Chai-Spiced Butternut Squash Muffins | Ambitious Kitchen

Yoooooo the muffin queen is back with one of my absolute favorite muffins of ALL freaking time.

I don’t say that lightly considering how many delicious healthy muffin recipes I have on the blog. There are certainly plenty to choose from, but these butternut squash muffins are simply OUTSTANDING and one of those recipes I kept making over and over again for weeks.

*Pours a cup of coffee, inhales a butternut squash muffin*

This recipe began when I was sitting on my computer staring over my kitchen island at a lonely butternut squash on the counter. I thought to myself, why not throw it in a muffin and see what happens?

Maybe add some brown butter and chai spices? Oh and what about a ridiculously easy sweet and salty glaze too? Uh huh honey, this is gonna be good.

How to roast butternut squash for muffins

First, be sure to check out our tutorial on how to peel & cut butternut squash, then I recommend following my instructions on how to roast a halved butternut squash here. You’ll end up with tender, sweet butternut squash flesh that can easily be mashed for these muffins. Just make sure you discard the skin before adding to muffin batter.

Key ingredients in butternut squash muffins

These easy butternut squash muffins are made with simple ingredients you likely already have in your cupboard. They’re fluffy, naturally sweetened and the perfect way to use up butternut squash (or acorn squash, sweet potato or pumpkin!). Here are a few key ingredients you’ll need to make these muffins extra special.

• Roasted butternut squash: After teaching you how to successfully cut a butternut squash and then roast it, I figure you can put those skills to use in these muffins!
• Brown butter: I love the nutty, caramel flavor brown butter brings to these muffins. If you haven’t browned butter before, you can check out my tutorial here.
• Eggs: you’ll need 2 eggs in this muffin recipe to get the right texture.
• Honey: These butternut squash muffins are naturally sweetened with honey, and have the most delicious salted honey glaze!
• Chai spices: I absolutely love making homemade chai spices. All you need is cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and allspice. Each muffin bite tastes like a chai latte with a hint of honey.
• Flour: I love using whole wheat pastry flour in my muffin recipes because it has the nutritional value of whole wheat flour, but is much airier and light.

Simple ingredient swaps

I recommend sticking with the recipe the best that you can to ensure super delicious, fluffy muffins, but here are some easy ingredient swaps that will also work well:

• For the butternut squash: yes, you can also use roasted acorn squash, sweet potato or even pumpkin! Learn how to make homemade pumpkin puree here.
• For the honey: feel free to use maple syrup instead of honey in the recipe and in the glaze if you’d like.
• For the whole wheat pastry flour: white whole wheat flour will work, or you can use all purpose flour. Another great option is to use 1 cup whole wheat flour and 3/4 cup all purpose flour.

Can I make them vegan or gluten free?

• To make vegan: use melted and cooled coconut oil or melted vegan butter instead of regular butter, and use two flax eggs instead of regular eggs. Please note that you cannot brown vegan butter. The glaze is best when made with vegan butter instead of coconut oil!
• To make gluten free: please note that I have not tested these muffins with a gluten free substitute, but I suspect that chickpea flour, oat flour (try out homemade tutorial) or a 1:1 gluten free baking flour might work. Let me know in the comments if you try it!

How to brown butter for muffins

1. Heat it up. Add butter to a small saucepan and place over medium heat. The butter will begin to melt, crackle, and then eventually foam.
2. Keep whisking. While the butter is essentially “cooking” in your saucepan, make sure you whisk constantly.
3. Watch the color. After a couple of minutes, the butter will begin to brown and turn a nice golden amber color on the bottom of the saucepan, this usually happens once it foams. Continue to whisk and remove from heat as soon as the butter begins to brown and give off a nutty aroma.
4. Let it cool. Immediately transfer the butter to a bowl to prevent burning, making sure you scrape all the butter from the pan. Set it aside to let it cool before using it in your recipe.

What do butternut squash muffins taste like?

These butternut squash muffins taste very similar to pumpkin or sweet potato muffins, especially if you roast the butternut squash first, as it adds a nice sweetness.

If you’re not into chai spices, don’t worry, you can leave them out and just add 1 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon instead, or use 1 1/2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice. But trust me when I tell you that the chai spices really do take these muffins to the next level.

How to store & freeze muffins

• To store: feel free to keep these healthy butternut squash muffins at room temp for one day, then I recommend storing them in the refrigerator. Feel free to warm them up in the microwave.
• To freeze: allow the muffins to cool completely then put in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Once ready to reheat, you can thaw at room temperature, or heat up in the microwave in 30 second intervals.

More muffin recipes you’ll love

Get all of our delicious muffin recipes here!

I know you’re going to love these butternut squash muffins, please let me know if you make them by leaving a comment and rating the recipe below. I’d love to hear from you and it helps encourage others to make the recipe too! Enjoy, xo.

This post was originally published on November 19, 2019, and republished on October 12, 2021.