How to Make Gluten-Free Double Chocolate Muffins

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These bakery-style muffins are moist, rich, decadent, and so chocolatey! And they’re gluten-free! The healthy, easy-to-make gluten-free double chocolate muffins will easily become your favorite.

gf chocolate muffins with chocolate chips

I absolutely love muffins and they’re part of my sweet ways to enjoy life. I could eat muffins every single day if I wanted to – seriously there is no such thing as too many muffins. If someone is telling you it’s too early for muffins, walk away – with a muffin in hand because life is too short, and muffins are way too delicious.

Now my whole family has their own favorite kind of muffin. From blueberry to carrot cake, we don’t discriminate in this house. We make and eat all of them. But there’s something extra special about chocolate muffins. A quick muffin in the morning is basically like eating dessert for breakfast – but healthier.

You guys, these fluffy, super tasty, and tender muffins will not disappoint. They are perfectly textured, moist, and so good! The best part? These gluten-free double chocolate muffins recipe is made with healthier ingredients such as almond meal, cacao powder, and coconut oil. And topped with chocolate chips for added sweetness and that double chocolate punch making them perfect for chocolate lovers.

These gorgeously sweet, rich, scrumptious, easy-to-make chocolate chip muffins can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or as a snack. The healthy chocolate muffins are best enjoyed warm but can easily be reheated if you’re lucky to have leftovers.

Table of Contents

Key Ingredients

Almond Meal: This is slightly different from almond flour. While almond flour is made from peeled and blanched almonds, almond meal is made using raw almonds. It is darker in color and has a more pronounced almond flavor. Almond meals and almond flour are both great alternatives to traditional flour if you’re looking to create a gluten-free recipe.

Cacao Powder: Cacao powder provides that rich chocolatey taste with even more added benefits. It’s packed with flavonoids which can lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of diabetes, and even improve blood flow to the brain.

Baking Soda: To get a great lift in the muffins and helps to brown your muffins in the oven. If you don’t like the soda taste, substitute to baking powder.

Sea Salt: Just a touch to balance out the flavors.

Eggs: 2 whole eggs will give you the perfect texture to make a moist, tender, and fluffy muffin.

Maple Syrup: A great, mild yet flavorful liquid sweetener.

Coconut Oil: A healthier alternative to most other vegetable oils, coconut oil provides a neutral taste so the rich chocolate flavor can really shine here. You can also use unsalted butter instead.

Vanilla Extract: Just a splash for flavor.

And of course, Chocolate Chips to make the double chocolatey flavor.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

How to Make Gluten-Free Double Chocolate Muffins

Step 1: Oven and Muffin Pan preparation

Preheat oven to 350°F then line a 12-cup muffin tin with muffin liners.

Step 2: Combine the dry ingredients

In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients (almond meal, cocoa, baking soda, salt) until they’re evenly combined and set aside.

Step 3: Heat oil and syrup

In a small pot over medium-low heat, gently melt coconut oil. Whisk in maple syrup. Allow the mixture to cool on the stove for a few minutes.

Step 4: Combine wet ingredients

Next, combine the eggs and vanilla extract in a separate bowl. Add coconut oil until it’s fully incorporated then add maple syrup to the egg mixture and whisk well.

Step 5: Make the muffin batter

Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just mixed. Don’t overmix the batter.

Step 6: Add the chocolate chips

Fold in the chocolate chips until they’re dispersed and everything is combined evenly. Again, don’t over mix the batter.

Step 7: Fill muffin tins

Transfer the muffin batter to the muffin tins and fill them until they’re 3/4 full so that the muffins don’t spill over the sides as they bake.

Step 8: Bake muffins

Bake for 15-20 minutes or until tops are set (timing depends on the oven, make sure muffin tops are slightly firm to touch before removing from oven). You can insert a toothpick in the center and if it comes out clean or with dry crumbs, you’re good to go.

Step 9: Cool and serve

Once done, remove from oven and allow muffins to cool in the pan for 15 minutes then transfer to a wire rack so they cool completely. Serve warm.

Expert Tips

Bake with ingredients that are at room temperature because it helps the muffin batter blend together well. Cold ingredients can make the batter lumpy.
You can substitute maple syrup with honey, agave, or sugar-free syrup.
For uniformed-sized muffins, use an ice cream scoop. It makes it nice and easy to get the perfect amount in the muffin pan.
Sprinkle the tops with additional chocolate chips if you’d like.

How to store the gluten-free chocolate muffins

You can store the healthy chocolate muffins at room temperature in an airtight container or ziplock bag for up to 3 days. If you put them in the refrigerator, they can stay for 5-7 days. Place them in a single layer then put a paper towel at the bottom and top of the muffins in the container or bag to absorb extra moisture.

If you’d like to freeze them, you can wrap each muffin in a plastic wrap first then put them in a single layer in a freezer-safe bag. They can freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature and reheat for about 30 seconds in the microwave and enjoy!

Recipe FAQs

Why are my muffins tough and dry?

Tough, dry, and chewy muffins are caused either by overmixing, overbaking, or incorrectly measuring your ingredients (especially dry ingredients).

Why do you use vegetable oil instead of butter?

Butter evaporates during baking, so I used coconut oil to maintain optimal moisture. If you don’t have coconut oil, you can use a neutral oil like organic canola oil, avocado oil, sunflower oil, or red palm oil to add tenderness and not impact the flavor.

Do you have to use muffin liners in your muffin tin to make these chocolate muffins?

I recommend muffin liners to keep the muffins from sticking to the pan. If you don’t have them, you use a cooking oil spray to grease your muffin tin instead.

More recipes to bake at home:

Classic Eclair Recipe with Cream and Chocolate Glaze has a smooth chocolate glaze and delicious cream filling.
Foolproof Bread for Beginners is a super simple recipe that is perfect for baking beginners!
Russian Vatrushka Buns have a sweet cheese filling you’ll find delicious and so tasty!

Other Chocolate Chip Desserts to Try

If you tried this Gluten-Free Double Chocolate Muffins or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you enjoyed it in the📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!

5 from 1 vote

3 Comments

Georgina says:

February 5, 2023 at 2:55 pm

Thank you for this gluten free recipe. I love muffins too but it’s hard to come by gluten free muffin recipes that aren’t underwhelming. These were perfect!

Norma says:

May 3, 2024 at 10:37 pm

How do you get blanched almond meal?

1. Marina Rizhkov says:
  
  May 7, 2024 at 2:14 pm
  
  I buy the blanched almond meal.