As parents, we get it. It’s not always easy to make sure our kids are eating enough fruits and vegetables. What’s the best way to make sure they do? To add in a bit of greens where they least expect it — a yummy muffin! You can use this recipe as a base and add in some extras like chocolate chips or nuts. Okay, so we’re not here to say that you should lie to your kids. What we are saying is that you should serve them these zucchini muffins and then tell them the secret ingredient. Maybe they’ll become huge squash lovers after a few bites. You never know! This recipe is perfect if you have extra zucchini lying around and don’t know what to do with it. They add so much to the texture of this easy-to-make snack. You honestly can hardly taste the zucchini. They simply taste like an extra moist muffin! Whether you decide to serve these up at home or at your next party, they are a total crowd pleaser.
Zucchini:
You’ll need about 2 cups of grated zucchini for this recipe, which you’ll be able to get from about 2 store-bought squash. If you have some of those giant varieties that come from the garden you can feel free to use that too. Just make sure to remove the skin and seeds first.
Do You Peel Zucchini Before Shredding?
You don’t have to unless you use those big garden varieties as mentioned. If you picked yours up from the store, just make sure to wash well before shredding.
Grating Zucchini:
Use a standard grater to grate the vegetables for your zucchini bread muffins. We like using the fine-sized grate so that it’s even easier to hide that this recipe is filled with veggies. That said, if you don’t have any squash-averse snackers in your house, you can absolutely use a larger-sized grate.
Zucchini Bread:
You can easily turn this recipe into delicious zucchini bread! Simply use a standard bread loaf pan instead. Make sure to grease the pan so it doesn’t stick, and bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 60-70 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Variations:
We love to keep things simple with this recipe, but you are more than welcome to play with different spices and mix-ins! If you want to get creative with yours, consider adding:
- Nuts of choice
- Chocolate chips (milk chocolate, white, or dark)
- Dried fruit
- Nutmeg
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
A Note On Cooking Time And Temperature:
One important step to this recipe is reducing the temperature from 450 degrees F to 350 degrees F after 5 minutes. Do not skip this step! If you continue to cook at such a high temp, you’ll end up with a burnt mess. Set a timer so you don’t forget!
What Do Zucchini Muffins Taste Like?
Many folks compare the taste of this pastry to pumpkin bread, thanks to the added cinnamon! It’s another special ingredient that you shouldn’t skip. It pairs perfectly with the vegetables and the brown sugar.
How Do You Keep Muffins Moist?
The secret to keeping your zucchini bread muffins moist and fluffy is in the zucchini! This added ingredient has a high water content which is released when cooked. Now you know!
