These whole wheat double chocolate protein muffins are made with whole wheat flour, protein powder, no oil and butter and minimal sugar to make delicious lightened up breakfast treats.
Let's just start off this post by saying that I haven't had the best track record with protein muffins in past year or so. In fact, the thought of putting chalky protein powder into precious baked goods seemed like a recipe for disaster. And it was at first. It really, truly was.
It all started with a double whammy fail of vanilla banana protein muffins, followed by a generous serving of how-can-peanut-butter-muffins-taste-so-terrible? Needless to say, the muffins defeated me and I decided it was the time to throw in the towel once and for all. But after having about a year to recover, I mustered up enough hope this past weekend to give them one last try.
I told myself that this was it. If these failed, then all those people who say that protein muffins are delicious must be lying or I'm just not meant to be the next muffin lady. So after a little mixing & 20 longggg minutes waiting to determine their fate, I pulled out a pan of the most delectable double chocolate protein muffins that my eyes ever did see.
I ripped that liner off so fast that I'm pretty sure my left index finger got burnt, but the battle wounds were worth it because oh-my-gosh, how in the world does a double chocolate protein muffin made with whole wheat flour and no butter or oil taste so good?
I really just don't know how, but it does. Actually let me take that back. I'm pretty sure the 1 cup of chocolate chips makes them so good, but let's focus on the fact that these were made with no butter OR oil. Maybe it's abnormal to be this excited about a edible muffin that was made without oil, but in my eyes this is a miracle.
One of the reasons I don't make muffins often is because with the loads of sugar and oil most recipes call for, you might as well just eat a cupcake for breakfast. Which I've totally done many times and to be completely honest, if I had to choose between a chocolate cupcake and these muffins, I'd still choose the cupcake.
What You Need to Make Protein Muffins
- Whole wheat flour
- Unsweetened cocoa powder (I use Nestle)
- Chocolate Protein Powder
- Brown Sugar
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda
- Light Vanilla Yogurt
- Eggs
- Milk
- Vanilla Extract
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
These muffins get their flavor from the unsweetened cocoa powder, light vanilla yogurt and ยฝ cup of brown sugar and are pretty dang tasty for a lightened up muffin if you ask me.
I'm not going to go as far as to say that these are "healthy muffins" just because they don't use oil or butter. But considering one of my family's favorite poppy seed muffin recipes calls for 2 cups of sugar and like a gallon of oil, I will say that these are definitely a lightened up version of traditional chocolate muffins without sacrificing the taste. I thought for sure that the whole wheat flour was going to turn these into mini boulders, but was pleasantly surprised when they still came out with a soft texture.
If you're going to eat these, there is just one requirement. You need to eat them warm. I don't care if that means digging in shortly after they come out of the oven or even just popping one into the microwave to warm through, but you need to eat them warm. The chocolate chips will get all melty & delectable and for a second you may just think that you are eating a cupcake for breakfast.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What brand of protein powder did you use?
I usedRich Chocolate ProFIT and I couldn't even taste it in these. Which was my goal considering my protein muffins in the past had a distinct powdery taste even after baked. The most important thing when using protein powder to bake with is to make sure you like it on its own. If you couldn't drink it mixed in milk (or however you usually drink it plain), then you probably won't like the taste of it mixed into your baked goods.
For me, I'd much rather pay a little more for a bag that tastes good, rather than spend money on a bag that I have to plug my nose to chug down (which I totally did for a good 6 months last year). I currently use Rich Chocolate ProFIT (which is naturally based) and am happy with the taste in smoothies and baked goods.
Where did you get those bright blue cupcake liners and HOW are they not greasy after baking?
These are grease-proof cupcake liners from Sweets & Treats and they are THE BEST!
Double Chocolate Protein Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- ยฝ cup unsweetened cocoa powder I use Nestle
- ยฝ cup chocolate protein powder I use It Works Chocolate Profit
- ยฝ cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ยฝ cup light vanilla yogurt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk I used 1%
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Before you begin! If you make this, will you do me a huge favor and leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe? This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375โ and place about 16 cupcake liners into muffin tins.
- In a large bowl, combine whole wheat flour (1 cup), unsweetened cocoa powder (ยฝ cup), chocolate protein powder (ยฝ cup), light brown sugar (ยฝ cup), baking soda (1 teaspoon), and baking powder (1 teaspoon).
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together the light vanilla yogurt (ยฝ cup), eggs (2 large), milk (1 cup), and vanilla extract (2 teaspoons).
- Using a spatula, fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and only stir until the dry ingredients disappear and are incorporated into the batter. It is important to mix this by hand (and not a electric mixer) to prevent from overmixing. If your batter looks dry, add more milk (one tablespoon at a time) until it reaches the consistency of muffin batter. Gently fold in semi-sweet chocolate chips (1 cup) until evenly dispersed.
- Scoop about 3 tablespoons of batter into each muffin tin and gently tap the muffin tin on the counter to smooth out the tops of the batter.
- Bake at 375โ for 16-20 minutes or until fork comes out clean. Overbaking can result in dry & hard muffins, so watch the oven closely around the 15 minute mark.
- Once baked, allow the muffins to cool on a wire rack for 5-10 minutes before removing from the pan. These are best enjoyed warm, so dig right in!
Last Step! Please leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe! This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Nutrition
These are probably the closest thing I'll get to a cupcake for breakfast, so I'm going to chalk this up as a win. If any one has a good protein muffin recipe, puhhlease let me know! I'm probably letting this one (out of nearly 29810) recipe successes get to my head, but I now want to make all. the. protein. muffins. Leave your links below to spread the muffiny love!
Ashley says
Just made these- Iโve been buying the Kodiak cakes double chocolate protein microwave muffins but wanted to save and make my own. The first few bites taste pretty close!
Melissa says
Thanks for giving these a try, Ashley! I hope you loved them!
Aeriana says
I made these for my daughterโs snack time at school. They turned out great! I reduced the chocolate chip amount by a bit but kept everything else the same. Our protein powder is pea based and chocolate. Worked well! Will make again. Thank you!
Melissa says
I'm so glad these turned out great, Aeriana! Thank you for taking time to leave a review!
Levi says
Hey, glad Iโm not alone with substituting with veggie oil! I donโt always have the yogurt to spare haha.
I havenโt tried half the milk like you said, I usually use 1/4 cup veggie oil, 3/4 cup milk.
Just a suggestion! (:
Glenda Rose says
Yummy!!!! Very good and healthy muffin. Love the ingredients! I made them with oat flour for gluten free and added instant coffee to punch up the chocolate flavor. They were great and will definitely make them again!!!!
Melissa says
So happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe, Glenda! Thank you so much for leaving a review!
Joe says
Good recipe, I make these often. I substitute half the milk for vegetable oil, definitely a little less healthy but they come out more moist.
Melissa says
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Joe!
Kayla Nelson says
These are PERFECT!! Iโve had three since they came out of the oven! I substituted regular AP flour, Fairlife chocolate milk, and Chobani milk and cookies Greek yogurt. Kids gave two thumbs up!
Melissa says
So glad to hear you and the fam enjoyed this recipe! Thank you so much for leaving a review!
Kristen Bradley says
Just made these! Very delicious and moist!
Melissa says
Was so pleasantly surprised how good these are. I substituted almond flour for wheat flour and used lactose free milk which is creamer, I like better for baking. I also substituted dark chocolate for the chips. I have done other variations by adding peanut butter or adding coconut flakes etc but I never stray far from this recipe. I love these.
Melissa says
So glad this worked out with your substitutions, that's great feedback! Thank you so much for leaving a review! :)
Heather says
Thank you for a tasty recipe!!! My whole family (with a picky 3 and 8 year old) couldnโt get enough of these!
Melissa says
Glad to hear everyone enjoyed the recipe, Heather! Thank you so much for leaving a review!
Sue says
These taste amazing!! The only issue I had was that they stuck to the muffin wrapper, so some chunks went uneaten. Iโd definitely make them again though and maybe just use my silicone muffin pan and use non-stick spray instead of wrappers.
(I did use all purpose flour with an extra 1tbsp for the conversion, and Greek yogurt)
Jessica Bowden says
Can you use non fat Greek yogurt?
Melissa says
I haven't tried it but should be okay!
Alon says
Hi! I also had bad experience with protein muffins so far. I decided to give a shoot to this recipe. I used oats flour instead of the whole wheat, used stevia instead of the sugar and plain yogurt instead of vanila yogurt. The muffins were amazing and each had only 72 cal and 6 grams of protein (when divided into 14 small muffins). But I think that the oats made them a little bit drier than they should be, so I can't wait to try them with whole wheat flour. Thank you!
Melissa says
I love to hear that, so glad you loved them!
Carmen says
These are absolutely amazing!!! Should I store them in the fridge or in a covered cake plate?
Melissa says
So glad you love them! I usually store in an airtight container with a paper towel on top and bottom. The fridge can sometimes dry out muffins, so I would say to either keep at room temp for 3-4 days or freeze them.
Denise says
At Last!!!
This is the best high protein muffin recipe Iโve found!
I did add additional 2 TB milk and they are perfect!
Melissa says
Yay! This makes me so happy to hear. So glad you enjoyed them as much as I do!
francesca tomlinson says
Do you know nutrition facts for these? Or at least calories? Thanks.
Melissa says
Hi Francesca! I don't provide nutritional stats on my site, but you can input the recipe to a site like caloriecount.com with your exact ingredients and it should be able to give you an idea of the stats. Hope that helps!
crystal morgan says
I plugged the recipe into ww and it is 5 pts...not bad
crystal morgan says
that is based on 12 servings
Melissa says
Thanks for sharing, Crystal!
Monique | WritingMonique says
Ah Melissa! These look delicious; I love everything chocolate and dubble chocolate is even better ;)