It’s our last official day of Zucchini Week, and I’m sending us forth in style with what may just be my very favorite zucchini recipe of them all: Healthy Zucchini Muffins.
These moist, fluffy muffins are made with wholesome ingredients and are appropriate for toddlers, adults, and everyone in between. Whole grain and sweetened naturally, they are healthy enough to leave you feeling virtuous and sustained. Chocolate-chip-studded, tender, and lightly spiced, they’re also scrumptious enough to taste like a treat you’ll look forward to eating in the morning or tucking in with for a midafternoon pick-me-up. If you have as much zucchini lying around as we do, muffins freeze well, so you can make a triple batch and stow them away for a later date. Perhaps later this winter when (and I know this is hard to imagine) decent zucchini is difficult to find and you really, truly miss it. I consider myself both a muffin aficionado (see: Chocolate Zucchini Muffins, Banana Oatmeal Muffins, Applesauce Muffins, Healthy Blueberry Muffins, ALL OF THESE HEALTHY MUFFINS) and a zucchini baked good aficionado (see: Zucchini Banana Bread, Zucchini Cookies, Paleo Zucchini Bread, et al.), so coming up with what I can confidently state is the best ever healthy zucchini muffin recipe is not a business I take lightly. Many a test batch later, here we are! THE BEST EVER HEALTHY ZUCCHINI MUFFINS. This recipe is one I make often, and it has received dozens of glowing reader reviews. To round out Zucchini Week, I’m resharing it today (with an added video!) in hopes that if you haven’t tried it yet, you will. OR that if you have tried it before, you’ll remember how much you enjoyed it and treat yourself to a fresh batch sometime very soon.
How to Make the Best Healthy Zucchini Muffins
This Healthy Zucchini Muffin recipe uses pantry staples and fresh produce. Here are the main pantry ingredients you’ll need to make it.
Whole Wheat Flour. These muffins are 100% whole grain, meaning they’re high in protein and fiber and will keep you full and happy for longer. I like to use white whole wheat flour because its taste is light and mild. Honey. For natural sweetness and extra moisture. Coconut Sugar (or light brown sugar). To give the muffins structure and a lighter texture. You can find coconut sugar in most grocery stores and online. Baking Powder + Baking Soda. To help give the muffins those beautiful, tall domed tops. Coconut Oil. You can also swap light olive oil if you prefer.
NOW, here’s what sets this Healthy Zucchini Muffin recipe apart. In addition to the shredded zucchini, this recipe also calls for mashed ripe banana!
Because mashed banana is both sweet and moist, incorporating it into the recipe allows us to use a lesser amount of both sugar and fat while still having fantastic results. Unlike other healthy muffin recipes you may have tried, these zucchini muffins are fluffy, tall, and tender, NOT rubbery or gummy. In fact, I doubt you’ll even realize that what you are eating is healthy!
Healthy Zucchini Muffins Mix-Ins
We are a house divided on our Healthy Zucchini Muffin mix-ins.
Mini chocolate chips are my absolute fave. I love chocolate and zucchini together, and the mini ones really work their way into every single morsel. Blueberries are Ben’s constant request. You can use fresh or frozen blueberries. (If using frozen, no need to thaw them first). Walnuts. Both of us agree there, so 95% of the time, the walnuts make it in.
This recipe is also fantastic all on its own, with or without the chocolate, nuts, etc. Feel free to go whichever route your household most enjoys!
Healthy Zucchini Muffins – Dietary Swaps
Vegan Zucchini Muffins – I’d recommend making my Vegan Zucchini Bread, but baking it as muffins instead. Otherwise, if you’d like to play around with this specific muffin recipe, you can use maple syrup for honey and flaxeggs for the regular eggs. I haven’t tried this yet myself, but one reader reported successfully using 1 flaxegg (combine 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal and 3 tablespoons water; let gel for 5 minutes) and 1 baking soda egg (combine 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of white or apple cider vinegar). Gluten Free Zucchini Muffins. In place of the white whole wheat flour, use a GF 1:1 baking flour like this one. Oatmeal Zucchini Muffins. I haven’t tried adding oatmeal, but several readers reported doing this with success. Feel free to read through the comments. There are lots of tips and suggestions there for ways you can make this zucchini muffin recipe your own.
Grating Zucchini for Muffins
A few important tips to make your Healthy Zucchini Muffins as tasty and nutritious as possible:
You don’t need to peel your zucchini to make zucchini muffins. The peel contains a number of nutrients and is very thin and mild. You won’t be able to taste it. Instead of peeling, simply wash your zucchini, trim the ends, then grate away. For grating zucchini, I like to use a box grater like this one or a coarse plane-style grater like this one. Squeeze. Blot. Repeat. A very important step to any baked zucchini recipe is to squeeze as much liquid from the grated zucchini as possible. Pile your grated zucchini onto a pile of paper towels. Press out as much water as you can, then repeat until most of the moisture is gone.
Storing Healthy Zucchini Muffins
These healthy zucchini muffins are exceptionally freezer friendly. If you make a big batch and stash a few extras in your freezer, you’ll have an on-the-go breakfast or an emergency, day-changing treat ready any time you need it! For storage tips, check out my post about How to Store Muffins and Other Quick Breads.
Let’s keep on taking a bite out of summer with these Healthy Zucchini Muffins!
More Freezer Friendly Healthy Muffin Recipes
Healthy Breakfast Egg Muffins Whole Wheat Carrot Cake Muffins Gluten Free Banana Muffins
Recommended Tools to Make Healthy Zucchini Muffins
Standard muffin pan (I love this option if you don’t need the lid) Batter scoop (my secret to big, puffy muffin tops) No-mess grater
