Gluten-Free Chocolate Muffins

These gluten-free chocolate muffins are loaded with chocolate chips and have a moist, tender crumb. Simple to make, these bakery-style muffins rise beautifully with a classic domed top. They're perfect for breakfast or a snack, and freeze easily for later, too!
Several gluten-free chocolate muffins with chocolate chips on top arranged on a light-colored surface, with a small bowl of chocolate chips in the background.
Two gluten-free chocolate muffins with chocolate chips on top, stacked in white paper liners, with more muffins and a bowl of chocolate chips in the background.

Why this recipe works

Gluten-free muffins are one of my favorite things to stock in my freezer because they freeze so well and are easy to thaw for a quick treat. I typically tend to grab for non-chocolate muffins varieties, like my gluten-free blueberry muffins or gluten-free banana muffins, but these gluten-free chocolate muffins are quickly becoming a new favorite! 

You’ll love this recipe because:

They’re so soft. The combination of oil, eggs, and milk ensures that these muffins are incredibly moist, with a tender crumb that stays soft for days.

They’re easy to make ahead. Whether you’re entertaining and need a brunch recipe you can make ahead or you’re just looking for a grab-and-go breakfast or snack to get you through the week, this recipe is perfect for you. 

They’re gluten-free. These muffins are so soft and fluffy, you would have no idea they are gluten-free! Using a gluten-free flour blend like Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour as well as following all of my tips and tricks throughout this blog post will help you achieve fluffy, domed muffins every time!

Ingredients

Ingredient Notes

  • Gluten-Free Flour Blend – I’ve tested this recipe with Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour (in the blue bag), which already contains xanthan gum and is meant to be used as a 1-to-1 swap with all-purpose flour. I cannot verify that other brands of gluten-free flour work as I have not tested them. 
  • Milk – Whole milk adds richness and moisture to the muffins. You can use 2% milk or a non-dairy alternative like almond or oat milk if you prefer. 
  • Eggs – Use large eggs that are 50g each, weighed outside of the shell. If you use a different egg size, beat the eggs to mix the whites and yolks together completely and then weigh 100g to get the right amount of egg for the recipe. You’d need about 2.5 medium eggs or 1.5-1.75 jumbo/extra large eggs. 
  • Vegetable Oil – Use a neutral-flavored oil like vegetable, canola, or grapeseed oil to keep the muffins moist without affecting the flavor. 
  • Chocolate Chips – I love dark chocolate chips so that’s what I use in this recipe. Guittard extra dark chocolate chips are my favorite. You can use semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips if you prefer. You can also chop up a chocolate bar if you like irregular sized bites of chocolate throughout your muffin. For a beautiful presentation, be sure to save some of the chocolate chips for the top of each muffin. 

For the most accurate and consistent results, use a food scale to measure your ingredients by weight instead of relying on measuring cups. Measuring by grams ensures precision, especially with gluten-free flour, where even a slight difference in measurement can affect the texture of your muffins. Gluten-free ingredients can be expensive, so make sure you’re measuring correctly every time!

Step-by-Step instructions

These chocolate muffins are made gluten-free and are very simple to throw together in the morning for a quick breakfast. The below photos with matching steps are not meant to be the full recipe, but are there to help you see the muffins made at various stages so you can make them perfectly every time.

For the ingredient list with measurements, full instructions, printable recipe, and additional notes, please scroll down to the recipe card.

A mixing bowl with dry ingredients for gluten-free chocolate muffins, including gluten-free flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and baking soda, surrounded by other ingredients like eggs, milk, chocolate chips, and vanilla extract.
Whisk together the gluten0free flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a mixing bowl.
Close-up of a mixing bowl containing wet ingredients for gluten-free chocolate muffins, including eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and oil.
In a separate bowl, mix together the eggs, oil, milk and vanilla.
Wet ingredients being poured into a mixing bowl of dry ingredients to make gluten-free chocolate muffins, with chocolate chips visible in a small bowl beside the mixture.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
A mixing bowl filled with a smooth, thick chocolate batter, ready for gluten-free chocolate muffins, with a small bowl of chocolate chips beside it.
Mix until no more streaks of flour remain.
A mixing bowl with chocolate chips added to the chocolate batter for gluten-free chocolate muffins, ready to be folded in.
Mix most of the chocolate chips into the chocolate muffin batter, leaving some for topping.
A muffin tin filled with chocolate batter, ready to bake gluten-free chocolate muffins, each topped with chocolate chips.
Portion the chocolate muffin batter into a muffin tin lined with parchment liners. Top with the remaining chocolate chips.
Close-up of a muffin tin filled with freshly baked gluten-free chocolate muffins, highlighting the texture and chocolate chips on top of each muffin.
Bake until the muffins are cooked through. When you push on the top of the muffin it should spring back and not stay indented once it’s done.
Close-up of multiple gluten-free chocolate muffins on a cooling rack, topped with chocolate chips, with one muffin partially unwrapped to show the moist interior.
Serve and enjoy!

Recipe FAQs

Can I make these muffins dairy-free?

Yes! You can substitute the milk with a non-dairy alternative like almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk. For the chocolate chips, make sure to use a dairy-free variety.

Can I use a different type of chocolate chips?

Absolutely! You can use semi-sweet, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate chips depending on your preference. Just keep in mind that the flavor profile will change slightly with different types of chocolate.

expert tips

  • Use a cookie scoop to portion out the muffin batter evenly into the liners. This not only ensures that all your muffins are the same size, which promotes even baking, but also makes the process quicker and less messy.
  • Fill the muffin liners almost to the top with batter to achieve beautifully domed muffins. Since these muffins don’t rise as much as traditional ones, filling them nearly to the top helps create that classic, rounded muffin top.
  • For a bakery-worthy vibe and an extra burst of chocolate, sprinkle a few additional chocolate chips on top of the batter before baking.
  • Start checking your muffins a few minutes before the suggested bake time by inserting a toothpick into the center. It should come out with just a few moist crumbs, not wet batter.

Storage instructions

  • Storage: Store the cooled muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If muffins start to taste a little stale, microwave them for about 10 seconds to melt the chocolate and soften up the muffin. 
  • Freezer Option: To freeze gluten-free muffins, place the cooled muffins in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. You can thaw muffins at room temperature for about 30 minutes to an hour. Alternatively, you can microwave them for 15-30 seconds. 

Close-up of a gluten-free chocolate muffin split in half on an unwrapped liner, showing the rich, moist texture with chocolate chips visible inside.

Did you make this recipe?

I’d love to know! Please rate it and leave a comment below. You can also share your pictures and tag @adashofmegnut on Instagram.

Several gluten-free chocolate muffins with chocolate chips on top arranged on a light-colored surface, with a small bowl of chocolate chips in the background.

Gluten-Free Chocolate Muffins

These gluten-free chocolate muffins are loaded with chocolate chips and have a moist, tender crumb. Simple to make, these bakery-style muffins rise beautifully with a classic domed top. They're perfect for breakfast or a snack, and freeze easily for later, too!
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Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 17 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Servings: 12 muffins
Calories: 355kcal
Author: Megan

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cups gluten-free flour blend (245g, I used Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour, which already contains xanthan gum)
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder (40g)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup milk (180g, 6 fl oz)
  • 2 large eggs (100g)
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil (120g)
  • 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chips (divided (210g))

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour blend, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
  • Fold in 1 cup of the chocolate chips, reserving the remaining 1/2 cup for topping.
  • Portion out the muffin batter into the prepared muffin tin using a cookie scoop or measuring cup. The muffin cups will be almost filled to the top.
  • Sprinkle the tops with the remaining 1/4 cup of chocolate chips.
  • Bake at 400°F for 15-17 minutes, or until the muffins are cooked through. The tops should spring back when lightly pressed, or a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean with just a few moist crumbs.
  • Let the muffins cool for 5 minutes before removing them from the muffin tin. Transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • This recipe uses Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour, which includes xanthan gum for proper structure. I haven’t tested this recipe with other gluten-free flour brands, so results may vary if you use a different one.
  • If you’re following a gluten-free diet, especially for celiac disease, double-check that all your ingredients are gluten-free. 
  • To make this recipe dairy-free, use a non-dairy milk, like unsweetened almond milk, and use dairy-free chocolate chips. 
  • For most accurate results, use a kitchen scale to measure your ingredients by weight. This ensures accuracy, especially with gluten-free flour, which can vary in density and affect the texture of your muffins.

Nutrition

Calories: 355kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 185mg | Potassium: 332mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 67IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 151mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @ADashofMegnut or tag #adashofmegnut!

about megan

I’m Megan

A gluten-free food blogger from Chicago and lover of all things food, showing you gluten-free can be easy and delicious, too. Let’s make gluten-free stress free together! Read more…

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