Easy Banana Muffins With Cake Mix
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A box of cake mix can be used for so much more than dessert! These cake mix banana muffins are kid-tested and approved, and this simple recipe can be easily customized to include all your favorite additions.
Plus my whole family (including my neighbor’s kiddo) absolutely loves them. That’s the best part.
Whenever I have extra bananas sitting around browning, I love to make muffins.
It’s a great way to use up a bunch of bananas and an easy way to sneak a fruit into my kiddo. If I have the time, I will make banana muffins from scratch like my banana blueberry oat muffins or my small batch banana muffins, but sometimes I just don’t have it in me.
That’s why I love making homemade muffins from boxed cake mix.
It’s a fun shortcut recipe (I make banana bread with cake mix too!) that’s quicker, easier, and saves you a pile of dishes compared to making them from scratch.
Plus you can add whatever add-ins you like to make banana nut muffins or banana chocolate chunk muffins. I’ve made other variations of cake mix muffins including like chocolate chip muffins or blueberry muffins. In the fall I like to use spice cake mix to make pumpkin muffins.
The sky’s the limit. Whether you’re looking for a cozy weekend breakfast or a back-to-school treat, these easy muffins deliver every time!
Why You’ll Love This Quick And Easy Banana Muffin Recipe
- This simple muffin recipe yields a super soft and moist banana muffin with no effort at all!
- Fun shortcut recipe. You can get these in the oven in a matter of minutes.
- This recipe is kid tested and approved!
- Great breakfast option for busy mornings (and freezer-friendly)
- Cozy Sunday breakfast or special back-to-school treat!
Ingredients for Easy Cake Mix Banana Muffins
This easy recipe only requires a handful of simple ingredients to make the most flavorful muffins.
- Spice cake mix – I use a 13.25 oz box of cake mix. If you can only find the 15 oz box, see the substitution section for instructions. I like Betty Crocker, but your favorite brand will work. The flavor combination of the sweet banana and the spice cake is simply amazing.
- Eggs – I like to use large fresh eggs for baking.
- Mashed Bananas – Soft, brown, overly ripe bananas are best. You can also use frozen bananas, just thaw them first before mashing.
- Vegetable Oil – Or any other neutral oil.
- Vanilla Extract – This is optional, but adds a warm flavor.
How To Make Muffins From A Cake Mix
This simple recipe uses basic ingredients for the most delicious muffins. Follow these step-by-step instructions for the best results.
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper cupcake liners and set it aside.
Step 2
Empty the box of cake mix into a large bowl and set aside.
Step 3
Combine the mashed bananas, oil, eggs, and vanilla in a small bowl or large measuring cup and whisk until smooth.
Step 4
Pour the wet ingredients over the cake mix and stir until well mixed.
Step 5
Divide the muffin batter among the 12 muffin cups, filling the muffin liners about ¾ of the way full.
Step 6
Bake the muffins at 400 degrees F for 15-18 minutes until lightly browned around the edges and a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean.
Variations
- Add chocolate chips for banana chocolate chip muffins
- Chopped walnuts or toasted pecans can be stirred into the batter for extra crunch.
- Fruit such as blueberries and diced strawberries would be tasty additions.
- Add a little raw sugar or homemade granola to the top of the muffins before baking.
Note: You may need two muffin pans if you’re adding in extra ingredients.
Substitutions
- Melted butter or coconut oil (refined) can be used in place of vegetable oil.
- You can use a box of chocolate cake mix, yellow cake mix, or white cake mix with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon or 1 1/2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice added to it.
- If you can only find 15 oz boxes of cake mix, swap the water called for on the cake mix instructions for mashed banana, and use 3 eggs. Use the amount of oil called for on the box instructions (usually ½ a cup). You can also swap the oil for equal amounts of melted butter or melted refined coconut oil.
- For gluten free cake mix, follow the instructions on the back of the box, just swap the water for mashed banana.
Tips & Tricks
For the best results with this cake mix banana muffin recipe, follow these time-tested tips and tricks.
- The bananas should be very ripe, spotty, and brown for the best banana flavor!
- If you aren’t using paper liners, make sure to grease or spray your muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.
- Scoop the batter evenly so the muffins cook evenly and are uniform in size. I suggest using a cookie scoop.
How to Serve Banana Spice Cake Muffins
Serve these spice cake banana muffins as part of a full breakfast with a hot maple latte or as part of a pastry platter with apple pie cinnamon rolls, blueberry sour cream coffee cake, fresh fruit, and breakfast potatoes.
They’re also great for potlucks, bake sales, brunches, and more!
Check my full page of breakfast recipes here for more great breakfast options.
How to Store Leftover Banana Muffins
Allow any extra muffins to cool completely on a wire rack before placing them in a container. This little extra step helps avoid excess moisture forming during storage.
Storing leftover muffins: store banana spice muffins at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezing Muffins:
Cake mix banana muffins can be frozen for up to two months in a freezer safe, well sealed airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw the muffins at room temperature before serving or warm them slightly in the microwave.
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Quick Banana Muffins With Cake Mix
Ingredients
- 1 box 13.25 oz of spice cake mix *see notes*
- 1 cup mashed banana
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
- Combine the mashed bananas, oil, eggs, and vanilla in a bowl or large measuring cup and whisk until smooth.
- Pour the wet ingredients over the cake mix and stir until well mixed.
- Divide the batter among the 12 muffin cups, filling the muffin liners about ¾ of the way full.
- Bake the muffins at 400 degrees F for 15-18 minutes until risen in the center, browned, and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Notes
- If you can only find 15 oz boxes of cake mix, swap the water called for in the instructions for mashed banana, use 3 eggs, and use the amount of oil called for on the box.
- Yellow cake mix with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon or 1 1/2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice can be used in the place of spice cake mix.
- You’ll need 2-3 bananas to get one cup of mashed for this recipe. If you come up add in water, milk, or applesauce.
