso or chocolate.
Or even Instagram. Except maybe just one time, when I innocently searched for an innocent hashtag, and instead I got uhm… let’s just say it starts with a “P” and ends with an “N”, and there’s “OR” in the middle. And just to be clear, it is NOT “POPCORN”.
Has that ever happened to anyone?! It was so shocking I ended up not going back to Instagram for weeks!
So now you know why I’m not big on Instagram. I’m a little scared of it.
However, I’m seriously more than willing to share this recipe. And not in the least bit scared of doing it. Because it works beautifully. Life’s too short to be trying recipes that don’t work!
I based my recipe on Heidi Swanson’s Espresso Banana Muffins. When I saw that recipe, I knew instantly I could improve it. By that I mean I could simplify the method, as well as cater it to my personal preferences, i.e., my preferred baking nut is pecan, preferred baking liquid buttermilk, preferred sugar brown, etc.
And this Espresso Chocolate Chip Banana Muffin is my preferred version.
So good! (espresso and chocolate, need I say more?) And quite healthy (whole wheat, dark chocolate and all). And pretty much fool-proof (c’mon, it’s a muffin recipe!) So go make some and insta them! Or is it gram them? As you can see, I have yet to master the art of instagramming.
- 1¼ cups whole-wheat flour
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons aluminum-free baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon espresso powder
- ¾ cup toasted pecan, chopped, divided
- ¾ cup dark chocolate baking chips, divided
- 1 stick butter, melted
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 cup mashed, very ripe bananas
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- Heat oven to 425°F. Line muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a large bowl, mix flours, baking powder and soda, salt, espresso powder, ½ cup each of the nuts and chocolate chips, reserving the rest to top muffins. Whisk and set aside.
- In another bowl, mix melted butter, sugar, eggs, mashed bananas, vanilla, and buttermilk. Whisk to combine.
- Pour wet mixture into dry mixture. Use a spatula to mix just until combined. Don't overmix.
- Spoon batter into lined muffin tin. To get the high-domed, big-topped, bakery-style muffins, fill the cups all the way to the top (*See photo below).
- Sprinkle the remaining nuts and chocolate chips on top.
- Bake at 425°F for 7 minutes. Then reduce heat to 350°F and continue baking for 13 more minutes, for a total of 20 minutes baking time.
- Cool in the tin for just a couple of minutes, then remove and place on a wire rack to cool completely.
If you like this recipe, please give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the comments section below. Thanks!
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These look seriously good, I’d be one of those people hyperventilating if you put one of these muffins in front of me too! All the flavours are gorgeous and I’d use pecans too.
And they’re quite healthy. Not too sweet, whole grain, dark chocolate etc. I’ve since made them 3 times! Gobbled up each time!
How many good flavors can you have in a muffin – over the top! I love espresso and chocolate together – another blogger suggested a great coffee cookbook (which I bought) and there are lots of great recipes. Your muffins would be perfect any time of the day 🙂
Thanks, Judi! These are a keeper! Oh I’m hoping you’ll share some of those coffee recipes. Looking forward! ??
I can imagine how good these would be… pinned away! Looks like a fantastic flavor combination, Angie !
Thanks! I don’t think I’ll ever make plain banana nut muffins ever again! ?
Talk about packing in a punch- these muffins certainly seem to have it all, Angie! No wonder your co-workers were hyperventilating. I envy them…they got to eat those scrumptious muffins 🙂
Even the guys like them! You know, the macho men who claim they don’t eat pretty cupcakes and stuff? They love these! Maybe the coffee flavor is the culprit? ?
Maybe their justification is that it is the espresso is ‘macho’…..just so they can devour these scrumptious treats 🙂
Men! I swear I will never understand them!
Angie, these are amazing, and your photos are beautiful! All of my favorite things in one muffin! I am making these the next time I entertain. 😀
Oh you’re so sweet! Thanks so much! These will definitely get high marks from your guests!
Glad to see you cooking again (and posting)!
Thanks for the encouragement! ?
They look delicious, and almost healthy …. I absolutely love your photography. I’m sure I’ve put on weight just looking at those pictures 🙂
Thank you, thank you! I DON’T love my photography, unfortunately. I’m still trying to figure things out. A new camera is in order, I think.
Great minds think alike!! I have just made a bread with chocolate and espresso (yes, that’s two bread in day coz of the promises broken)!! And yes, no further explanation when there’s espresso and chocolate! I mean, what’s more to explain?? But I also love banana and nuts! I love everything I guess!? These are absolutely gorgeous and delicious, too!!
I am trying not to get addicted with Instagram. In fact, I don’t bring my phone at work coz I know I’ll just be Instagram-ing when no much job to do.?Well, I do open the app everyday to see foodssss!?
Oh is that the cinnamon rolls from Selma? I’ll have to give them a try one of these days. I bring my phone to work but it’s a fortress there anyway, most of the time I can’t get internet connection, so I’m safe! ?
Yes, the Nutella espresso sticky buns? So when your workplace is like that, you are indeed safe to bring your phone.?
Ahh Instagram can be so addicting for people who love food! I definitely spend too much time on it! These muffins though! Espresso and chocolate has me sold before I even hear what else is in them 😀
It’s so dangerous that Instagram! Nothing ever gets done when I’m on it! Thanks, Alex! You should make these! ?
I love anything banana-chocolate, these look like awesome!
Then I’d recommend these highly; you’d love them! A good way to use up those brown bananas, besides. Thanks, Alison!
The muffins looks great! Picture perfect for Insta! 🙂 They sound like an absolute treat!
They’re the perfect companion for your cup of joe! Thanks, Petra! ?
I will eat espresso anything and these sounds perfect Angie! Will make them 🙂
Thanks, Zeba! Let me know what you think. Btw, I tried your forbidden noodle Thai curry. My daughter loved it! I’ll be making it again for sure, and next time I’ll take a picture! ?
Yummy! Love the chunky ingredients in these muffins, they sound really amazing!
Thanks, Kreso! They’re wonderful! Definitely recommend them! ?
Oh my! Angie your photos are outstanding ? I need these right now… Ooo maybe my coffee & pecan chocolate bar will have to do for now! Thank you for sharing… Going to find them on insta now! ?
Thanks so much! It’s always gratifying to get compliments on the photography; for me it’s the part of blogging that causes a lot of nail-biting ? Coffee and pecan chocolate bar?! I hope that’s not just a tease ?
🙂 Love your photos of these! No… the coffee and pecan chocolate bar is (was!!!) so very real! 😛 xxx
As a passionate lover of muffins, this recipe completely won my heart. Perfect combination of some delightful ingredients, Angie! Is it possible to use plain yogurt rather than buttermilk?
Oh, yes, I’m sure you can use yogurt! It’d be pretty much interchangeable with the buttermilk. Thanks, Agness! Let me know how they turn out for you if you do make them.
This is right down my alley….a cup of coffee and a coffee-infused muffin! ?
Yup, that’d be my preferred way to start the day, any day! ?
Hi Angie these are delicious! I just followed you on pinterest. You are recipes are awesome!
Oh, thank you so much! I’ll reciprocate and follow you back. And I can send you an invite to join Fiesta Friday Friends Group Board if you like.