Are you in the mood for rich vegan chocolate paired with citrusy orange zest flavors that come together in homemade muffins? Then this Vegan Chocolate Orange Muffin recipe is for you. And the best part? They’re so easy to make, they’ll become your go-to snack in no time.
I can never get enough of healthy muffins, and I always bake enough to go around, whether to enjoy it as a morning treat or afternoon snack. Like my Mixed Fruit And Nut Muffins or Cinnamon Raisin Muffins, these are also gluten-free, but I was missing a chocolate-flavored one on the blog. What better to pair it with grated zesty orange peels for that classic chocolate and orange flavor combo?
I'm pretty happy with how they turned out—the best things come in pairs!
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Ingredients To Make This Chocolate Orange Muffin Recipe:
Most of these ingredients are probably already in your pantry or are easy to find in your local grocery store or online. Let's have a look.
- Flour: Go for a blend of gluten-free flour and gluten-free oat flour like in my Healthy Pumpkin Muffins. The combo gives the orange chocolate chip muffins a soft, tender crumb and is a great base for vegan baking.
- Leavening Agents: A combination of baking powder and baking soda gives these egg-free muffins that beautiful lift.
- Cacao Powder: It contributes to the deep chocolate flavor. But you can also use high-quality cocoa powder, especially if you have leftovers from making my Healthy Vegan Chocolate Loaf Cake or Homemade Fudgesicles. Both options work great in this delicious recipe.
- Flax Egg: I use ground flaxseed and water to serve as a binder in vegan baking, replacing fresh eggs. It's also packed with omega-3s, fiber, and lignans, which support heart health and digestion.
- Fresh Orange Juice & Orange Zest: The bright, citrusy notes really shine through in these muffins. Fresh orange juice adds a little tang, while the zest brings a bold, aromatic orange flavor.
- Vegan Yogurt: It adds moisture and richness to the muffins while keeping them plant-based.
- Date Syrup: A natural sweetener that pairs wonderfully with the orange flavor while providing a mild caramel-like taste.
- Vanilla Extract: Like in my Lemon Poppy Seed Overnight Oats, I'm adding a little bit to tie all the flavors together.
- Unsweetened Soy Milk: It creates a lovely silky texture in vegan baked goods. You can use leftovers to make Vegan Double Chocolate Cupcakes or my Healthy Vegan Chocolate Loaf Cake.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: This helps activate the baking soda, making sure the muffins rise beautifully.
- Unsweetened Applesauce: Adds moisture, natural sweetness and acts as an oil substitute in healthy vegan baking.
- Vegan Chocolate Chips: I used mini chocolate chips for their even distribution, but regular-sized chocolate chips work just as well. For an even richer chocolate taste, consider adding chunks of dark chocolate.
See the recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Them:
It really is as simple as combining the dry with the wet ingredients and then filling up the muffin pan. So, let's have a look.
- Prepare the Flax Egg: In a small bowl, combine the ground flax seeds with water and let sit until everything thickens.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients and orange zest. Stir in the mini chocolate chips.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, combine all the wet ingredients. Add the flax egg and stir until fully combined.
- Bring it All Together: Gradually add the wet to the dry ingredients till well combined without overmixing. Divide muffin batter evenly in muffin liners or cases until ¾ full.
- Bake And Cool: Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top of the muffins are firm to the touch. Cool before serving. Enjoy!
Top Tips:
Here are a few tips to make the best chocolate orange muffins.
- Room Temperature: Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature for the best results and that all the ingredients combine more smoothly.
- For a Taller Muffin: Fill each muffin case almost to the top with batter.
- Allow To Cool: Cool for a few minutes in the muffin pan before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. The flavors are still developing when they come straight out of the oven, so be patient.
- Toppings: Sprinkle extra mini chocolate chips and orange zest on top of the muffins once you've transferred them to a cooling rack for a beautiful presentation.
Variations And Substitutions:
- Flour Alternatives: If you don’t need them to be gluten-free, you can substitute this with plain or whole wheat flour.
- For a Deeper Chocolate Flavor: To add a rich chocolate flavor, use dark chocolate chips or chunks. The contrast between the sweet orange flavor and the bitter chocolate is perfect!
- Date Syrup Alternative: If you don’t have date syrup, you can substitute it with maple syrup.
Storage:
You can store these muffins in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. They also freeze well—just place them in a freezer-safe bag and store them for up to one month. To reheat, pop them in the microwave for a few seconds or warm them up in the oven.
Equipment Needed:
- Large Mixing Bowl: To combine the dry ingredients.
- Medium Bowl: To combine the wet ingredients.
- Small Bowl: To prepare the flax egg.
- Muffin Tin: To Bake the muffins.
- Muffin Liners or Baking Spray: For easy clean-up and muffin removal.
- Cooling Rack: To completely cool the chocolate orange muffins.
Recipe FAQs:
Yes! You can easily substitute the gluten-free flour with regular plain flour or whole wheat flour. Just make sure to adjust the wet ingredients accordingly, if necessary.
If you don’t have flax seeds, you can use chia seeds to make a similar egg replacement, especially if you have leftover chia seeds from making my Coffee Chia Seed Protein Pudding. Go for 2 tablespoons of chia seeds and 6 tablespoons of water.
You can always add a bit more brown sugar or maple syrup to suit your taste, but keep in mind that date syrup already provides natural sweetness. Try the original recipe first, it really will satisfy your sweet tooth.
More Amazing Vegan Muffins To Try Next:
Looking for other delicious muffin recipes like this vegan chocolate orange recipe? Try these:
If you try this Easy Vegan Chocolate Orange Muffin recipe, I’d really love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. I’d also really appreciate a recipe card rating! Thank you for supporting The All Natural Vegan!
Easy Vegan Chocolate Orange Muffins
Equipment
- 1 muffin pan 6 bakery-style size
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups oat flour
- 1 cup gluten-free flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ cup cacao powder
- 2 tablespoons ground flax seed
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- ½ cup vegan mini chocolate chips
Wet Ingredients:
- ¼ cup vegan yogurt
- 1 cup date syrup
- ¼ cup fresh orange juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup unsweetened soy milk
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 6 tablespoon water
Instructions
Preheat & Prep
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a large bakery-style muffin tin with cupcake liners or lightly grease it.
Prepare the Flax Egg
- In a small bowl, mix the ground flax seed with 6 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it thickens.
Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a large bowl, whisk together oat flour, gluten-free flour, baking soda, baking powder, cacao powder, and orange zest.
- Stir in the vegan mini chocolate chips to prevent them from sinking while baking.
Mix the Wet Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, combine the vegan yogurt, date syrup, fresh orange juice, vanilla extract, soy milk, apple cider vinegar, and applesauce.
- Stir in the flax egg once it has thickened.
Combine Wet & Dry
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to ensure a fluffy texture.
Fill & Bake
- Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool & Enjoy
- Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Enjoy as a snack or dessert!
Chocolate Recipes For Chocolate Lovers:
Make sure to check out some of the other chocolate recipes on my website!
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