Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Muffin Tin

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper cases or grease each cup lightly with butter or oil. This ensures that the muffins don’t stick and come out easily after baking.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, sift together the self-raising flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon (if using), and salt. This helps to distribute the ingredients evenly and removes any lumps, ensuring your muffins have a light texture.

Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. Then, add the melted butter, mashed bananas, vanilla extract, and milk. Stir until everything is well combined. The bananas are the star of the show, providing both moisture and sweetness.

Step 4: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients using a spatula or a wooden spoon. Be careful not to overmix! Overmixing can make the muffins dense instead of light and fluffy. The batter should be slightly lumpy, with visible streaks of banana.

Step 5: Add the Extras (Optional)

If you’re feeling adventurous, now is the time to gently fold in the chopped nuts or chocolate chips. These add-ins bring an extra layer of flavor and texture to the muffins, but they’re entirely optional.

Step 6: Fill the Muffin Cups

Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about two-thirds full. This gives the muffins enough room to rise without overflowing.

Step 7: Bake the Muffins

Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes. The muffins should turn a light golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Once baked, remove the muffins from the oven and allow them to cool in the tin for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy them warm or at room temperature!