Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Featured in: Vegetarian & Plant-Based Grill

These tender muffins combine the warmth of pumpkin and spices with sweet chocolate chips, all finished with a cinnamon-nutmeg streusel for a tempting crunch. Easy to prepare in under an hour, they're a comforting treat perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack. Substitute mini chocolate chips for a finer crumb, or toss in some chopped nuts for added texture. Enjoy them with your favorite hot drink and savor the cozy flavors of fall any time of year.

Updated on Mon, 27 Oct 2025 14:06:00 GMT
Moist pumpkin chocolate chip muffins with crunchy streusel, perfect for breakfast delights.  Save
Moist pumpkin chocolate chip muffins with crunchy streusel, perfect for breakfast delights. | bitegrill.com

Moist, tender pumpkin muffins studded with chocolate chips and topped with a crunchy, cinnamon-spiced streusel — perfect for cozy mornings or afternoon treats.

I baked these muffins on a chilly weekend and the warm spices filled my kitchen with the most comforting aroma. Everyone wanted a second helping and the spiced streusel topping was an instant hit!

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour: 1 3/4 cups (220 g) for the muffins, 1/3 cup (40 g) for the streusel
  • Granulated sugar: 1 cup (200 g)
  • Light brown sugar, packed: 1/2 cup (110 g) for muffins, 1/3 cup (70 g) for streusel
  • Baking powder: 1 tsp
  • Baking soda: 1/2 tsp
  • Salt: 1/2 tsp for muffins, 1/8 tsp for streusel
  • Ground cinnamon: 1 1/2 tsp for muffins, 1/2 tsp for streusel
  • Ground nutmeg: 1/2 tsp for muffins, 1/4 tsp for streusel
  • Ground ginger: 1/4 tsp
  • Ground cloves: 1/4 tsp
  • Eggs: 2 large
  • Canned pumpkin puree: 1 cup (240 g)
  • Vegetable oil: 1/2 cup (120 ml)
  • Milk: 1/4 cup (60 ml)
  • Pure vanilla extract: 2 tsp
  • Semi-sweet chocolate chips: 3/4 cup (130 g)
  • Unsalted butter: 3 tbsp (45 g), cold and cut into small cubes for streusel

Instructions

Prepare Muffin Tin:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease it.
Combine Dry Ingredients:
In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
Mix Wet Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, then mix in pumpkin puree, oil, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Combine Wet and Dry:
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
Add Chocolate Chips:
Fold in the chocolate chips.
Fill Muffin Cups:
Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full.
Make Spiced Streusel:
For the streusel, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a small bowl. Add cold butter and mix with your fingers or a pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Add Streusel Topping:
Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the muffin batter.
Bake:
Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool Muffins:
Let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Delicious pumpkin chocolate chip muffins topped with spiced streusel, ideal for cozy snacking.  Save
Delicious pumpkin chocolate chip muffins topped with spiced streusel, ideal for cozy snacking. | bitegrill.com

My kids love helping sprinkle the streusel on the muffins before baking. Baking together is always a cherished family activity — and these muffins disappear fast once they are out of the oven!

Required Tools

12-cup muffin tin, mixing bowls, whisk, spatula, pastry cutter or fork, measuring cups and spoons, wire rack

Nutritional Information (per muffin)

Calories: 290, Total Fat: 13 g, Carbohydrates: 41 g, Protein: 3 g

Serving Suggestions

These muffins pair perfectly with a hot chai latte or coffee for a cozy breakfast or afternoon snack.

Warm pumpkin chocolate chip muffins adorned with cinnamon streusel, perfect for fall mornings. Save
Warm pumpkin chocolate chip muffins adorned with cinnamon streusel, perfect for fall mornings. | bitegrill.com

Store these muffins in an airtight container for up to three days or freeze for later. Enjoy their warmth and sweetness any time of day.

Recipe FAQ

Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned puree?

Yes, simply roast, mash, and drain fresh pumpkin for a similar consistency to canned puree. Ensure it's not too watery for best results.

What can I substitute for vegetable oil?

Melted butter, coconut oil, or even applesauce can replace vegetable oil. Each alters flavor and texture slightly.

How do I prevent the muffins from being dry?

Do not overmix the batter, and measure flour accurately. Mixing until just combined keeps muffins light and moist.

Can I add nuts to the batter?

Absolutely! Add up to 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans or walnuts for extra crunch and flavor depth.

Is it possible to make these muffins dairy-free?

Substitute non-dairy milk and use dairy-free chocolate chips and margarine for the streusel to make them dairy-free.

How should I store the muffins for freshness?

Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days or freeze for longer storage.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Tender pumpkin muffins with chocolate chips and spiced streusel—perfect warm for a sweet breakfast or snack.

Prep duration
20 min
Cook duration
22 min
Complete duration
42 min
Created by Ethan Walker


Skill Level Easy

Heritage American

Output 12 Portions

Dietary considerations Meat-Free

Components

Muffin Base

01 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 1 cup granulated sugar
03 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
04 1 teaspoon baking powder
05 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
06 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
08 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
09 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
10 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
11 2 large eggs
12 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
13 1/2 cup vegetable oil
14 1/4 cup milk
15 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
16 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Spiced Streusel Topping

01 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
02 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
03 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
04 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
05 1/8 teaspoon salt
06 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed

Method

Phase 01

Prepare Oven and Tin: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease each well.

Phase 02

Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves in a large mixing bowl.

Phase 03

Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat eggs thoroughly. Add pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, milk, and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.

Phase 04

Incorporate Mixtures: Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. Stir gently just until combined, taking care not to overmix.

Phase 05

Fold in Chocolate Chips: Add chocolate chips to the batter and fold gently until evenly distributed.

Phase 06

Portion Muffin Batter: Divide the batter evenly among prepared muffin tin wells, filling each about three-quarters full.

Phase 07

Prepare Streusel Topping: Combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt for streusel in a small bowl. Incorporate cold butter and mix using fingers or a pastry cutter until a coarse crumb forms.

Phase 08

Top Muffins with Streusel: Sprinkle the streusel mixture evenly over the batter in each muffin well.

Phase 09

Bake and Test Doneness: Place tin in preheated oven and bake for 20 to 22 minutes. Muffins are done when a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean.

Phase 10

Cool Before Serving: Allow muffins to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tools needed

  • 12-cup muffin tin
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Spatula
  • Pastry cutter or fork
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Wire rack

Allergy details

Review each ingredient for potential allergens and consult with healthcare providers if you're uncertain about sensitivities.
  • Contains eggs, wheat (gluten), and milk products in chocolate chips and butter. Chocolate chips may contain traces of soy or nuts; always review product labeling.

Nutritional information (each portion)

These values are provided as estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 290
  • Fats: 13 g
  • Carbohydrates: 41 g
  • Proteins: 3 g