13 Best Banana Cupcake Recipes

Banana cupcakes are the perfect way to use up those brown bananas nobody wants to eat anymore. They’re more portable than banana bread and way more fun with all the frosting options. These 13 recipes range from simple classics to fancy flavors that could work for birthday parties. The key with banana cupcakes is using really ripe bananas – like the spotty brown ones that look gross but taste amazing.

Classic Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

These are the gold standard banana cupcakes – simple, moist, and full of banana flavor. The cream cheese frosting is tangy and balances the sweetness perfectly. The trick is mashing the bananas really well so you don’t get big chunks in the cupcakes. Some recipes add a pinch of cinnamon which works great with banana. These are perfect for beginners or when you want something reliable that everyone will like. Great for school bake sales or potluck dinners.

Chocolate Banana Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting

These combine two amazing flavor combos – chocolate with banana, and chocolate with peanut butter. The cupcakes are rich and chocolatey with banana keeping them super moist. The peanut butter frosting is thick and creamy and goes surprisingly well with the banana flavor. These taste like a fancy dessert but aren’t hard to make. Perfect for chocolate lovers who want something a little different from regular chocolate cupcakes.

Banana Caramel Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Buttercream

The caramel in these comes from either caramel sauce swirled into the batter or dulce de leche mixed in. The salted caramel buttercream on top has that perfect sweet-salty combo that makes everything taste better. Some recipes drizzle extra caramel sauce on top for even more caramel flavor. These are definitely on the fancy end but so worth it. The banana, caramel, and salt combo is addictive. Great for special occasions when you want to wow people.

Hummingbird Cupcakes (Banana Pineapple)

These are based on the famous Southern hummingbird cake that has banana, pineapple, and usually pecans. The pineapple adds moisture and a tropical flavor that works really well with banana. Most recipes include cream cheese frosting which is traditional. Some add shredded coconut or chopped pecans for extra texture. These taste like vacation in cupcake form. The combination of flavors might sound weird but it totally works. Perfect for summer parties.

Banana Pudding Cupcakes with Vanilla Wafer Crumbs

These taste like banana pudding but in cupcake form! The cupcakes are banana flavored and the frosting is usually vanilla buttercream or whipped cream. The top gets crushed vanilla wafers sprinkled on it just like banana pudding. Some recipes even have a pudding filling inside the cupcake. These are nostalgic and remind you of childhood desserts. Great for Southern-themed parties or when you want something that feels like comfort food but looks fancy.

Brown Butter Banana Cupcakes with Cinnamon Frosting

Browning the butter takes a few extra minutes but adds this amazing nutty flavor that makes these taste gourmet. The cinnamon frosting has just enough spice to complement the banana without overwhelming it. Your kitchen smells incredible while you’re making these from the browned butter and cinnamon. These have a more sophisticated flavor than regular banana cupcakes. Perfect when you want to impress people without doing anything too complicated.

Banana Split Cupcakes with Strawberry Frosting

These are inspired by banana splits with banana cupcakes, strawberry frosting, and usually chocolate chips mixed in. Some recipes add maraschino cherries on top to complete the banana split theme. The strawberry frosting is made with fresh strawberries or strawberry extract. These are fun and colorful and kids love them. You can get creative with toppings – add sprinkles, cherry, or even a drizzle of chocolate sauce. Perfect for kids’ birthday parties.

Banana Walnut Cupcakes with Maple Buttercream

The walnuts add great texture and a slight bitterness that balances the sweet banana. The maple buttercream uses real maple syrup which gives a deeper flavor than just maple extract. Some recipes toast the walnuts first which is worth the extra step for better flavor. The combo of banana, walnut, and maple tastes like fall in cupcake form. These are more grown-up tasting than most banana cupcakes. Great for autumn gatherings or coffee shop-style treats.

Chocolate Chip Banana Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting

Adding chocolate chips to banana cupcakes is always a good idea – the chips get melty and create pockets of chocolate goodness. The vanilla frosting is classic and doesn’t compete with the banana-chocolate flavor. These are like chocolate chip banana bread but way more fun with the frosting. Kids especially love these because chocolate chips make everything better. These work for both casual and more formal occasions depending on how you decorate them.

Banana Coconut Cupcakes with Coconut Cream Frosting

The coconut in these gives tropical flavor and great texture. Some recipes use coconut milk in the batter and coconut flakes mixed in. The coconut cream frosting is made with coconut cream or heavy cream with coconut extract. These taste like a tropical vacation. The coconut flakes on top get all toasty looking which makes them pretty. Perfect for summer parties or when you want something that feels fresh and different from regular cupcakes.

Banana Rum Cupcakes with Rum Buttercream

These have a splash of dark rum in both the cupcakes and frosting which gives them a sophisticated flavor. The rum isn’t strong enough to taste boozy, it just adds depth to the banana flavor. These are definitely adult cupcakes – not really for kids. Some recipes add a sprinkle of nutmeg on top which goes well with the rum. Perfect for grown-up parties or when you want something that feels fancy and indulgent.

Vegan Banana Cupcakes with Dairy-Free Frosting

These use ingredients like applesauce, plant milk, and vegan butter instead of dairy and eggs. The ripe bananas help keep them moist even without traditional ingredients. The dairy-free frosting is usually made with vegan butter and powdered sugar. These don’t taste “special diet” – they’re just good cupcakes that happen to be vegan. Great when you have friends with dietary restrictions but everyone wants to enjoy the same dessert.

Banana Foster Cupcakes with Bourbon Caramel Frosting

These are inspired by bananas foster – the flambéed dessert with banana, caramel, and rum or bourbon. The cupcakes have banana and sometimes a touch of rum extract, while the frosting has bourbon and caramel flavor. Some recipes include a caramel filling inside the cupcake too. These are rich and indulgent and definitely for adults only because of the alcohol. The flavors are complex and restaurant-quality. Perfect for dinner parties when you want an impressive dessert.