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These Low Calorie Muffins with yogurt are the ultimate dessert for your diet. Loaded with gooey chocolate chips, these skinny muffins are so moist and delicious that you’ll never guess they are healthy and great for weight loss.

Low Calorie Muffins Recipe
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Are you on a diet but have the biggest sweet tooth? Then this recipe is for you. These chocolate chip yogurt muffins are the perfect dessert for when you crave something sweet but don’t want to break the diet. They are so moist and delicious that you won’t believe they are also healthy and suitable for weight loss. Yes, that’s right, because each muffin has only 119 calories!

Why you will love these yogurt muffins

  • They are healthy, low calorie, low fat, high in protein, high in fibers, oil-free and gluten-free (if you use GF oat flour). The perfect dessert for weight loss!
  • These yogurt muffin are so moist and delicious, loaded with gooey chocolate chips.
  • My recipe is quick and easy to make, it only uses simple ingredients and comes together in a bowl. No baking skill required!
  • You can customize this weight loss dessert with additional ingredients such as fresh blueberries, chopped nuts, protein powder or cocoa.
  • Low calorie muffins with chocolate chips are great for any occasion, be it for breakfast, dessert, or as a satisfying snack.

What’s in low calorie muffins?

There is no need for oil, butter or sugar, because this healthy muffin recipe only uses a handful of foods that are low in calories. From yogurt to flour, all ingredients are simple and easy to find. I bet you already have everything at home. And if you are looking for more information, keep on reading. In the next lines you are going to find plenty of details, tips and all replacement options.

Ingredient List

  • Ripe banana. One ripe banana is key in making low calorie muffins without oil, butter, or excessive amounts of sugar. It adds moisture and natural sweetness.
  • Egg. A large whole egg gives consistency to the batter and enhances the taste profile of homemade diet muffins. Egg whites alone do not work.
  • Greek yogurt. Unlike other recipes that use excessive amounts of oil or butter, mine makes low calorie muffins with yogurt. I recommend nonfat Greek yogurt; it makes the cupcakes rich and most, but also high in protein and low in fats.
  • Maple syrup. Pure maple syrup adds natural sweetness without refined sugar.
  • Oat flour. The oat flour makes these chocolate chip muffins healthy, free from refined flours and high in fibers. Read further for all substitutes.
  • Baking powder. This helps skinny yogurt cupcakes rise.
  • Chocolate chips. I used sugar-free dark chocolate chips, but you can choose any type of chocolate you want. For a more nutritious dessert, prefer dark chocolate chips.
  • Milk. You can choose any type of milk, dairy or dairy-free. For the lowest calorie muffins, I suggest unsweetened almond milk (the one I used), sugar-free soy milk and skimmed milk.
  • Salt. A hint of salt enhances flavors and balances sweetness.
  • Vanilla extract. A teaspoon vanilla extract improves the taste of homemade diet muffins.
Ingredients for low calorie muffins

Replacement options

  • Replace oat flour with wholewheat flour, spelt flour or regular all purpose flour. As an alternative you can also use a combination of flour and protein powder, more on this later.
  • Greek yogurt can be replaced with Skyr, quark or with any yogurt that has a similar consistency. It should be firm and thick. Also plant based yogurt can be used, as long as it has a thick texture.
  • Many people don’t like the taste of banana, others don’t have it. In this case, replace with half a cup of unsweetened applesauce.
  • You can substitute maple syrup with honey, agave syrup, date syrup or sugar-free liquid sweeteners.
  • Make eggless skinny muffins by substituting the egg with a plant based alternative of your choice, such as flaxseed egg or chia egg.

Can I make low calorie muffins with protein powder?

Yes, this simple low calorie muffin recipe can easily be adapted to high protein diets. As it uses Greek yogurt, it is actually already high in protein. But if you are looking for more, then you should substitute part of the oat flour with a protein powder of your choice.

To keep protein powder diet muffins moist, I recommend replacing no more than 50 grams (½ cup) of the flour. Higher quantities of protein powder will make the cupcakes dry and tough.

Protein powder recommendations

I recommend vegan protein powder and casein, vanilla or chocolate flavored. Unlike whey protein powder, they help baked goods preserve a moist texture. Whey, instead, tends to get dry when it is exposed to the high temperatures of the oven.

Recipe variations

  • Stir into the batter fresh berries such as blueberries, raspberries or strawberries to give your skinny muffins a fresh taste.
  • Mix in chopped walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts or seeds for a crunchy texture that you won’t be able to resist.
  • Replace part of the oat flour with unsweetened cocoa powder and you’ll get a batch of super chocolatey muffins for weight loss.
  • Make high protein low calorie muffins by substituting 50 grams (½ cup) of the flour with protein powder. 

How to make low calorie muffins with chocolate chips?

Make the batter. First, you will need to mix all wet ingredients. In a large bowl, start by mashing the banana then combine with Greek yogurt, egg, maple syrup, vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Stir well until you get a smooth mixture. Add now oat flour and baking powder. Stir the ingredients together while pouring in the milk gradually. Finally, fold in your favorite chocolate chips.

Bake skinny muffins. Fill ⅔ of each muffin liner with the batter, sprinkle with more chocolate chips and bake in hot oven for 20 to 25 minutes at 180°C (360°F). Make sure you do not overbake the muffins; they are ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool over a baking rack for about 15 minutes before eating.

Low Calorie Muffins with Yogurt

Storage Information

After baking, let your healthy chocolate chip muffins cool and place leftovers in an airtight food container or ziplock bag. Refrigerate for a maximum of 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. When you want to serve them, reheat for a couple of minutes in hot oven.

Recipe Tips

  • Use a banana that is very ripe, it should have a brownish color or dark spots all over its skin. This will make your chocolate chip yogurt muffins sweeter and moister without all the calories of oil.
  • Make a macro-friendly dessert by replacing part of the flour with protein powder. My suggestion is vanilla vegan protein powder, it balances the macros and adds a delicious taste.
  • Customize your low calorie yogurt muffins with additional ingredients, such as blueberries, raisin, walnuts or pecans. Feel free to experiment, give vent to your creativity.
  • Do not overmix batter, as this will lead to dry and tough muffins. Just stir until all ingredients are combined and no lumps are left.
  • Do not overbake your skinny yogurt muffins, or they will get dry. You know they are ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Chocolate Chip Low Calorie Muffins

FAQ – Frequently asked questions

How to make gluten-free yogurt muffins?

In case of dietary needs, make this recipe with certified gluten-free oat flour or with gluten-free pastry flour. Rice flour does not work.

How to make low calorie muffins vegan?

Replace the egg with one flaxseed egg, choose dairy-free yogurt alternatives and use a plant based milk of your choice.

Can I add protein powder?

Yes, you can replace part of the oat flour with protein powder. Read the blog post up here for all details on how to make the best low calorie muffins with protein powder.

How many calories in muffins?

Each yogurt muffin provides approximately 119 calories. Remember that this is an approximation only, as precise nutritional values will depend on many factors such as muffin size and ingredients used. In case of doubts, I suggest calculating the macros yourself.

More low calorie dessert recipes

5 from 3 votes

Low Calorie Muffins

These Low Calorie Muffins with yogurt are the ultimate dessert for your diet. Loaded with gooey chocolate chips, these skinny muffins are so moist and delicious that you'll never guess they are healthy and great for weight loss.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 12 muffins
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Ingredients 

  • 1 large egg
  • 180 grams (⅔ cup) Greek yogurt, nonfat
  • 1 ripe banana, about 100 grams (3.5 oz.)
  • 80 ml (⅓ cup) maple syrup, or honey
  • 200 grams (2 cups) oat flour, or preferred flour
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • tsp salt
  • 45 ml (3 tbsp) preferred milk
  • 40 grams (¼ cup) chocolate chips, sugar-free

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F) and prepare a muffin mold with muffin liners.
  • In a large bowl, mash the banana then combine with Greek yogurt, egg, maple syrup, vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Stir well until you get a smooth mixture.
  • Add into the wet mixture oat flour and baking powder. Stir the ingredients together while pouring in the milk gradually. Start with about 45 ml (3 tbsp) and add more in case the batter is too thick, until it reaches a smooth consistency.
  • Mix in the chocolate chips.
  • Fill ⅔ of each muffin liner with the batter, sprinkle with more chocolate chips and bake in hot oven for 20 to 25 minutes. Make sure you do not overbake the muffins; they are ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Remove yogurt muffins from the oven and let cool over a baking rack for about 15 minutes before eating.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 muffin | Calories: 119.1kcal | Carbohydrates: 18.6g | Protein: 4.2g | Fat: 2.9g | Saturated Fat: 0.8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 16.3mg | Sodium: 13mg | Potassium: 137.4mg | Fiber: 2.2g | Sugar: 5.9g | Vitamin A: 29.4IU | Vitamin C: 0.9mg | Calcium: 35.4mg | Iron: 1mg
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About Matteo

Iโ€™m the certified nutrition coach and fitness chef behind this blog. My mission is to make eating healthy easy and satisfying โ€“ for anyone and for any diet! My philosophy is simple: real food, clean ingredients and plenty of protein to feel your best.

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5 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Waooo, this is good for me right now low calorie muffin! And continue enjoying my dessert!? thank you Matt!

    1. Hey my dear Liza,
      good morning! Thanks a lot for your comment, I am so glad you like this muffin recipe.
      Have a fantastic Friday and upcoming weekend.
      Matteo