Who ate too much over the holidays? Guilty! *slowly raises hand in shame...* LOL! Isn't that what holidays are for? 🙂
'Tis the season to indulge in some healthier options, however for many, (like myself) we can't give up something that tastes rich, chocolatey and indulgent because our bodies would go into shock. But I love sacrificing healthy ingredients to make it worth the effort.
Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Muffins sound like a winner to me!
Chocolate and peanut butter are one of the best combinations ever and these muffins are super yummy, moist and rich in flavor!
Ingredients like unsweetened applesauce, creamy peanut butter, mini chocolate chips, sugar-free maple syrup, whole wheat flour, premium cocoa powder, unsweetened almond milk and a little sugar make the most delicious muffins.
The whole wheat flour adds fiber, vitamins, and nutrients; the peanut butter elevates supreme flavor and the chocolate...well is there anything better?
Chocolate and peanut butter are one of the few foods that taste awesome while providing significant health benefits and they are full of antioxidants.
The recipe makes 12 luscious muffins and they are great for quick snacking and breakfast on the go.
You'll find you can substitute other ingredients as well to make it your own adaptation with the sugars, flour, milk and nut butter. I've listed some substitutes if you want to make them gluten-free, dairy-free and want to use other sugar options.
You can add some peanut butter mixed with some maple syrup and add a drizzle or some peanut butter chips to give it some contrasting color and more peanut butter love. Not necessary if you want them healthier.
If you want some more healthy muffin options, you might want to taste these tempting Super Healthy Fudgy Double Chocolate Muffins, these Skinny Peanut Butter Banana and Chocolate Muffins {GF} and these Skinny Apple Peanut Butter Mini Muffins.
Enjoy!!
Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Muffins
Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsweetened applesauce (mashed banana can be subbed)
- ¼ cup sugar-free maple syrup regular pure maple syrup, honey or agave nectar can also be subbed
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar of choice coconut or brown can be subbed
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter any nut butter can be subbed
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk (any milk can be subbed)
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ⅓ cups whole-wheat flour (all-purpose or gluten free flour can be used)
- ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips + more for topping if desired (diary-free chocolate chips can be used)
Peanut Butter Drizzle / Chips
- ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ teaspoon maple syrup
- Or
- Peanut butter chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 C) and line 12 muffins with paper liners, or spray with non-stick spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the applesauce, maple syrup, peanut butter, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt for 45 seconds.
- Stir in the almond milk and whisk once more.
- Sift cocoa powder and flour over wet ingredients and stir with a spoon or spatula until just combined. Make you you don't over-mix. You want to mix until just combined.
- Fold in ½ cup chocolate chips.
- Batter should be quite thick, but not pourable. Use a scoop to add the muffin batter to the muffin tins and fill ¾ full and sprinkle with a few more chocolate chips or peanut butter chips on top if desired.
- Bake for 17-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let cool for a few minutes in the pan, remove from tins and let cool on a cooling rack.
Peanut Butter Drizzle:
- Put peanut butter into a microwavable dish for 20 seconds on high. Add maple syrup and stir together and then scoop into a ziplock back. Snip corner of bag and drizzle the peanut butter mixture on top of the muffins in a zig-zag motion.
- Make sure to seal, will keep several days.
Notes
Nutrition
Adapted from these Super Healthy Fudgy Double Chocolate Muffins
Happy that you found these to be flavorful, healthy and moist! Thank you so much Phoebe!! xo
I am always looking for healthy muffins. Most are hit and miss with a variety of mishmash ingredients that leaves the muffin dry and lacking flavor. I am glad this recipe was different. Though it had a number of ingredients, I enjoyed the flavors and texture. It was moist, chocolatey and flavorful!!
I've updated to give you that information, hope that helps Nichole! Enjoy!
Do you happen to have the calories for these?
These were great!! Followed the recipe exactly and they came out so well. Great chocolate and peanut butter flavor. Definitely hearty enough to hold you over for a couple hours too. Thank you for a great, healthy recipe.
Kim, I know this isn't a regular comment. But had to let you know that my email has changed. It is --oxyger343@gmail.com..Thanks
Hi Rebecca, I'm so sorry about that. I've updated the recipe, thanks to you letting me know. I really appreciate that and they should be ok. 🙂
So... I was really excited to make these and I'm sure they will still be good but in the recipe, it doesn't say to add the peanut butter only in the ingredient list... So I forgot to add it... I still think they will taste good but maybe an update in the recipe is needed?
Hi Esther. Thank you for letting me know. I've updated it. I adapted that recipe from the Healthy Fudgy Double Chocolate Chip Muffins, which used olive oil. Hope you enjoy!
I see olive oil in the directions but not on the list of ingredients!
Is there olive oil in these muffins?
Peanut butter and chocolate really are the best combo ever! And I love that you made these muffins healthier. Perfect treat after all the holiday indulgences!
I like this. I feel I have to wean myself from all the holiday food, but not go cold turkey.
These look too scrumptious to be healthy, Kim!! I've got to try these! Chocolate and peanut butter is my JAM.
Happy New Year!! Love these healthier muffins. Plus how can you go wrong with the combo of chocolate and peanut butter?! I’ll take two for breakfast with my coffee 🙂
Hope you did as well Kelsie! Thank you so much!!
Oh my word. Chocolate and peanut butter is the best combo out there so I love that you made a healthy way for me to eat my faaaave :). Hope you had a great holiday!