Good morning, friends, and welcome back to Greatful Moments! I am so excited to see you here for part two of our breakfast series and it looks like we survived Day One of our 13 Days to the First Day of School Breakfast Countdown, and I’m so excited to continue this journey with you. Today we are starting with a recipe that is perfect for busy mornings — Make-Ahead Banana Muffins. I wish I had one this morning with a glass or Milk. How about you?

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that mornings can become one of the busiest times of the day. Between getting everyone ready, finding shoes, packing lunches, remembering backpacks, and making sure everyone gets out the door on time, breakfast can sometimes become something we rush through.

But I truly believe breakfast is an important part of starting our day. It gives us a few moments to slow down, gather together, and begin the day feeling cared for. Now, my son Charlie has already graduated from high school, but I still love sharing back-to-school ideas with you because I know so many families are preparing for a new school year.

I still have nieces and nephews who are heading back to school, and I remember how exciting and busy this season can be. That is why I love recipes like these banana muffins. They are simple. They are budget-friendly. And the best part is that you can make these Muffins ahead of time and freeze them.

Instead of waking up early and trying to bake breakfast before everyone heads out the door, you can prepare these muffins ahead of time, store them properly, and have them ready when your family needs a quick breakfast. You can even make a double batch and freeze some for later. Then, on those mornings when everyone is running behind, you can pull out a muffin and have a homemade breakfast ready to go.

Sometimes a little preparation ahead of time can make the whole morning feel a little less stressful. One thing I love about banana muffins is how easy they are to customize. Some families enjoy adding chopped walnuts or pecans for extra flavor and texture. However, if someone in your family has a nut allergy, or you simply prefer your muffins without nuts, you can leave them out completely. They are still soft, sweet, and delicious.

These muffins are also a wonderful way to bless others. As we prepare for a new school year, this would make a thoughtful gift for teachers, school staff, bus drivers, neighbors, or anyone who deserves a little thank-you. Place a few muffins in a pretty container, add a handwritten note, and you have a simple homemade gift made with love.

You can find more thoughtful back-to-school gift ideas in our Back-to-School Gift Guide here on Greatful Moments. Because sometimes the best gifts are not the most expensive ones. Sometimes the best gifts are made in our kitchens. Sometimes they are made with a little time, a little love, and a grateful heart.

Make-Ahead Banana Muffins
Kitchen Tools I Used

To make these muffins, you will need a few simple kitchen tools:

A standard 12-cup muffin pan
Paper muffin liners
Mixing bowls
Measuring cups and spoons
A fork or banana masher
A wire cooling rack
Storage containers or freezer-safe bags for keeping muffins fresh

These are everyday kitchen tools that make baking easier, especially during busy seasons like back-to-school time.

Ingredients
3 ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 cup melted butter or oil
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Directions

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.

In a large bowl, mash the bananas. Add melted butter or oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until combined.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

If you are adding nuts, gently fold them into the batter.

Fill each muffin cup about two-thirds full.

Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Allow muffins to cool before serving, storing, or freezing.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

These muffins can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container for several days.

To freeze, allow muffins to cool completely. Place them in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze.

When you need a quick breakfast, simply remove a muffin and allow it to thaw, or warm it slightly before serving.

Memory Maker of the Day

Make breakfast feel special without spending a lot of money. Place a muffin on a plate with a handwritten note that says: “Have a great day! You are loved.” Sometimes the smallest gestures become the biggest memories. Coming Up Next in Our Breakfast Countdown Tomorrow we will continue our 13 Days to the First Day of School Breakfast Countdown with: Day 2: Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats — A New Breakfast Adventure

I hope you will join me as we continue trying new recipes, creating family traditions, and making Greatful Moments together.

A Morning Prayer for Our School Year

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this new day and for the blessings You have given us.

As we prepare for a new school year, please watch over our children, their teachers, and their schools.

Help us be kind, patient, and thankful. Give us courage when things feel difficult, wisdom when we need to make choices, and loving hearts toward those around us.

Help us remember that You are always with us wherever we go.

Thank You for our families, our friends, and the little moments that make life special.

Amen.

I hope you enjoyed starting our 13 Days to the First Day of School Breakfast Countdown with these simple Make-Ahead Banana Muffins. Tomorrow, we will continue our countdown with Day Two: Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats. I have to tell you, this one is a little different for our family because it is something new we are trying together. My family has never really been big fruit eaters, and overnight oats are not something we have made before, so I’m excited to see what we think!

I hope you will come back and try this new breakfast idea with us as we continue finding simple ways to make busy mornings easier and create new Greatful Moments with the people we love. I will see you tomorrow for another breakfast recipe, another family moment, and another step closer to the first day of school.

Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed.

Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates