Preheat oven to 350°F. Paper or grease 18 muffin compartments
Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Stir to combine.
Add peanut butter and oil, applesauce, and brown sugar in a mixing bowl. Stir to combine. Add plant-based milk, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla and stir again until smooth and creamy.
Add flour mixture to butter mixture and stir until combined. Stir in chocolate chips if using. Use a cookie dough dispenser to equally distribute batter into all the prepared muffin compartments.
Bake muffins for 18 to 20 minutes until the edges are golden brown. A tester inserted in the center comes out clean or has only a few crumbs. Remove pan from the oven and cool for 5 minutes before transferring muffins to a wire rack to cool completely.