Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Muffins

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Muffins are super moist, full of peanut butter flavor, and stuffed with mini chocolate chips ~ these protein packed energy boosters are a family favorite!

chocolate chip peanut butter muffins

You don’t have to be a kid to appreciate the allure of these muffins. Peanut butter makes them so satisfying, and those little bursts of chocolate are everything. Wholesome enough to be breakfast, they also make the perfect lunchbox treat or anytime pick-me-up snack.

What you’ll need :

• peanut butter ~ although I love natural peanut butter I don’t like to bake with it because of the oily separation. Jiff is my baking fave, creamy or crunchy is up to you. You can use no a sugar peanut butter, but don’t use a low fat variety. Note: Jiff and Skippy both have ‘natural’ varieties that are a good compromise and will work well in these muffins.

• vegetable oil ~ the oil in the muffins keeps them exceptionally moist. Use a neutral veg oil like canola, corn, or safflower.

• milk

• eggs

• mini chocolate chips ~ (or regular chocolate chips!)

• flour ~ I use all purpose, measured by fluffing the flour first, then scooping it with your measuring cup, and leveling off with the side of a knife. You’ll get accurate, consistent amounts.

• brown sugar ~ brown sugar contains molasses that that makes baked goods extra moist and flavorful.

• vanilla extract ~ you won’t taste it as vanilla, exactly, but it serves to enhance all the flavors.

• baking powder, baking soda, salt

the problem with baking with peanut butter

We’re big fans of the stuff here, But, if you’ve ever tried to bake with peanut butter, you might have found that it can be tricky, and a lot of recipes come out sort of dry and dense. That’s because peanut butter actually has a tendency to soak up liquid in baking recipes, resulting in less than optimum results. I’ve solved all that here, with extra liquid ingredients for a nice, sweet, moist muffin that even keeps on the counter for a day or so with no problems. (P.S. my Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Cake is another fan favorite recipe that puts peanuts and peanut butter center stage.)

to store and freeze muffins

• The cooled muffins can be stored on the counter under a glass dome, or under foil. I don’t like to use plastic wrap because it can make muffins soggy.
• These muffins will freeze beautifully: let them cool completely, then wrap in plastic, and again in foil.

 

Adapt this peanut butter muffin recipe

• adjust the size

This recipe can be made as mini muffins. Use a nonstick pan and also grease it. Minis cook quickly, so check on them after 10 minutes.

• change up the flour

You can experiment with using part oat flour or whole wheat flour. White whole wheat flour or whole wheat pastry flour would also be good alternatives.

• use buttermilk

I love to bake with buttermilk, and it would work nicely in this recipe.

• add peanut butter powder

For an extra dose of pb flavor, try subbing 1/3 of the flour with peanut butter powder (Trader Joe’s carries it.)

• try peanut butter chips

If you’re not a fan of chocolate, double down with pb chips! For a super decadent version, you could use mini Reese’s cups.

• make them lighter

You might experiment with substituting applesauce for the oil. Fair warning: I have not tried this, but it has worked in other recipes.

• make them dairy free

If you cannot tolerate dairy you can try an alternative milk like almond or even coconut milk. Be aware that the muffins may not be as moist.

• make them gluten free

Use a good quality all purpose gf baking mix in place of the flour. I like Bob’s Red Mill or King Arthur Flour’s products.

More peanut butter and chocolate

• Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bread
• Flourless Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Scones
• Peanut Butter Frosted Brownies
• Milk Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Shortbread Cookies