Creating Banana Oatmeal Muffins is an enjoyable process, especially when you follow these easy steps:

1. Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease it with cooking spray.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir well to ensure everything is evenly distributed.

3. Prepare Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, egg, oil, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth.

4. Combine Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined, taking care not to overmix. The batter should be slightly lumpy.

5. Add Optional Ingredients: If you wish to include nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit, fold them into the batter gently now.

6. Fill Muffin Tin: Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about ¾ full.

7. Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

8. Cool: Once baked, remove the muffins from the oven and allow them to cool in the tin for 5-10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

9. Enjoy: These muffins are best enjoyed warm, but they can also be stored in an airtight container for later.