
Want to know the secret to a delicious chocolate muffin? Grated fresh zucchini! It’s a surprising ingredient but it makes the muffins super moist and tasty. This recipe makes 24 muffins and is great for freezing. You can also make 2 small chocolate zucchini loaves, but my family prefers the muffins. If you do make the chocolate zucchini loaf, keep in mind it takes longer to bake but I’ll share that information below. I’ve made both many times but lately, it’s been all about the handheld food and muffins in my house.
What are they:
A chocolate zucchini muffin is fantastic for picky toddlers but great for all family members. These are also great to make ahead of a playdate and are excellent for freezing. Although there are a lot of ingredients needed for the recipe, you don’t need any kitchen appliances which makes cleanup a breeze. Just get 2 mixing bowls and a fork to combine the batter. Let’s get started.
What you’ll need:
- Zucchini – washed well and grated finely no need to peel the skin, the nutrients in the zucchini skin are a welcome addition. You will need about 2 large zucchinis or 3 medium sizes to make 3 packed cups for the recipe. The grated zucchini will produce a lot of juice, do not throw this out, you will add all the zucchini and the juice to your wet ingredients.
- Dry ingredients – oat flour and whole wheat flour. I’ve made this recipe with many flour variations, but I truly like this combo. If you don’t have whole wheat flour on hand you can use all-purpose flour, but I like the fiber elements of both oat and whole wheat flour. Additional dry ingredients to the flour are baking soda and baking powder to help the muffins rise.
- Coco Powder – the ingredient that is used to make these muffins chocolate flavored.
- Hemp hearts – a protein element in the muffins that I love adding in. Lately been adding this to a lot of my muffins as an additional healthy mix-in. What is great about it is you don’t taste or see this ingredient and it’s just an additional source of protein and omega-3.
- Wet ingredients – Along with the grated zucchini you will need 3 eggs, 2 tablespoons of vanilla, and ¼ cup of coconut oil all working towards moistening the muffins.
- Sweetness – I use 1 cup of coconut sugar, but you can substitute for brown sugar, I interchange these two when I run out of one in my pantry. ¼ teaspoon of salt is added to balance out the sweetness.
- Mix-ins – this can be whatever your family is most into. My family’s favorite is semi-sweet mini chocolate chips and chopped walnuts. You can add pumpkin seeds, raisins pecans, slivered almonds, etc. Or you can opt-out of this step altogether and leave them plain, they are quite delicious. If your kids are under the age of one, I would opt out of the mix-ins.
Pro Tips and Tricks
- You can purchase oat flour, but it is simple to make yourself, all you need is quick-cooking oats and a blender. Put your oats into the blender and power up until the oats are a fine powder.
- Coco powder obviously makes these chocolate muffins delicious and chocolatey, but you can opt-out of it and just make zucchini muffins.
- If you are using reusable silicon muffin cups no need to grease your muffin tray, the silicon materials allow the muffin to slide right out. If you aren’t using these sustainable reusable forms, oil each muffin cup with the option to sprinkle flour before adding batter into the molds.
- If you want to make mini loaves, this recipe makes two. Place batter into 2 small mini loaves for a delicious chocolate zucchini bread. You will bake at 350°F for 50 minutes.
- Keep these on the countertop in an airtight container for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- You can alter mix-ins but keep it to the recipe guidelines, don’t overstuff your batter.
Once you make them, tell me how they went by rating and commenting below and if this will be on repeat in your home.
PrintThe BEST Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
- Author: Inna Fooks
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 1x
Description
The secret to the most delicious chocolate muffin is grated fresh zucchini!! Moist, chocolatey, and healthy a combination you can’t resist, especially for little ones. This recipe makes 24 muffins, and they are fantastic for freezing.
Ingredients
- 1 c whole wheat flour
- 1 c oat flour or all-purpose flour
- 1/2 c hemp hearts
- 1/2 c Coco powder
- 1 c coconut sugar or brown sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 c c coconut oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups packed grated zucchini (skin on)
- 1/2 c chopped walnuts (optional)
- 1/2 c mini semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F
- Wash and grate zucchini and set aside.
- In a large bowl add your flour, hemp hearts, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, add your eggs and whisk, then add your coconut oil, vanilla, and grated zucchini, and stir until well combined.
- Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until well combined.
- Place into muffin trays and bake for 20 minutes.
- Cool and enjoy.
Notes
- If you aren’t using reusable silicon muffin forms, oil each muffin cup with the option to sprinkle flour before adding batter into the molds.
- If you want to make mini loaves, this recipe makes two. Evenly distribute batter into 2 small mini loaves for a delicious chocolate zucchini bread. You will bake at 350°F for 50 minutes.
- Keep these on the countertop in an airtight container for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- You can alter mix-ins but keep it to the recipe guidelines, don’t overstuff your batter.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
Keywords: chocolate zucchini muffins, hemp heart muffins, breakfast muffins
One Response
Looks delicious, can’t wait to make these 😍
★★★★★