Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins (Gluten Free)

These Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins are supremely moist, naturally sweetened, and packed with pure pumpkin flavor. Prep a batch for the week, and enjoy these wholesome gluten free pumpkin muffins on repeat.

In honor of the impending fall season (so close!), we're eating gluten free Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins on REPEAT. We're actually eating and drinking pumpkin everything right now, because 'tis the season.

Think of this recipe as the love child between soft pumpkin pancakes and a piece of pumpkin bread. They're supremely soft, melt-in-your-mouth moist, and naturally sweetened with maple syrup. 

These pumpkin muffins are perfect for breakfast on-the-go, a mid-day snack, or to satisfy a sweet tooth. And even though they taste decadent, they're a nutritious option you can feel good enjoying regularly for breakfasts and snacks.

How to Make Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

These pumpkin muffins do not skimp on the pumpkin spice flavor. Just like with these Healthy Pumpkin Bars, every bite will wrap you up like a cozy plaid sweater on a chilly fall day.

They're also SO easy to make, and require very little kitchen gadgets. So let's get baking!

The Ingredients:

• Pumpkin Puree: The flavor of canned pumpkin on its own is very mild, however it SHINES when mixed with spices! The pumpkin also helps make these muffins incredibly moist with using very little oil. Just be sure to look for pure pumpkin puree and NOT pumpkin pie filling.
• Gluten Free Flour: Look for a gluten free all-purpose flour, such as this one by Bob's Red Mill. GF flours can vary in ingredients, so be sure to use one that includes xanthan gum, which helps provide elasticity. (If you're not making these muffins gluten free, you can just use regular all purpose flour.)
• Eggs: You need two eggs to help provide structure to the muffins. I have NOT tried this recipe with flax eggs, so I cannot guarantee they will work.
• Maple Syrup: In order to make these naturally sweetened, I use maple syrup in place of refined sugar. If you have not tried pairing pumpkin with maple syrup, it's the ultimate fall treat! 
• Oil: Very little oil is used in these muffins, and you can use any kind you have on hand. For example, vegetable, canola, melted coconut, or even olive oil.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: A must for quintessential fall flavor! This spice blend generally includes cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and sometimes allspice.
• Mix-ins: I am a sucker for chocolate and pumpkin together, so I prefer these muffins with chocolate chips. Alternatively, toasted nuts such as pecans or walnuts, dried cranberries, or pumpkin seeds are all great options.
  • Dietary Note: If you need dairy free pumpkin muffins, be sure to use dairy-free chocolate chips, such as Enjoy Life brand, or swap the chocolate for a different mix-in.

The Directions

Step 1: Combine Wet Ingredients

Preheat oven to 350ºF and line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners. Lightly coat liners with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine pumpkin puree, eggs, maple syrup, oil, and vanilla; whisk to combine.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate smaller bowl, combine gluten free flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and salt; mix well to combine.

Step 3: Mix Wet and Dry

Pour dry ingredients into bowl with wet ingredients; whisk until smooth. Fold in chocolate chips.

Step 4: Divide into Muffin Tins

Divide batter evenly into prepared muffin tins, filling about two-thirds of the way full. If desired, sprinkle the tops with extra chocolate chips.

Step 5: Bake!

Bake at 350ºF for 24 to 27 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.

Let cool in the muffin tin until cool enough to handle. Remove from muffin tin and let cool completely on a wire rack.

Tips to Make this Recipe:

Use room temperature eggs

• The secret to light and fluffy muffins is to make sure your wet ingredients are close to room temperature. This helps form a smooth batter that traps air and expands when heated in the oven. That expansion makes your muffins fluffy and light.

Use Quality Pumpkin Puree

• Canned pumpkin can be a dicey adventure. In fact, most canned pumpkin isn't pumpkin at all, but another variety of winter squash. I prefer using Libby's pumpkin puree for the most consistent results and purest flavor.

Avoid Over-mixing the Batter

• Even though we're using gluten free flour, you still want to avoid over-mixing the batter. If the dough becomes too aerated, you end up with a gummy texture.

Storage Tips:

• To Store. I suggest storing these pumpkin muffins in an airtight storage container or gallon-size zip-top bag for 4 days at room temperature. The pumpkin flavor becomes even more pronounced on day 2.
• To Freeze. Freeze muffins in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Thaw and enjoy as desired (I like to individually wrap my muffins so I can grab them for quick breakfasts and snacks). 
  • To thaw, either let sit at room temperature overnight, or heat in the microwave using the "defrost" setting until warm.

More Healthy Ways to Bake with Pumpkin:

Healthy Pumpkin Bars - reader favorite!

Mini Pumpkin-Tahini Cheesecakes

Brown Butter Pumpkin Tahini Bars

If you give these gluten free pumpkin muffins a try, snap a pic and tag #dishingouthealth on Instagram so I can see your beautiful creations. Also, follow along on Facebook and Pinterest for the latest recipe updates! I also really appreciate readers taking the time to leave a rating and review!

Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

These Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins are supremely moist, naturally sweetened, and packed with pure pumpkin flavor. Prep a batch for the week, and enjoy these wholesome muffins on repeat.

5 from 18 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Servings: 12

Calories: 160kcal

Author: Jamie Vespa MS, RD

Equipment

• ▢
  Mixing bowls
• ▢
  12-Cup Muffin Tin

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
• ▢ 2 eggs, room temperature
• ▢ ½ cup pure maple syrup
• ▢ ¼ cup oil (vegetable, canola, melted coconut, or light olive oil)
• ▢ 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• ▢ 1 cup gluten free all-purpose flour* (I recommend Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten Free Baking Flour)
• ▢ 2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
• ▢ ¾ tsp. baking soda
• ▢ ¼ tsp. salt
• ▢ 1 cup chocolate chips (I use Lily's brand)

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350ºF and line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners. Lightly coat liners with cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, combine pumpkin puree, eggs, maple syrup, oil, and vanilla; whisk to combine.
• In a separate smaller bowl, combine gluten free flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and salt; mix well to combine.

  Pour dry ingredients into bowl with wet ingredients; whisk until smooth. Fold in chocolate chips.
• Divide batter evenly into prepared muffin tins, filling about two-thirds of the way full. If desired, sprinkle extra chocolate chips overtop.

  Bake at 350ºF for 24 to 27 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
• Let cool in the muffin pan until cool enough to handle. Remove from pan and let cool completely on a wire rack.

Notes

*My go-to gluten free baking flour is this one by Bob's Red Mill. GF flours can vary in ingredients, so be sure to use one that includes xanthan gum, which helps provide elasticity. 

*Nutrition facts calculated using Lily's baking chips.

• To Store. I suggest storing these pumpkin muffins in an airtight storage container or gallon-size zip-top bag for 4 days at room temperature. The pumpkin flavor becomes even more pronounced on day 2.
• To Freeze. Freeze muffins in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Thaw and enjoy as desired (I like to individually wrap my muffins so I can grab them for quick breakfasts and snacks).
  • To thaw, either let sit at room temperature overnight, or heat in the microwave using the "defrost" setting until warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1muffin | Calories: 160kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 105mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 9g

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