These lentil banana muffins are one of those recipes that makes you pause and say, wait… why am I not making these all the time?! They’re naturally sweetened from the banana (no added sugar), super soft, and packed with fiber, iron, and protein (shout out to lentils)! Without tasting “healthy” in a way toddlers side‑eye.
We also call these ABC muffins because they’re made with apple, banana, carrot, and zucchini, plus lentils blended right into the batter. They’re the perfect muffin when you really want a nutrient-punch for your baby or toddler!

Why Busy Moms Will Love These Lentil Banana Muffins
- no added sugar (just fruit!)
- soft, fluffy texture for toddlers
- packed with fiber + iron from lentils and veggies
- easy blender recipe
- great for picky eaters AND babies
- freezer‑friendly for busy weeks
If you're looking for more iron-packed recipes, then check out these banana chickpea blondies and pumpkin chickpea muffins! We're obsessed with them both.
Jump to:
- Why Busy Moms Will Love These Lentil Banana Muffins
- Ingredients You'll Need
- How To Make Your Lentil Banana Muffins
- Hint For The Best Lentil Banana Muffins
- Substitutions
- Variations
- Equipment
- Storing Your Lentil Banana Muffins
- Tiff's Dietitian Tip
- FAQ
- Related
- Pairing
- Lentil Banana Muffins (ABC veggie-packed, no added sugar)
Ingredients You'll Need
Here's what you'll need to make your lentil banana muffins:

- lentils: a simple way to boost iron, fiber, and plant protein
- bananas + apple: natural sweetness and moisture, no sweeteners needed
- rolled oats: gentle fiber + structure to keep muffins fluffy, not gummy
- eggs: help bind and give lift
- carrot + zucchini: extra nutrients with a soft, toddler‑approved texture
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Your Lentil Banana Muffins

- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and line or grease a muffin tin. Add rinsed lentils (if using canned), bananas, eggs, oil, and vanilla to a blender. Blend until completely smooth.

- Step 2: Add oats or oat flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Blend again, then fold in shredded apple, zucchini, and carrot.

- Step 3: Divide batter evenly into muffin cups (¾ full).

- Step 4: Bake 20-24 minutes, until set. Cool before serving.
Hint For The Best Lentil Banana Muffins
For the fluffiest, softest muffins, make sure the lentils are very soft, rinsed thoroughly (if using canned), and the batter is blended until completely smooth before folding in the shredded veggies. Also, squeeze moisture from the apple and zucchini, this small step makes a big difference in keeping the muffins light instead of dense!
Substitutions
These lentil banana muffins are naturally gluten-free (if using gluten-free rolled oats), dairy-free (if using oil), and nut-free (perfect for daycare lunches)!
- egg-free: replace the 2 eggs with 2 flax eggs (2 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 5 tablespoon water) and let sit 5 minutes before adding *muffins will be slightly more dense but still soft
- gluten-free: use certified gluten-free rolled oats and blend into flour
- oil-free: replace oil or butter with ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce, texture will be a bit more moist and less fluffy
Variations
Feel free to swap and add different mix-ins to these lentil banana muffins to change up the flavor! Here are some ideas:
- blueberry banana: fold in ½ cup blueberries (fresh or frozen) instead of the shredded veggies
- apple cinnamon: use shredded apple only and increase cinnamon to 1½ tsp
- chocolate chip banana: add ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
- strawberry banana: fold in ½ cup finely chopped strawberries instead of the shredded veggies
- peanut butter banana: swirl 2-3 tablespoon peanut butter into the batter before baking.
Equipment
You’ll need a blender (or food processor) to get the lentils completely smooth, a mini muffin tin, and muffin liners or nonstick spray. A box grater works well for shredding the apple, carrot, and zucchini, and a mixing spoon or spatula for folding everything together.
Storing Your Lentil Banana Muffins
Store these lentil banana muffins in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. For longer storage, let muffins cool completely, then freeze in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. To serve, thaw at room temperature or warm briefly in the microwave until soft. I like freezing them for easy grab-and-go toddler breakfasts and snacks during busy weeks.
Tiff's Dietitian Tip
If your toddler is in a picky phase, think of these as a bridge food. Familiar flavors like banana and apple help build trust, while lentils and veggies quietly support nutrition in the background. Even get them to help you make them, spread yogurt on top for "icing," or give the muffins a fun name!
FAQ
As weird as it sounds, nope! Just make sure to rinse WELL and use RIPE bananas, because the more ripe (brown/spotted) the bananas are the sweeter the become.
Yep! Bake for about 20-25 minutes.
Absolutely! Perfect way to support those high iron needs in babies.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with these lentil banana muffins:
Lentil Banana Muffins (ABC veggie-packed, no added sugar)

Equipment
- box grater
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked lentils very soft, rinsed well & drained if using canned
- 2 ripe bananas
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup olive oil or melted butter
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1¼ cups rolled oats blended into flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup finely shredded apple squeezed, optional
- ½ cup finely shredded zucchini squeezed well, optional
- ½ cup finely shredded carrot squeezed, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line or grease a muffin tin.
- Add lentils, bananas, eggs, oil, and vanilla to a blender. Blend until completely smooth.
- Add oats or oat flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Blend again, then fold in shredded apple, zucchini, and carrot.
- Divide batter evenly into muffin cups (¾ full) and bake 15-18 minutes, until set. Cool before serving.













Amanda says
Wondering what type/color lentil you use?
toddlerdietitiantiff says
I used these brown lentils! Then rinsed & drained really good before blending.
Sophie says
Amazing muffins that my 23 month old can't get enough of. Didn't have lentils so subbed chickpeas and turned out great.
toddlerdietitiantiff says
YAY!! Glad to hear that chickpeas worked well too!
Hillary says
My 9mo absolutely loves these. No teeth yet so the soft texture is perfect for him. Basically a healthy zucchini bread for babies. I’m not a cooked apple fan so next time I’ll make these without so I can enjoy a quick breakfast, too 🙂
Marina Salas says
Delish!!! Such a great way to get lentils into our diet, I say our because I’m eating these as much as my toddler is! Had some almonds on hand so I blended them up to sub for the oat flour and it was great!