Chocolate Pumpkin Mini Muffins

We love my Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins, but they are a little too big to fit in K's bento-style lunch box. Besides, him and dairy aren't getting along at the moment so that means the chocolate chips were a no-go. I reworked the recipe to make smaller muffins that skip the chips. They worked out beautifully and he can have them whenever he wants - breakfast, lunch, after school, or as a bedtime snack. The cocoa makes them decadent, the pumpkin makes them moist, and the oats make them a "healthier" option. You (and your kids) are going to love them!


Chocolate Pumpkin Mini Muffins
Makes 24 mini muffins

What I use:

• 3/4 c. whole wheat flour
• 3/4 c. old-fashioned oats
• 2 Tbsp. cocoa powder
• 1/4 c. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
• 3/4 c. canned pumpkin
• 2 Tbsp. oil
• 2 Tbsp. almond milk (you can use regular milk or water)
• 1 egg

How I do it:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and pumpkin pie spice.

3. In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, oil, milk or water, and egg.

4. Pour the dry ingredients on top of the wet ingredients and mix well with a rubber spatula.

5. Grease a mini muffin pan and scoop a little more than 1 Tbsp. into each cup. I use a mini ice cream scoop that works perfectly.

6. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.

7. Cool for 2 minutes in the pan before moving to a cooling rack.

Store for up to one week in an airtight container.


The family says:

• K loves these. He likes any mini muffin really, but he really likes these. I put them in his lunch, he has them at breakfast with some fruit and milk, and he snacks on them after school.
• Andrew said they were good, but his heart will always lie with my Sneaky Oatmeal Muffins. (Between him and my mother, I make two batches every weekend!)
• These were a play on my favorite Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins, and I love them both ways.