Healthy chocolate zucchini muffins are so yummy and make for a perfect snack or lunchtime dessert, made with whole wheat flour, maple syrup, applesauce, grated zucchini, and mini chocolate chips!
For more nutritious muffin recipes that still taste scrumptious, be sure to try these Healthy Carrot Cake Muffins, Easy & Healthy Banana Muffins, and Healthy Apple Cinnamon Muffins!
Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
I love a sneaky healthy recipe! These muffins look indulgent. They smell indulgent. Heck, they even taste indulgent! But meanwhile, they're made with whole wheat flour, no sugar, and zucchini, for crying out loud. That's health at its essence, don't you agree?
In place of sugar, they're sweetened with a little maple syrup, and applesauce adds a little kick of sweet flavor, too, plus a lot of moisture. If you haven't joined the zucchini baking train yet, then I can't recommend enough getting started with this recipe!
I know it sounds like zucchini and chocolate should be the LAST ingredients you pair together, especially in a baked goodie, but in these tasty muffins, you can't even taste the green veggie whatsoever. They just add a great element of sneaky vitamins and minerals, and their wetness contributes some great moisture. You will love these muffins for snacks, lunch boxes, and everything in between!
How do you store chocolate zucchini muffins?
After baking, let your muffins cool for 5 minutes in the tin before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Store extras in an airtight container in the fridge.
How long do chocolate zucchini muffins last?
These last for up to a week if kept in the fridge! If you want to prep a double-batch or more, you can also store them in the freezer for much longer, up to 3 to 4 months.
How many zucchini are in a cup?
In general, a medium-sized zucchini is about 8 or so inches long and 2 inches in diameter. Sliced, it accounts for about a cup to 1 ¼ cup. This recipe calls for 1 ½ cups, so I'd recommend using 2 small, 1 ½ medium, or 1 large zucchini for it!
How do you shred zucchini by hand?
You can use a cheese grater to shred zucchini. A food processor will also work -- just make sure you don't blend it into a liquid or have too large of chunks remaining. (Nobody likes a huge bite of zucchini in their chocolate muffin!)
Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins 1x
Description
Healthy chocolate zucchini muffins are so yummy and make for a perfect snack or lunchtime dessert, made with whole wheat flour, maple syrup, applesauce, grated zucchini, and mini chocolate chips!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups finely grated zucchini
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin and set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, add the whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir to combine, and make a well in the center.
- Add the egg, maple syrup, applesauce, and vanilla to the center. Stir to combine well, but don't over-mix.
- Stir in the zucchini and mini chocolate chips until they are incorporated.
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin tin.
- Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the muffins spring back lightly when touched and are no longer gooey in the middle.
- Remove from the oven, and allow the muffins to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before removing them to finish cooling on a wire rack.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for much longer.
Notes
- I LOVE these hearty muffins for lunch boxes. You can make them ahead of time, and they store well all week long.
- These make easy snacks, breakfasts, and everything in the middle.
- I love to make a double batch and keep half in the freezer for later. We love these.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: snack, breakfast
- Method: bake
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: muffin, packed lunch idea, chocolate muffin, zucchini, chocolate zucchini
Other Zucchini and Zucchini Muffin recipes:
- Pineapple Zucchini Muffins
- Healthy Whole Grain Zucchini Muffins
- Pineapple Zucchini Bread Recipe
- 15+ Sweet and Savory Zucchini Recipes
- Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Zucchini Cookies
- Easy Healthy Make Ahead Zucchini Egg Bake
- Classic Zucchini Bread Recipe
- Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread
- The Best Zucchini Corn Bread
- Zucchini Oatmeal Cookies
- Chocolate Zucchini Cake
- Healthy Whole Grain Zucchini Bread Pancakes
- Banana Zucchini Bread
Healthy chocolate zucchini muffins are a hearty and delicious snack that the whole family will love, and they're packed with nourishing ingredients!
Elinor
Can I swap the whole wheat flour for all-purpose white flour? Will I need to adjust the measurements?
Melissa
It'll convert great!
Vanessa
Hi....I want to try this but I live India and i don't get applesauce here.. can i replace it with plain yogurt or milk?
Melissa
Yes, it'll work great with yogurt!