Muffins have long been one of my weaknesses. This healthy chocolate muffins recipe is one that I created a few weeks ago out of a desperate need for something sweet at breakfast that was also satisfying. I combined a few different recipes I had used in the past and tweaked them to get the flavors just right. The result was this satisfying, low point, and a yummy muffin!
Healthy Chocolate Muffins Recipe
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In this recipe, I do not use any substitutes for traditional ingredients. Because I wanted a recipe that used fewer artificial ingredients, I tweaked it to use less but still create the flavor profile I wanted. If you prefer a completely sugar-free version, you can definitely substitute your favorite cup for cup of sweetener. My preferred option is Swerve for this, as it doesn't increase my blood sugar or cause tummy upset like others sometimes can.
Tips for making this recipe
I keep overripe bananas in the freezer for recipes like this. It makes it so much easier to just grab, thaw, and add to a recipe. Another tip is to sift your cocoa powder with flour so you don't get any unpleasant clumps. As a kitchen gadget geek, I love the classic flour sifter. This keeps the ingredients over the bowl instead of all over the counter. Sifting flour first makes it easy to gently stir in the dry ingredients so your muffins stay light and fluffy.
Finally, while I used cupcake liners in a muffin tin, you can definitely use silicone muffin pans instead for less waste and easy cleanup. Mine just happened to be dirty when I was baking these and was too lazy to clean them up first.
Ingredients
4 ripe bananas
1 egg
½ cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons peanut butter
1 tablespoon chocolate syrup
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ cup light unpacked brown sugar
Directions for Healthy Chocolate Muffins
Preheat the oven to 375º F and spray or line muffin pans with cupcake liners as you prefer.
In a large bowl, mash together the brown sugar, bananas, egg, applesauce, vanilla extract, peanut butter, and chocolate syrup until smooth.
Sift flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, and baking soda into the wet mixture.
Gently mix until just combined. Do not over stir this mixture.
Scoop into prepared muffin pans. Fill each cup about ½ full - should make 18 muffins.
Bake at 375º F for 15-17 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of muffins comes out clean.
How Many WW Points Is In A Chocolate Muffin?
The points below are calculated for 1 muffin when making a batch of 18 muffins. You can verify your own PersonalPoints via the WW app HERE.
- Personal Points: 2-4
- BLUE: 2
- GREEN: 2
- PURPLE: 2
- SmartPoints: 4
- PointsPlus: 2
Can I Freeze Homemade Muffins?
One of the things I love the most about this recipe for healthy chocolate muffins is that I can make big batches and freeze them. While I don't have a bunch of kids underfoot, and I do work from home, I still value being able to save time. Often, I make a double batch of these and freeze one batch. That means I keep one batch in the fridge to pop out each morning for breakfast and leave the other in the freezer for the next week.
Allow the muffins to cool completely before putting them into large gallon-sized freezer bags. Label the bag with the muffin type and the date they were made, then remove as much excess air as possible before sealing and laying flat on your freezer shelves. They keep well for up to 3 months in the freezer, but I rarely see them last more than a month.
If you prefer a zero-waste option, you can pick up these silicone freezer bags and use them for items like this. They are a great reusable bag option that lasts for years if kept clean and stored properly!
More WW FreeStyle Muffin Recipes
I love easy muffins for breakfasts or snacks, so I wanted to share a few more with you. Below are some of my all-time favorite recipes for sweet bread or muffins that also fit into the WW FreeStyle plan easily. If you want more variety outside just the healthy chocolate muffins in this post, then definitely check out the ones linked below!
Strawberry Banana Greek Yogurt Muffins
Cappuccino Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins
Healthy Chocolate Muffins Recipe
A super easy breakfast or snack, this healthy chocolate muffins recipe is absolutely one of the best chocolate snacks for the WW PersonalPoints plan!
Ingredients
- 4 ripe bananas
- 1 egg
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup brown sugar, unpacked
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375º F
- Spray or line muffin pans with cupcake liners as you prefer
- In a large bowl, mash together the brown sugar, bananas, egg, applesauce, vanilla extract, peanut butter, and chocolate syrup until smooth.
- Sift flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, and baking soda into the wet mixture
- Gently mix until just combined. Do not over stir this mixture
- Scoop into prepared muffin pans. Fill each cup about ½ full - should make 18 muffins
- Bake at 375º F for 15-17 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of muffins comes out clean. 15 minutes is perfect on my oven, but oven temps vary, so watch that they do not overcook or burn.
Notes
You can check your own WW PersonalPoints on the WW app HERE.
Personal Points: 2-4
BLUE: 2
GREEN: 2
PURPLE: 2
SmartPoints: 4
Points Plus: 2
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
18Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 99Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 142mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 2gSugar: 10gProtein: 2g
Theresa
Do you think I can use peanut butter made by PB2 Powder? That is all I buy.
Katie
Definitely! You will want to recalculate as it might slightly change the points, but I believe with such a small amount they would be 2SP regardless. 🙂
Tina Tackmier
I made them with PB2 and they were just fine!
Heather hardcastle
These were delicious! I didn't have chocolate syrup so I used 1/4 cup chocolate chips instead.
Amazing!
Natalie
Just made these and they are delish!! I did make mine in the jumbo pans so, I will be cutting them in half. Will definitely make them again!
Katie
So glad you liked them!
Kristi
I just made these and used Nutella because I didn't have any chocolate syrup... They are delicious 😋
Nancy
Are these mini muffin pans? Recipe looks delicious, thanks!
Katie
No, these are full-sized muffins.
Yvonne
How many slices per loaf?
Katie
The recipe as shown makes 18 regular sized muffins. If you make in a loaf pan you will need to determine how many slices you are comfortable with and calculate from there.
Shelly
In the Directions section of your recipe you state “mash together the brown sugar....”. I do not see brown sugar in the ingredients section and did not add it. Was that correct?
In a large bowl, mash together the brown sugar, bananas, egg, applesauce, vanilla extract, peanut butter, and chocolate syrup until smooth.
Katie
It is in the written and printable directions
Carol
I have never use silicone bakeware. Is it worth the investment? Are they easy cleanup? Do they cook better than paper liners?
Thank you for your help I am anxious to try a chocolate muffins.
Carol
Katie
They are not necessary, but they are definitely my favorite for ease of cleaning and no sticking.
Linda Day
Do you have a recipe for chocolate pumpkin muffins? Or could you substitute pumpkin for the bananas?
Angela
I just calculated these as a green meal plan item. They were 9 points.
Amii
It is very frustrating when you mix everything up and then realized you missed an ingredient because your ads were placed over said ingredient.
lisa
do these taste like banana?
amber
Would I be able to substitute almond butter for peanut butter? I am allergic to peanut butter 🙁
Sarah
I'm impressed. I just put your recipe in the ww app and it's totally 2 points on blue. I never trust recipe calculations. You didn't stretch the truth. Thanks. They are in the oven right now.
Denise Streitman
Use stevia brown sugar for far fewer points