Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich double chocolate flavor with fewer calories
- Soft, moist texture without heavy ingredients
- Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert
- Simple ingredients and easy preparation
- Great make-ahead treat for busy days
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
flour
unsweetened cocoa powder
baking powder
baking soda
salt
granulated sugar or coconut sugar
unsweetened applesauce
eggs
vanilla extract
low-fat milk or almond milk
mini chocolate chips
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease it.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
- In another bowl, combine the applesauce, eggs, vanilla extract, and milk. Mix until smooth.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined.
- Fold in the mini chocolate chips, reserving a small amount for topping if desired.
- Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full.
- Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top of each muffin.
- Bake for 16–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
- Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Servings and timing
Servings: 12 muffins
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Baking time: 16–20 minutes
Cooling time: 10 minutes
Total time: about 35 minutes
Variations
Banana chocolate muffins
Replace part of the applesauce with mashed ripe banana for extra sweetness and flavor.
Peanut butter chocolate muffins
Swirl a small amount of peanut butter into the batter before baking.
Chocolate walnut muffins
Add chopped walnuts for extra texture and nutty flavor.
Espresso chocolate muffins
Add a teaspoon of instant espresso powder to deepen the chocolate flavor.
Chocolate oat muffins
Replace part of the flour with finely ground oats for added fiber.
Storage/Reheating
Room temperature
Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Refrigerator
Keep muffins refrigerated for up to 5 days in a sealed container.
Freezer
Freeze muffins in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
Warm muffins in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds to refresh their soft texture.
FAQs
What makes these muffins “skinny”?
They use lighter ingredients like applesauce instead of large amounts of oil or butter, helping reduce fat and calories.
Can I make these muffins gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the flour with a gluten-free baking blend.
Can I use dark chocolate chips?
Yes, dark chocolate chips work very well and add a deeper chocolate flavor.
Can I replace the applesauce?
Yes, mashed banana or yogurt can be used as a substitute.
Why are my muffins dry?
Overbaking or adding too much flour can cause the muffins to become dry.
Can I add nuts to the recipe?
Yes, chopped walnuts or pecans make a great addition.
Can I use whole wheat flour?
Yes, you can substitute part or all of the flour with whole wheat flour for extra fiber.
How do I keep the muffins moist?
Avoid overmixing the batter and store the muffins in an airtight container.
Can I make mini muffins with this recipe?
Yes, simply reduce the baking time to about 10–12 minutes.
Can I prepare the batter in advance?
It’s best to bake the batter right away, but you can mix the dry and wet ingredients separately ahead of time.
Conclusion
Skinny Double Chocolate Muffins are a delicious way to enjoy rich chocolate flavor in a lighter, more balanced treat. Moist, fluffy, and packed with chocolate chips, these muffins are easy to make and perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. With simple ingredients and plenty of variation options, they’re sure to become a favorite in your baking routine.
PrintSkinny Double Chocolate Muffins
Skinny Double Chocolate Muffins are a lighter version of classic chocolate muffins, made with cocoa powder and chocolate chips for rich flavor while using healthier ingredients like applesauce to keep them moist and lower in fat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 16–20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar or coconut sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup low-fat milk or almond milk
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease it.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
- In another bowl, mix applesauce, eggs, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined.
- Fold in the mini chocolate chips, reserving a small handful for topping.
- Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling about three-quarters full.
- Sprinkle remaining chocolate chips on top.
- Bake for 16–20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
- Cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer muffins to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the muffins light and fluffy.
- Applesauce replaces most of the oil to keep the muffins moist while reducing fat.
- Use mini chocolate chips for better distribution in the batter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: undefined
- Trans Fat: undefined
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
