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Chocolate Chip Muffin Recipe

If you’re craving a homemade treat that feels just right anytime of day, this Chocolate Chip Muffin Recipe might become your new favorite go-to. I absolutely love how these muffins come out tender and perfectly moist, with chocolate chips melting in all the right spots. Stick around because I’m going to share everything that makes this recipe so reliable—and delicious—you’ll want to bake it again and again.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of these pantry staples on hand, making it easy to whip up on a whim.
  • Perfect Texture: The muffins are delightfully tender but sturdy enough to hold all those melty chocolate chips.
  • Family Favorite: My family goes crazy for these, and they’re the first to disappear whenever I bake them.
  • Foolproof Method: I’ll walk you through each step with tips to avoid overmixing and dryness, so your muffins come out bakery-quality every time.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients create that classic, comforting muffin flavor. You’ll want to use good-quality chocolate chips because they really make a difference, plus buttermilk or a good substitute to keep the muffins moist and tender.

Chocolate Chip Muffin Recipe - Ingredients
  • Plain flour (all purpose flour): Use plain or all-purpose for structure; measuring by weight gives best consistency if you can.
  • Baking powder: This helps give your muffins a nice rise and fluffy texture.
  • Baking soda (bi carb soda): Works with the buttermilk to balance acidity and tenderize crumb.
  • White sugar: Granulated sugar is perfect here for sweetness and slight crunch on top—caster sugar also works if you prefer.
  • Salt: Just a pinch to enhance all the flavors.
  • Buttermilk: If you don’t have it on hand, I’ll tell you a super easy substitute that tastes just as good!
  • Unsalted butter: Melted butter adds richness and a slight crispness to muffin tops.
  • Vegetable oil: Keeps the muffins moist—don’t skip it, or they’ll turn out dry.
  • Eggs: Bind everything together and provide structure.
  • Vanilla extract: Just a couple teaspoons give a subtle warmth that lifts the flavor.
  • Chocolate chips: Semi-sweet chips are my favorite here—they add the perfect balance of sweetness without overpowering the batter.
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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how flexible this Chocolate Chip Muffin Recipe is. Feel free to personalize these muffins based on what you have or what you’re craving that day—because, honestly, that’s when baking becomes really fun.

  • Add Nuts or Seeds: Adding chopped walnuts or pecans gives a lovely crunch—my go-to when I want extra texture and a nutty flavor.
  • Swap Chocolate Types: Try white chocolate chips or dark chocolate chunks for a different twist; you could even mix them up in one batch!
  • Make it Vegan: Use a plant-based milk + vinegar for buttermilk substitute, flax eggs instead of regular eggs, and coconut oil in place of butter for a vegan-friendly muffin.
  • Fruit Boost: Fold in some fresh blueberries or raspberries with the chocolate chips—you’ll get the best sweet-and-tart surprise in every bite.

How to Make Chocolate Chip Muffin Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Like a Pro

Get your oven heated to 200°C (390°F) and line a 12-hole muffin pan with paper liners. I learned early on that having this ready before mixing the batter makes the whole process smoother—and less frantic just before baking.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt. Then stir in the chocolate chips. Tossing the chips in the flour first helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom of your muffins, which is a simple trick I discovered that really improves the look and texture.

Step 3: Whisk the Wet Ingredients

In another bowl, combine your buttermilk, melted butter, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Give it a good whisk until everything is well combined. Using both butter and oil keeps the muffins moist but with a nice golden color on top—that combo took me a few tries to perfect!

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet mixture. Now here’s a big tip: mix gently and only about 7-8 times—don’t overwork the batter! It’s okay to have a few lumps; that’s what keeps the muffins tender. I used to stir until everything looked perfectly smooth, but that actually made my muffins tough and dry.

Step 5: Scoop and Top

Divide the batter evenly among your muffin cases. Then sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup chocolate chips on top. This little touch gives the muffins a super inviting look and an extra chocolate burst right on the surface—people always ask how I get that perfect finish!

Step 6: Bake in Two Stages

Bake the muffins at 200°C (390°F) for 5 minutes initially—that jumpstart helps them rise nicely. Then reduce the heat to 180°C (350°F) and bake for about 15 more minutes, or until a skewer inserted comes out clean. I always set a timer because even a couple extra minutes can dry them out. When they’re done, transfer immediately to a cooling rack to keep them from steaming and getting soggy.

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Pro Tips for Making Chocolate Chip Muffin Recipe

  • Don’t Overmix the Batter: It’s tempting to stir ‘til smooth, but tougher muffins await if you do—stop as soon as the dry disappears except for a few lumps.
  • Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Eggs and buttermilk blended better together, helping the muffins rise evenly.
  • Chocolate Chip Prep: Toss your chips in flour before mixing in so they don’t all sink to the bottom—keeps every bite chocolaty!
  • Watch Bake Times Closely: Ovens can be tricky; check your muffins a few minutes before time’s up to avoid drying out.

How to Serve Chocolate Chip Muffin Recipe

Chocolate Chip Muffin Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple and sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips on top before baking for that glossy, chocolaty finish. Sometimes I dust mine lightly with powdered sugar after they’ve cooled—for a café-style look and a bit of sweetness contrast.

Side Dishes

Pair these muffins with a steaming cup of coffee or tea for an easy breakfast or snack. If you want something heartier, a side of fresh fruit like berries or sliced banana complements the sweetness beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For a brunch party, I like to set up a muffin platter with small bowls of various toppings—clotted cream, honey, or even nut butters. You’d be surprised how guests enjoy customizing their muffins a little extra. You can also wrap each muffin in parchment paper tied with twine for cute gifts or school snacks.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I wholeheartedly recommend storing leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature—they keep remarkably well for up to 3 days. My honest tip? Warm them up for about 20 seconds in the microwave before eating to bring back that fresh-baked softness.

Freezing

These muffins freeze beautifully. I wrap each one individually in plastic wrap and place them inside a freezer-safe bag. When ready, I just thaw them at room temperature or pop them in the microwave briefly—it’s a total lifesaver for busy mornings.

Reheating

To revive your muffins, a quick 20-second zap in the microwave usually does the trick, restoring their soft, warm character. If you want to crisp the tops up a bit, a few minutes under the toaster oven works great too.

FAQs

  1. Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk in this Chocolate Chip Muffin Recipe?

    Absolutely! You can make a simple buttermilk substitute by adding 1 teaspoon of white vinegar to 1 cup of whole milk. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it curdles slightly, then use it in the recipe just like regular buttermilk. This keeps the muffins tender and helps with proper rising.

  2. Why should I avoid overmixing the muffin batter?

    Overmixing develops gluten in the flour, which makes muffins dense and chewy rather than light and tender. Mixing just until the dry ingredients disappear with a few lumps left ensures a soft crumb and fluffy texture every time.

  3. Can I substitute the chocolate chips for something else?

    Yes! While chocolate chips are the classic choice, you can swap in white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or even chopped nuts and dried fruit. I’ve had great results with blueberries mixed in for a sweet-tart combo that’s just divine.

  4. How long do these chocolate chip muffins keep fresh?

    Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these muffins stay fresh for up to 3 days. Reheating them slightly before eating really brings back that just-baked freshness.

  5. Can I freeze the muffins for longer storage?

    Yes, freezing is a fantastic option! Wrap muffins individually to prevent freezer burn, freeze them for up to 3 months, and thaw at room temperature when ready. A quick warm-up in the microwave’ll make them taste freshly baked.

Final Thoughts

This Chocolate Chip Muffin Recipe holds a special spot in my heart because it’s so easy to make yet impressively delicious. Whether you’re baking for your family, friends, or just treating yourself, these muffins are a warm, comforting reminder that homemade always tastes better. Go ahead and give it a try—I’m confident you’ll love the results as much as I do, and it might just become your baking staple too.

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Chocolate Chip Muffin Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 757 reviews
  • Author: Paula
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 12 muffins
  • Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Best Chocolate Chip Muffin Recipe delivers soft, moist muffins bursting with semi-sweet chocolate chips throughout. Perfectly balanced with buttermilk for tenderness and a blend of melted butter and oil for rich flavor, these bakery-style muffins are easy to prepare and bake to golden perfection. Whether served warm or at room temperature, they are an irresistible treat for breakfast, snacks, or dessert.


Ingredients

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 1/2 cups / 375g plain flour (all purpose flour)
  • 3 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda / bi carb soda
  • 1 cup / 220g white sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients:

  • 1 cup / 250ml buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup / 60g unsalted butter, melted
  • 4 tbsp / 80 ml vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs, lightly whisked
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

Chocolate Chips:

  • 1 3/4 cups / 300g semi-sweet chocolate chips


Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F) for all types of ovens. Line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper muffin cases to prepare for baking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the plain flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt until well combined. Then, stir in the chocolate chips ensuring they are evenly distributed.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk, melted unsalted butter, vegetable oil, lightly whisked eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients. Gently mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix—stir no more than eight times. It’s okay if the batter remains slightly lumpy.
  5. Fill Muffin Cases: Evenly divide the batter among the paper muffin cases in the tin. Top each muffin with the remaining 1/4 cup of chocolate chips for an extra chocolatey finish.
  6. Bake Muffins: Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake at 200°C (390°F) for 5 minutes. Then reduce the temperature to 180°C (350°F) for fan forced or convection ovens and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
  7. Cool Muffins: Remove the muffins immediately from the tin after baking and transfer them to a cooling rack. This prevents overcooking and helps maintain their soft texture.
  8. Serve: Enjoy the muffins warm for extra indulgence, or allow them to cool to room temperature. Both ways taste delicious!

Notes

  • Granulated sugar works perfectly in this recipe, but superfine or caster sugar can be used as an alternative.
  • To substitute buttermilk, mix 1 cup of whole milk at room temperature with 1 teaspoon of white vinegar. Allow it to curdle for 5 minutes before using. If milk is cold, heat for 30 seconds in the microwave first.
  • These muffins are best eaten on the day they are baked but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat briefly in the microwave for a freshly baked taste.
  • Muffins freeze well. Wrap them airtight, freeze, and defrost to room temperature before serving.
  • This recipe is a slightly adapted version of a popular Bakery Style Chocolate Chip Muffins recipe by Little Sweet Baker, and many find it even better than Ina Garten’s version.
  • The baking temperature is optimized across oven types, with initial high heat to set the muffins followed by lower heat to finish baking for optimal texture.
  • Nutrition facts refer to one muffin serving.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 muffin
  • Calories: 320 kcal
  • Sugar: 19 g
  • Sodium: 210 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 43 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 55 mg

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