During the fall, I love using pumpkin and the vitamins it contains in lots of ways—outside of just pie! These muffins for kids have a pleasant amount of pumpkin flavor plus nutritious ingredients to make them a balanced breakfast or snack. And the small size makes them a perfect size for toddlers to pick up and self feed. I love baking a batch of these muffins ahead of time and having them on hand for easy toddler breakfasts throughout the week. I also love them for my own snacking needs—the hint of chocolate is delicious almost any time of the day! TIP: To make them ahead and store them for later, simply let the muffins cool and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Serve them chilled or warm them for 10-15 seconds in the microwave before serving. (You may also like Easy Pumpkin Muffins, Pumpkin Banana Bread, Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting, and Mini Chocolate Chip Muffins.)
Ingredients You Need
To make these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins, you’ll need to have the following ingredients on hand and ready to go. Sign up for our email updates to get tips and ideas sent to your inbox.
Rolled oats: These are also called “old-fashioned oats” at the store. Look for them in the cereal aisle. Flour: Whole-wheat flour keeps the muffins full of whole grains. Pumpkin pie spice: This adds that classic pumpkin flavor we crave. Baking powder and baking soda: A combination of these help the muffins rise nicely while baking. Eggs: Large eggs add moisture and help the batter hold together nicely. See the Notes at the end of the recipe for a substitute. Pumpkin puree: You can use canned pumpkin puree or homemade pumpkin puree. Brown sugar: This adds flavor and sweetness. Oil: You can use any neutral oil you prefer including canola, avocado, or coconut. Melted butter also works. Vanilla extract Chocolate chips: I prefer mini chocolate chips in this recipe, but any will work.
TIP: To make these dairy-free, use dairy-free chocolate chips.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at the super simple process involved in making these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins. Scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe. TIP: These are great on their own, but you could top with some nut butter or cream cheese if you’d like.
How to Store
Let pumpkin chocolate chip muffins cool and store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days or in the fridge for up to 5. Serve cold or warm briefly in the microwave. You can also store in the freezer for up 3 months. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature.
Best Tips for Success
Gluten-free: Use gluten-free oats and a gluten-free flour blend. Dairy-free: Use dairy-free chocolate chips. Egg-free: Grind the oats in a food processor or blender before you add them to the batter to create more of a flour-like consistency or use purchased oat flour. And omit the eggs and add 1 tablespoon ground flaxseeds and ¼ cup water or milk. You can, of course, use dried cranberries or raisins in place of the chocolate chips if you prefer. Cut muffins into smaller pieces for your child if needed. Pair with a side of fruit and/or milk for a simple snack or breakfast. If you have more pumpkin to use, try my Pumpkin Banana Muffins or Pumpkin Protein Muffins.
I’d love to hear what you and your kids think of the recipe when you make them so please comment below!
Healthy Pumpkin Muffins
Pumpkin Cupcakes (with Cream Cheese Frosting)
Healthy Pumpkin Bars Recipe
Favorite Applesauce Cookies (with Oats and Cinnamon)
This post was first published September 2019.