There's something genuinely irresistible about the nutty warmth of tahini mingling with rich chocolate in these muffins. This Chocolate Tahini Muffins Recipe turns simple ingredients into a moist, tender treat that's perfect for breakfast or an anytime snack.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’m genuinely excited to share this recipe because it combines something familiar—chocolate—with tahini, which adds a surprising depth and creaminess that makes each bite special. These muffins feel indulgent but still wholesome.
- Unique Flavor Combo: Tahini adds a subtle, nutty richness that pairs beautifully with chocolate, creating a complex flavor profile you don’t get in typical muffins.
- Paleo & Vegan Friendly: This recipe works wonderfully for those following paleo or vegan diets, so it’s inclusive and easy to share.
- Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of these pantry staples at home, making it a perfect last-minute baking idea.
- Moist & Tender Texture: Thanks to tahini and the careful balance of ingredients, the muffins come out soft, not dry or crumbly.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient plays a crucial role, balancing flavor, texture, and dietary needs. Plus, I’ll share my top tips for picking the best versions that'll give you the best results.
- Tahini: This sesame seed paste adds natural creaminess and a toasty depth that transforms these muffins from ordinary to unforgettable.
- Maple Syrup: A natural sweetener that complements the nuttiness of tahini without overpowering the chocolate.
- Vanilla Extract: It brightens the flavors and ties together the richness of tahini and chocolate.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: It reacts with baking soda for lift and a light crumb, plus it balances the sweetness slightly.
- Water or Plant-Based Milk: Keeps the batter smooth and tender; I love oat milk for a bit more creaminess.
- Cassava Flour: A paleo-friendly flour that gives structure without the heaviness of traditional flours—spooned and leveled for accuracy!
- Cacao Powder: This raw chocolate powder is less processed than cocoa powder, lending an earthy chocolate flavor that's perfect for baking.
- Baking Soda: To help those muffins rise just right and develop a tender crumb.
- Salt: Enhances the flavors and balances sweetness.
- Dark Chocolate Chips: Melts into pockets of gooey chocolate throughout the muffins—totally optional but highly recommended!
Make It Your Way
I love tweaking this Chocolate Tahini Muffins Recipe depending on the season or who I’m baking for. It’s a great base for adding your own twists and personal flavors.
- Variation: I sometimes swap the dark chocolate chips for chopped walnuts or roasted hazelnuts—adds a lovely crunch and earthy note that balances the chocolate and tahini.
- Diet-Friendly Swap: For nut allergies, sunflower seed butter can replace tahini, but expect a slightly different flavor profile that’s still delicious.
- Seasonal Add-ins: Mini dried cranberries or candied orange peel give these muffins a festive twist, perfect for holiday mornings.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Tahini Muffins Recipe
Step 1: Warm Up and Prep Your Muffin Pan
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). I always line my muffin pan with silicone liners because they hold their shape perfectly and make cleanup a breeze. Paper liners work too, but sometimes they spread out after baking, especially with moist batters like this.
Step 2: Whisk Together Your Liquid Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine tahini, maple syrup, vanilla extract, apple cider vinegar, and water or your preferred plant milk. Whisk everything until smooth and fully combined. This step ensures the batter starts silky and free of lumps.
Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients
Next, sift in cassava flour, cacao powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir gently until just smooth. Don’t overmix here; a few little streaks are fine, but you want an even batter to get that tender texture.
Step 4: Fold in Those Chocolate Chips
Now for the best part—gently fold in chopped dark chocolate chips with a spatula. The batter will be thick, which is normal. You want those luscious chocolate bursts in every muffin.
Step 5: Bake and Cool
Spoon the batter into your liners, filling each about ¾ full. Bake for 20-25 minutes at 350°F, keeping an eye that they don’t dry out. When a toothpick comes out mostly clean (a little melted chocolate is fine!), they’re ready. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then move to a wire rack so they don’t steam and get soggy.
Top Tip
After making these muffins a dozen times, I realized a few tricks really make the difference between good and outstanding chocolate tahini muffins.
- Measure Cassava Flour by Weight: Cassava flour can vary a lot between brands. Weighing it ensures your muffins get the right texture every time—no surprises.
- Don’t Skip the Vinegar: The apple cider vinegar reacts with baking soda to give the muffins lift and a light crumb, so it’s key for fluffiness.
- Use Silicone Liners: They keep the muffin shape neat and make removing them super easy, especially with moist batters.
- Test Doneness Early: Start testing the muffins at 20 minutes with a toothpick—overbaking can dry them out, which you definitely want to avoid here.
How to Serve Chocolate Tahini Muffins Recipe
Garnishes
I keep it simple by topping my muffins with a light drizzle of extra tahini or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt right after baking—it enhances the nutty flavor and contrasts the chocolate perfectly.
Side Dishes
For a balanced snack or breakfast, I love pairing these muffins with a dollop of coconut yogurt or fresh berries. A cup of robust coffee or a frothy oat milk latte is a natural partner, too.
Creative Ways to Present
For holidays or breakfast gatherings, I arrange a platter with these muffins stacked alongside a variety of nut butters, sliced fruits, and edible flowers. It makes for a stunning, approachable spread everyone can dig into.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover Chocolate Tahini Muffins in an airtight container in the fridge—this keeps them fresh and moist for up to a week. They stay delicious enough that I often have a late-night snack stash ready.
Freezing
These muffins freeze beautifully. I wrap them individually in parchment and pop them in a zip-top bag. When I’m ready, I just thaw them at room temperature or microwave for 15-20 seconds.
Reheating
To bring out that just-baked warmth, I reheat muffins in a toaster oven for a few minutes. It crisps the edges slightly while keeping the inside tender and chocolatey.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, you can use sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option or almond butter for a slightly sweeter, nuttier flavor. Just keep in mind the texture and taste will shift subtly, but they still work well.
Cassava flour is key for the right texture in this recipe—it gives structure while keeping the muffins tender. Almond flour tends to make muffins denser and moister, so if you swap, expect a different texture.
Make sure not to overmix the batter and be precise with measuring ingredients, especially cassava flour. Also, fresh baking soda is important to help the muffins rise properly and stay light.
Absolutely! Adding chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans, or dried fruits like cranberries, can add extra texture and flavor. Just fold them in gently with the chocolate chips to avoid overworking the batter.
Final Thoughts
This Chocolate Tahini Muffins Recipe has become a favorite in my kitchen for how effortlessly it marries simple, wholesome ingredients with a decadent feel. Once you try it, I’m sure you’ll agree these muffins are a secret weapon in your baking arsenal—perfect for sharing or keeping all to yourself on a cozy afternoon.
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Chocolate Tahini Muffins Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 10 muffins
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegan, Paleo
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Deliciously moist and rich Chocolate Tahini Muffins that are both paleo and vegan, made with wholesome ingredients like tahini, cassava flour, and cacao powder. These muffins have a hint of sweetness from maple syrup and a slight chocolatey crunch from dark chocolate chips, making them a perfect healthy treat or snack.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup tahini
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- ¾ cup water (or plant based milk)
Dry Ingredients
- ⅔ cup cassava flour (100g) spooned & leveled
- ⅓ cup cacao powder (25g) spooned & leveled
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- ¼ cup dark chocolate chips, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a muffin pan with silicone muffin liners for best results; paper liners can be used but may fan out after cooling.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the tahini, maple syrup, vanilla extract, apple cider vinegar, and water. Whisk thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Add cassava flour, cacao powder, baking soda, and salt to the wet ingredients. Whisk until the batter is smooth and free of lumps.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Use a spatula to fold the chopped dark chocolate chips gently into the thick batter to evenly distribute them.
- Fill Muffin Pan: Scoop the batter into the lined muffin pan, filling each slot about ¾ full. This amount should make approximately 10 muffins.
- Bake Muffins: Bake at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool: Remove muffins from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Measure ingredients by weight when possible for best and consistent results, especially the cassava flour and cacao powder.
- Different brands of cassava flour can affect baking outcomes; Otto's Cassava Flour is recommended.
- Using cacao powder instead of cocoa powder is advised as substituting may affect texture.
- Store muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week to maintain freshness.
- Silicone muffin liners help muffins retain shape better than paper liners after cooling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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