Zucchini Muffins with Chocolate Chips

Tested & Perfected Recipes

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy.

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.

You May Also Like

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.

See more recipes:

Comments

  • Hi there the recipe instructions don’t appear anywhere for some reason.

    • Hi Sheryl, It sounds like you are just looking at the portion of the page that has the pictures with some instructions underneath. If you scroll down a bit to under the pictures, you’ll find the full recipe. Alternatively, at the very top of the page, under the recipe name, you’ll see an orange/red button that says Jump to Recipe – if you click on that, it will take you directly to the recipe. Hope that clarifies!

  • I make these muffins regularly! My grandsons love them and so does my husband! They are moist and tasty with the addition of vege’s and chocolate chips. Yum!

    • — Karen M Miller
    • Reply
  • I make double batches of these and add extra zucchini since I omit the pecans due to a a nut allergy. I made one dozen with no chocolate chips and added chocolate chips the rest of the batter (made 18 more!). I’ve made this several times and the recipe works really well even when using half whole wheat flour and reducing the sugar. It was a big hit in my family. We freeze them and heat them up in the microwave!

  • I’ve tried many of your recipes and they all turned out perfect. my cooking has definitely improved thanks to you.
    I’m going to make this one soon. just wondering what the cooking time will be if I’m using the mini muffin tin?
    thanks!

    • So glad you’ve had success with the recipes! For minis, I’d start checking for doneness at 11 to 12 minutes. Enjoy!

  • This looks great. Can I substitute the butter using unsweetened applesauce? How many cups of applesauce I should use? I can’t have chocolate and I have to omit that as well, should I add more zucchini or just leave it as the same? Thank you for sharing the recipe.

    • Hi Aileen, I’d suggest replacing half the butter with applesauce. If you do that, you’ll need 1/4 cup applesauce and 1/4 cup butter. If you don’t mind denser, more moist muffins, you could try replacing all the butter. And you can omit the chocolate chips without increasing the zucchini. Please LMK how they turn out!

  • Looks delicious – quick question — does 9 oz of zucchini equal about 1 cup.? Just don’t want to mess this up! Thanks so much!

    • Hi Elisha, I’d guesstimate you’ll need about 1 & 1/3 cups.

      • Thanks Jenn! Much appreciated. :)))

  • These were excellent and scarfed down quickly by family before I could capture a picture. 🙂

  • Super yummy. Used mostly white whole wheat flour and halved the butter, using applesauce for the other 1/2. And since applesauce is sweet, I reduced the sugar a bit. I quadrupled the recipe to make us 4 dozen for the freezer. Thanks for a recipe that doesn’t require squeezing the zucchini.

  • These were fantastic! I loved the cinnamon and nutmeg flavor in them. Will definitely make again!

  • I’m just sampling my first muffin and absolutely delicious! I used 2 cups of zucchini and instead of chocolate chips, I used raisins dusted in flour (plus walnuts). This one is a keeper! Thanks Jenn!

    • — Deborah Twomey Brown
    • Reply
    • So delicious! Originally made for family but I couldn’t stop myself from eating them, I had to make another batch for everyone.

Add a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.