Healthy Zucchini Muffins

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5 from 30 votes
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This healthy zucchini muffin recipe yields moist, tender muffins using simple ingredients. I love how they bake in under 20 minutes.

Craving more healthy muffin recipes? Try my almond flour muffins, healthy pumpkin muffins, healthy blueberry muffins, and protein muffins next.

healthy zucchini muffins.

I’m always looking for an excuse to sneak zucchini into my favorite desserts, and muffins are my favorite. Contrary to skeptics, you really can’t taste it at all, yet it adds tons of moisture and sneaks in a fair share of vitamins and minerals. Bonus? My recipe has actually won a few awards, too!

Table of Contents
  1. Why I love this recipe
  2. Ingredients needed
  3. How to make healthy zucchini muffins
  4. Arman’s recipe tips
  5. Storage instructions
  6. More zucchini desserts
  7. Healthy Zucchini Muffins (Recipe Card)

Why I love this recipe

  • Perfect texture and flavor. Like my healthy zucchini bread, the muffins are soft and tender in the center, with melted chocolate in every bite. 
  • Wholesome swaps. Whole wheat flour and simple baking staples make a muffin recipe I can feel good about sharing with family. 
  • Easy to adjust. Without any extra effort, you can make these muffins gluten-free or dairy-free. 
  • You can’t taste the zucchini. If I’m wrong, you can let me know in the comments. But until then, I stand by my statement!

★★★★★ REVIEW 

“These are the best vegan and gluten-free muffins I’ve ever made- no one knows there is zucchini in it!” – Helen

Ingredients needed

  • White Whole Wheat Flour. A healthier alternative to all-purpose flour, white whole wheat flour has added fiber and more whole grains. I’ve also tried this with gluten-free flour to keep it gluten-free.
  • Coconut sugar. A refined sugar free sweetener, coconut palm sugar has no coconut taste, but a gorgeous dark color, similar to brown sugar. You can use any granulated sweetener of your choice.
  • Baking powder and baking soda. Both leavening agents help the muffins rise and also remain fluffy.
  • Cinnamon. Adds some delicious cinnamon flavor. I love using Saigon cinnamon, as it has a more pronounced cinnamon taste.
  • Coconut oil OR olive oil. Both these oils are heart-healthy, and healthier oil alternatives to more traditional oils. If you don’t have either of them on hand, use any neutral-tasting oil.
  • Yogurt of choice. Yogurt adds moisture to the muffins, keeping them moist inside, without the need for any butter. I like to use Greek yogurt for the extra protein, but any thick yogurt works.
  • Milk. I typically use non-fat milk or almond milk. Use whatever you have on hand.
  • Zucchini. Be sure to shred your zucchini finely, and remove excess moisture ONLY if it is super wet.
  • Vanilla extract. I always add vanilla extract to my baked goods- it’s a non-negotiable.
  • Chocolate Chips. Optional, but highly recommended.

How to make healthy zucchini muffins

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 1- Mix wet and dry ingredients. In a mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients. 

Step 2- Combine. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips, then pour the batter into the muffin tins. 

Step 3- Bake the muffins for 15-17 minutes or until a toothpick comes out ‘just’ clean.

healthy zucchini muffins with chocolate chips.

Arman’s recipe tips

  • Measure the zucchini before removing the excess moisture. Otherwise, you’ll add too much, and the texture will be off. 
  • Make mini muffins. Pour the batter into mini muffin tins and bake for 10-12 minutes. 
  • Swap the mix-ins. Instead of chocolate chips, fold in fresh or frozen blueberries, chopped nuts, or shredded coconut. 
  • Enhance the flavor of the muffins. Fold in two tablespoons of orange zest, poppy seeds, or almond butter. 

Storage instructions

To store: Leftover muffins can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. 

To freeze: Transfer leftover muffins to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. 

healthier zucchini muffins with chocolate chips.

More zucchini desserts

healthy zucchini muffins recipe.

Healthy Zucchini Muffins

5 from 30 votes
This healthy zucchini muffin recipe yields moist, tender muffins using simple ingredients. I love how they bake in under 20 minutes. Watch the video below to see how I make it in my kitchen.
Servings: 12 servings
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 16 minutes
Total: 21 minutes

Video

Ingredients 
 

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Line a 12-count muffin tin with muffin liners and set aside.
  • In a mixing bowl, add the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon, and mix well. In a separate bowl, add your yogurt, milk, oil, vanilla extract, and zucchini and mix well.
  • Combine your dry and wet mixture together. Using a rubber spatula, fold through your chocolate chips. Evenly distribute your muffin mixture evenly amongst the muffin tin, about 2/3 of the way full.
  • Bake the muffins for 15-17 minutes, or until a skewer comes out 'just' clean from the center. Allow muffins to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

To store: Leftover muffins should be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. They will remain fresh for up to 7 days. 
To freeze: Place muffins in a ziplock bag and keep them in the freezer. They will keep well frozen for up to 6 months. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1MuffinCalories: 149kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSodium: 109mgPotassium: 17mgFiber: 1gVitamin A: 4IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 1mgNET CARBS: 23g
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Originally published May 2020, updated and republished April 2024

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

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5 from 30 votes (23 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    hi
    do we squeeze the water out of the zucchini & then measure 1 cup ?
    pls confirm as I’d like to try this recipie
    thanks

  2. 5 stars
    How much zucchini for the Zucchini Muffin? Oddly, I don’t see it on the “Ingredients” list above.

  3. 5 stars
    These are the best vegan and gluten free muffins I’ve ever made- no one knows there is zucchini in it!

  4. Where’s the zucchini? I’ve searched the ingredients a couple of times and I don’t find zucchini.

  5. Going to make this today- this looks delicious 🙂 I made your zucchini bread and really enjoyed it

  6. Just made these- I loved them! It took me 15 minutes to make and they were super moist- can’t wait to make again!