Banana Wheat Germ Muffins with Nutella Swirl

Banana Wheat Germ Muffins with Nutella Swirl | Once Upon a Recipe

Friends, in exactly two weeks, I will be on a plane en route to Thailand. TWO WEEKS.

And I get to stay there for almost a month. That means no work, and lots of play, sun, Thai food (!!!), beach frisbee, and adventuring. I’ve had my travel vaccinations (they hurt. A LOT.), my bikinis are ready (they’re super cute), my appetite is building (for all that Thai food), and my brain is in vacation mode (already). I’m just so crazy excited!

Banana Wheat Germ Muffins with Nutella Swirl | Once Upon a Recipe

I’m not really sure what things will look like in this space while I’m gone. I had hoped to get a few posts ready in advance and have them all set to publish while I’m away, but so far my procrastination is winning at this planning game. BUT. I do have two weeks to work with, so maybe there will be a food blogging miracle and I will still get it all done. Just maybe.

Banana Wheat Germ Muffins with Nutella Swirl | Once Upon a Recipe

Banana Wheat Germ Muffins with Nutella Swirl | Once Upon a Recipe

In any case, today I have muffins! These muffins are my kind of muffin. Healthy and packed with nutrients, yet they still taste super amazing and not at all like you might think a “healthy” muffin should taste. They are incredibly moist (yep, I said it) and totally flavorful. The Nutella swirl was kind of an afterthought – it looks pretty and tastes super awesome (obvi), but it’s totally not necessary. These muffins are also great naked in all of their banana and wheat germ glory.

If you’re anything like me, you always have a surplus of ripe bananas and are constantly looking for new recipes to try in an effort to fend off banana boredom. You just can’t have too many banana recipes. This is my current favorite!

Banana Wheat Germ Muffins with Nutella Swirl | Once Upon a Recipe

Banana Wheat Germ Muffins with Nutella Swirl | Once Upon a Recipe

Banana Wheat Germ Muffins with Nutella Swirl (slightly adapted from Weelicious)

These muffins are made with whole wheat flour and wheat germ, and are sweetened only with honey. You can totally feel good about enjoying them for a convenient breakfast or a quick snack! Remember, the Nutella isn’t necessary if you want to make these a bit more virtuous. I bet peanut butter would taste great too! Makes 12 muffins. 

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup wheat germ

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

3 very ripe bananas, mashed

1/2 cup honey

3 TBSP. vegetable oil

1 TBSP. vanilla

1 egg

4 TBSP. Nutella, for swirling (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 12-count muffin tin with paper liners or spray with non-stick spray.

Combine the flour, wheat germ, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. In a separate small bowl, combine the bananas, honey, oil, vanilla, and egg. Whisk together until well mixed. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and gently mix until just combined. Divide the batter evenly between the muffin tins. Drop a teaspoon of Nutella into the top of each muffin and use a toothpick to create a swirl. Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until lightly browned and a toothpick inserted into the centre of the muffin comes out clean. Remove from the muffin tin and cool on a wire rack. Muffins can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. They also freeze very well.

Banana Wheat Germ Muffins with Nutella Swirl | Once Upon a Recipe

Comments

  1. You’re right, I definitely do have a few ripe bananas kicking around as we speak. And in my mind, the Nutella is not an option, it’s a must! Have an amazing time in Thailand, I am sure it will be a trip of a lifetime!

  2. You really can’t ever go wrong wtih Nutella! These look great, and I love that they are healthier! 🙂

  3. Anything involving Nutella has my name all over it! These look delicious!!

  4. Mmmm. They look delicious.

  5. These look really good!

  6. These look SO GOOD! You never cease to amaze me with what you can make! Can I adopt you please?

  7. So making these! And they are beautiful. Makes me excited that they are only sweetened with honey.

  8. Emma's Little Kitchen says

    So excited that I have ALL of these ingredients… I guess I will be baking tonight!

  9. Oooo, these sound delicious! I just hopped on the Nutella bandwagon a couple of years ago and I just KNOW this will go into my muffin repertoire

  10. Amanda – I didn’t think something like “…wheat germ muffins” could be swoon-worthy but you’ve managed it! These look so good and just perfect for me because I have a bag of wheat germ in my fridge. I use it to make banana-blueberry muffins for my husband and I need something like this to use it up. I will try soon! Thanks!

    • Excellent! Thanks Monica! Please let me know what you think!

      • I made a version yesterday with some chocolate chips and everyone is a fan! I’m really amazed it just has whole wheat flour & all that wheat germ to hold it up. True to form, I was a bit too enthusiastic with the banana so my muffins were a bit too moist (if there’s such a thing)…but even my little guy likes it and they are far healthier than his other favorite banana muffins. Thanks for sharing this recipe.

  11. This looks amazing! Now I know what to use the rest of my Nutella on! The pictures are beautiful! Thanks for sharing the recipe!

  12. Oh my god, Thailand! SE Asia is next up on my travel list. I’m so excited for you–and can’t wait to see photos! Eat extra noodles for me. 🙂

    And these muffins look fantastic too. I really like the heartiness wheat germ brings to things.

  13. These look amazing, Amanda! I love a Nutella swirl muffin- such a brilliant recipe idea! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

  14. love that swirl! 😉

  15. Amanda, you are going to LOVE the Thai food! Don’t be afraid to try plenty of street food. It’s amazing! I just loved the chaotic energy of Thailand when I was there.
    Oh, and these muffins look fabulous, too. I can imagine the nutella swirling part is very satisfying!

    • Thanks Helen! I cannot wait to eat authentic Thai food! I’m getting so excited! As for the muffins, they were fun to make and even more fun to eat!

  16. Lucky girl! That sounds like so much fun! After today’s weather you must be even more pumped to get out of here. 😉 These muffins sound so delish! And, I love how healthy they are. Yum, yum. 🙂

    • Oh man, the latest dump of snow has me even more excited to get outta here! At least today’s weather is more spring-like! These muffins are the perfect combination of healthy and delicious!

  17. I’m so jealous!! I’ve always wanted to go to THailand….mostly for the food. One of my good friends went two years ago and she loved it, so I know you’ll have the best time!!

    These muffins sound like true delights! I can never say no to nutella!

  18. Amanda you had me at Nutella. I love the stuff. I also have a few ripe bananas ready to become these amazing muffins. Yum

  19. I was so excited to make these Good Friday morning…and they did not disappoint! Delish! A big hit with my little girls (it may have had something to do with the Nutella). Another great recipe from your blog…

    Thanks!

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