Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins Sourdough

Featured in: Sweet Spots

Pumpkin chocolate chip muffins with sourdough starter boast a tender crumb, bold flavor, and subtle tang. Blending pumpkin purée, warming spices, and dark chocolate chips, this treat promises a comforting bite with each muffin. Sourdough starter adds depth, moisture, and a unique twist, making them stand out for breakfast or as a satisfying snack. Straightforward instructions and pantry staples keep prep simple—just mix wet and dry ingredients, fold in chocolate chips, and bake until perfectly risen. These muffins freeze well and can be customized with nuts or your favorite spice blend.

Updated on Wed, 29 Oct 2025 14:15:00 GMT
Moist pumpkin chocolate chip muffins with sourdough starter, perfect for breakfast.  Save
Moist pumpkin chocolate chip muffins with sourdough starter, perfect for breakfast. | tastychuck.com

Moist, flavorful muffins featuring pumpkin purée, dark chocolate chips, and a tangy twist from sourdough starter make these a perfect choice for breakfast or a cozy snack.

I first tried making these muffins on a chilly autumn morning when our family had leftover sourdough starter to use. The scent of pumpkin and spices filled the kitchen, and everyone loved the gooey chocolate chips in each bite.

Ingredients

  • Pumpkin purée: 1 cup (240 g)
  • Granulated sugar: 1/2 cup (100 g)
  • Brown sugar (packed): 1/2 cup (100 g)
  • Eggs: 2 large
  • Neutral oil (e.g. sunflower or canola): 1/2 cup (120 ml)
  • Sourdough starter (active or discard): 1/2 cup (120 g)
  • Vanilla extract: 1 tsp
  • All-purpose flour: 1 3/4 cups (220 g)
  • Baking soda: 1 tsp
  • Baking powder: 1/2 tsp
  • Salt: 1/2 tsp
  • Ground cinnamon: 2 tsp
  • Ground nutmeg: 1/2 tsp
  • Ground cloves: 1/4 tsp
  • Ground ginger: 1/4 tsp
  • Dark chocolate chips: 1 cup (175 g)

Instructions

Prepare muffin tin:
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease lightly.
Mix wet ingredients:
In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin purée, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, oil, sourdough starter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Combine dry ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.
Combine mixtures:
Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and fold gently with a spatula until just combined (do not overmix).
Fold in chocolate chips:
Fold in the chocolate chips.
Fill muffin cups:
Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full.
Bake:
Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Cool:
Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Freshly baked pumpkin chocolate chip muffins, oozing with rich dark chocolate goodness.  Save
Freshly baked pumpkin chocolate chip muffins, oozing with rich dark chocolate goodness. | tastychuck.com

My kids especially love helping mix in the chocolate chips and enjoy these muffins warm right out of the oven as an after-school treat.

Required Tools

You will need a 12-cup muffin tin, mixing bowls, whisk, spatula, measuring cups and spoons, and a wire rack for cooling.

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, and may contain milk (in chocolate chips). Always check chocolate chip packaging for allergens.

Nutritional Information

Each muffin contains about 220 calories, 9 g total fat, 33 g carbohydrates, and 3 g protein.

Delectable pumpkin chocolate chip muffins with a chewy texture and warm cinnamon aroma. Save
Delectable pumpkin chocolate chip muffins with a chewy texture and warm cinnamon aroma. | tastychuck.com

Enjoy these muffins with a cup of tea or coffee for a comforting seasonal treat. They stay moist for several days and are perfect to pack for on-the-go snacking.

Recipe Guide

Can I use sourdough discard for these muffins?

Yes, both active sourdough starter and discard add flavor and moisture to the muffins.

Are pumpkin pie spice and individual spices interchangeable?

You can replace the listed spices with pumpkin pie spice for convenience and similar results.

What's the best chocolate for this baking?

Dark chocolate chips give a rich contrast, but milk or semi-sweet chips work well too.

How do I store the muffins?

Cool completely, then store in an airtight container at room temperature or freeze for up to 2 months.

Can nuts be added to this muffin mix?

Yes, chopped walnuts or pecans add extra texture and flavor to the batter.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins Sourdough

Soft muffins with pumpkin, chocolate chips, and sourdough offer a rich, comforting bite for any occasion.

Prep duration
15 min
Heat time
22 min
Full duration
37 min
Created by Chuck Harrison

Style Sweet Spots

Skill level Easy

Heritage American

Output 12 Portions

Nutrition Labels Meat-free

What you'll need

Wet Ingredients

01 1 cup pumpkin purée
02 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
04 2 large eggs
05 1/2 cup neutral oil such as canola or sunflower
06 1/2 cup sourdough starter, active or discard
07 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

01 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 1 teaspoon baking soda
03 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
04 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
06 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
07 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
08 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Add-ins

01 1 cup dark chocolate chips

Method

Phase 01

Prepare Muffin Tin: Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease each cavity.

Phase 02

Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the pumpkin purée, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, oil, sourdough starter, and vanilla extract until fully smooth.

Phase 03

Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger and whisk thoroughly.

Phase 04

Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients and gently fold together using a spatula until no dry streaks remain. Avoid overmixing to maintain tenderness.

Phase 05

Add Chocolate Chips: Fold in the chocolate chips until evenly dispersed throughout the batter.

Phase 06

Portion Batter: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each approximately three-quarters full.

Phase 07

Bake Muffins: Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin emerges clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

Phase 08

Cool: Allow muffins to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool fully.

Kitchen tools

  • 12-cup muffin tin
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Wire rack

Allergy alerts

Always review ingredients for potential allergens and seek professional medical guidance if unsure
  • Contains wheat (gluten) and eggs; may include milk if using milk chocolate chips. Always confirm chocolate chip ingredients for potential allergens.

Nutrition breakdown (per portion)

Values shown are estimates only - consult healthcare providers for specific advice
  • Energy: 220
  • Fats: 9 g
  • Carbohydrates: 33 g
  • Proteins: 3 g