• Making these muffins is just as easy as gathering the ingredients. Let’s dive into the steps I follow when creating this delicious recipe.

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Muffin Tin

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven is heating, grease a muffin tin or line it with paper liners. Honestly, I opt for liners because they make cleanup a breeze.

Step 2: Mash the Bananas

• In a mixing bowl, mash the bananas until smooth. Don’t worry if there are a few lumps; they can add character. I usually find it easiest to use a fork to achieve the right consistency.

Step 3: Mix in Wet Ingredients

• Add the melted butter and brown sugar to the mashed bananas, stirring until well combined. Then, crack in the eggs and pour in the vanilla extract. Give it a good mix again. The aroma is already inviting.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

• In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. When I do this, I can see and feel the texture of the flour before it meets the wet mixture. It’s all about the process.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry

• Gradually fold the dry mixture into the wet mixture. The key here is not to overmix. You want everything to be just combined. It’s okay if a few streaks of flour remain; trust me, this is what keeps the muffins fluffy.

Step 6: Fold in Walnuts and Chocolate Chips

• Now comes the fun part! Gently fold in the chopped walnuts and chocolate chips. I have a sweet tooth, so I often add a little extra chocolate to this step.

Step 7: Fill the Muffin Tin

• Using a scoop or a ladle, fill each muffin cup about two-thirds full. I find that this allows enough room for the muffins to rise without overflowing.

Step 8: Prepare the Topping

• In a small bowl, mix the chopped walnuts, brown sugar, and cinnamon. This topping adds a delightful crunch and sweetness. Sprinkle it generously over the muffin batter in the tin.

Step 9: Bake

• Pop the muffin tin into the preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes. I always start checking around 18 minutes. You want the tops to be golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin should come out clean.

Step 10: Cool and Enjoy

• Remove the muffins from the oven and let them sit in the tin for a few minutes. After that, transfer them to a cooling rack. The smell wafting through my kitchen at this point is enough to make anyone drool.