Easy Red Velvet Muffins Recipe With Chocolate Chips (Bakery-Style)

They are perfect for classroom treats, gifting, or love-themed dessert tables. My daughter always tries to sneak extras into her backpack before school. I don't blame her since I always hide one in the back of the fridge before they're all gone, too. That's how good these red velvet muffins are!

For more Valentine’s Day treats, try my Conversation Heart Cookies or Valentine's Day Heart Cookies. They’re easy to make and share with your loved ones. Now, let’s bake some muffins!

These tender red velvet chocolate chip muffins are a quick bake! They’re one of our favorite recipes when we have lots of people to bake for, but not a lot of time.

30-minute recipe: Faster than going to the store to buy muffins.

Classic: Everyone loves a good, homemade red velvet muffin.

Versatile: Add frosting, a filling, or skip the pecans. Make this recipe your own!

Great for different occasions: Gift them, serve them at a broken hearts party, or simply send them to school.

These chocolate chip red velvet muffins use super simple ingredients for a tender, moist crumb! Scroll to the recipe card at the end of this post for the full recipe with ingredient amounts.

• All-purpose flour: Sometimes referred to as AP or "ap flour." Avoid cake flour because it won't give the muffins enough structure.
• Cocoa powder: Adds a subtle hint of chocolate to the batter. Make sure it's unsweetened.
• Baking powder & baking soda: They make the batter rise. Sieve them if they contain clumps.
• Salt: Kosher salt is best. Avoid coarse sea salt.
• Unsalted butter: It must be at room temperature. If you use salted butter, skip the salt in the rest of the recipe.
• Granulated sugar: Brown sugar adds a soft, caramel-like flavor but may darken the batter's color.
• Eggs: They should be at room temperature for a smooth mix with the rest of the ingredients.
• Vanilla extract: Helps round out the flavors and sweetness. Feel free to skip it.
• Buttermilk: It adds red velvet's signature tang.
• Red food coloring: Use gel for a vibrant, beautiful red color. For a natural alternative, use beetroot powder instead.
• Mini chocolate chips: I used semi-sweet. Regular-sized chocolate chips work too.
• Chopped pecans: Walnuts are another good option for a crunchy topping.

See recipe card for quantities.

These fluffy muffins are a breeze to whip up for Valentine’s Day! They're also way better than store-bought muffins and cake mixes.

1. Step 1: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Set aside.

2. Step 2: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each, then mix in the vanilla, buttermilk, and red food coloring until smooth.

3. Step 3: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, folding gently just until no dry streaks remain.

4. Step 4: Carefully fold in the mini chocolate chips and chopped pecans, taking care not to overmix.

5. Step 5: Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared muffin cups, sprinkle a few extra pecans over the tops, and bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

These Valentine-themed red velvet chocolate chip muffins are perfect for customizing! Try these sweet twists depending on who you're sharing them with:

Swap the chocolate: Use milk chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet for variety.

Make them nut-free: Skip the pecans in the recipe.

Cream cheese filling: Freeze teaspoons of whipped cream cheese for 1 hour or until solid. Pop one frozen teaspoon in every raw muffin cavity right before baking for a creamy bite.

Frosted cupcakes: Add cream cheese frosting or your favorite vanilla buttercream for a luscious topping.

Make mini muffins: Fill each cavity with batter until ¾s full, then bake in a mini muffin tin for 11-15 minutes.

These vibrant red velvet muffins are a romantic or friendly treat any time! Here are our favorite ways to enjoy and share them at home and with others:

• Warm with coffee, tea, or a glass of cold milk.
• Gift to friends along with White Chocolate Covered Strawberries.
• Pack for lunchboxes or Valentine’s Day gifts.
• Serve with Chocolate Mousse Cups for an indulgent spread on a date night.
• Set out with my Healthy Brownie Batter Dip, fresh strawberries, and Chocolate Covered Pecans on a dessert table.
• Enjoy with my Raspberry Moscow Mule or Sparkling Strawberry Moscow Mule for adult gatherings and parties.

It's easy to keep these homemade Valentine's muffins moist and yummy! Here’s how to store them so they stay fresh for longer:

Counter

In an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Keep them away from direct heat and sunlight.

Refrigerator

Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Keep them away from onions and other strong-smelling foods.

Freezer

Place in a freezer bag for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature.

These tricks ensure the perfect red velvet muffins every time, even if you're not a well-seasoned home baker:

Don’t overmix: This keeps them nice and fluffy. Gently fold the batter to avoid dense, rubbery muffins.

Room temperature ingredients: Everything mixes into the batter much more smoothly when all the ingredients are the same temperature.

Toast the pecans: Toast chopped pecans in a dry skillet for 3–4 minutes before folding them in to enhance flavor and crunch. You can also use walnuts for a milder taste.

Homemade buttermilk: If you don’t have buttermilk, mix ½ cup milk with ½ teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes.

Let them cool: Let the muffins cool slightly before removing them from the pan to avoid breaking. You need to give them 5-10 minutes to finish setting.

Keep an eye on the oven: Oven temperatures vary, so start checking muffins at 18 minutes. A toothpick should come out mostly clean with a few melted chocolate spots.

Here’s what other Valentine lovers and home bakers are asking about this seasonal red velvet recipe!

Yes! 2 teaspoons of beetroot powder should do the trick.

Absolutely! Use the same batter, just frost the muffins with cream cheese frosting as decoration.

It helps activate the baking soda, making the muffins rise even more.

Yes, but you'll lose their classic flavor and basically turn this into a red vanilla muffin recipe.

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Easy Banana Raspberry Muffins With Cake Mix (Only 5 Ingredients)

Easy Maple Brown Sugar Overnight Oats (No-Cook Breakfast)

The Best Cranberry Orange Coffee Cake with Crunchy Streusel

Easy 5-Minute Apple Banana Smoothie Recipe

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this super moist Red Velvet Muffins recipe:

Easy Mini Conversation Heart Cookies (Valentine's Sugar Cookie Recipe)

Easy Valentine’s Day Heart Cookies (Eggless Sugar Cookies Recipe)

How To Make Ice Cream Cone Cake Pops (Easy Dessert)

Easy White Chocolate Covered Strawberries (Valentine's Dessert)

These red velvet muffins are our favorite way to celebrate Valentine’s Day with chocolatey, tender bites! Share your creations on social media with Hungry Whisk, and don’t forget to subscribe for more muffin recipes and recipe cards!