Banana-Chocolate Chip Muffins

One thing that I like to keep around the house is muffins. Muffins are so easy to make, usually I have all the ingredients necessary for a variety of different flavors on hand. They're easy during the week for the kids to grab as a snack for school, or even for myself to enjoy alongside my favorite coffee or tea.

One of my favorite muffins to make is banana muffins. My kids love bananas, and usually they're gone pretty quickly. Once they get a little spotted my kids aren't as interested in them, so I typically use them in my daily smoothie. Once in a while, though, I'm in the mood for a treat and those spotted bananas are just the thing. If you have a bag of chocolate chips on hand and a few pantry essentials this is easy to whip up and the whole family can enjoy them.

This is a slight variation to my Banana Nut Bread I made a while back, and I even made these and served them the day I made my Strawberry Streusel Muffins. In fact, these have the same streusel recipe on top, with just a little scattering of chopped walnuts. These are great fresh out of the oven, and (dare I say) even better the next day. Good luck making them last that long though!

Banana-Chocolate Chip Muffin Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8  teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup milk
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 large freckled banana
• 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

Streusel Topping Ingredients

• 1/3 cup all purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons cold butter
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1-2 teaspoons chopped walnuts

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar in a medium bowl. Mix until combined.

In a separate bowl, combine egg, milk and vegetable oil. Combine well.

Pour dry mixture into wet, mixing until just combined. 

Fold in smashed banana, then fold in chocolate chips.

In a separate bowl combine streusel ingredients (everything except walnuts), cutting into butter until topping is coarsely mixed.

Place cupcake liners in muffin pan, spray lightly so muffins won't stick to liners.

Divide mixture into each liner (makes 12), then sprinkle with streusel topping. 

Then sprinkle with chopped walnuts.

Place in preheated oven, bake for about 22 minutes or until muffins are cooked through.

Allow to cool. 

Check out the melted chocolate chips.

Yum!

Enjoy!