We’re heading into the final stretch for March Muffin Madness (MMM). That makes me treasure all these muffin recipes more than ever—recipes like today’s Paleo Strawberry Chocolate Chip Muffins. You only have to think of luscious chocolate-dipped strawberries to know that the strawberries and chocolate combination is one that works. With this recipe, you get that winning flavor combo in a muffin, which is the classic, no-fuss, “grab-and-go” breakfast or treat in my opinion.
Let’s learn more about this gluten-free, grain-free (and “more free”) muffin recipe, its chef/caterer author, today’s daily prizes (two out of three of this author’s cookbooks), and, of course, the overall grand prize giveaway.
See the whole lineup of bloggers, blogs, and muffin recipes here.
Zenbelly
Simone of Zenbelly is a self-taught, highly talented chef and professional caterer based in San Francisco. She’s also a lovely person. She eats mostly paleo and provides all gluten-free options in her business. Simone creates beautiful, vibrant, and delicious recipes as evidenced by her blog and her three cookbooks: The Zenbelly Cookbook: An Epicurean’s Guide to Paleo Cuisine, The New Yiddish Kitchen: Gluten-Free and Paleo Kosher Recipes for the Holidays and Every Day (co-written with Jennifer Robins), and Paleo Soups & Stews: Over 100 Delectable Recipes for Every Season, Course, and Occasion.
Many of Simone’s recipes are the kind that you think are impossible, such as decadent paleo chocolate layer cake, paleo challah (she actually has two challah recipes on her site!), and paleo bagels–all of which get raves! Incidentally, Melissa Joulwan does an excellent job of capturing both Simone’s spirit and her work in the Foreword that she wrote for Paleo Soups & Stews. If you use the “Look Inside” feature on Amazon, take a moment to read her words.
Paleo Strawberry Chocolate Chip Muffins
Simone says: “I personally am a big fan of the strawberry + chocolate combo, but if you’d rather skip the chocolate, these muffins will still be great. And, of course, if you have a variety of berries, feel free to add them all in!”
More Gluten-Free Muffin Recipes (and More) from Zenbelly That You Should Check Out
~ Blueberry Muffins (from The Zenbelly Cookbook)
~ Paleo Challah (from The New Yiddish Kitchen)
Paleo Strawberry Chocolate Chip Muffins

Simone says: “I personally am a big fan of the strawberry + chocolate combo, but if you’d rather skip the chocolate, these muffins will still be great. And, of course, if you have a variety of berries, feel free to add them all in!”
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup palm shortening or softened butter or ghee
- 1/4 cup honey
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups blanched almond flour
- 1/2 cup arrowroot starch
- 2 tablespoons coconut flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon finely ground sea salt
- 8 ounces strawberries, washed, hulled and diced (about 1 1/4 cups diced)
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (Equal Exchange Bittersweet Chocolate Chips recommended; see notes)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF and line a 12-cup muffin tin with parchment liners
- In a blender, combine the shortening, honey, eggs, and vanilla. Blend until smooth.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the almond flour, arrowroot starch, coconut flour, baking soda and sea salt. Add to the blender and blend for 8-10 seconds, or until well incorporated.
- Stir in the strawberries and chocolate chips.
- Divide among the prepared muffin tin and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
- Cool the muffins in the tin on a wire rack before removing them.
Notes
Makes 12 muffins.
As noted in Simone’s introduction, the chocolate chips can be omitted if you wish and other berries (including a mix of berries) can be substituted for the strawberries.
Grain-free baked goods tend to mold faster than regular ones (because of higher protein content), so make sure to refrigerate after a day if you haven't eaten them all yet.
Simone recommends Equal Exchange Bittersweet Chocolate Chips. Some folks also consider Enjoy Life chocolate chips (which are more readily available) paleo friendly.
Today’s Giveaway
Update: All the giveaways are now closed. Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all who participated!
~ Cookbooks:
The Zenbelly Cookbook: An Epicurean’s Guide to Paleo Cuisine (4 winners; co-sponsored by author Simone Miller/Victory Belt Publishing and gfe)
Simone is both the author of and photographer for this book. For every recipe, there’s a “before” photo of the ingredients laid out—mise en place—and a photo of the finished dish. As Simone states, the “before” photos really show you how few ingredients are needed to create her incredible recipes. I almost love the “before” photos as much or more than the “after” photos because real food is always so appealing and the ingredient display shows exactly what’s in each dish. The Zenbelly Cookbook has over 200 reviews on Amazon and its average rating is 5 stars! One review title summarizes this cookbook simply and well: “Great cookbook for great dinners with friends who won’t even notice it’s paleo, just that it’s delicious.”
Paleo Soups & Stews: Over 100 Delectable Recipes for Every Season, Course, and Occasion (4 winners; co-sponsored by author Simone Miller/Victory Belt Publishing and gfe)
Simone said that she wanted this cookbook to be more than what you might think a book about soups and stews would be. A good example is the Harvest Chicken Soup with Sweet Potato Gnocchi recipe that’s included. It’s definitely not your basic chicken soup. She teaches you how to make the wow-worthy sweet potato gnocchi for the recipe but those who want an easier method can use spaghetti squash or sweet potato noodles. You can also see that this cookbook is about more than soup and stews by taking a look at the chapter titles: Broths and Basics, Blended Soups, Hearty Soups, Stews and Chilis, Chilled Soups, In Soup (Noodles & Other Fun Additions), On Top (Garnishes), On the Side (Breads, Crackers & Dippers) and even dessert in the final category, Sweet Soup and Cookies. Like Chocolate Soup with Graham Cracker Marshmallow Dippers. Fun! Being a huge soup fan, I can’t wait to make these recipes!
Remember that you can use the “Look Inside” feature on Amazon (click on the cover image on the left side of the book’s Amazon page) to see specifics in these cookbooks that might appeal to you.
Baking/Cooking Ingredient
Enjoy Life Mega Chunks (10-ounces, 2-pack) (sponsored by gfe)
Grand Prize Giveaway
See all 10 prizes here. Shown are the top six prizes (per monetary value—they’re all tops in my opinion). Again, this giveaway is open to everyone, everywhere!
Originally published April 6, 2019; updated November 10, 2020.
Kristen says
Both cookbooks look fabulous!
Kylie Sandover says
Those muffins look divine Simone!
Chocolate and strawberries is such a classic and delicious combination.
Tomoe says
They look delicious! I’ll try those for sure. I like Simone’s recipe. The Zenbelly cookbook is great for me!
Charlotte Moore says
Love chocolate and strawberry together.
The Zenbelly Cookbook would be nice.
Thank you!!
Dandi D says
I actually hadn’t thought about putting strawberries and chocolate together in a muffin! Yum!
Ina Gawne says
Shirley – I love chocolate and strawberries such a winning combination! Would love these for breakfast right now! 🙂
Amelie says
The Megachunks sound fantastic!
Lisa says
Zenbelly cookbook, please!
Suzanne R says
These muffins look delicious & easy to make. Thanks for introducing us to Simone’s web site as well. I’d like the Zenbelly cookbook.
Danabee says
I need that Zen Belly cookbook! Those muffins look delicious!
Denise M says
No preference, they look great. I love that these are Paleo
Tanya says
Zenbelly would be great! Can’t wait to try these!
Lauren says
These are so pretty! I would love the chocolate chunks as a prize! ??????
patricia says
Nice looking muffins! I would like the Enjoy Life Mega Chunks as I have to be soy free.
Tom H. says
Thanks for sharing another recipe idea and for the extra giveaway entry, as well.
Brianna Wolin says
Zen belly sounds so interesting!
Cheryl k says
These muffins sound delicious and I love ❤️ LOCE Enjoy Life Chocolate chips. Please choose me so I can bake more yummy treats in my kitchen. Thank you!
Colleen M says
Wow! Both cookbooks seems like fantastic additions to my “cookbook” library – especially Zenbelly! The muffins look delicious too!
Stephanie Lewis says
Strawberry and chocolate…perfect combo!
Sharon says
I love strawberry and chocolate together! Either cookbook looks great!
Beverly Maiers says
These look so yummy that I pinned them for the time I can figure out how to add almond flour and eggs back into my diet! Or I’ll just have to make them for my teenagers! I would love either of the cookbooks. Thanks
Katrina says
zenbelly sounds great!!
Tamara Oliveiro says
These look good… of course things usually don’t look as pretty when I do it but taste is usually OK.
Cristin says
Can you use maple syrup instead of honey?
Shirley Braden says
Hi Cristin–First, it looks like you’re new here. Welcome to gfe! 🙂 I sub maple syrup for honey often but when I do, I usually use slightly less maple syrup because it’s thinner than honey. It may not matter in muffins but I’d measure the maple syrup just under the 1/4 cup mark. Hope your muffins turn out delicious!
Shirley