Easy Banana Muffins

Here’s a simple and kid-friendly recipe for easy banana muffins that kids will love to help make and eat!

Ingredients:
– 2 ripe bananas
– 1/3 cup melted butter (let it cool slightly)
– 1/2 cup sugar (you can reduce this to 1/3 cup for less sweetness)
– 1 egg (lightly beaten)
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1 teaspoon baking soda
– A pinch of salt
– 1 cup all-purpose flour

Optional Add-ins:
– 1/2 cup chocolate chips
– 1/2 cup chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans)
– 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon for extra flavor

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease it with a little butter.

2. Mash the Bananas: In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth. Kids can help with this!

3. Mix Wet Ingredients: Add the melted butter to the mashed bananas and mix well. Then, stir in the sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract until combined.

4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, mix the baking soda, salt, and flour together. If you’re adding cinnamon, mix it in here too.

5. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix! If you’re adding chocolate chips or nuts, fold them in gently.

6. Fill the Muffin Tin: Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about 2/3 full.

7. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.

8. Cool and Enjoy: Let the muffins cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your delicious banana muffins!

Tips:
– These muffins are great for breakfast or as a snack!
– You can store them in an airtight container for a few days or freeze them for later.

Happy baking!