Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Protein Muffins made in the blender with oats, pumpkin, Greek yogurt, protein powder, pumpkin spice, and chocolate chips! High protein and low carb and only 122 calories with 7 grams of protein per muffin!
Pumpkin protein muffins!! It’s officially that time of year for all the things pumpkin and I am here for it! From these protein muffins to protein bars and pumpkin pie butter.
Why we love these pumpkin protein muffins:
- made with simple ingredients – kitchen staples that you probably already have at home
- they couldn’t be easy to make – made in the blender and that’s it!
- very forgiving! – I have used both whey protein and plant-based and both work great
- have a great macro breakdown – they have a good balance of complex carbs, healthy fats, fiber, and 7 grams of protein in each one!
And they make an easy make-ahead breakfast, snack, or healthy dessert and definitely hit the spot when you are craving a baked good and don’t want to derail your nutrition goals!
Pumpkin protein muffins
This protein muffin recipe couldn’t be easier. Made in the blender with just 10 ingredients. They are made with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen and are packed with protein!
Pumpkin chocolate chip protein muffins ingredients:
- old fashioned rolled oats
- pumpkin puree
- Greek yogurt
- eggs
- natural or vanilla flavored protein powder – I like using vanilla
- pumpkin pie spice
- cinnamon
- baking powder
- baking soda
- chocolate chips
- salt
First, make the oat flour. You could easily buy oat flour, but all you have to do is add rolled oats to your blender and blend for 30 seconds or so until it is broken down into a flour-like consistency. Voila, oat flour!
Next, add the rest of the ingredients (except the chocolate chips) – pumpkin, yogurt, eggs, protein powder, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, baking powder and soda, and salt. Blend it up until combined.
The batter will be THICK, but it’s okay. Finally, stir in the chocolate chips. I just add them to the blender and carefully stirred them instead of dirtying another bowl.
PRO TIP – only stir in about 1/3 cup of the chocolate chips and then sprinkle the rest of them on the top of the muffins after they are in the liners. This makes for pretty muffins.
Once the batter is combined, evenly distribute the batter between 12 muffin tins and bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. I used silicone muffin liners so after they cool, they will pop right out!
Gluten-free protein muffins
Rolled oats are naturally gluten-free, but they can be one of the most cross-contaminated products. To ensure this recipe is gluten-free, look for certified gluten-free oats.
Pumpkin protein muffins substitutions
This recipe is pretty forgiving and you can change it up to fit your needs. I have made it with a few different protein powders and they work. That is the only substitution I’ve tried, but I think these others will work as well!
- protein powder – you can use whey protein or plant-based. I would assume that most work, except collagen, as the protein helps thicken the batter.
- no protein powder – if you don’t want to use protein powder, try 1/3-1/2 cup more of oats. This will change the nutritional breakdown though.
- non-dairy yogurt – I haven’t tried it, but you could probably use non-dairy yogurt. Just make sure the batter is thick and if you need to, add more oat flour.
- cottage cheese – I would think this would work the same
- flax eggs – if you can’t have eggs, try 2 flax eggs instead
More healthy protein snacks
- Pumpkin Protein Bars
- No-Bake Protein Cookies
- Perfect Bar Recipe
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls
- Apple Cinnamon Protein Cookies
- Sweet Potato Blueberry Protein Muffins

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Protein Muffins
ingredients
- 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats (100 grams)
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (244 grams)
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (227 grams - I used Siggis 0%)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 packed cup vanilla flavored protein powder (~50-60 grams)*
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- pinch of sea salt
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Add the oats to a Vitamix, blender, or food processor and process until a flour forms (about 20 seconds).
- Add the pumpkin, Greek yogurt, eggs, protein powder, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and blend again until well combined. Try not to overprocess it if you can. Stir in the chocolate chips**.
- Distribute into 12 silicone muffin liners (or regular muffin liners that are greased).
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. 25 minutes will be a little moister while 30 minutes won't be as moist. Enjoy!
video

notes
nutrition
Recipe by Kelly Nardo, Eat the Gains | Photography by The Mindful Hapa
This post may contain affiliate links and I may make a little bit of money if you click on and purchase the products that are linked. It doesn’t cost you any extra money. The compensation helps with expenses to keep ETG up and running. I truly appreciate your support!
Julie says
I made these last minute before work and didn’t feel like breaking out the blender. I just hand mixed everything together and then cooked in 2 mini loaf pans. They turned out just fine! I actually really like the texture the whole oats have. Although you do have to cook for a solid 45 min+ in a loaf. I even sliced a piece, toasted it and added a touch of pumpkin cream cheese. Amazing. A nice little healthy-ish afternoon treat!
Kelly says
So glad they worked so well with those tweaks and I love the idea of a pumpkin loaf! I’m sure the whole oats add a nice texture too. Thanks for trying it, Julie!
RB says
Delicious! I used pumpkin flavored whey powder (contains Splenda) to up the pumpkin flavor,
and butternut squash purée in place of canned pumpkin (store was out). Came out delicious and rose like normal muffins (the muffins in your photos look more dense with less rise). Will make again!
Kelly says
Yum, that sounds like a delicious protein flavor, and love the use of butternut squash – such great substitutions! Glad you enjoyed them RB, thanks for trying!
Meghan Devlin says
These will forever and always be my favorite!! Perfect macro split and the best sweet treat! Even my 2 small children are obsessed with these!
Kelly says
So happy they are a hit with everyone! They are so macro-friendly too! Thanks Meghan!
Cheyenne says
These are amazing!!! They turned out so moist and flavourful, will definitely make them again. These are perfect to have on hand or to freeze, easy to grab and go!
Kelly says
So glad you liked them Cheyenne and thanks for trying them! We love handing them on hand for an easy snack too.
Jenn says
My favorite make now, make ahead, enjoy anytime muffins! I love this recipe and have been using it for years now!
Kelly says
Love hearing that Jenn and glad you enjoy them so much! We love having them on hand at our house too.
Samantha says
Hi ,
Can you sub chocolate protein powder for vanilla? I don’t have vanilla and want to make today !
Kelly says
Hey Samantha! Yes, any flavor of protein powder should work!
Myo says
Hi Kelly;
This looks interesting but I haven’t made this yet and have a quick question.
Salt is mentioned in the Instructions but not in the Ingredients and the Nutrition list does not include Sodium.
Should it be part of the recipe?
Thanks!/Myo
Kelly says
Hey Myo! I must have missed that in the recipe card – thank you! I usually just do a pinch of salt (not measured). I don’t have the sodium listed as a pinch is different for everyone and I know some will admit it. Hope that helps!
Whitney says
This recipe was so delicious! It’s very macro friendly, tasty and easy to make. I can’t believe it doesn’t have any added sugar (excluding the chocolate chips).
Kelly says
Glad you enjoyed it Whitney and thanks for trying them!