Cream Cheese Swirled Banana Muffins Recipe

Is the morning rush at your house a battle over breakfast? I get it. One kid wants pancakes, another wants cereal, and someone is just not hungry. Again. My secret weapon for these moments? My Cream Cheese Swirled Banana Muffins. If you love this flavor combo, you should definitely try my Cream Cheese Swirl Pumpkin Banana Strawberry Muffins for another delicious twist.

They look like a fancy bakery treat, but they are secretly a peace treaty. The banana base is sweet and familiar, and that creamy swirl? It’s like a little hidden surprise that makes everyone feel like they’re getting a special dessert for breakfast. I promise, this recipe is a game-changer.

Recipe Overview

• Cuisine: American
• Category: Breakfast / Snack
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Servings: 12 muffins

Why Even My Picky Eaters Love This!

Let’s be real. If it looks boring, it’s a hard sell. The magic here is the swirl. That pretty marbled top makes these muffins feel special and fun, not like just another “healthy” thing we’re pushing. The banana keeps them super moist, so there’s no dry, crumbly texture to complain about. And the cream cheese filling is mild and sweet, not tangy or weird. It’s a total win.

Our Family-Friendly Ingredient List

I bet you have most of this in your pantry right now. No fancy trips to the store needed!

For the Banana Muffin Batter:

• 3 ripe bananas (the spottier, the sweeter!)
• 1/3 cup melted butter or neutral oil
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional, but nice)

For the Cream Cheese Swirl (aka the Cheesecake Filling):

• 4 oz (half a block) cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

How to Get the Kids Involved in Cooking This

Getting little hands involved is the best way to build excitement! Here are two perfect jobs for my sous-chefs.

Job 1: The Banana Masher. Give them a fork and a bowl and let them go to town on those bananas. It’s a great sensory activity and oddly satisfying.

Job 2: The Swirl Artist. Once the batters are in the muffin cups, hand them a toothpick or skewer. Let them make the swirling patterns. There’s no wrong way to do it, and they’ll be so proud of their edible art.

Recipe

Cream Cheese Swirled Banana Muffins Recipe

Make Cream Cheese Swirled Banana Muffins Recipe with simple ingredients and clear steps. Prep, cook, and enjoy—perfect for cozy evenings.

Author: Ashley Vaughn

Prep: 15 min | Cook: 20 min | Total: 35 min

Serves: - 4 + bites

★ Rate 🖨 Print

Our Family-Friendly Ingredient List

• 3 ripe bananas (the spottier, the sweeter!)
• 1/3 cup melted butter or neutral oil
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional, but nice)

The Full Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease it well.

2

Make the cream cheese swirl first. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, egg yolk, and 1/2 tsp vanilla until it’s smooth. Set this aside.

3

In a large bowl, mash the bananas really well with a fork. Add the melted (and slightly cooled) butter, the whole egg, 1/2 cup white sugar, brown sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla. Mix it all together.

4

Sprinkle the flour, baking soda, and cinnamon (if using) over the wet ingredients. Gently stir until just combined. A few lumps are totally fine! Over-mixing makes tough muffins.

5

Divide the banana batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full.

6

Now, add a heaping spoonful of the cream cheese mixture on top of each muffin batter portion.

7

Take a toothpick or knife and gently swirl it through the two batters. Go up, down, and around a few times to create a marbled look.

8

Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the tops are set and a toothpick inserted into a banana-batter part comes out clean.

9

Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then move them to a wire rack. Try to let them cool a bit before eating—that cream cheese swirl is hot!

Notes

Enjoy your homemade Cream Cheese Swirled Banana Muffins Recipe!

Nutrition Information

Provides energy from carbohydrates and natural fruit sugars.:

Contains protein from the egg and cream cheese.:

Bananas offer a good source of potassium.:

Using part whole-wheat flour can add fiber.:

Did You Make This?

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The Full Step-by-Step Instructions

Don’t let the swirl scare you. It’s much easier than it looks, and I’ll walk you through it. For all the detailed measurements and steps, you can always refer to my complete Cream Cheese Swirl Pumpkin Banana Strawberry Muffins recipe.

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease it well.
2. Make the cream cheese swirl first. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, egg yolk, and 1/2 tsp vanilla until it’s smooth. Set this aside.
3. In a large bowl, mash the bananas really well with a fork. Add the melted (and slightly cooled) butter, the whole egg, 1/2 cup white sugar, brown sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla. Mix it all together.
4. Sprinkle the flour, baking soda, and cinnamon (if using) over the wet ingredients. Gently stir until just combined. A few lumps are totally fine! Over-mixing makes tough muffins.
5. Divide the banana batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full.
6. Now, add a heaping spoonful of the cream cheese mixture on top of each muffin batter portion.
7. Take a toothpick or knife and gently swirl it through the two batters. Go up, down, and around a few times to create a marbled look.
8. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the tops are set and a toothpick inserted into a banana-batter part comes out clean.
9. Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then move them to a wire rack. Try to let them cool a bit before eating—that cream cheese swirl is hot!

Fun Twists for Different Tastes

Got a kid who only eats chocolate chips? A nut-free school? I’ve got you covered with these easy swaps.

For the chocolate lovers, fold 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips into the banana batter. For a crunchy top, sprinkle a few oats or a tiny sprinkle of coarse sugar on each muffin before baking. If you want to hide a veggie, you can add 1/2 cup of finely shredded zucchini to the banana batter—it disappears!

Storing & Reheating (Perfect for Busy Nights)

These muffins are lifesavers for make-ahead mornings. Let them cool completely first.

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months! Just wrap them individually and pop them in a freezer bag. To reheat, 20 seconds in the microwave makes them taste fresh-baked and soft.

Nutrition Notes

• Provides energy from carbohydrates and natural fruit sugars.
• Contains protein from the egg and cream cheese.
• Bananas offer a good source of potassium.
• Using part whole-wheat flour can add fiber.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I use yogurt instead of cream cheese?

For the swirl, I really don’t recommend it. Yogurt is too runny and won’t give you that rich, creamy pocket. For the best results, stick with the full-fat block cream cheese.

My bananas aren’t ripe. What can I do?

No problem! Place whole, unpeeled bananas on a baking sheet. Bake at 300°F for 15-20 minutes, until the skins are black. Let them cool, and you’ll have perfectly soft, sweet bananas for mashing.

Can I make this as a loaf instead?

Absolutely! Pour the banana batter into a greased loaf pan. Dollop the cream cheese mixture on top and swirl. Bake at 350°F for 55-65 minutes, until a tester comes out clean. It makes a gorgeous banana bread.

There you have it—my not-so-secret weapon for happy mornings and satisfied kiddos. This recipe turns those sad, forgotten bananas into something truly magical that everyone will look forward to. If you’re looking for another quick and delicious option, you have to try these Cream Cheese Swirl Pumpkin Muffins: Moist, Fluffy & Ready in 30 Min!

I’d love to know if this was a hit with your family! Did your little swirl artist create a masterpiece? Please leave a comment and rating below!