Gluten-Free Vegan Banana Muffins | Minimalist Baker Recipes

My love for muffins has been going strong for 26 years now and has no intention of slowing. It all started with the crumb-top blueberry muffins my grandma would make for the grandkids.

I’d wake up early in a messy-haired daze and eagerly round the corner to the kitchen to always find a plate of fresh baked muffins on the counter. My grandma is the best at food, period. I’d heat up two jumbo-sized gems and slather them in butter. Breakfast of champions, I tell you.

Almond meal and bananas for making muffins

Pouring honey into a batch of our Banana Muffin batter

The only bad thing about muffins – besides the fact that you always want two or three – is that they can often be carb- and sugar-heavy.

In recent years, though, I’ve experimented a ton with making these breakfast stars a bit healthier, and I succeeded with recipes like my vegan banana nut muffins for 2, and sweet potato almond butter muffins, among others.

This banana almond meal variety is certainly on the healthier side, too, but full of flavor and nutty texture.

Bowl of Almond Meal Banana Muffin batter

Cooling rack with a batch of our Gluten-Free Banana Almond Meal Muffins

Besides being gluten-free and vegan, these muffins are also extremely low in sugar with just a few tablespoons of natural sweetener – such as agave or maple syrup. Gluten-free “flours” like oat flour and almond meal keep these GF-friendly. And they’re insanely moist and flavorful thanks to the mashed banana. Kind of perfect in the muffin world, if you ask me. Plus, just 1 bowl required? Party on.

Plate filled with a batch of our Gluten-Free Banana Almond Meal Muffins recipe

Straight out of the oven these are PERFECTION slathered in a little almond butter and sliced banana. (Honey for non-vegans is a must).

They aren’t overwhelmingly heavy or sweet, making them a great post-workout snack or light breakfast to get your metabolism churning first thing in the morning. I enjoyed mine as an afternoon snack to tide me over between meals. They’d even make a great after-dinner “dessert.” These muffins can do no wrong.

Banana Almond Meal Muffin topped with almond butter and sliced bananas

Close up shot of a Banana Muffin topped with almond butter and banana

But seriously, the almond butter, banana, honey suggestion? DO IIIIITTTTT.

Showing the texture of the inside of a Banana Almond Meal Muffin

NOTE: Recipe updated January 8, 2016 to include: increased baking time, emphasis on cooling, as well as emphasis on using almond meal ground from raw almonds (not pre-ground store-bought). Also, these muffins are meant to retain their moisture even after cooling. If you’re looking for a more crumbly muffin, check out these Vegan GF Banana Muffins!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Servings 8 (muffins)

Course Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine Gluten-Free, Vegan

Freezer Friendly 1 month

Does it keep? 2-3 Days

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

2 batches flax eggs (or sub 2 small eggs if not vegan // 2 Tbsp (14 g) flaxseed meal + 5 Tbsp (75 ml) water as original recipe is written)
2 medium ripe bananas
3 Tbsp agave nectar or maple syrup (or honey if not vegan)
3 Tbsp unsweetened vanilla or plain almond milk
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup almond meal (ground from raw almonds – not almond flour or pre-ground store-bought)
2/3 scant cup oat flour (ground from GF oats)

Contents show

TOPPINGS optional

Chopped nuts
Rolled oats
Crumb topping

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (176 C) and line a muffin tin with 8 paper liners (amount as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size).
In a large bowl, prepare flax egg by mixing flaxseed + water and letting rest for a few minutes.
Next add bananas and mash. Add agave, baking powder, vanilla, almond milk and stir.
Add almond meal and oat flour and stir once more. Taste to see if it needs more sweetener. I added a touch more because I prefer sweeter muffins.
Bake for 30-40 (+) minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and they become somewhat firm to the touch with a little give. They should appear golden brown on top.
Remove and let rest in pan for 5 minutes. Then let cool completely on a cooling rack. They can be tender when they’re warm. (I even found that they are better after cooling overnight.)
Store in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap for several days. Freeze for longer storage.

*Nutrition information is a rough estimate.

Serving: 1 muffins Calories: 158 Carbohydrates: 21 g Protein: 4.5 g Fat: 7 g Trans Fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Fiber: 3.7 g Sugar: 10 g