Most of us have that BAD HABIT of letting bananas sit a little too long on the counter—you know, that slow slide from perfectly ripe to practically black. But here’s the upside: those dark, overripe bananas are exactly what you need to make something amazing. These Banana Raspberry Muffins with Pecan Streusel turn that kitchen guilt into a total win. They're moist, flavorful, and topped with a buttery streusel—and if you want to take them over the top, a drizzle of vanilla glaze seals the deal.


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Inspirations
We didn’t grow up eating a lot of bananas, which is kind of funny considering we were a family full of athletes. You’d think bananas would’ve been a staple! I remember apples—definitely. Maybe an orange here and there. But bananas? Rare.
That said, I loved the occasional banana split from Dairy Queen or a slice of banana bread when someone made it. I was even into homemade banana shakes—fresh banana, milk, and a little honey? YUM. But banana-flavored anything? No thanks. Do you remember that awful banana Bubble Yum? Huge miss.
Fast forward to now. As an adult, I’ve come to appreciate bananas for what they are—nutritional gold. Especially when you wake up in the middle of the night with a leg cramp that launches you out of bed like a rocket. You know the ones. Potassium to the rescue! They’re also great for a quick carb boost before a workout.
The problem? Bananas are needy. Too green and they’re stiff and starchy. Wait too long and they’re mushy and sad. Despite trying every trick in the book (plastic-wrapped stems, foil, refrigeration, individual wrapping… you name it), we still end up with those sad, spotty bananas.
But here’s the thing: the sad bananas? They’re secret gold. I mean black. And they’re perfect for baking. I usually make a killer banana bread, but I wanted to shake things up this time—add a little seasonal flair. I love raspberries, and I thought… why not? They’d bring tartness, color, and contrast.
Then I thought: muffins! Easier to freeze and share. And what if I added the pecan streusel I usually use in the center of my banana bread? Yes. And for those who like a little extra sweetness, I finished some with a drizzle of vanilla glaze.
I have to tell you—these Banana Raspberry Muffins with Pecan Streusel are freaking fantastic! Whether you glaze them or not, they’re soft, flavorful, and that raspberry pop is just so good.

Instruments
Mixing bowls – one for dry, one for wet, and one just because you’re going to need it
A whisk – to bring your eggs, sugar, and vanilla into smooth harmony
Rubber spatula – perfect for folding in raspberries, pecans, and good intentions
Cookie scoop – your ticket to evenly portioned muffins, every time
Measuring cups & spoons – because a little too much cinnamon changes everything
Silicone muffin pan – nonstick, no liners, no fuss—just a smooth release every time
Cooling rack – gives your muffins a moment to chill before the big reveal
Zester or grater – for that bright pop of lemon that makes the flavor sing
Essentials
Overripe bananas – sweet, soft, and stage-ready
Fresh raspberries – juicy little showstoppers
Chopped pecans – crunchy, toasty texture bombs
Eggs – the binder that holds it all together
All-purpose flour – the structure behind the softness
Granulated & brown sugar – a mix of sweet highs and rich lows
Greek yogurt – adds moisture and just a little tang
Melted butter – smooth, rich, and ready to riff
Baking soda, baking powder, and salt – the rhythm section
Vanilla extract – the soulful base note
Cinnamon & nutmeg – the unexpected groove
Lemon zest – a bright finish to keep things fresh



Pro Tips and Riffs


Faq: Grub Answers and Insights
Banana Raspberry Muffins with Pecan Streusel
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
Description
These Banana Raspberry Muffins with Pecan Streusel are bursting with juicy berries, warm spices, and a crunchy pecan streusel. Perfectly moist and just sweet enough—enjoy them plain or with a drizzle of vanilla glaze!
Ingredients
For the Muffins
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon salt
3 - 4 very ripe bananas, mashed (1 ½ - 2 cups)
½ cup plain Greek yogurt
2 eggs
½ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup brown sugar
¼ cup melted unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
¾ cup fresh or frozen raspberries
½ cup chopped pecans (optional)
For the Streusel
⅓ cup chopped pecans
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon melted butter
Pinch of cinnamon
Optional Vanilla Glaze
½ cup powdered sugar
1-2 teaspoons milk or cream
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or lightly coat with nonstick spray.
- In a small bowl, make the streusel: Mix melted butter, pecans, cinnamon, brown sugar, and flour until crumbly. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, and melted butter. Stir in eggs, mashed bananas, yogurt, vanilla extract, and lemon zest until smooth.
- Gradually stir in the flour mixture until just combined. Gently fold in raspberries with a spatula, being careful not to break them up too much.
- Scoop batter into muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full. Sprinkle streusel evenly over each muffin.
- Bake for 22–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- To make the optional vanilla glaze, whisk together ½ cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon milk (or more for desired consistency), and ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth. For easy drizzling, spoon the glaze into a zip-top bag, snip off a small corner, and pipe it over the cooled muffins.
Notes
The darker and softer the bananas, the better. Look for heavy speckling or fully black skins, those bring the most flavor and natural sweetness to your muffins.
Using regular yellow bananas can result in a bland flavor and even a rubbery texture. Overripe bananas not only taste better, but they bake better.
If you’re not ready to bake, freeze those overripe bananas in a zip-top bag. They thaw quickly and blend smoothly into the batter.
Fresh raspberries can bleed into the batter, adding beautiful swirls of color—this is normal and doesn’t affect taste.
Silicone muffin pans make cleanup easy and eliminate the need for paper liners. No sticking, no tearing—just perfectly released muffins every time. I use a slightly smaller silicone pan than the standard size, which stretches the batter to make 18 muffins instead of 12.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Baked Goods
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American


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