Bakery Style Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Muffins
This recipe yields the yummiest gluten-free chocolate chip bakery-style muffins! Perfectly fluffy muffins and such a simple recipe – this will soon become a favorite!
I was born into a family in which females reigned and outnumbered my father greatly. Though he was the King of the house and doted on by all, he still had to endure wild hormones and an abundance of menstrual cycles and the bathroom sink always getting clogged with hair. All endured with grace.
I am 1 of 4 sisters, and of the four, I was the most “girly”. My clothes matching matter, my hair mattered, I would play tea party and school with Felicity, my American Girl doll, for hours. I loved dress up and all the pretty little things. So imagine my surprise and delight, still to this day, that God would bless me with THREE beautiful, rambunctious, energetic, loud, messy, imaginative, busy, tenderhearted boys. A surprise and delight, and the best gift I could have received.
My motherhood is growing and changing right alongside my growing and changing little boys. It has empowered me. Graced me with unconditional love. It challenges me. It makes life sweet. It illuminates the ugly parts of my heart that need tending to. It draws me to the important things in life. In many ways, raising boys is still a conundrum to me, but I found myself falling more and more in love with the way God has uniquely designed them, and how beautifully He orchestrated their lives crossing over into mine.
This recipe is one I will make long after the boys are grown and off on life’s adventures. When my house is less messy, and much quieter, and my heart is a little lonely, I will make these muffins. Because my boys have always loved them and devoured them. Hence why the recipe makes 24.
Why You Will Love This Recipe:
1. Gluten-Free Goodness Without Compromise
- Even though these muffins are gluten-free, they have a light, fluffy texture that rivals traditional muffins. The gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, combined with the right leavening agents and guar gum, ensures they rise beautifully and have a soft crumb.
2. Rich, Chocolatey Indulgence
- The mini chocolate chips add bursts of sweetness in every bite, making these muffins a treat for chocolate lovers. Plus, the smaller size of the chips ensures they’re evenly distributed throughout, so no bite is without a little chocolate!
3. Naturally Sweetened with Maple Syrup
- Instead of relying on refined sugar, this recipe uses maple syrup to add a gentle, natural sweetness. It also imparts a subtle caramel-like flavor, making these muffins feel extra special.
4. Balanced with Whole Milk Yogurt
- The yogurt adds creaminess and tang, making the muffins moist without being overly heavy. The slight acidity helps activate the baking soda, giving the muffins their light and airy texture.
5. Perfect for Any Time of Day
- These muffins are versatile! They’re a wholesome option for breakfast, a quick snack, or even a dessert. Their portable size makes them easy to grab on the go, while their rich flavor makes them feel like a treat.
6. Simple Ingredients and Quick to Make
- You don’t need to be a baking expert to pull off this recipe! It’s straightforward and comes together in just a few steps. With minimal prep time and a quick 20-minute bake, they’re perfect for busy mornings or last-minute gatherings.
7. Family-Friendly and Kid-Approved
- The combination of chocolate and gentle sweetness makes these muffins a hit with kids and adults alike. Plus, they’re a sneaky way to offer a more wholesome treat, thanks to the use of healthier ingredients like avocado oil and maple syrup.
8. Customizable
- You can easily customize this recipe by adding nuts, swapping in dairy-free yogurt, or experimenting with different mix-ins like dried fruits. The recipe is a great base for endless creativity!
Ingredients:
- Gluten-free all-purpose flour: A versatile blend designed for gluten-free baking. Ensure it includes a balance of rice flour, tapioca starch, and potato starch for structure and texture. You can use oat flour but the muffins will be more dense.
- Baking powder: A leavening agent to help your baked goods rise and stay fluffy. Make sure it’s gluten-free.
- Guar gum: A thickener that improves texture and binds the ingredients together. Use if your flour blend doesn’t already contain a binder. You could also use xanthan gum.
- Baking soda: Another leavening agent that works with the acid in the yogurt or sugar to help with lift.
- Salt: Enhances flavor and balances the sweetness in the recipe.
- Eggs, room temperature: Provides structure and moisture. Room temperature eggs blend more smoothly with other ingredients.
- Avocado oil: A healthy, neutral-flavored fat that adds moisture and richness to the dough. You could also use coconut oil.
- Whole milk yogurt: Adds moisture and tenderness, plus a slight tang that enhances flavor. You could use sour cream.
- Maple syrup: Natural sweetener that adds depth of flavor and a slight caramel note.
- Dark brown sugar: Contributes sweetness and moisture, with a deeper molasses flavor than light brown sugar. You could use coconut sugar, if desired.
- Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth batter. Whole milk is ideal for richness.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor and adds warmth to the recipe.
- Mini chocolate chips: Provide bursts of chocolate in every bite, perfect for a rich, sweet contrast. You could use dark chocolate chips.
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and line a standard 12-cup muffin pan with parchment muffin liners. This will help prevent the muffins from sticking and make cleanup easier. If using non-stick spray, lightly coat the liners for added insurance.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the gluten-free all-purpose flour, baking powder, guar gum (if needed), baking soda, and salt. Make sure to sift the flour if it’s clumpy to ensure even distribution of the leavening agents.
- In a separate medium bowl, beat the room temperature eggs lightly, then add the avocado oil (or melted butter), whole milk yogurt, maple syrup, dark brown sugar, milk, and vanilla. Whisk the wet ingredients until well combined and smooth. Be sure to break up any sugar lumps for an even batter.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients by pouring the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Use a whisk or spatula to gently stir until the batter just comes together. Avoid over-mixing, as this can lead to dense muffins. The batter should be thick but smooth.
- Fold in the mini chocolate chips using a spatula. Ensure they are evenly distributed throughout the batter to ensure each muffin has a burst of chocolate.
- Using a muffin scoop or ice cream scoop, fill each muffin cup about 1/2 full with muffin batter. Evenly distribute the batter among 24 muffin tins (if needed, bake in two batches). The batter should sit just below the liner’s top to allow the muffins to rise nicely. If you really want that muffin top like the bakeries, only fill 18 muffin tins and fill them 3/4 full.
- Bake the muffins for about 20 minutes baking time, rotating the pan halfway through to ensure even baking. The muffins are ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
- Cool the muffins in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Enjoy! These muffins are perfect warm or at room temperature, with or without butter. Store in an airtight container, or individually wrap the muffins in plastic wrap for easy grab n go!
Perfect Pairings!
1. Morning Coffee or Espresso
- The richness of the mini chocolate chips pairs beautifully with the bold flavor of coffee. A cup of hot espresso or a lightly sweetened cappuccino will enhance the muffins’ flavors.
2. Herbal or Chai Tea
- If you prefer tea, opt for a warm chai latte or a spiced herbal tea. The warm spices in the tea, like cinnamon and cardamom, complement the sweetness of the muffins.
3. Greek Yogurt with Fresh Berries
- Serve the muffins with a bowl of tangy Greek yogurt topped with fresh berries. The contrast between the creamy yogurt and the chocolatey muffins offers a delightful balance of flavors and textures.
4. Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice
- The bright acidity of orange juice cuts through the richness of the muffins, offering a refreshing and zesty pairing. It’s a classic breakfast combo!
5. Smoothie or Protein Shake
- A fruit-based smoothie or a vanilla protein shake is a great pairing for a more filling snack or breakfast. Try blending bananas, almond milk, spinach, and a dash of cinnamon for a nutritious side.
6. Rich Raw Milk
- For a dairy-free option, a chilled glass of vanilla almond milk adds a creamy sweetness that complements the mini chocolate chips in the muffins.
7. Whipped Cream or Nut Butter Spread
- For an indulgent treat, serve the muffins with a dollop of whipped cream or a spread of almond or peanut butter on the side. The creamy textures add a luxurious element to each bite.
Check out the recipe card below for the full recipe of the delicious gluten-free chocolate chip muffins! The whole family will love these bakery style muffins!
Bakery Style Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Muffins
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups gluten free all purpose flour
- 4 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp guar gum
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 4 eggs room temperature
- 1 cup avocado oil
- 1 cup whole milk yogurt
- 3/4 cup maple syrup
- 3/4 dark brown sugar
- 2/3 cup milk
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and line muffin pan with muffin parchment liners.
- In a large bowl combine the flour, baking powder, binder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine the eggs, oil, yogurt, maple syrup, brown sugar, milk and vanilla.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, and whisk to combine.
- Fold in the mini chocolate chips.
- Using a muffin scoop, add the batter to the muffin tins. Evenly, distribute between 24 muffin tins (you can bake in two batches if needed).
- Bake for 20 minutes, rotating half way through the baking time.
- Enjoy!