Zucchini Muffins with Chocolate Chips

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Start the day off right with homemade zucchini muffins – they’re a hit with kids and a great way to sneak in some veggies!

zucchini chocolate chip muffins

As zucchinis reach their prime, the school bells start ringing again. I totally get the temptation to grab a box of sugary cereal or pre-packaged snacks (been there, done that!). But with zucchinis in abundance, why not turn them into a tasty morning or afternoon treat, like zucchini bread or muffins? For these delicious chocolate chip zucchini muffins, all you need are some basic kitchen staples, a little baking spirit, and a mere 35 minutes. The best part? Kids devour them, and you’ll love knowing they’re munching on something packed with veggies. Feel free to replace half of the all-purpose flour with whole-wheat flour, or swap out the chocolate chips and nuts for your favorite add-ins.

“First comments from my teenaged son: “VERY good! A keeper for sure!” The amount of spice, pecans and chocolate chips was perfection. These babies are so good they should be illegal lol!”

Sherry

What You’ll Need To Make Zucchini Muffins

Zucchini chocolate chip muffin ingredients including eggs, baking soda, and vanilla.
  • All-purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture to the muffins. Measure by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off to ensure accuracy.
  • Baking Soda and Baking Powder: Act as leavening agents helping the muffins rise.
  • Cinnamon and Nutmeg: Add warm, aromatic flavors that complement the zucchini and chocolate.
  • Butter: Adds richness and flavor to the muffins.
  • Light Brown Sugar: Sweetens the muffins and adds moisture.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and provide structure.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor of the muffins.
  • Zucchini: Adds moisture, texture, and a nutritional boost to the muffins. Neutral in flavor, so picky eaters won’t balk!
  • Chocolate Chips: Infuse the muffins with bursts of chocolate flavor, appealing to kids.
  • Chopped Pecans or Walnuts: Add crunch and nutty flavor, enhancing the texture and taste of the muffins.
  • Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements

Step-by-Step instructions

Begin by shredding the zucchini. I use a food processor but it’s also fine to grate by hand. There is no need to wring out the shredded zucchini.

Shredded zucchini in a food processor.

Next, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Dry ingredients unmixed in a glass bowl.

Stir to combine, then set aside.

Dry ingredients mixed in a glass bowl.

In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar.

Whisk in a bowl of liquid ingredients.

Add the eggs and vanilla extract.

Whisk in a bowl of liquid ingredients with an egg.

Whisk until evenly combined.

Whisk in a bowl of liquid ingredients.

Then stir in the zucchini.

Shredded zucchini and liquid ingredients in a mixing bowl.

Add the dry ingredients to zucchini mixture.

Dry ingredients being added to the zucchini muffin batter.

Stir until just combined, then add 1/2 cup of the chocolate chips and all of the nuts (if using).

Pecans and chocolate chips piled on muffin batter.

Mix until just combined.

Zucchini chocolate chip muffin batter in a mixing bowl.

Using a large spoon or ice cream scoop, divide the batter into the muffin wells, filling each almost completely. Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips onto the muffins, pressing them in lightly so they adhere.

zucchini muffin batter in muffin pan

Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean.

baked zucchini muffins sitting in pan on rack

Allow the muffins to cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to continue cooling.

muffins cooling on wire rack

Serve warm or room temperature and enjoy!

Zucchini muffins with chocolate chips on a marbled surface.

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Zucchini Muffins with Chocolate Chips

Start the day off right with homemade zucchini muffins – they’re a hit with kids and a great way to sneak in some veggies!

Servings: 12 muffins
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes
Total Time: 35 Minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 medium (9 oz) zucchini, grated (about 2 packed cups/no need to wring dry)
  • ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons chocolate chips
  • ⅔ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and set rack in the middle position. Generously coat a muffin pan generously with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla extract and whisk to combine. Stir in the zucchini.
  4. Add the dry ingredients to the zucchini mixture and stir until just combined. Stir in ½ cup of the chocolate chips and all of the nuts (if using).
  5. Using a large spoon or ice cream scoop, divide the batter into the muffin wells, filling each almost completely. Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips onto the muffins, pressing them in lightly so they adhere. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean. Allow the muffins to cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to continue cooling. Serve warm or room temperature.
  6. The muffins are best served on the same day they are made, but will keep, wrapped in foil, at room temperature for 2 days.
  7. Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The muffins can be frozen in an airtight container or sealable plastic bag for up to 3 months. Thaw for 3 – 4 hours on the countertop before serving. To reheat, wrap individual muffins in aluminum foil and place in a preheated 350°F oven until warm.

Nutrition Information

Powered by Edamam

  • Serving size: 1 muffin (with nuts)
  • Calories: 337
  • Fat: 16 g
  • Saturated fat: 7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 44 g
  • Sugar: 27 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Sodium: 193 mg
  • Cholesterol: 53 mg

This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.

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Comments

  • Perfect 👌 had so much zucchini didn’t know what to do with it. Even my pick kids liked them so much. Highly appreciated 👏

    • — Janet Onley on August 18, 2024
    • Reply
  • Great recipe! I had half of a zucchini left and didn’t want it to go to waste so I made these. They are delicious and everyone enjoyed them! Aside from using a small amount of zuchinni and less salt since I only had salted butter on hand, I followed the recipe. My mother said I should make them at least once a week!

    • — Danielle on August 15, 2024
    • Reply
  • LOVE this recipe! An alternate version I do is to leave out the choc chips and ice them with vanilla icing – tasty little cupcakes!

    • — Meg on August 2, 2024
    • Reply
  • Loved this. I doubled it for my big family and added 1/2 cup cocoa. Yum. The batter was too dry so just wet it a bit with milk. They were amazing. 😀

    • — Lori on July 30, 2024
    • Reply
  • Hi! Id like to make these into mini muffins (perfect size for my small kiddos!) Do you have any advice/insight on how I would adjust the cooking time?

    • — Maddy on March 23, 2024
    • Reply
    • Hi Maddy, I’d start checking for doneness at 11 to 12 minutes. Hope your kids enjoy!

      • — Jenn on March 25, 2024
      • Reply
      • Thank you so much!

        • — Maddy on March 29, 2024
        • Reply
  • 3 questions. Have you made these with gf flour? How to convert this to mini muffins? and how many mini muffins does one recipe make?

    • — Alison on March 13, 2024
    • Reply
    • Hi Alison, a number of readers have commented that they’ve made these with gluten-free flour and have been pleased with the results. Regarding converting these to mini muffins, I believe this will make 36 minis. Other than the baking time, you don’t need to make any modifications. I’d start checking them for doneness at 11 to 12 minutes. Hope you enjoy!

      • — Jenn on March 14, 2024
      • Reply
  • Could I substitute zucchini with shredded carrot instead?

    • — Wendy on February 17, 2024
    • Reply
    • Sure, that should work. Please LMK how they turn out!

      • — Jenn on February 18, 2024
      • Reply
  • These are better than any zucchini muffin I’ve made before. It’s a keeper & I will pass it on.

    • — Christine on September 25, 2023
    • Reply
  • These are so gooood! Every time I try to half a zucchini bread recipe it falls apart but this is the solution! I just want some yummy goodness and these are perfect. Made as directed and wouldn’t change a thing. Love these.

    • — Maeve on September 23, 2023
    • Reply
  • I made these with half the sugar amount and swapped the zucchini for puréed green tomatoes (I know, kinda defeats the purpose of googling zucchini muffins) but they were SO GOOD! Honestly, any more sugar than 1/2 cup would have been too sweet!!! I think the green tomatoes make the moister level a bit higher, so I baked them for 30 minutes total, but they had a great texture. The family loved them! I’m making another batch to freeze! Great use of garden produce I’m not sure what to do with, haha!

    • — Kaleigh on September 19, 2023
    • Reply

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