Muffin Recipes Snacks

March 28, 2018

Dreamy Orange Chocolate Chip Muffins

Name: Dreamy Orange Chocolate Chip Muffins
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: Dry ingredients:; 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour (or all purpose flour); ½ cup blanched fine almond flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; ¼ teaspoon salt; Wet ingredients:; Zest from 1 large orange (about 1 tablespoon orange zest); ½ cup organic sugar (or sub coconut sugar or ⅓ cup honey); 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ teaspoon almond extract; ⅓ cup freshly squeezed orange juice (from about 1 large orange); ¼ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk; 1 tablespoon melted and cooled coconut oil; ½ cup chocolate chips, plus 2 tablespoons for sprinkling on top; Sprinkle with coarse sugar or organic sugar, if desired

The dreamiest orange chocolate chip muffins made with fresh orange juice and orange zest baked right in! These fluffy, healthy orange chocolate chip muffins are addicting, simple to make and the perfect treat.

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

35 mins

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healthy orange chocolate chip muffins in a stack

Oh hi. Someone tell me how it’s already almost April. I’m eagerly waiting for the tulips to make their appearance in my backyard and for the robins to start eating all the extra muffin crumbs I put on my deck.

To celebrate all things spring, I’d like you to say hello to my little friends: dreamy orange chocolate chip muffins!

I’ll admit it, orange is my citrus of choice and I’m not mad about it. When I was little I used to LOVE the mini orange muffins from the grocery store. I didn’t understand why no one else wanted to eat them but me, but I much preferred their flavor over blueberry or even banana. I know that sounds crazy coming from someone who basically delivers you a new banana bread weekly, but it’s true.

I also happened to love orange cinnamon rolls over regular cinnamon rolls. Anyone else love orange as much as I do? Orange + chocolate is a match made in heaven. In fact, remember when I made my paleo orange-kissed loaf with dark chocolate aka the best loaf ever? That flavor combo just so happened to inspire this recipe.

Ingredients in these orange chocolate chip muffins

These muffins are SUPER fluffy, perfectly sweet, and filled with bright, fresh orange flavor. Here’s everything you’ll need to make them:

Flour: we’re using a mix of almond flour and whole wheat pastry flour (or white whole wheat flour) to get super fluffy muffins.
Orange flavor: you’ll add both orange juice and orange zest to the muffins for that true orange flavor.
Sugar: I like to use regular, organic cane sugar in these muffins, but you can also use coconut sugar or honey.
Milk & oil: you’ll need a little milk and a bit of coconut oil to give the muffins the perfect amount of moisture. I like to use unsweetened vanilla almond milk, but feel free to use any milk you’d like. To keep the muffins nut free
Eggs: you’ll also need 2 eggs to help the muffins bake up properly.
Baking staples: don’t forget the baking powder (not baking soda), salt, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Almond extract gives the muffins a super unique, absolutely delicious flavor that brings out all of the orange.
Chocolate chips: these are optional, but I LOVE the bites of melted chocolate paired with the orange flavor.

Easy substitutions

I highly recommend sticking to the recipe as written to get perfect orange muffins, but here are a few subs you can make:

To make gluten free: you can substitute the whole wheat pastry flour with gluten free all purpose flour or chickpea flour, just know that you may have to add a little more coconut oil (probably 2-3 tablespoons).
To make vegan: feel free to swap the 2 eggs for 2 flax eggs to keep these orange chocolate chip muffins gluten free! Then remember to use dairy free/vegan chocolate chips as well. Learn how to make flax eggs here!
To make nut free: simply swap the coconut oil for melted butter or vegan butter and omit the almond extract.

Jazz up these orange muffins

Before putting the muffins in the oven, I like to sprinkle them with a little coarse sugar to give them that beautiful, sparkly top. It makes them taste like orange sugar cookies!

Alternatively, drizzle the muffins with the lovely orange glaze from this recipe! This is a great option if you want to omit the chocolate chips.

Tips for making perfect healthy orange muffins

Follow the recipe. The best way to ensure the success of these easy orange muffins is to follow the recipe and use the exact ingredients as written (unless I note specific substitutes).
Make sure your eggs are at room temperature. If your eggs are too cold you risk the coconut oil coagulating. To bring your eggs to room temp, simply place them in a bowl of warm water for 3-5 minutes before you use them.
Do not overmix the batter. If you overmix batter you’ll end up with muffins that are more dense and gummy instead of fluffy and soft.
Line your muffin pan. Remember to add muffin liners to your muffin pan AND spray the muffin liners with nonstick cooking spray so that the muffins come out easily.

Storing & freezing tips

To store: place these healthy orange muffins on the counter in an airtight container for a day, then transfer them to the fridge.
To freeze: allow the muffins to cool completely then put in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Once ready to reheat, you can thaw at room temperature, or heat up in the microwave in 30 second intervals.

More healthy muffin recipes you’ll love

I hope you love these orange chocolate chip muffins! If you make them be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked them. Enjoy, xo!

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