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Zucchini Muffins Recipe – Easy Small Batch Recipe

This time of the year, when the zucchini are ready to be picked out of my garden, I love to pull out my favorite zucchini recipes, including this small batch Zucchini Muffins recipe.

As much as I love zucchini bread, often times with just the two of us left at home, the bread ends up going bad before we can eat it all. However, when I make muffins, they seem to fly off of the counter.

That is because they are an easy ‘grab and go’ food item. There is no need for a cutting board, knife or a plate.

zucchini muffins
There is nothing better than biting your teeth in a fresh zucchini muffin! They turn out moist and delicious every time!

Simply open the container, grab a zucchini muffin and you have yourself a quick dessert, snack or breakfast on the go!

But the best part about making these muffins is that you most likely already have the ingredients in your pantry. And with zucchini season in full swing, I am sure that even if you don’t have a garden you can easily find a friend who will gladly provide you with one.

And if not, no worries! There are Farmer’s markets and grocery stores that are well stocked with them this time of the year.

Equipment Required

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Silicone Spatula
  • Box Grater
  • Baking Spray
  • Muffin Pan
  • Oven
  • Toothpick

Equipment That Will Make This Recipe Even Easier

  • Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer
  • Food Processor With Grating Blade
  • Silicone Muffin Liners or Paper Liners
  • Medium Size Cookie Scoop
  • Cooling Rack

Helpful Recipe Tips For Making Zucchini Muffins

1. Use A Whisk

When mixing your dry ingredients together, it is best to use a whisk to break up any clumps that may be in the flour or other ingredients. You can also use the whisk to mix the oil and egg together.

2. Peel or Don’t Peel

The choice to peel the zucchini is up to you. If you don’t mind seeing green specs in the muffins, by all means, save yourself time and don’t peel the zucchini.

However, if you are trying to sneak zucchini into a dessert because you have picky eaters or someone that swears they don’t like the taste of zucchini, then I recommend peeling it first.

zucchini shredded on hand grater
Although you could use a hand grater or box grater, it is much faster to use a food processor to shred the zucchini.

3. Use A Food Processor To Grate The Zucchini

After you decide whether you are peeling the zucchini or not to make your muffins, it is time to shred or grate the zucchini. You can use a box grater. However, I find it much easier to use my Hamilton Beach Food Processor that has a grater blade attachment.

4. Use A Mixer

Use a hand mixer or a small stand mixer with the paddle attachment to mix the batter together. I prefer to use a hand mixer because this is a small batch recipe. However, still fold in the zucchini and any other optional ingredients with a silicone spatula.

5. Make Clean Up A Breeze

If you love to bake, but don’t like the clean up process, do yourself a favor and use either silicone or paper muffin liners. It will save you the frustration of cleaning the muffin pan later.

muffins in silicone muffin liners
I absolutely love using silicone muffin cups. They are much easier to clean than a muffin tin and they can be used over and over again.

Zucchini Muffins

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

INGREDIENTS

  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 1 cup finely shredded zucchini, peeled or unpeeled

Optional Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/4 cup raisins

INSTRUCTIONS

The first step in making zucchini muffins is to shred the zucchini. Using a box grater, hand grater or a food processor, grate the peeled or unpeeled zucchini into fine strands.

Set the zucchini aside and preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Then coat the cups of a 6 hole muffin pan with cooking spray.

However, if you are using silicone or paper muffin liners, there is no need to spray the cups. I prefer to use silicone muffin liners as they are easy to clean and are reusable.

Make The Batter

Now that you have everything prepared, it is time to make the batter. In a medium size mixing bowl, add the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.

Whisk the dry ingredients until there are no visible clumps. Set aside.

dry ingredients
It is best to whisk your dry ingredients so that it removes all clumps in the flour.

In another mixing bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk the egg and oil until well incorporated. Then slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, just until moistened.

Using a silicone spatula, fold in the shredded zucchini and any other optional ingredients that you are using. Continue to fold zucchini muffin batter until the ingredients are well distributed.

Then fill the prepared muffin cups three-fourths full with batter. Although you can use a spoon I find it easier to use a medium cookie scoop to divide the batter among each cup.

Depending on the size of your muffin pan, you will need approximately 2 scoops of batter per cup. However, start by filling each hole with 1 scoop and then add more until each cup is 3/4ths full.

Once the cups are filled to the recommended height place the muffin pan in the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick in center comes out mostly clean.

Then remove the pan from the oven. Let the zucchini muffins cool for 5 minutes before removing them from the muffin pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

However, if you want to eat one while they are still warm, go for it! They are absolutely delicious warm or at room temperature.

filling batter in cups
Start by placing one scoop of batter in each muffin tin. Then continue to add more until the cups are 3/4ths full.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What can I use instead of canola oil?

If you don’t have, or don’t want to use canola oil in this recipe, there are various substitutes that you can use. For a 1:1 oil substitute, use vegetable oil, extra virgin olive oil, or grapeseed oil.

You can also substitute all natural applesauce in place of the oil. Although must recipe developers will tell you to substitute only half of the oil with the applesauce, I prefer to substitute it completely.

Just be sure to use all natural, no sugar added smooth applesauce.

2. How do I store Zucchini Muffins?

Once the muffins are completely cool, place them in a covered container. Store at room temperature for 4-5 days.

However, if you want to keep them longer, store them in the refrigerator or freezer. They will stay good in the refrigerator for 7 days, and if in an air tight container, up to 3 months in the freezer.

3. How much zucchini is 1 cup shredded?

To get 1 cup of shredded zucchini, you will need 1 medium size zucchini. Because the term medium means different things to different people, let me explain further.

You will need a zucchini that is about 6-7 inches in length and about 2-3 inches in diameter. Don’t worry if you have leftover shredded zucchini.

You can stir the leftover strands in Barbecue Cheeseburger Pie and you won’t even taste it! It is a great way to sneak in some extra veggies into your dinner.

zucchini muffins
Take advantage of all those fresh picked zucchini and make muffins, breads, main dishes and more!

4. What else can I make with zucchini?

If you find yourself with a bunch of zucchini and don’t know what to do with it, here are some of my favorite zucchini recipes.

Enjoy! Mary

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zucchini muffins

Zucchini Muffins

Yield: 6 muffins
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

A small batch zucchini muffins recipe that gives you 6 moist and delicious muffins. Great for dessert, a snack, or a quick and easy breakfast on the go!

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 1 cup finely shredded unpeeled zucchini

Optional Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/4 cup raisins

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Coat muffin cups with cooking spray or use silicone or paper liners; set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl, add the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Whisk until no clumps are visible. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment mix together the egg and oil. Slowy stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients just until moistened.
  4. Using a silicone spatula, fold in the zucchini and any other optional ingredients that you are using.
  5. Using a medium scoop, fill the prepared muffin cups three-fourths full with the batter. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick in center comes out clean.
  6. Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before removing the muffins from the pan to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.


Store in a closed container at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

Notes

Muffins can be stored in an air tight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Recipe provided by iCookfortwo.com

Nutrition Information
Yield 6 Serving Size 1 muffin
Amount Per Serving Calories 301Total Fat 17gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 15gCholesterol 31mgSodium 177mgCarbohydrates 35gFiber 2gSugar 20gProtein 5g

Nutritional Information is to be used as a general guideline only . Nutritional calculations will vary from the types and brands of the products used.

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