How many calories are in a Tim's muffin? A nutritional breakdown

November 7, 2025 •

4 min read

According to nutritional data, the calories in a Tim Hortons muffin can range from 340 for a Whole Grain Pecan Banana Bread muffin to as high as 420 for a Chocolate Chip muffin. Knowing how many calories are in a Tim's muffin is essential for making informed dietary choices.

Quick Summary

A Tim Hortons muffin's calorie count varies significantly by flavor, typically ranging from 340 to 420 calories per serving. These baked goods are often high in sugar and fat but can fit into a balanced diet with proper portion control and knowledge of nutritional facts.

Key Points

Calorie variation: Tim's muffin calories vary significantly by flavour, ranging from 340 to 420 calories per muffin.
High sugar and fat: Store-bought muffins from places like Tim Hortons can be high in sugar and unhealthy fats, functioning more like a dessert than a balanced breakfast.
Homemade control: Baking your own muffins allows you to control the ingredients, reducing sugar and fat while adding fibre and whole grains.
Healthier swaps: Replacing some sugar with fruit purée or butter with healthier oils can make a big difference in a muffin's nutritional value.
Mindful consumption: For store-bought options, practising portion control or choosing a lower-calorie alternative is recommended.

Decoding the Tim Hortons Muffin Menu

Tim Hortons muffins are a popular treat, but their nutritional content, particularly the calorie count, can vary widely depending on the flavour. For those keeping an eye on their diet, understanding this nutritional variation is crucial. The calorie counts are often comparable to a small meal, making them a significant part of your daily intake.

Calorie counts for popular Tim's muffins

Here is a list of approximate calorie counts for some of the most popular muffins at Tim Hortons:

Chocolate Chip Muffin: 420 calories
Wild Blueberry Muffin: 380 calories
Lemon Poppyseed Cheesecake Muffin: 370 calories
Fruit Explosion Muffin: 360 calories
Carrot Cake with Walnut Muffin: 360 calories
Whole Grain Pecan Banana Bread: 340 calories
Raisin Bran Muffin: 380 calories

As you can see, the Chocolate Chip muffin is one of the highest in calories, while the Whole Grain Pecan Banana Bread is the lowest among these examples. This disparity highlights the importance of checking the specific flavour's nutritional information before you indulge.

More Than Just Calories: A Nutritional Analysis

While calories are a key metric for managing weight, it's also important to consider the overall nutritional profile, including fat, sugar, and fibre. Many store-bought muffins, including those from Tim Hortons, are essentially glorified cupcakes, often high in added sugar and low in beneficial nutrients like fibre.

Nutritional breakdown of specific muffins

Let's take a closer look at the nutritional content of a couple of Tim's muffins:

Chocolate Chip Muffin: A single muffin contains approximately 16g of total fat (with 4.5g being saturated fat), 66g of carbohydrates, and a hefty 35g of sugar. This makes it a high-energy, high-sugar option with a minimal amount of fibre (2g).
Wild Blueberry Muffin: This option is slightly lower in calories but still packs a considerable punch. It contains around 11g of fat (with 2g being saturated fat), 57g of carbs, and 25g of sugar. It offers a bit more fibre (2g) than the Chocolate Chip muffin, but it's still relatively low.

The high sugar content in these baked goods can cause a rapid spike and crash in blood sugar levels, which is not ideal for sustained energy or overall metabolic health. For context, the World Health Organization recommends limiting daily sugar intake, and a single muffin can account for a large portion of that guideline.

Making Healthier Dietary Choices

Enjoying a muffin doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing proposition. By being mindful of your choices, you can better manage your intake while still enjoying a treat. Opting for a smaller portion or a more nutritious version is a great starting point.

Tips for choosing a healthier option

Opt for Whole Grains: If you're at Tim Hortons, the Whole Grain Pecan Banana Bread is a lower-calorie option compared to other muffins. Whole grain options provide more fibre, which aids digestion and can keep you feeling full longer.
Make Your Own: The healthiest choice is often a homemade muffin. When baking at home, you have complete control over the ingredients. You can reduce the sugar and fat content and add nutrient-dense ingredients. For example, you can replace a portion of the flour with whole wheat flour or oats and use natural sweeteners like mashed banana or applesauce.
Portion Control: If you do go for a store-bought muffin, consider sharing it or saving half for later to reduce your calorie and sugar intake.

Tim's Muffins vs. Homemade: A Nutritional Comparison


Muffin Type	Calories (Approx.)	Sugars (Approx.)	Fibre (Approx.)	Notes
Tim's Chocolate Chip	420	35g	2g	High in fat and sugar, low in fibre.
Tim's Wild Blueberry	380	25g	2g	A slight improvement but still high in sugar.
Homemade Oatmeal Banana	182	Natural sugars	High	Uses natural sweeteners and whole grains.
Homemade Healthy Blueberry	~266	3.8g (low-fat)	High	Lower fat and sugar, higher antioxidants.

*Note: Homemade nutritional data can vary greatly depending on the recipe used.

Conclusion

Understanding how many calories are in a Tim's muffin is just the first step toward making mindful dietary choices. While a Tim Hortons muffin can be a satisfying treat, its high calorie, fat, and sugar content means it should be an occasional indulgence rather than a dietary staple. For those looking for a more nutritious and balanced option, making your own muffins at home allows you to control the ingredients, adding beneficial fibre and healthy fats while reducing sugar. By making small, informed adjustments, you can enjoy delicious baked goods while staying on track with your nutritional goals.

For more information on making healthier homemade options, see these tips from TeamNutrition: https://teamnutrition.ca/blog-nutritionist-dietitian/5-ways-make-muffin-recipe-more-healthy.

Enjoying Tim's muffins in moderation

It is possible to enjoy a treat without compromising your entire diet. If you choose a Tim's muffin, consider it an indulgence and balance it out with other nutritious, whole foods throughout the day. You might pair a smaller portion with a balanced meal to minimize the impact on your overall calorie count. The occasional muffin won't derail a healthy diet, but regular consumption can lead to excess calories, sugar, and fat intake over time. Making conscious decisions is key to a sustainable and balanced approach to eating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Among the common flavours, the Whole Grain Pecan Banana Bread muffin has the fewest calories, at approximately 340 per serving.

Despite the healthy name, a Tim Hortons Raisin Bran muffin contains around 380 calories and can be high in sugar, so it should be considered an occasional treat rather than a daily healthy breakfast option.

Homemade muffins can be much healthier than Tim's muffins, as you can control the ingredients to reduce fat and sugar while increasing fibre through ingredients like whole-grain flour, oats, and fruit.

A Tim Hortons Chocolate Chip muffin contains approximately 420 calories, one of the highest on the menu, along with high levels of fat and sugar.

Since many store-bought muffins are large and calorie-dense, practicing portion control is key. Consider sharing a muffin or eating only half to manage your calorie and sugar intake.

While Tim's muffins provide some energy from carbohydrates, they are generally high in sugar and fat, offering limited nutritional benefits. Homemade alternatives made with healthier ingredients provide more fibre and nutrients.

Most store-bought muffins are not ideal for breakfast due to their high sugar and low fibre content, which can lead to energy crashes. A healthier, homemade muffin with more fibre and less sugar can be a better choice.