These incredibly delicious Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins are the quintessential fall treat, perfect for any occasion! Whether you’re looking for a delightful breakfast, a comforting brunch addition, or a satisfying dessert, these moist, pumpkin-spiced muffins bursting with chocolate chips are sure to become a seasonal favorite.
Irresistible Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins: Your New Fall Favorite
There’s an undeniable magic that sweeps through the air as soon as the leaves begin their vibrant transformation, signaling the arrival of fall. For many, including myself, this season sparks an immediate craving for all things pumpkin. Baking with pumpkin during the crisp, beautiful autumn weather in Spokane, Washington, feels especially perfect, filling the home with warmth and inviting aromas.
This year, my mission was to explore and discover new pumpkin recipes that would quickly become cherished family favorites. And let me tell you, these easy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins absolutely nailed it! You won’t believe how simple they are to whip up, delivering an unparalleled combination of sweet pumpkin flavor and decadent chocolate chips. What truly sets this recipe apart is its incredible speed and ease, without compromising on that amazing homemade taste. It’s exactly the kind of recipe I adore – fantastic food that doesn’t demand hours in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortlessly Easy: Starting with a convenient pancake mix like Bisquick dramatically cuts down on preparation time, making these muffins accessible for even novice bakers.
- Perfect Fall Flavors: The blend of earthy pumpkin and aromatic pumpkin pie spice captures the very essence of autumn.
- Chocolate Lover’s Dream: Mini chocolate chips melt into gooey pockets, providing a delightful contrast to the moist pumpkin base.
- Versatile Treat: Ideal for a quick breakfast, a cozy brunch spread, a school snack, or a comforting dessert with a cup of coffee or tea.
- Family-Friendly: A recipe that appeals to all ages, from toddlers to grandparents, ensuring everyone will ask for seconds.
- Quick to Bake: From mixing to baking, you can have a batch of warm, fresh muffins ready in under 30 minutes.
Simple Ingredients for Epic Flavor
Crafting these amazing Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins requires only a handful of common ingredients, many of which you likely already have in your pantry. This quick overview highlights the essentials; for precise measurements and detailed step-by-step instructions, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card below.
- Pancake Mix (Bisquick): The secret to speed and consistent texture! Using a pre-made mix eliminates the need for individual dry ingredients like flour, baking powder, and baking soda, saving you precious time.
- Granulated Sugar: Provides the perfect sweetness, balancing the savory notes of pumpkin and the richness of chocolate.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: This aromatic blend (typically cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves) is crucial for that classic autumnal flavor profile. Don’t skip it!
- Salt: A pinch of salt enhances all the other flavors, bringing out the best in both the pumpkin and the chocolate.
- Water: Helps achieve the ideal batter consistency and moisture in the finished muffins.
- Eggs: Act as a binder, providing structure and richness to the muffins.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla deepens the overall flavor and adds a lovely aromatic note.
- Canned Pumpkin Puree: The star ingredient! Ensure you’re using 100% pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugars and spices.
- Mini Chocolate Chips: While any chocolate chips work, mini chips distribute more evenly throughout the muffins, ensuring a chocolatey bite in every mouthful.
While this recipe leverages the convenience of Bisquick Baking Mix, it’s worth noting that you can certainly create these muffins from scratch using whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, a touch of vegetable oil or melted butter, and various spices. However, our primary goal here is to offer a super-fast and incredibly delicious option by utilizing the pre-made mix whenever possible.
Essential Equipment for Muffin Making
Gathering your tools before you begin is key to a smooth baking process. Here’s what you’ll need for these delightful pumpkin muffins:
- Large Mixing Bowl: A spacious bowl is essential for easily combining all your ingredients without spills. We particularly love glass batter bowls with a handle, as they offer stability on the counter and make pouring batter much simpler.
- Muffin Pan: A standard 12-cup muffin pan is perfect for this recipe, yielding a dozen perfectly sized muffins.
- Fall Muffin Liners: Beyond their charming aesthetics, paper liners make serving these pumpkin muffins a breeze and simplify cleanup.
- Whisk: For thoroughly combining dry ingredients and gently incorporating wet ones.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements are vital for consistent baking results.
- Heat-Resistant Potholders: A crucial safety item for handling hot muffin pans. We learned the hard way a few years ago when a cloth potholder caught fire after we accidentally left a burner on. Thankfully, we noticed the smoke in time and averted a crisis. Since then, we exclusively use these silicone heat-resistant potholders for peace of mind.
How to Make Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Making these delightful muffins is incredibly straightforward. While you’ll find comprehensive, step-by-step instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post, here’s a simplified version to guide you through the process:
- Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature for consistent baking from the moment your muffins go in. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease it lightly.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In your large mixing bowl, whisk together the pancake mix, granulated sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and salt until they are well combined. This step helps distribute the leavening agents and flavors evenly.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Create a well in the center of your dry ingredients. Add the water, eggs, vanilla extract, and canned pumpkin puree. Gently mix the batter until just combined. A few lumps are perfectly normal – be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough muffins.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Carefully fold in the mini chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter. Overmixing here can also affect muffin texture.
- Fill Muffin Tin: Divide the batter evenly among the lined cups in your muffin tin. Fill each cup about two-thirds full to allow for proper rising.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. This indicates they are fully cooked.
Once baked, allow the muffins to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy them warm, or at room temperature!
Preparation and Storage Tips
Proper preparation and storage ensure your Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins remain fresh and delicious for as long as possible.
Make Ahead: If you’re planning to prepare the batter in advance, Betty Crocker suggests refrigerating any Bisquick-based batter for no more than one hour before baking. This helps maintain the best taste and texture, ensuring your muffins rise beautifully.
Storage: To keep your leftover Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins moist and prevent them from drying out, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain fresh and delightful for up to four days. For longer storage, consider freezing.
Freezing/How to Freeze: These muffins freeze beautifully, making them excellent for meal prep or enjoying a homemade treat anytime. Once completely cooled, place your muffins in an airtight freezer bag or a freezer-safe container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. To prevent freezer burn, ensure as much air as possible is removed from the bag.
How to Reheat: Reheating frozen or refrigerated muffins is simple. According to the MasterClass guide, you can warm them in your microwave for 20-30 seconds (for frozen, add a bit more time) or in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5-10 minutes, until warmed through. This brings back their soft, tender texture.
Recipe Variations to Explore
One of the joys of baking is experimenting with different flavors and textures. These Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins are wonderfully adaptable!
Substitutions for Chocolate Chips: While our recipe photos feature classic semi-sweet mini chocolate chips, feel free to use your favorite type! Dark chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or even chocolate chunks would be fantastic. You could also try butterscotch chips or a mix of different types for a unique flavor profile.
Additional Mix-Ins: To add more depth and texture, consider incorporating any of these delightful mix-ins:
- Chopped Nuts: Toasted pecans or walnuts complement pumpkin beautifully. Add about ½ cup to the batter.
- Extra Spices: Enhance the warmth with a pinch of ground ginger, a touch of freshly grated nutmeg, or a dash of allspice.
- Dried Fruit: A handful of dried cranberries or raisins can add a pleasant chewiness and tartness.
- Streusel Topping: For an extra layer of sweetness and crunch, sprinkle a simple streusel (flour, sugar, butter, cinnamon) on top of the muffins before baking.
Vegetarian Option: Good news! This sweet and spiced fall treat is naturally vegetarian, making it a wonderful option for everyone to enjoy.
Vegan Option: To make this recipe suitable for a vegan diet, you’ll need to make a couple of simple swaps. Replace the eggs with a plant-based egg substitute (such as flax eggs or a commercial vegan egg replacer) and ensure you use dairy-free mini chocolate chips. Most pancake mixes are vegan-friendly, but always check the label.
Gluten-Free: For those with gluten sensitivities, these muffins can easily be made gluten-free. Simply use a Bisquick Gluten-Free Pancake & Baking Mix and verify that your chocolate chips are also gluten-free.
Alcohol-Free Option: This recipe does not call for any alcohol, nor have we encountered any boozy versions, making it safe and enjoyable for all ages.
Smaller Serving Size + Larger Group/More Servings: The provided recipe yields 12 standard-sized muffins. If you need fewer or more, you can easily scale the recipe up or down. For mini muffins, reduce baking time; for jumbo muffins, increase baking time and adjust quantities as needed.
Sugar-Free: The original recipe contains approximately 15 grams of sugar per serving. To make these muffins sugar-free, substitute the granulated sugar with a sugar-free white sugar alternative. Additionally, ensure you use canned pumpkin puree with no sugar added and select sugar-free chocolate chips.
Expert Tips for the Best Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Achieving bakery-quality muffins at home is easier than you think with these simple tips:
- Use a Spacious Mixing Bowl: Always opt for a large mixing bowl. This gives you ample space to combine ingredients without spillage and allows for easier, gentler mixing, which is crucial for tender muffins.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: After combining wet and dry ingredients, mix just until no streaks of dry ingredients remain. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to tough, chewy muffins rather than light and tender ones. A few lumps are perfectly fine!
- Chocolate Chip Placement: For that appealing bakery look, where chocolate chips “pop” on top of your muffins, sprinkle a few extra mini chocolate chips over the batter in each cup just before placing the muffin tin in the oven.
- Choose the Right Muffin Tin: This recipe is designed for a regular-sized 12-cup muffin tin. Using the correct size ensures proper baking time and uniform muffin size.
- The Toothpick Test for Doneness: The most reliable way to check if your muffins are perfectly baked is to insert a toothpick into the center of one. If it comes out clean, your muffins are done. If there’s wet batter clinging to it, they need a few more minutes in the oven.
- Utilize Paper Liners: Paper liners are your best friend for easy muffin removal and minimal cleanup. They also help keep the muffins moist.
- Cool on a Wire Rack: Once baked, allow the muffins to cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack. This prevents the bottoms from becoming soggy and allows air to circulate, ensuring an even cool-down.
What to Serve with Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
These incredibly easy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins, starting with Bisquick Baking Mix, are a versatile delight that would be a welcome addition to any fall breakfast or brunch spread. Here are some menu pairing suggestions to complement their sweet and spiced flavors:
Delightful Sides:
- 3 Ingredient Banana Bread
- Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
- Tinta Port Wine Banana Bread
- Nutella Banana Bread
- 3 Ingredient Apple Cider Bread
- CrockPot Pumpkin Bread
- CrockPot Bourbon Banana Bread
- Snickerdoodle Muffins
- Bacon Jalapeño Cheese Bread
- Fresh fruit salad for a light and refreshing contrast.
- A dollop of whipped cream or cream cheese frosting for an extra indulgent treat.
Hearty Main Dishes for Brunch:
- Cinnamon Roll Waffles
- Overnight French Toast Casserole
- Cinnamon Toast
- CopyCat Cracker Barrel Pancakes
- CrockPot Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
- CrockPot Apple & Raisin French Toast
- CrockPot Pumpkin Oatmeal
- CrockPot Banana Bread Oatmeal
- Sausage or bacon for a savory element.
- A simple egg scramble or quiche.
Beverage Pairings:
- A warm cup of coffee or a spiced latte.
- Your favorite tea, especially a black tea or chai.
- A glass of cold milk or apple cider.
When to Indulge in Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
The beauty of these muffins lies in their versatility. They truly fit into almost any moment of your day or any gathering during the autumn season.
- Breakfast: Start your day with a warm, comforting muffin and a cup of coffee.
- Brunch: An excellent addition to any festive brunch spread, offering a sweet counterpoint to savory dishes.
- Snacktime: A perfect pick-me-up for an afternoon snack, satisfying sweet cravings.
- Coffee or Tea Snack: An ideal companion for your afternoon coffee break or a cozy cup of tea.
- Fall Party: Serve them at any autumn-themed gathering, from casual get-togethers to more formal events.
- Halloween Party: A spooky-season staple, these festive muffins are a hit with both kids and adults.
- Thanksgiving Morning: A wonderful light breakfast to enjoy while preparing the big feast.
Discover More Great Pumpkin Recipes
If you’ve fallen in love with these pumpkin muffins, you’re in for a treat! Explore more of our favorite pumpkin-infused recipes that celebrate the flavors of fall:
- Pumpkin Angel Food Cake
- Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Pumpkin Pudding Cake
- Pumpkin Spice Pumpkin Seeds
- White Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Cookies
- Pumpkin Spice Pretzels
- Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
Don’t stop there! Be sure to check out all of our Bisquick Recipes for more quick and easy meal ideas! If you’re passionate about cooking and discovering new dishes, explore our extensive collection of copycat recipes, delectable dessert recipes, and our incredibly convenient CrockPot Recipes. Happy cooking!
Stay connected for our latest recipe posts and culinary inspiration! Follow Tammilee Tips on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
An incredibly easy and delicious Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins recipe, perfect for a quick fall treat!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 12 muffins
Author: Tammilee Tips
Print Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups pancake mix (Bisquick)
- ½ cup white granulated sugar
- 4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup water
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup pumpkin puree / canned pumpkin (100% pure pumpkin, not pie filling)
- ⅔ cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease lightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine pancake mix, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Whisk until well blended.
- Add in water, eggs, vanilla extract, and pumpkin puree to the dry ingredients. Mix gently with a whisk or spatula until just combined. The batter will be slightly lumpy, which is normal. Avoid overmixing.
- Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each approximately two-thirds full.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
- Allow muffins to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Kitchen Tools
- Muffin Pan
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Muffin Liners (optional)
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Amount Per Serving
Calories 163 Calories from Fat 45
% Daily Value*
Fat 5g 8%
Saturated Fat 2g 13%
Cholesterol 48mg 16%
Sodium 253mg 11%
Potassium 110mg 3%
Carbohydrates 25g 8%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 15g 17%
Protein 4g 8%
Vitamin A 3307IU 66%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 83mg 8%
Iron 1mg 6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Love this recipe? Follow @TammileeTIps on Pinterest for more delicious inspiration!
Tried this recipe? We’d love to see it! Mention @TammileeTipsLife when you share a photo on Instagram!
Recipe originally shared on November 17, 2013. Updated on May 20, 2020.