Paleo Chocolate Muffins: moist Gluten Free chocolate muffins with almond flour, tons of chocolate & crispy tops! Easy, Grain-Free, Vegan, Healthy ingredients.
Happy January! Or should I say, “Happy 1st Recipe of January!!!” There, that’s better. 😉 At the very least, it’s tastier. Can you believe it’s 2020 already? Like, doesn’t anyone else feel the least bit awkward typing 20 twice, and ya know, not ending it with “19”? Cuz I sure as heck do.
But enough about that! How was your winter holiday season? Did you enjoy Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, or perhaps a good ‘ol Winter Solstice? Did you enjoy any yummy dessert goodies, such as paleo chocolate almond butter bars or paleo chocolate cupcakes? Whatever you celebrated, and whatever you ate during those celebrations, I hope it was with great company, even better hugs, and lots of laughter.
Now that that’s done with, it’s time to get crackin’ on Fitness January!! Okay, am I the only one that calls it that in my mind? 😉 Not to worry, we’re gonna start it off nice and slow, with what I like to think of as my transitionary recipe—a grain-free, paleo & whole ingredient delight that just happens to be my favorite chocolate muffin of all time.
Yep, more than my best moist gluten free chocolate muffins. Even more than my banana chocolate muffins. And totally more than my dark chocolate muffins.
Say whaaaa?
Well, let’s just say I didn’t come to play when it came to developing my 1st ever Paleo Muffin recipe. For you. 🙂 Special emphasis on the “for you” part because you know I never, ever wanna leave you with a hot mess in the kitchen—just a hot & tasty treat!
Paleo Chocolate Muffins – Gluten Free Chocolate Muffins (Easy)
These Paleo Chocolate Muffins have now become my favorite gluten free chocolate muffins of all-time. Bonus? They’re easy to make, dairy-free, grain-free and made from healthy ingredients. But, so what, Demeter!! [I hear you saying…like, I’m not talking about myself in the 3rd person or anything…ahem.] But how do these paleo chocolate muffins taste??
Well, my Paleo Chocolate Muffins are perfectly moist and rich, packed with deep chocolate flavor, and, they have crispy tops!! Bonus, these gluten free chocolate muffins are made with almond flour—just like y’all have been requesting for ages. When you make these paleo chocolate muffins, you can expect a light & unbelievably fluffy crumb, with mouthwatering chocolate flavor.
Is this Paleo Chocolate Muffins Recipe Grain Free? Gluten Free? Easy? Vegan?
Grain Free Chocolate Muffins?
Oh YES. I’m pleased to inform you that this paleo chocolate muffins recipe does, in fact, qualify as grain free chocolate muffins. There’s not a grain in sight!
Gluten Free Chocolate Muffins- Easy?
Double yes—these paleo chocolate muffins just so happen to be my favorite gluten free chocolate muffins. They’re so easy to make, they’ll be your favorite gluten free muffin the second you taste them.
Vegan Chocolate Muffins?
Yes!! I totally get it—sometimes it’s hard to remember what’s paleo, what’s grain-free, what’s dairy-free but not vegan, gluten free but not paleo. Not to worry, you’ve got everything you’re looking for in this paleo chocolate muffin! They are the best vegan chocolate muffins! And if you’re looking for more vegan chocolate muffins, look here: Paleo Chocolate Orange Muffins, Gluten Free Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins, Moist Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins.
Gluten Free Chocolate Muffins: Almond Meal or Almond Flour?
I get this question all the time: Can I use almond meal in place of almond flour? Also, “What is the difference between almond meal and almond flour?”
Lemme begin by saying that some manufacturers do not differentiate between almond flour and almond meal. Yep, you heard me. But there is a distinct difference. Allow me to clarify so you can easily identify which one you’re looking for (despite the labelling not always being clear).
Almond Flour is cream colored, like the inside of an almond. Almond flour is made by grinding up blanched almonds (aka brown skins removed) into a fine flour. Look for super finely ground almond flour—some companies don’t do a great job grinding their flours. Here is the almond flour that I use.
Almond Meal is a multi-colored meal made with almonds that have their skins on. As a result, this meal is much grainier, and I find, a bit heavier. Here is an almond meal that I love.
So yes, you can use almond meal as a substitute for almond flour, but I recommend using almond flour. Almond flour lends a lighter, finer texture to the paleo chocolate muffins. Almond meal will be more noticeable in the muffins.
Best Tools for Easy Paleo Chocolate Muffins (Vegan)
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- Raw Cacao Powder: One of the key ingredients for these paleo chocolate muffins. It’s how they get that irresistible dark chocolate flavor! .
- Almond Flour: A true paleo baking essential, this almond flour allows me to get the perfect crumb and delicately moist texture that sets these paleo chocolate muffins apart from the rest.
- Muffin Carrier: I seriously love how cool this carrier is! You can store up to 24 muffins, and easily transport them to a party, potluck, or to your dinner table for a surprise muffin party!
- Stainless Steel Sifter: A wonderfully reliable tool that I use constantly whenever I’m making paleo chocolate muffins. It sifts dry ingredients beautifully, and eliminates any big chunks that would otherwise cause a less than ideal texture.
- Where to Buy Ingredients: Coconut Sugar | Arrowroot Flour | Paleo Chocolate Gems or Vegan Chocolate Chips (if not paleo) | Pure Maple Syrup | Coconut Oil | Pure Vanilla Extract | Almond Flour | Raw Cacao Powder
Are you ready to make all the delicious paleo chocolate muffins?!? Let’s do it! You grab the almond flour, I’ll grab the raw cacao powder! I can’t wait to hear what you think. Let me know how you like this recipe in the comments below. It’s truly such a honor to share in these wonderful kitchen moments with you. ‘Til the next baking adventure…
Sending you all my love and maybe even a dove, xo Demeter ❤️
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Gluten Free Chocolate Muffins & Easy Paleo Chocolate Recipes!
- Best Vegan Gluten Free Moist Chocolate Muffins
- Paleo Chocolate Orange Muffins
- Ultimate Fudgy Paleo Vegan Brownies
- Vegan Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe with Coconut Flour
- Chewy Gluten Free Chocolate Tahini Cookies
- Chocolate Orange Muffins (Vegan)
Paleo Chocolate Muffins – Gluten Free Chocolate Muffins (Almond Flour, Grain Free)
- Total Time: 48 minutes
- Yield: 9-12 muffins 1x
Description
Paleo Chocolate Muffins: moist Gluten Free chocolate muffins with almond flour, tons of chocolate & crispy tops! GF, Easy, Grain-Free, Vegan, Healthy ingredients.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups finely ground, blanched almond flour
- ½ cup arrowroot flour
- ¾ cup raw cacao or unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ¼ cup water
- ½ cup non-dairy milk
- 3 tablespoons melted coconut oil
- ¼ cup coconut sugar
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Add-in Ingredients
- 3/4 cup chopped paleo chocolate chunks or vegan chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, sift together the dry ingredients: almond flour, arrowroot flour, raw cacao, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
- Add water and milk to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 10-second increments until just warm. This will prevent the melted coconut oil from solidifying once mixed with these liquids.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together all wet ingredients: water, milk, coconut oil, coconut sugar, maple syrup and vanilla. Whisk until well incorporated.
- Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. Whisk until just incorporated, making sure no flour patches remain. Batter will be thick and liquidy—thick enough to be a bit stiff and easily scooped, but still liquidy enough to settle. Fold in chopped paleo chocolate chunks.
- Using a large ice cream scoop, scoop and drop batter evenly into prepared muffin pan—filling each cup about 3/4 of the way for a greater quantity of medium dome-topped muffins, or all the way for a lower quantity of high dome-topped muffins. Makes 9 large muffins, or 12 medium muffins.
- Bake for 19-25 minutes. Mine took 23 minutes for 9 high, dome-topped muffins. Insert a toothpick to test for doneness—it should come out mostly dry, with a few muffin bits on it.*
- Place muffin pan on a cooling rack to cool for 30 minutes. Remove muffins from pan and continue cooling on rack until completely cool. Enjoy! Storing instructions below.
Adapted from my Dark Chocolate Muffins & my Vegan Gluten Free Chocolate Cupcakes.
Paleo Vegan Chocolate Recipes
Equipment
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Stainless Steel 3 Cup Flour Sifter
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Blanched Almond Flour, Finely Sifted 1lb
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Notes
- Where to Buy Ingredients: Coconut Sugar | Arrowroot Flour | Paleo Chocolate Chunks or Vegan Chocolate Chips (if not paleo) | Pure Maple Syrup | Coconut Oil | Pure Vanilla Extract | Almond Flour | Raw Cacao Powder
- *Smaller muffins will take a shorter amount of time to bake–closer to 19 minutes.
- Storing Notes: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Freezing Instructions: Store muffins in an airtight, freezer-friendly container for up to 1 month. Allow to thaw at room temperature for 15-40 minutes before enjoying.
- Recommended Tools: Stainless Steel Sifter | Large Ice Cream Scoop (for scooping muffin batter) | Parchment Muffin Liners | 12-Muffin Pan | Glass Mixing Bowls | Muffin Carrier
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 23 mins
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Snacks
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
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Hi. Can i use coconut flour instead of almond flour?
Hi Jo! I would not recommend that, as coconut flour is much more absorbent than almond flour, so the texture would be way off.
Hi, can I skip the sifting step?(don’t own a sifter)
Hi Shira! If you can’t sift it, make sure to still add all the dry ingredients into a bowl and thoroughly whisk together to make sure they’re well incorporated before adding with the wet. Let me know how they turn out! 🙂
These were delicious!! Very rich and chocolatey at the base and they had a kind of cracked, crumbly top! Will definetly make again. Baked in 19min. Thank you!!
★★★★★
That’s awesome! I simply adore the tops of these muffins, so I’m truly happy to hear you enjoyed them too. 😊
Hi, I’m excited to try these amazing looking muffins however,I don’t have a sifter, will the muffins flop if I eliminate the sifting step?
Hey
Can i skip the maple syrup or replace it with granulated allulose?
Can i add chocolate protein powder? How much? Or do half protein powder half cacao powder?
Will sunflower oil work instead of coconut oil.
Can i add fresh raspberries or frozen cherries along with the chocolate pieces?
If i get it right you do not recommend popping muffins in thé fridge ? Thx in advance
Hi Deborah! I would not recommend skipping the maple syrup, and I can’t say how the change to granulated allulose would go as I haven’t tried it myself in this recipe. Adding chocolate protein powder would change the texture and consistency of the muffins, and it’s hard to say how much to add because every brand works a bit differently. I haven’t tried sunflower oil myself, but I’ve had some readers use avocado oil in other recipes with good results. Adding raspberries should be fine. Hope this helps!
Thx
Is it possible to skip oil or butter completely here actually?
Will chocolate pieces popped into the batter be melted inside the muffin once baked? Is there a way to prevent this?
Thx
You can try subbing the coconut oil with applesauce. 🙂 I don’t know of a way to prevent the chocolate pieces from melting. You could, however, chill the muffins in the fridge after you’ve completely cooled them to harden up the chocolate.
This recipe looks so good.I have a few questions before I make it:
Can I skip the arrowroot powder?
Can I use dried dates powder instead of coconut sugar?
I made my almond flour at home using raw almonds.Can I use that?
Can I make the chocolate chips using honey , cocoa and coconut oil in the ratio 3:2:2?
Can I use Hershey’s natural cocoa powder?
Can I use regular milk?
Can I use honey instead of maple syrup?
It will be very helpful if you can answer these questions.
Thank you so much
Thanks Kavya! Unfortunately, that many changes will most likely result in a baking disaster… 🙁 I know for sure that skipping the arrowroot powder will completely set the balance of this recipe off. I hope you can find a recipe that suits what you have in your pantry. 🙂 Sorry about that!
Made these this morning and they were true chocolate decadence! It’s so hard to find a recipe that checks all the boxes; grain free, dairy free, vegan. So happy I came across this. Mine didn’t rise at all. So they were more like brownie bites than muffins, and not as pretty as yours. Perhaps I over-mixed or over-filled. I’ll experiment a bit next time. But there’ll definitely be a next time. Thanks for the yummy recipe!
★★★★
Oh, I love the way you phrased that–true chocolate decadence. 😉 Hmm… something definitely went wrong. These muffins are a bit dense, but moreso on the fluffier side with a rise. Did you make any subs? Perhaps the arrowroot flour or blanched almond flour? If, for example, you used a GF all purpose flour, I know from experience that it can cause very dense/no-rise muffins. Hopefully I can help!
I made these like the recipe called for, except I substituted coconut sugar for erythritol because I have a mild sugar intolerance, so I try my best to keep the sugar to a minimum, and they turned out to be delicious. My kids loved it (any they hate any Paleo recipe that I have made). I am not on a Paleo diet but I have several intolerances and food allergies that push me in this direction. I added a half a cup of dark chocolate morsels. I just wanted to share that it was great.
★★★★★
I love hearing that your sugar sub worked out! 🙂 Bonus is that the kiddos actually loved it. 😉 Thank you for taking the time to let me know how it all turned out for you. Happy baking!
Looks amazing! I live in Colombia and arrowroot flour is very expensive is there another type of flour I can use instead (almond, coco etc)?
Thanks a lot!
Thanks Babeth! Tapioca flour is the closest sub. According to some, corn starch or rice flour might work, but I haven’t tried any of these subs, so I can’t say how they might turn out. Good luck!
The best paleo gluten-free muffins ever! I substituted arrow flour with rice flour. It was so moisture, soft, and delicious!!
★★★★★
That’s awesome! So happy you enjoyed the recipe Eli! 🙂
These look yummy. Can I substitute the arrowroot flour with tapioca starch/flour?
Thanks
Hi Rachna, thank you! That should work, according to sources online. I haven’t tried it myself, so proceed with caution. Let me know how it turns out! 🙂
These muffins are perfect for a mid day snack or grab n go breakfast! love they are gluten free. Adding to my list of baked goods!
★★★★★
Thanks Tisha! So glad to hear that you enjoyed them. 🙂 Happy baking!
These muffins are SO DELICIOUS! I recently learned that despite my severe nut allergy, I can eat baked recipes with almond flour, and it’s opened up so many paleo options. I’ve made these muffins 3 times in the past two weeks. My non-paleo family loves them. Thank you for a great first paleo almond flour recipe!
★★★★★
So happy to hear you enjoyed them, and that you found out almond flour works for you. Here’s to many more yummy paleo treats!
Looks pretty yummy. Going to buy ingredients today! Thanks for links on products used to make recipe.
★★★★★
Woohoo! You’re so very welcome Thomas. Happy baking!
These sound delicious! Dangerously good…
★★★★★
Haha oh you know it! .
Do I add eggs? I feel weird not having Eggs.
Hi Moira! No need for eggs. 🙂 Happy baking!
What a great way to start my day! Looking forward to baking these this evening for breakfast tomorrow; they look delicious!
★★★★★
Yes! You’re gonna have one tasty morning Sara!
Oh that texture looks absolutely perfect! I have everything on hand except for arrowroot flour. I’ll need to grab some and then give these gorgeous muffins a try!
These muffins are totally worth running out and getting the arrowroot flour for! Can’t wait to hear what you think! 🙂
Opens look absolutely delicious! I can’t wait to try that myself!
★★★★★
Thanks Allyson! Hope you love these paleo muffins!
We love having a variety of muffins for breakfast! These sound so delicious and I love how you used the almond flour!
★★★★★
Oh my, a variety of muffins for breakfast sounds incredible! Hope you enjoy these!
This recipe is one that I will be making often! It’s gooey and delicious, and I love the muffins!
★★★★★
Woohoo! So happy to hear it Katie! .
My grand daughter is on a gluten free diet and I can’t wait to make these yummy chocolate cupcakes for her!! Melty chocolate chips get me every time.
★★★★★
Aww how sweet of you Pam! She’s gonna be so excited! .
I’m always down for double and chocolate, and these muffins are right up my alley! I especially love that they are gluten free and paleo!
★★★★★
Haha same here! . Happy baking Jessica!
These look so decadent, and I love that they are paleo!
★★★★★
Thanks Jocelyn! Hope you enjoy them!
hard to believe, but true that something this decadent looking can actually be good for you.
★★★★★
You know it Pam! .