These muffins are packed full of fibre from the bananas, and are relatively low in fat and sugar. Use very ripe bananas for these tasty snacks – if they are almost black, even better.

You will need three bananas for this recipe – collect them in the freezer (just pop them in whole) until you are ready to use them, then defrost in the microwave for a few seconds.

Low Fat Banana, Walnut & Sultana Muffins - Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Measuring jug
  • Potato masher
  • Wooden spoon
  • Muffin tin, lined with paper cases, to hold 12 muffins
  • Cooling rack

Low Fat Banana, Walnut & Sultana Muffins - Ingredients

  • 1 ¼ cups (10oz or 280g) self raising flour (or all purpose flour plus 2 tsps baking powder)
  • 3 large very ripe bananas
  • 1/3 cup (3oz or 85g) sugar
  • 1 egg, preferably free range, beaten
  • ¼ cup (2oz or 60g) butter, melted
  • 1 good tablespoon fat-free crème fraiche
  • 2 fl oz (60m) water or skimmed milk
  • ¼ cup (2oz or 60g) sultanas or raisins
  • ¼ cup (2oz or 60g) chopped walnuts

  1. Pre-heat the over to 190C/375F.
  2. Put all the dry ingredients into the mixing bowl.
  3. In the small bowl, mash the bananas thoroughly with the potato masher.
  4. Add the beaten egg, crème fraiche, melted butter and milk, and stir until combined.
  5. Tip the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients, and stir until combined. Add the sultanas and walnuts.
  6. The batter will be quite wet and lumpy looking, but there should be no lumps of dry flour.
  7. Spoon it carefully into the prepared cases, levelling the tops off with a spoon to ensure that they rise evenly. This recipe will make up to 12 muffins.
  8. Bake for about 20 minutes, until well risen and golden on top. The muffins should spring back when you gently touch the tops.
  9. Place on rack to cool
  10. These muffins will keep in an airtight container for 2 – 3 days, but no longer due to the low fat and high fruit content. They freeze well, so can be made in advance and defrosted as required.
These are great for picnics as they are fairly robust and will travel well. Also ideal for packed lunches, or if you just fancy a healthy snack.

Variations

  • Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins: Omit the sultanas and walnuts, and add two tablespoons of chocolate chips instead (be aware that this will make the muffins less low fat though!)
  • Wholemeal Spiced Banana Muffins: Substitute half of the flour for wholemeal flour. Omit the walnuts, and add 1 good teaspoon of mixed spice.
  • Banana Blueberry Muffins Omit the sultanas and walnuts, and add a handful of fresh or dried blueberries instead.