Banana Bacon Bran Muffins
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Light and fluffy, healthy banana muffins topped with crispy bacon. These muffins - packed with good-for-you ingredients - are the perfect snack or breakfast on the go.
Author:
Serves: about 16 muffins
Ingredients
  • 6 slices low sodium bacon
  • 1⅓ cup mashed bananas (about 3 large)*
  • ½ cup wheat bran
  • ⅓ cup greek yogurt
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • ¾ cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 Tbsp reserved bacon grease (optional)**
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place bacon strips on top. Cook for 15-20 minutes until bacon is cooked and crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and pat off any excess fat; set aside. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the bacon grease to add to the batter later (if desired).
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the bananas, wheat bran, and yogurt. Let sit for 5 minutes as you continue on with the recipe (this will soften up the bran).
  3. In a separate small bowl, whisk together flours, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt; set aside.
  4. Stir in egg, sugar, vanilla, and bacon grease (if using) into the bran mixture until smooth. Add in dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.
  5. Spoon batter into two lightly greased muffin tins, filling about ¾ of the way full. Crumble bacon on top of the batter, pressing down lightly to make sure the bacon sits inside the batter. Bake for 14-18 minutes until the tops spring back to the touch and a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean.
Notes
*Use the ripest bananas you have. I always have a freezer stocked with bananas. If you use them from frozen, simply thaw on the counter until soft, unpeel, and mash the bananas. If you're using fresh bananas, make sure they're as brown as you can get them before mashing them into the smoothest mush you can.

**Adding a bit of the bacon grease to the batter lends a nice bacon-y flavour to the muffin itself, but it's not required. Feel free to omit if you prefer.
Recipe by Port and Fin at https://portandfin.com/banana-bacon-bran-muffins/