Chocolate Chip Chia Seed Muffins
Chocolate Chip Chia Seed Muffins
Muffins--the ultimate companion to your morning coffee, tea, or plant-based milk. Indulge in the goodness of my nutritious + easy Chocolate Chip Chia Seed Muffins recipe—a delightful treat for any hour. These muffins are like a warm hug, with sweet chocolate chips that melt in your mouth and tiny chia seeds that add a delightful crunch. You won't believe how quickly they disappear from your kitchen counter! Completely Vegan + Gluten-free option.
What Makes Chocolate Chip Chia Seed Muffins SO GOOD?
These Chocolate Chip Chia Seed Muffins were born one day when I had a craving for muffins but had to use whatever ingredients I already had. My pantry was full of multiple bags of mini vegan chocolate chips and chia seeds for my smoothies.
Some of the most delicious recipes come out of necessity. I would have never thought to combine these ingredients before. Once I baked these experimental muffins, I realized this muffin recipe was special. Joining the ranks of reader-favorites like Vegan Chia Seed Maple Banana Bread and the irresistible Bakery-Style Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies. After all, who doesn't love chocolate and chia seeds!?
Good news for all my dairy-free friends—this muffin recipe is 100% vegan, ensuring everyone can savor these delights. And if you're looking for a gluten-free option, we've got that covered too! The best part? These muffins are a breeze to whip up, and they're incredibly versatile. Feel free to toss in any seeds or chocolate chips you have hiding in your pantry for a unique twist.
Jump to:
- What Makes Chocolate Chip Chia Seed Muffins SO GOOD?
- How To Make Vegan 'Buttermilk'
- How to Make Chocolate Chip Chia Seed Muffins
- Ingredients
- Why You Will LOVE This Chocolate Chip Chia Seed Muffins Recipe
- Add On Ingredient Ideas
- Can I Use Another Plant-Based Milk for Chocolate Chip Chia Seed Muffins?
- Perfect Occasions For Chocolate Chip Chia Seed Muffins?
- Cake Flour vs. All-Purpose Flour
- How to Know If Your Baking Powder + Baking Soda Are Fresh
- 5 Tips For The PERFECT Muffins
- Chocolate Chip Chia Seed Muffin Q + A's
- More Delicious Chocolate Recipes To Try!
- MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
- Chocolate Chip Chia Seed Muffins
How To Make Vegan 'Buttermilk'
We've all been there—yearning for that classic buttermilk goodness in our cakes and muffins, only to realize that traditional buttermilk isn't vegan-friendly. Well, fret not! There's a nifty trick in the vegan baking world. You can whip up your own vegan buttermilk by mixing plant-based milk with a touch of acid, like apple cider vinegar. It's like a dairy-free magic potion that lends the same lightness and tangy flavor to your baked goods.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Chia Seed Muffins
Baking these Chocolate Chip Chia Seed Muffins is a breeze! You'll start by making your very own vegan buttermilk with almond milk—no fuss. Then, just mix up all your wet and dry ingredients, and let the oven do its thing until they turn out absolutely perfect!
Ingredients
Here is what you need to know about the ingredients for this Chocolate Chip Chia Seed Muffins recipe!
- Organic all-purpose flour: Provides the base and structure for the muffins.
- Baking powder: Acts as a leavening agent to help the muffins rise.
- Baking soda: Another leavening agent that contributes to the muffins' texture.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic spice to enhance the flavor.
- Finely-ground sea salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances overall taste.
- Chia seeds: Introduce a delightful crunch and a boost of nutrients.
- Organic cane sugar: Sweetens the muffins to perfection.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses a pleasant vanilla aroma and flavor.
- Almond milk: Provides moisture to the batter, keeping the muffins tender. (You can use your favorite plant-based milk)
- Apple cider vinegar: Combined with almond milk, it creates a vegan buttermilk substitute for texture and flavor.
- Coconut oil: Adds moisture and richness to the muffins.
- Vegan chocolate bar, roughly chopped: Melts into pockets of gooey chocolatey goodness.
- Vegan chocolate chips: Intensifies the chocolate experience, creating a delightful contrast in texture.
SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR BAKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THESE MUFFINS!
Here, I've curated a list of baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods, especially with Chocolate Chip Chia Seed Muffins. Everything from my fave large scoop, baking sheet, liners, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
Why You Will LOVE This Chocolate Chip Chia Seed Muffins Recipe
- Loaded with melty chocolatey flavor.
- Minimal ingredients
- Melts in your mouth.
- Delicious with EVERY. SINGLE. BITE.
- Perfect snack, dessert, or breakfast treat.
- Aromatherapy-- home sweet chocolate home.
- Fun baking activity for the entire family.
Add On Ingredient Ideas
Feel free to play around with the flavors and add your personal touch to Chocolate Chip Chia Seed Muffins. Here are some fun ideas:
Nuts: Chopped nuts like walnuts, pecans, or almonds can add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
Fresh Fruit: Try incorporating diced fresh fruits like bananas, strawberries, or blueberries for a fruity twist. If you love blueberries, try this Vegan Roasted Blueberry Muffins recipe next!
Spices: Experiment with spices like ground nutmeg, cloves, or ginger to enhance the flavor profile.
Coconut: Shredded coconut or coconut flakes can bring a tropical vibe and texture to the muffins. I'm loving all things coconut at the moment, especially this Toasted Coconut Bread
Can I Use Another Plant-Based Milk for Chocolate Chip Chia Seed Muffins?
Yes, you can use any dairy-free milk you like to make this muffin recipe. Here are some easy recipes to make your own milk that is cheaper and so easy to whip up!
- Quinoa Milk
- Coconut Milk
- Easy Homemade Creamy Cashew Milk
- How to Make Potato Milk
- Ultra Creamy Homemade Oat Milk
- Cauliflower Milk
Perfect Occasions For Chocolate Chip Chia Seed Muffins?
These events are a great excuse to eat muffins!
- Breakfast--A wholesome start to your day.
- Snacking--Perfect for satisfying sweet cravings.
- Lunchbox--A tasty treat in packed lunches.
- Potlucks--the perfect portable dessert for gatherings.
- Party Favors--Lovely favors for celebrations.
- Holidays--Festive baking during the season.
- Gifts-- They make thoughtful homemade presents.
- Self-Care--Comforting indulgence for me-time.
- Birthdays-- They are like tiny handheld cakes!
- Kids Sleepovers-- These muffins make for an amazing treat at sleepover parties.
- Actually, any time is a good time for muffins, right? Bake away for a little weekday pep-up!
Cake Flour vs. All-Purpose Flour
When it comes to the main ingredient of this entire muffin recipe—-the flour, I enjoy using Bob’s Red Mill Unbleached White All-Purpose Flour, which is ideal for all kinds of baking, including this one.
However, I do occasionally use Super-Fine Cake Flour which adds a nice airiness and fluffiness to your cakes as well.
How to Know If Your Baking Powder + Baking Soda Are Fresh
Baking is such a science, but more importantly because certain ingredients like your leaveners (aka baking powder + baking soda) are completely fresh so that your strawberry cake (and other baked goods) fully rise and bake through nicely.
Incase you weren't aware, there's an easy to double check both the baking powder and baking soda. Here's what you need:
BAKING SODA HACK:
-Add 1 teaspoon baking soda with ¼ cup vinegar or lemon juice in a bowl and if it's fresh, the mixture should "bubble/fizz". If no bubble/fizz is present, then your baking soda needs to be replaced.
BAKING POWDER:
-Add 1 teaspoon baking powder with ¼ cup Hot tap water in a bowl and if it's fresh, the mixture should "bubble/fizz". If no bubble/fizz is present, then your baking powder needs to be replaced.
5 Tips For The PERFECT Muffins
Here are some tips to ensure you bake the PERFECT Chocolate Chip Chia Seed Muffins every time:
MEASURE CAREFULLY!
Take your time with measurements to ensure that your muffins turn out just right—precision is key.
Mix Gently
Mix the batter until ingredients are just combined to prevent overmixing, which can lead to dense muffins.
Chocolate Distribution
Distribute chocolate chips evenly throughout the batter for a balanced chocolatey goodness in every bite.
Fill Thoughtfully
When filling your muffin cups, aim to fill them about two-thirds full. This allows the muffins room to rise and expand during baking without overflowing or creating overly domed tops.
Rotate the tray halfway through
Show your muffins some love by rotating the muffin tin halfway through the baking process. This helps achieve an even golden brown color on all sides.
Chocolate Chip Chia Seed Muffin Q + A's
To make these muffins GF, I recommend using a GF Flour Blend (Bob’s Red Mills has a great version!). **NOTE: If the muffin mixture is too ‘thin + runny’, simply add additional GF flour, ¼ cup at a time.** As an alternative, simply substitute all-purpose flour with 1 cup Almond flour + ½ cup Oat flour. Just be sure to see whether more flour is needed due to the amount of liquids.
Can be tightly sealed in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Yes, you can freeze Chocolate Chip Chia Seed Muffins. Allow them to cool completely, wrap them individually or in batches, and store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months.
This recipe can make 8 Jumbo muffins OR 12 standard muffins, if desired.
To reheat frozen muffins, simply place them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes until they are warmed through. Alternatively, you can use a microwave for a quicker option.
More Delicious Chocolate Recipes To Try!
If you've fallen for this Chocolate Chip Chia Seed Muffin recipe, you're in for a treat with these decadent chocolate recipes next:
- Chocolate Sweet Potato Cupcakes
- Vegan Chocolate Pancakes with Blackberries
- The Best Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Creamy Homemade Caramel Hot Chocolate
- Vegan Chocolate Donut Holes
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you tried this Chocolate Chip Chia Seed Muffin recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you.
Chocolate Chip Chia Seed Muffins
Ingredients
- 2 cups organic all-purpose flour
- 2 tsps baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon finely-ground sea salt
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- ½ cup organic cane sugar (See Notes!)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup Almond milk (You can use your fave plant-based milk!)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup coconut oil (See Notes!)
- ½ cup vegan chocolate bar, roughly chopped
- ½ cup vegan chocolate chips
Instructions
- Add the Almond milk and apple cider vinegar together in a small bowl, stirring together until combined and letting it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes "slightly thickened" and activated.
- Preheat your oven to 400F. Lightly grease your muffin pan (for larger muffins) or for standard muffins, line the wells with liners.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, chia seeds, cinnamon, and sea salt. Whisk ingredients together until combined.
- Add in the milk-cider mixture followed by the coconut oil and vanilla. Stir everything together using a rubber spatula (or wooden spoon) until combined and smooth.
- Fold in the chocolate chips and chopped chocolate and spoon batter into the prepared muffin pan (about 2 Tbsps each), gently spreading it into each cavity evenly.
- Bake muffins for 20 to 24 minutes or until the centers come out clean. Once fully baked through, remove from oven and let the muffins cool in the pan before removing.
- To serve, enjoy muffins along with your favorite coffee, tea, or a glass of plant-based milk.
- Bon Appetit!
Tips & Tricks
- STORAGE: Can be tightly sealed in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Can be frozen for up to 2 months in a freezer safe bag.
- SWEETENER: If you choose to opt out of cane sugar, you can always substitute with organic brown sugar, coconut sugar, additional pure maple syrup (which requires less milk), Agave, or Date syrup as well.
- MUFFIN SIZE: This recipe can make 8 Jumbo muffins OR 12 standard muffins, if desired.
- OIL: Instead of coconut oil, you can also use vegetable oil or vegan butter, if preferred.
- GLUTEN-FREE VERSION: To make this bread GF, I recommend using a GF Flour Blend (Bob’s Red Mills has a great version!). **NOTE: If the bread mixture is too ‘thin + runny’, simply add additional GF flour, ¼ cup at a time.** As an alternative, simply substitute all-purpose flour with 1 cup Almond flour + ½ cup Oat flour. Just be sure to see whether more flour is needed due to the amount of liquids.
Nutrition
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Tried these today and they turned out SO good! Will definitely make them again. Thank you!
Hi Petra! I'm SO thrilled to hear that you enjoyed these muffins! Thanks so much for making them! 🙂