Dirty Chai Banana Muffins Recipe

Picture this: I’m in my kitchen, banana peels everywhere, and there’s a perfectly brewed chai by my side—I’m about to embark on a magical muffin-making journey that’ll blend the comforting warmth of chai and espresso with the sweet allure of ripe bananas.

Welcome to my recipe for Dirty Chai Banana Muffins, a delightful fusion of spiced chai and rich espresso, perfectly balanced with the sweetness of ripe bananas. I adore how the trio of cinnamon, cardamom, and a touch of cloves turns these muffins into something delightful.

Frosting them with a combination of granulated sugar and brown sugar not only fills the muffins with an incredible flavor, but also gives the texture a moist and irresistible quality.

Dirty Chai Banana Muffins Recipe Ingredients

• Bananas: Rich in potassium and fiber, they add natural sweetness and moisture.
• Chai tea: Infuses warm, spiced flavors from cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves.
• Espresso: Adds a bold, coffee depth that enhances the chai spices.
• Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and aids in texture.
• Brown sugar: Adds a subtle caramel note and increases moisture.
• Vegetable oil: Keeps the muffins tender and enhances moisture.
• Eggs: Provides structure and helps with leavening for a fluffy texture.

Dirty Chai Banana Muffins Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large bananas)
• 1/4 cup brewed chai tea, cooled
• 1/4 cup strong brewed espresso or coffee, cooled
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

How to Make this Dirty Chai Banana Muffins Recipe

1. Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and either line a muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease it with spray cooking oil.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the following ingredients until they are well blended:
– The mashed bananas;
– Brewed chai tea;
– Brewed espresso;
– Granulated sugar; and
– Light brown sugar.

3. Include the vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract in the banana mixture. Whisk everything together until smooth and completely blended.

4. In an individual basin, mix the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cardamom, salt, ginger, and cloves.

5. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients with the wet banana mixture by folding them together. Stir gently, and be careful not to overmix this batter. It’s all right if you see a few lumps here and there.

6. Distribute the batter evenly into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about two-thirds full.

7. Preheat the oven and bake an item in it for a specified time. Here, the item being baked is a batch of muffins. They go into an oven heated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) for 18-22 minutes. I like the way muffins come out in my oven when they are baked at this temperature and for this length of time.

8. Let the muffins cool in the pan for about 5 minutes; then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

9. You can optionally add an extra layer of flavor by dusting with powdered sugar or drizzling with a chai-flavored glaze.

10. Serve the Chai Banana Muffins warm or at room temperature, and savor them with a cup of chia or espresso!

Dirty Chai Banana Muffins Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Oven
2. Muffin tin
3. Paper liners or spray cooking oil
4. Large mixing bowl
5. Whisk
6. Separate bowl
7. Spoon or spatula for folding
8. Wire rack
9. Measuring cups
10. Measuring spoons

FAQ

• Q: Can I use instant coffee instead of brewed espresso?A: Yes, you can use instant coffee stirred into hot water as a substitute. Use about 1 to 2 teaspoons of instant coffee per 1/4 cup of water.
• Q: Are there any alternatives for vegetable oil?A: Melted coconut oil or melted butter can be used in place of vegetable oil in this recipe.
• Q: Can I make this recipe gluten-free?A: Yes, you can use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend to make the muffins gluten-free, but the texture might vary slightly.
• Q: How ripe should the bananas be?A: To get the optimal outcome, utilize bananas that are extremely overripe and have brown blotches, since they are the most sugary and will mash the most effortlessly.
• Q: Can I use chai tea concentrate?A: The batter is better with brewed chai tea. Concentrate might make it too sweet and change the consistency.
• Q: How should I store the muffins?A: Keep them in a fridge (an airtight container is preferred) at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week.

Dirty Chai Banana Muffins Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Substitute with 1 cup of applesauce or pumpkin puree for a different flavor and texture when using ripe bananas.
Chai tea that has been brewed: Substitute with the same amount of spiced herbal tea. If chai is not available, use milk with a pinch of additional cinnamon.
You can use either coconut sugar or additional granulated sugar in the same amount as called for in the recipe, and it will work just fine. But note that if you make this substitution, it will flavor the recipe differently, and it may not taste exactly as intended.
Vegetable oil: Using the same amount of melted coconut oil or unsweetened applesauce makes for a healthier alternative.
Gluten-free all-purpose flour blend or whole wheat flour can be used in place of all-purpose flour, but the texture will be a bit different.

Pro Tips

1. Use Super Ripe Bananas The riper the bananas, the more natural sweetness and flavor they will add to your muffins. Look for bananas with plenty of brown spots.

2. Infuse with Spices For an extra spice kick, steep the chai tea with a cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, and a few slices of fresh ginger before brewing to enhance the flavors.

3. Don’t Overmix When combining the wet and dry ingredients, gently fold them together just until the flour is incorporated. Overmixing will result in dense muffins.

4. Customize Your Toppings Consider adding a streusel topping for added texture and flavor. Combine flour, brown sugar, and butter, and sprinkle over the batter before baking.

5. Check for Doneness Start checking the muffins at 18 minutes by inserting a toothpick into the center. They’re ready when the toothpick comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached.